Golden Circle And Ride, 11 Hours

From Reykjavík: Full-day Golden Circle & Horse Riding Tour runs through BusTravel Iceland. Rated 4.7 across 80 reviews. Runs 11 hours. From $223.

Overview

The morning starts with a bus out of Reykjavík to Laxnes Horse Farm, where the riding happens before any sightseeing. Riders are matched with a horse and kitted out with gear on site, then head out for 1.5 to 2 hours over hills, through fields and across a river. The listing notes that Icelandic horses are docile, prized for their smooth ride and an extra gait, and reviewers back this up, including complete beginners who said the ride was the highlight of their trip.

After time at the farm, the group boards the bus again for the classic Golden Circle loop. Thingvellir National Park comes first, then Geysir, then Gullfoss, with photo stops and guided commentary along the way. The return drive to Reykjavík takes about 100 minutes, closing out a full 11-hour day.

This suits travellers who want two headline Icelandic experiences in one outing and would rather not organise them separately. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík are included, as are a guide, riding gear and bus wifi. Meals are not mentioned in the inclusions, so bring something to eat or plan for stops along the route.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup, ReykjavíkChoose from 30 pickup locations across Reykjavík, including hotels, hostels, designated bus stops and the cruise terminal.
2. Bus to Laxnes Horse FarmA roughly 30-minute coach ride out of the city to the farm in the countryside.
3. Horse riding at LaxnesAround 2 hours of riding over hills and through fields, including an easy river crossing, with horses and gear provided by the farm.
4. Transfer toward ThingvellirA short 20-minute bus ride to the first Golden Circle stop.
5. Thingvellir National ParkRoughly 40 minutes for a guided walk and photos at the UNESCO World Heritage site where the American and Eurasian plates meet.
6. GeysirAbout 70 minutes at the geothermal area to watch eruptions and walk the site.
7. Gullfoss WaterfallRoughly 40 minutes to view the waterfall, which is fed by glacial rivers from Langjökull.
8. Return to ReykjavíkA 100-minute drive back, with drop-off at any of the 30 designated locations.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this long day.

• Riding ability. The listing describes the Icelandic horse as a docile breed with a smooth ride, and reviewers with zero prior riding experience reported having a wonderful time on this tour. One experienced rider opted for an advanced group and had an incredible time. The listing also notes the horses are known for an extra gait.
• What to wear. Riding gear is provided, and reviewers mention overalls being available at the farm in bad weather. Take the offer if conditions look wet, as one rider who accepted them stayed warm and dry through rain and sleet.
• Bring food. The listing includes a guide, transport, riding gear and wifi, but no food or drink. Bring snacks and water for the day, since nothing edible appears in the inclusions.
• Weather. The ride and the sightseeing stops are all outdoors, so weather is a real factor on a day this long. One reviewer described riding through rain and sleet and still calling it a favourite experience, and rain overalls are available at the farm. Waterproofs and warm layers matter more than sunshine.
• The guides. Reviewers repeatedly praise both the farm staff and the bus guides, calling them informative, funny and kind across several reviews. The farm is run across three generations, which multiple reviewers mention as a highlight in itself.
• Pace of the day. This is a long day, around 11 hours door to door, with fixed time slots at each stop. Expect short visits at each Golden Circle stop rather than lingering exploration.

Common issues. One reviewer reported the second pickup running about 30 minutes late and the return drop-off arriving early, which cut into their day, though this appears to be a one-off rather than a pattern. Another reviewer had the Golden Circle portion cancelled and moved to the following day, which worked for their schedule but shows the second half can be rescheduled. Weather is a real factor, with one reviewer describing rain and sleet, so come prepared rather than hoping for clear skies. No meals are included.

Picking A Ride