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

The unusual part comes first: you ride a small, sure-footed Icelandic horse through countryside near Reykjavík, then switch saddles for a full Golden Circle circuit. I like the two-part design, since you get a hands-on rural experience instead of seeing Iceland only through a bus window. I also like the included hotel pickup, riding gear, and bus Wi-Fi, which make a long day simpler.

The main caution is time. This is an 11-hour outing with several long drives and fixed stops. One account describes an excellent horse ride but a late bus connection and a rushed Golden Circle schedule, so you should be ready for a busy day and confirm your drop-off point before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Ride an Icelandic horse for about 1.5 to 2 hours across hills, fields, and an easy river crossing at Laxnes Horse Farm.
• See the Golden Circle’s big three, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall, with Kerið crater also included in the experience description.
• Start and finish from Reykjavík pickup points, with many hotels, bus stops, the cruise terminal, and the BSÍ bus terminal available.
• Expect a long, tightly packed day, with roughly 40 minutes at Thingvellir, 70 minutes at Geysir, and 40 minutes at Gullfoss.
• The horse portion gets the warmest praise, especially for the friendly farm staff, gentle horses, and hot drinks after the ride.
• English is the tour language, and the weight limit is 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Children under seven cannot join.

Why combine horseback riding with the Golden Circle?

I like this tour because it gives you two very different views of Iceland in one day. At Laxnes Horse Farm, you are close to the ground, moving at the pace of an animal and watching the countryside pass by quietly. Later, the bus carries you to Iceland’s famous natural sights, where the scale becomes much bigger.

The Icelandic horse is central to the appeal. It is a distinctive breed, smaller than many riding horses and prized for its calm nature and extra gait. Your instructor chooses a horse for you, supplies the necessary riding gear, and gives you a ride lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours.

That makes this a good choice if you want more than a standard sightseeing loop but do not want to arrange a separate farm visit. The riding is not a short photo opportunity. You spend real time on horseback, crossing hills and fields and making an easy river crossing.

There is a trade-off. The horse farm and the Golden Circle are each worthy of a half-day, yet this tour links them into one demanding schedule. You get variety, but not much spare time if traffic, weather, or a late handoff affects the day.

Getting from Reykjavík to Laxnes Horse Farm

Pickup is available from a large range of Reykjavík hotels, hostels, bus stops, the BSÍ Bus Terminal, and Skarfabakki cruise terminal. The long list is useful because Reykjavík restricts some large vehicles from stopping directly outside central hotels, so your actual pickup may be at a nearby designated bus stop.

The first coach ride to Laxnes takes about 30 minutes. Use that time to settle in and keep your riding clothes accessible. The activity includes riding gear, but the supplied information does not specify what personal clothing is provided, so dress for outdoor conditions and wear practical layers.

The farm portion is the most personal part of the day. You meet the staff, receive an assigned horse, and get ready for the ride. One especially useful detail is that the farm has offered tea and coffee after the ride, giving you a chance to warm up before the bus continues.

Allow some flexibility around the handoff between the farm and the sightseeing coach. The published plan allows about 20 minutes by bus from the farm toward the next part of the route, but the transfer is a key point in the day. A late connection can reduce time at the later stops.

Riding an Icelandic horse for two hours

The ride takes place through the countryside around Laxnes. You travel over hills and lush fields, with an easy river crossing included. This is a gentle way to meet Iceland’s famous horse breed without committing to a multi-day riding trip.

I like that an instructor selects a suitable horse for you. That matters if you have limited riding experience or feel uncertain about handling an unfamiliar animal. The horses are described as docile, and the farm staff are known for being friendly and helpful.

The ride is not presented as an advanced equestrian outing. It is designed as an accessible countryside experience, though you still need to be comfortable sitting on a horse for up to two hours. Children under seven are not permitted, and the maximum listed weight is 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Plan your energy carefully. You still have several hours of sightseeing after the ride, including walking at Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. The horse ride is the part that feels most personal and relaxed, while the afternoon or later sightseeing portion follows the clock.

Thingvellir, where two tectonic plates meet

Thingvellir National Park is the first major Golden Circle stop. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Iceland’s most important outdoor sights, with the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meeting in the region.

The stop allows about 40 minutes for guided sightseeing, photos, and walking. That is enough to see the main area and take in the dramatic geological setting, but not enough for an extended hike. Keep an eye on the meeting time, especially if you stop for photographs.

Thingvellir also adds historical weight to the day, though this tour emphasizes the natural setting rather than giving you a long park visit. The value here is the contrast between the quiet horse farm and the broad geological space of the national park.

You should expect uneven outdoor walking and changing weather. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility description, so ask the operator directly if you need specific assistance.

Geysir and the rhythm of an erupting hot spring

The Geysir area gets about 70 minutes, making it the longest sightseeing stop on the route. That is sensible because the attraction works best when you have time to wait, watch, and walk around the geothermal area.

Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, although nearby Strokkur is the hot spring known for regular eruptions. The tour description highlights Geysir and its spectacular bursts, so you should be ready for steam, bubbling ground, and a sudden column of hot water rather than a constant show.

