Golden Circle & Horseback Riding Full-Day Tour from Reykjavík

This full-day tour pairs two of Iceland's most beloved experiences: a guided ride on Icelandic horses and a complete circuit of the Golden Circle. Departing from Reykjavík with morning hotel pickup, you'll travel south to the Eldhestar riding centre near Hveragerði for a 1.5–2 hour guided ride through open Icelandic landscapes.

After your ride, a light lunch is served at Hotel Eldhestar, giving you time to relax before the afternoon's sightseeing begins. The tour then continues to the Geysir geothermal area, where the famous Strokkur geyser erupts regularly, shooting a column of boiling water high into the air.

From Geysir, the route leads to Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most dramatic waterfalls, where two cascades plunge into a rugged canyon. The day concludes at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and Iceland's first parliament was established over a thousand years ago.

Guided in English daily, with Scandinavian-language guidance available on selected days, this tour is ideal for horse enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a well-rounded introduction to Iceland's most celebrated landscapes.

Your day begins with a morning hotel pickup in Reykjavík, operated by Eldhestar. Please be ready at your designated pickup location when pickup begins. You'll travel to the Eldhestar riding centre near Hveragerði, where a professional guide will fit you with a protective helmet before your 1.5–2 hour ride through the surrounding countryside on sure-footed Icelandic horses.

After the ride, a light lunch is served at Hotel Eldhestar. The afternoon takes you through the Golden Circle's three headline stops: the bubbling Geysir geothermal area, the sweeping canyon views at Gullfoss, and the rift valley of Þingvellir National Park. A professional local guide accompanies the sightseeing portion throughout. The full tour runs approximately 9 hours 30 minutes.

Few tours in Iceland combine active adventure with classic sightseeing as effectively as this one. Rather than choosing between a horseback experience and the Golden Circle, you get both in a single well-paced day — with transport, a helmet, a light lunch, and a professional guide all included in the price.

The Icelandic horse is a breed unique to Iceland, known for its smooth tölt gait and calm temperament, making it accessible to riders of varying experience levels. Pairing the ride with Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Strokkur means you leave with a genuinely complete picture of what makes Iceland extraordinary.