Horses first, then geysers and falls. This full-day tour strings together a Viking-era style Icelandic horse ride at Laxnes Horse Farm with a fast Golden Circle express that hits Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.

I loved how rider-friendly the horse part felt, with calm mounts, provided riding gear, and staff who make first-timers comfortable. Then Gullfoss delivers in a big way: the two-tier drop, the canyon roar, and misty rainbows if you’re lucky with sun.

One thing to think about: the Golden Circle is paced as an express, so you don’t linger long at each stop—especially at Thingvellir (about 45 minutes).

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Laxnes Horse Farm’s Icelandic horses: gentle temper, steady footing, and the breed’s Viking-age roots
• Two-part day: a horse ride on the farm, then a coach ride for the Golden Circle highlights
• Thingvellir time is short: enough for the rift valley views, but not enough to wander forever
• Gullfoss is the star for photos: bring a raincoat for the spray
• English guide on the bus: in one case I heard Roman named, and the narration sounded lively

Viking Horse Riding Plus the Golden Circle From Reykjavik

If you’re in Reykjavik and you want one day that actually feels like a full day, this tour is built for it. You start with a proper horse experience just outside the city, then switch gears to Iceland’s most famous geology trail: Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Strokkur.

The “value” here isn’t that it’s the cheapest way to see the Golden Circle. It’s that you’re paying for two high-demand experiences packed into one schedule, plus hotel-area pickup, a guide, national park fees, and WiFi on the coach.

It also helps that the horse ride is designed for a wide range of riders. You don’t need previous experience, and the minimum age is 8.

Laxnes Horse Farm: What the 2-Hour Icelandic Ride Really Feels Like

Your morning starts with pickup around Reykjavik area hotels and guesthouses. Then you head out to Laxnes Horse Farm where you meet the team and get matched with a horse.

This isn’t a fancy western-style “sit and pose” ride. It’s a real trail experience on Icelandic horses—small, robust, and known for being docile and steady-footed. One of the most interesting details is their fifth gait, the tölt, which you may be able to experience depending on your horse and how the ride is paced.

From the reviews and the way the ranch runs, you can expect the ride to include changing terrain: up and down hills, stream crossings, and off-road countryside paths. People also talked about trot and even canter for those who were comfortable and want more movement. That’s a nice plus if you’re not looking for something purely gentle the whole time.

Practical tips I’d follow:

• Wear warm layers and a hat. Iceland can be cold even when it looks mild in the city.
• They provide necessary riding gear, and you may get extra layers for warmth depending on conditions.
• Bring a fully charged phone if you care about photos. You’ll want it for video bursts and those stop-and-scenic-moments.
• There’s no mounting block. The staff help, but if you have mobility limitations, you’ll want to be ready for extra help at mounting time.

One of the simplest comforts: after the ride, coffee and pastries were mentioned as being available. That’s not a small thing on a chilly morning.

And yes, the horses are the headline. Multiple people called the Icelandic breed gentle, well managed, and well cared for. If you’re the type who worries about whether animals are treated properly on tours, this part of the day seems to earn trust.

Thingvellir National Park: Rift Valley Views and the Old Parliament Site

After the horse ride, you shift to the coach part of the day. The schedule then takes you to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site tied to Iceland’s early democratic gatherings.

Thingvellir isn’t only about history. It’s also a geology stop in a way most Golden Circle tours can’t match. You’re in the area where tectonic plates meet and gradually separate, shaping steep cliff edges and broad fields. The water and terrain cues are part of what makes it feel different from just seeing rocks in the distance.

You get about 45 minutes here. That’s enough to see the key viewpoints and take in the rift valley, but it will feel rushed if you love slow walks and long photo breaks. I’d plan on quick stops, then a longer look only if your group moves at a relaxed pace.

If you’re someone who wants the best odds for photos, aim to spend your first minutes finding a viewpoint before the crowd spreads out. The time window is short, so you’ll get more satisfaction from smart positioning than from sprinting between spots.

Geysir Hot Springs: Mud Pits, Steam Vents, and the Original Geyser Name

Next up is Geysir, the geothermal area that includes boiling mud pits, steam vents, and the historic namesake: the geyser called Geysir. This stop is about 45 minutes, so you’ll get time for a loop through the viewpoints and a chance to watch the activity from safer viewing areas.

Geothermal sites can be intense on the senses. The steam is warm, the ground can smell strongly of sulfur, and everything feels alive in a way that photos sometimes can’t fully capture. Still, the goal is simple: watch the energy, then reset yourself before the next stop.

A useful mindset here: don’t just search for the biggest eruption. Look at how the boiling mud and vents behave around it. That’s what gives Geysir its texture and the “I’m standing somewhere real” feeling.

Gullfoss Waterfall: Two-Tier Power and How to Keep Your Camera Dry

Then comes Gullfoss, one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland—and for good reason. You’re looking at the Hvítá River dropping over two tiers into a canyon below. The sound alone hits before your eyes fully register the scale.

