From Reykjavík: Full-day Golden Circle & Horse Riding Tour

The unusual part of this day comes first: you ride an Icelandic horse through open countryside, cross an easy river, and learn why this small, sturdy breed is prized for its smooth gait. Then you trade the saddle for a coach and visit Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, Iceland’s essential Golden Circle sights.

I like the smart combination of horse riding and sightseeing, and I like that the farm provides riding equipment and a short break with tea and coffee afterward. The main caution is the schedule: at 11 hours, this is a full day, and the Golden Circle portion can feel rushed if the bus runs late.

• A two-hour horse ride near Laxnes: Ride across hills and fields on Iceland’s distinctive, calm horses.
• Three major Golden Circle stops: See Thingvellir National Park, the erupting Geysir area, and powerful Gullfoss.
• Hotel pickup across Reykjavík: Choose from many hotels, guesthouses, bus stops, and the cruise terminal.
• A long but efficient day: The tour combines two separate experiences without requiring you to arrange extra transport.
• A practical winter option: Riding gear, a guide, and bus transport are included, though weather can affect comfort and timing.

Why pair a horse ride with the Golden Circle?

Many Iceland day trips follow the same pattern: bus, waterfall, bus, geothermal area, bus. This one breaks up the road time with a genuine outdoor activity. You begin at Laxnes Horse Farm, where your guide matches you with an Icelandic horse and helps you put on the required riding gear.

The ride lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. You travel over hills and through fields, with an easy river crossing along the way. That gives you more than a quick photo with a horse. You get a real introduction to riding in Iceland, though the experience remains suitable for a broad range of riders rather than advanced equestrians seeking a demanding trek.

I especially like the order of the day. Horse riding is easier before you have spent hours looking at waterfalls from a bus window. Afterward, the Golden Circle provides big scenery and famous landmarks, with someone else handling the driving.

The tradeoff is pace. You are fitting a substantial ride and several sightseeing stops into one 11-hour outing. This is efficient, but it is not leisurely. You will need to be ready for an early start, a long return drive, and changes in temperature and weather.

Meeting the small, sturdy Icelandic horse

The Icelandic horse is one of the main reasons to choose this tour. It is smaller than many riding horses, docile, and known for an extra gait that can make the ride feel unusually smooth. Your instructor selects a horse for you and supplies the necessary riding equipment.

You do not need to arrange a separate visit to a stable, search for a riding school, or work out rural transport from Reykjavík. The coach takes you toward Laxnes, and the farm provides the horse, instruction, and gear.

The ride itself moves through countryside rather than a purpose-built arena. Hills, fields, and the river crossing give the outing a sense of place. You should still think of it as a guided, accessible countryside ride, not a fast horseback adventure. The stated maximum weight is 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms, and children under seven cannot join.

After the ride, allow time to change and warm up. One account of the day described about 40 minutes at the farm for food and warming up, with tea and coffee available. That pause matters, particularly in colder months, but it also becomes part of the tight overall schedule.

Thingvellir, where geology and history meet

After the farm, the bus takes about 20 minutes to the first Golden Circle stop, Thingvellir National Park. You get roughly 40 minutes here for a guided visit, photos, and a walk.

Thingvellir is important for two reasons. It is linked to Iceland’s early national assembly, and it sits in a dramatic geological rift associated with the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can see cracks, open ground, and broad views that make the earth’s movement easier to picture than it is on a textbook page.

Forty minutes is enough for a clear introduction and some photographs, but not enough for a long park walk. If Thingvellir is the place you most want to explore, you may prefer a tour that gives it more time. On this outing, the goal is to sample the key area before moving on to the geothermal sights.

Bring a waterproof outer layer and shoes with a firm sole. The tour includes walking, and conditions can be wet or uneven. The guide speaks English, and the stop includes explanation as well as free time for photographs.

Geysir, the stop that keeps moving

The drive from Thingvellir to the Geysir area takes about an hour. You have around 70 minutes here, making it the longest sightseeing stop of the day.

Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, although the famous original does not erupt on a predictable schedule. The nearby Strokkur geyser is the one that regularly sends water skyward, so you should expect to wait and watch rather than arrive at a guaranteed eruption time.

That 70-minute allowance is useful. You can see the geothermal area, watch for an eruption, take photos, and still have time to use the facilities or find something to eat. The practical problem is that this stop shares time with lunch. If you want a proper meal, your visit can feel divided between eating and watching the geysers.

One past departure had a one-hour lunch break, which meant choosing between a relaxed meal and more time at the geothermal area. I would bring a small snack so you are not forced to spend the best part of the stop in a restaurant. Follow the guide’s instructions closely, since geothermal ground can be hazardous and marked paths matter.

Gullfoss and the force of glacial water

From Geysir, the bus continues to Gullfoss. You have about 40 minutes for the waterfall, followed by the long drive back to Reykjavík.

Gullfoss is fed by glacial rivers from Langjökull, and its power comes from the scale and speed of the water rather than from a single tall plunge. The falls drop through a two-level gorge, producing spray and a deep roar. On a clear day, the surrounding views add to the effect. In poor weather, the waterfall still has force, but slippery paths and wind can make the stop less comfortable.

Forty minutes gives you time to walk to the main viewpoints and take photographs. It does not give you time for a long wander around the area. Wear shoes that can handle wet ground, and keep your outer layer handy even if Reykjavík began with mild weather.

