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Reykjavik: Viking Horse Riding & Golden Circle Day Trip

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Free cancellationExcellent qualityLikely to sell out

1/16

Duration9h

GroupUp to 50

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Ride Icelandic horses then see Gullfoss Geysir & Thingvellir in one day

You’ll ride an Icelandic horse through wild lava fields near Reykjavik with a local guide, then explore Thingvellir’s ancient rift valley, watch Strokkur geyser erupt up close, and stand by Gullfoss waterfall’s thundering edge—all with pickup included. Expect laughter, windburned cheeks, and memories that stick around longer than you’d think.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ride Icelandic horses at Eldhestar farm
Visit Thingvellir National Park
Explore Geysir geothermal area
See Strokkur geyser erupt
Visit Gullfoss waterfall

The Experience

I nearly chickened out when I first saw my horse at Eldhestar—he looked so calm, but I hadn’t ridden since I was twelve. Our guide, Sigrún, just grinned and handed me a helmet. “He’s called Loki,” she said. “He likes to snack on moss.” The air smelled sharp and earthy, almost metallic from the nearby hot springs. Once we got moving through the lava fields outside Reykjavik, Loki’s gait was so smooth I forgot to be nervous. My gloves picked up this faint smell of leather mixed with wet grass. We passed a group of locals waving from their porch—one guy gave us a thumbs up and shouted something in Icelandic that made Sigrún laugh.

After the ride (my legs were wobbly but happy), we loaded into the van for the Golden Circle part of the day trip. Thingvellir was next—a place that feels both wide open and strangely intimate, like you could hear your own thoughts echoing off those black cliffs. Our guide pointed out where the tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart—I tried to picture it happening under my feet. The wind there has this way of making you squint even when it isn’t raining.

Lunch was just at a roadside café near Geysir—nothing fancy, but I swear that lamb soup tasted like it could revive anyone. Strokkur erupted while I was halfway through my bread roll; everyone jumped except Sigrún who just shrugged (“It does that every few minutes”). Gullfoss came last: water roaring so loud you feel it in your chest, spray sticking to your face and camera lens. There was a rainbow caught in the mist for about two seconds—blink and you’d miss it. On the drive back to Reykjavik I realized my jeans still smelled faintly of horse and sulfur. Not sure why that felt comforting.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off anywhere in Reykjavik (hotels or cruise ports), all entry fees along the Golden Circle route, a guided horseback ride at Eldhestar with helmet and gear provided, WiFi on board your vehicle, plus time to buy lunch or snacks at local stops before returning to town in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Gray Line Iceland