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Golden Circle & Horse Riding

Combo Deal

Horseback ride in the Reykjavik countryside and the famous Golden Circle

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group of people riding horses in Iceland

group of white and brown Icelandic horses

Tourist arms ready to take photo of active geysir erupting in iceland's golden circle

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About tour

This day tour is ideal for people who want to make as most of their day in Iceland. You'll spend the morning exploring Reykjavik's countryside on the famous Icelandic horse. Meanwhile, the afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the iconic Golden Circle attractions.

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

Highlights

Horseback Riding
Icelandic Horse
The Golden Circle
Thingvellir National Park
Gullfoss Waterfall
Geysir Geothermal Area

Included

Transfer to/from Reykjavik in a Minibus
Guided Golden Circle Sightseeing Tour
Guided Horseback Riding
Free WiFi on the Bus

What to bring

Warm and waterproof outdoor clothing
Headwear
Gloves
Sturdy shoes

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year

Duration 10 hours

Departs From Reykjavik

Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Minimum age 8 years

Meet on Location No

Pickup Yes

From

274

Per

Adult

Get the best value for money by booking a combo tour for up to 10% less!

Guaranteed departures
No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment
Operated with our trusted partner

From 306 USD

274

Per Adult

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Itinerary

We'll collect you* from your hotel or one of our designated pick-up points** in Reykjavik and make the short drive to the stables. You'll meet your friendly guides, gear up and get familiar with the friendly yet mighty Icelandic horse. We'll ensure that each horse is appropriate for the age and level of experience of each rider. Then we'll push out into the rolling Icelandic countryside for a two-hour ride that will take us through some stunning natural scenery.

There are three options for the ride, depending on the weather conditions. We'll either trek through a luscious valley where our stables are, the riverbank route that crisscrosses sparkling blue streams or the hillside route that takes us past the Tröllafoss waterfall, renowned for being where trolls bathe on a full moon. You'll also get to know your sturdy Icelandic horse, one of the unique species that's been kept the same for thousands of years. Once the tour is over, we'll head back to the stables and enjoy a delicious hot drink before heading to the Golden Circle area.

*Pick-up starts at 09:00 am. Please be ready at your pick-up location at the given time and keep a lookout for our guides and car. Note that the pick-up can take up to 30 min.

**Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures' pick-up list.

Age limit: 8 years old. Participants under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian booked on the same tour.

Weight limit: 120 kg

The Golden Circle

The afternoon begins in Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines geological wonders and historical significance. Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament, was founded on a snowy plain in Thingvellir in 930, making it one of the oldest democratic intuitions in the world. It's also one of the only places in the world where you can walk between two continents. Thingvellir lies where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates gradually move apart, creating a rugged rift valley where you can see two vast continents pulling away from each other.

Our next stop will be the Geysir geothermal area. The Great Geysir was the first geyser to be mentioned in English and is where the word originates from. This renowned geyser is now dormant, but don't be discouraged! Its "little brother," the nearby Strokkur, throws huge jets of boiling water into the air every 5-10 minutes. These molten torrents of water can often reach up to 30 meters into the air, making for a spectacular show and wonderful photo opportunities.

Our final stop will be the famous Gullfoss (Golden Falls), which gives the Golden Circle route its name. It is the most famous waterfall in Iceland and is renowned for the golden color its water takes as it cascades into the luscious valley below. Gullfoss is undoubtedly the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland and will provide photos and memories that will last a lifetime!

Please note

These are two separate tours and if one of the tours gets canceled, the other will still be available for you to join.

FAQ

How is it best to be ready for a pick-up for a tour with Arctic Adventures?

This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.

Here you should wait for your guide.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Can I drink alcohol before or during Arctic Adventures tours?

Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.

Do you offer any family friendly tours, for younger children?

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

Can the itinerary for the tour change?

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.

Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures tour?

Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.

All of our tours are guided in English.

Can the guide advise if I am eligible for rescheduling the tour and/or a refund?

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

What type of power outlets are used in Iceland? Do I need to bring an adapter?

The standard in Iceland is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs, so you might have to bring an adaptor if you are visiting from UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs.

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

How does carbon offsetting work?

We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.

The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.

Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.

Do you offer a tour that is solely the Golden Circle?

Yes, we offer the tour Golden Circle small group tour which is basically the Golden Circle with some extra stops. This tour is focusing on sightseeing and the history of Iceland. Our stops are Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir national park (home to one of the first parliaments of the world), Geysir hot spring area and the historic Skálholt cathedral. View Golden Circle Tours.

I want to book the Golden Circle in combination to another tour, what are my options?

We offer numerous options to spice up your Golden Circle tour and to make the most of your day. Here is a list of all of some great tours.

All year around options:

Golden Circle, Super Truck and Snowmobiling
Golden Circle Small group tour
Golden Circle and Snorkeling
Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon
Golden Circle and Super Jeep tour
Golden Circle and Caving

Summer season:

Golden Circle and Rafting

What sights will I see on the Golden Circle?

The tour is based around the three most popular attractions in Iceland Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and The Great Geysir. We offer several Golden Circle trips that combine sightseeing with some of our adventure tours.

Do I need crampons for this tour?

If you're visiting during winter, typically from mid-October to mid-April, we highly recommend using lightweight crampons (also called ice spikes) for added safety on icy paths while sightseeing. You can purchase them during the booking process to ensure a more secure and comfortable experience.

Find more details about crampons and ice spikes in this guide.