Gullfoss is often the emotional high point of the Golden Circle because the water feels close and powerful. You are not simply looking at a distant scenic view. You are standing near a river that has cut through the rock with remarkable force.

What happens between the stops?

The listed driving sections add up to several hours, including roughly 30 minutes to the farm, 20 minutes to Thingvellir, one hour to Geysir, and 100 minutes back to Reykjavík after Gullfoss. The bus includes Wi-Fi, which is useful for checking messages or reviewing photos, though you should not expect the ride itself to feel like sightseeing time.

Hotel pickup and drop-off cover many locations throughout Reykjavík. The options include major hotels, guesthouses, hostels, the BSÍ bus terminal, several central bus stops, Reykjavík Campsite, and Skarfabakki cruise terminal. Check your exact pickup point carefully. Reykjavík uses designated bus stops in parts of the center, and the coach may not collect you directly outside a city-center property.

The return point should also be checked before booking. One account of the experience reported being dropped somewhere different from the pickup point and needing a taxi. The listed drop-off choices are extensive, but the matching location may depend on the operator’s route and city traffic.

This detail sounds minor until you return tired after 11 hours. Save the pickup and drop-off information, and do not assume the coach will end at the same place where your morning began.

The timing problem you should understand

The day is designed to work on paper: two hours at the farm, 40 minutes at Thingvellir, 70 minutes at Geysir, 40 minutes at Gullfoss, and transport between them. But a combined tour depends on several moving parts.

The horse farm and the Golden Circle bus portion are distinct stages. A delay in the transfer can reduce time at the sights. One account described the Golden Circle guide, Monica, arriving about an hour late at the farm and then hurrying the group onto the bus. That same account praised the farm staff and considered the horse ride the best part, but found the later sightseeing too compressed.

That is useful planning information, not a reason to reject the tour outright. Most days may run closer to schedule, but you should choose this experience for its broad range rather than for slow, careful exploration of each stop. If one late arrival would spoil your day, book a dedicated horse ride and a separate Golden Circle trip instead.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.8 from 53 recorded ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the horse ride, friendly farm staff, and sensible amount of time assigned to the main activities. The weaker point is coordination between the two parts, particularly when the handoff from the farm to the bus is delayed.

Kerið crater and what is not clearly timed

The tour description also names Kerið, a volcanic crater with a lake, among the sights you may see. However, the timed itinerary lists Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, but does not give Kerið its own stop or visit duration.

I would treat Kerið as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed main stop. If the crater is a must-see for you, ask before booking how it fits into the actual route. This is a good example of why the headline description and the day’s practical schedule do not always tell exactly the same story.

Is $234 a fair price?

At $234 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Golden Circle. The value comes from combining a two-hour horseback ride with a full Golden Circle route, hotel pickup and drop-off, riding equipment, an English-speaking guide, and bus transport.

If you booked a horse ride and a Golden Circle tour separately, you would need to coordinate rural transfers and fit both into your own day. This package removes that work. For a first visit, especially one with limited time in Reykjavík, that convenience can justify the price.

The value is weaker if you want depth at each location. A dedicated Golden Circle tour may offer more breathing room, while a separate horse excursion may give you a calmer farm experience. Here, you pay for variety and efficiency.

I would also factor in food and possible taxi costs. Lunch is not listed among the inclusions, and you may need to pay for a taxi if the final drop-off does not match your preferred location.

Who should book this day?

You are a good match if you want to ride an Icelandic horse, see Iceland’s most famous nearby sights, and prefer an organized day to arranging several transfers. First-time visitors with only a few days in Reykjavík will get a broad introduction to the country’s geology, water, geothermal activity, and rural traditions.

It also suits active adults and families with children aged seven or older who can manage a long day. The ride is the more personal part of the outing, while the Golden Circle gives you the classic Iceland photographs.

You may want another option if you are an experienced rider seeking speed or technical riding, if you dislike fixed schedules, or if you want long walks at Thingvellir and Gullfoss. The 11-hour format requires patience, and the day can feel tiring in cold or wet weather.

Bring warm layers, waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear, a snack, and a phone or camera with enough battery. The bus has Wi-Fi, but you should not rely on it for every practical need.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 11 hours, including transportation, the horseback ride, and the Golden Circle sightseeing stops.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from many Reykjavík hotels, guesthouses, hostels, designated city bus stops, BSÍ Bus Terminal, Reykjavík Campsite, and Skarfabakki 312 Cruise Terminal. You select from the available pickup locations when booking.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback riding portion lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours at Laxnes Horse Farm.

What is included for the horse ride?

Horse-riding gear is included. An instructor also selects a suitable Icelandic horse for you and helps you get set up.

Which Golden Circle sights are included?

The route includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. Kerið is named in the tour description, but no separate timed stop is listed for it.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven cannot participate. The provided information does not give a maximum age.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for people weighing more than 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want two classic Iceland experiences in one long day and you value simple transport more than a relaxed pace. The horse ride is the special ingredient, giving the day a more local, hands-on feel than a standard sightseeing coach trip.

Skip it if your priority is unhurried time at every Golden Circle stop or if a delayed handoff would cause real frustration. Before paying, confirm your pickup and drop-off points, ask about the timing of Kerið, and plan a snack for the Geysir stop. With those expectations in place, $234 buys a busy but memorable introduction to Iceland beyond Reykjavík.