The long stop also creates the day’s practical choice. A planned meal break can take close to an hour, and that may overlap with your time near the geyser area. If you want to watch an eruption and take photographs, keep your meal short or ask the guide when the group reconvenes.

One account describes a serious scheduling problem here, with too little time to eat and see the geyser comfortably after a late bus arrival. That may not happen on every departure, but it is a good reason to carry a snack and avoid assuming every minute will be available for lunch.

Gullfoss, the Golden Circle’s big finish

Gullfoss gets about 40 minutes. The waterfall is fed by glacial rivers from Langjökull and drops through a powerful, layered gorge. Its scale and spray make it one of the most memorable stops on the circuit.

The short visit is enough for viewpoints and photographs, but it is not a long walk. Bring a waterproof outer layer if you have one, since waterfall spray and Icelandic weather can make the viewing area feel colder than the bus.

Gullfoss is also where the tight schedule becomes most noticeable. You may want to linger, but the bus must keep to its route. Use the first few minutes to find the main viewpoint, then take photographs before spending time simply watching the water.

Kerið crater and what to expect from the route

The experience description includes Kerið, a volcanic crater with a lake, as one of the sights that can take your breath away. The detailed stop-by-stop schedule names Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, but does not give Kerið a separate visit duration.

That means you should confirm the exact day’s stopping plan if Kerið is a priority. It may be included in the route or viewed as part of the broader Golden Circle program, but the available timing does not promise a dedicated walk around the crater.

This is a useful example of why you should read the day as a broad route rather than a promise of unlimited time at every attraction. The main value is the mix of the horse farm and the Golden Circle’s best-known sights.

The bus, guide, and long return to Reykjavík

The sightseeing coach includes Wi-Fi, which is handy after the ride and during the longer stretches between stops. The return drive is listed at about 100 minutes, so download anything you need before the day begins and keep water and snacks with you.

The tour is conducted in English. Guide quality can shape the second half of the experience, especially when the timing is tight. One guide named in the available information is Monica, and one account describes her handling of a delayed pickup in an unpleasant way. I would treat that as a warning about possible inconsistency, not as proof that every departure will feel the same.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 53 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the horse ride, the kindness of the farm team, and the smart amount of time given to each planned activity when the schedule runs properly. The most serious criticism concerns the late bus, rushed stops, and a mismatch between pickup and drop-off.

That last point matters. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but one person paid for a taxi because the final drop-off was not the same as the pickup point. Check your selected locations carefully, especially if you are staying outside the central hotel zone or catching a cruise, flight, or evening reservation.

Is $234 a fair price?

At $234 per person, this is not a cheap Golden Circle bus tour. You are paying for an unusually long day, the horse ride, riding equipment, a guide, transportation, pickup and drop-off, and Wi-Fi on the coach.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book a separate horse ride and a separate Golden Circle trip. Combining them saves you from arranging two operators and gives you a clear way to fit both experiences into one Reykjavík day.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a relaxed sightseeing circuit. You spend much of the day in transit, and the fixed schedule can make lunch and geothermal viewing compete for your time. A private tour or a slower two-day plan would offer more control, but the price and format would be different.

I would also allow room in your budget for food and possible taxi costs if the final drop-off is inconvenient. Food is not listed as included, and the itinerary has a substantial lunch window without naming a meal arrangement.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Iceland and want both a countryside activity and the classic Golden Circle sights. It suits first-time visitors who enjoy a full schedule, do not mind a long bus ride, and like the idea of meeting Icelandic horses in a working farm setting.

It is also a good fit for riders who want a guided, moderate outing rather than a technical horseback trip. The instructor chooses your horse, the ride lasts a meaningful amount of time, and the terrain includes fields, hills, and a simple river crossing.

I would hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules, need generous meal breaks, or want long walks at each natural sight. I would also think twice if you have an important evening appointment, since the stated duration is 11 hours and the return trip can be lengthy.

Canceling up to 24 hours before departure qualifies for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Reykjavík plans are still shifting, but they do not solve the practical issue of fitting such a long day into your itinerary.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the horse ride is a main goal and the Golden Circle is also on your must-see list. The farm portion offers the most distinctive experience, while Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss give you the famous Iceland sights without another day of planning.

Skip it if you want an unhurried Golden Circle visit or if you are uncomfortable with possible timing changes. Before paying, confirm the pickup and drop-off points, ask how Kerið fits into your departure, and plan to carry a snack. With those details understood, $234 can be reasonable for a two-experience day that would otherwise require separate bookings.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 11 hours, including Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, the horse ride, Golden Circle sightseeing, and the return drive.

How long is the horseback ride?

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

Which Golden Circle sights are included?

The route includes Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall. Kerið crater is also included in the experience description, but no separate stop duration is provided.

Is hotel pickup available in Reykjavík?

Yes. Pickup is included from many Reykjavík hotels, hostels, designated bus stops, the BSÍ Bus Terminal, and Skarfabakki cruise terminal.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

No. Children under seven years old cannot join the activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, horse-riding gear, and Wi-Fi on the bus. Food is not listed as included.