This stop gets about 1 hour. That timing matters. You want enough minutes to walk the paths, find angles, and deal with mist and wind. The good news is that there are multiple viewpoints, including one path that leads closer to the base area for a stronger perspective.

The practical note I’d treat as mandatory: bring a raincoat. On sunny days, Gullfoss can throw off rainbows, but the spray also soaks you fast if you’re dressed lightly. A compact rain layer is one of the best investments you can make for this day.

If you hate rushing, this is where you should spend your extra attention. It’s the stop most people talk about with real excitement, and it’s the one where taking a few extra minutes pays off instantly.

Strokkur: The Regular Eruption Moment You Don’t Want to Miss

After Gullfoss, you head to Strokkur for about 30 minutes. Strokkur is the geyser that erupts on a regular basis, so you’re not waiting in total uncertainty for the event you came to see.

This is a shorter stop, so plan your viewing strategy early. Find a safe spot where you can see the eruption plume, then keep your camera ready. When it goes, it goes fast. You won’t want to be walking mid-eruption.

This is also a good place to check your group’s vibe. If you’ve got kids or first-time visitors, Strokkur tends to deliver a visible payoff without needing complicated interpretation. The geyser’s rhythm makes it easier to time photos.

The 9-Hour Timing: How to Make the Day Feel Less Like a Whirlwind

The tour runs roughly 9 hours with a start time of 9:30 am, then ends back at the meeting point. That means you’re moving most of the day, with short windows at each major site.

One detail that shows up in real-world experience: the day can feel like two linked rides rather than one single continuous bus tour. People described being picked up by the horse farm minibus first, then picked up again from the farm for the Golden Circle express portion. That’s totally normal for tours that pair a specific ranch schedule with the Golden Circle timing, but it does change how you plan your morning bags.

I’d pack like this:

• Keep your phone, raincoat, and gloves easy to reach (not buried at the bottom).
• Have a warm layer you can add or remove quickly.
• Bring snacks if you’re the kind of person who gets cranky after long rides (food and drinks aren’t included, though stops at local shops/restaurants may happen).

Also: the coach includes WiFi and is air-conditioned, which can be a comfort if the weather turns busy and warm later.

On the storytelling side, the bus guide gets mentioned by name in some experiences. Roman was one example of a guide who added fun facts and personal stories, which helps the “drive between stops” time feel less dead.

Pickup, Group Size, and Who Runs the Show

This tour includes pickup and drop-off from cruise ports, hotels, and designated meeting points in the Reykjavik area. You also get a mobile ticket, and the vehicle is air-conditioned.

The group maximum is 50 travelers, which is large enough to bring energy, but small enough that you usually still feel like you’re part of the same day plan. Still, if you prefer a more intimate feel, the express timing and group size can feel a bit “tourish.” One review even wished for more time at Thingvellir, which lines up with the fixed 45-minute window.

Your guide is English-speaking, and the horse farm team provides the riding setup and gear for the horse portion. Those are two different teams doing two different jobs, and that’s part of why it works: ranch staff focus on safety and riding confidence, while the bus guide focuses on sites and movement between stops.

Value for $213.97: Is It Worth Paying for the Whole Package?

At $213.97 per person, you’re paying for more than transport to three or four sights. You’re paying for:

• A guided horse riding experience (with gear and farm operations included)
• A coach day that covers the Golden Circle highlights
• National park fees
• Pickup and drop-off
• A professional English guide
• WiFi on board

If you were to piece this together yourself, you’d likely spend time coordinating multiple bookings and still come out with a similar total once you factor in guides and entry fees. The strength of this tour is the convenience: one schedule, one day, and you don’t have to manage the “how do we get from the farm to the next stop” logistics yourself.

That said, you should consider whether you love the idea of seeing the Golden Circle at a sprint. If you’re the type who wants slow wandering at each viewpoint, you might prefer separate, longer-format tours. If, however, you want a balanced day with horses as the main event and the Golden Circle as the payoff, this price starts to look reasonable.

Who Should Book This Horse + Golden Circle Tour

I think this tour fits best if you:

• Want the horse ride to be the highlight (and not just a short interaction)
• Are okay with time-boxed stops at Thingvellir, Geysir, and Strokkur
• Like guided structure, especially if it’s your first time in Iceland
• Want an experience that works for first-time riders (no prior riding experience required, age 8+)

It also works for families and mixed-experience groups. One review specifically praised the staff for helping a rider who was scared to ride alone, which is the kind of emotional comfort you can’t always measure in advance.

If you’re an advanced rider hoping for long, technical training, this may feel too short and too scenic. But the tour does offer opportunities for more movement depending on your comfort level, including the chance to trot or canter for some riders.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Tour?

Book it if you want a day that covers real animal experience plus Iceland’s signature natural sights, all with pickup and guides handled for you. The horse portion at Laxnes is the part that seems most consistently loved: gentle horses, a well-run ride, and little comforts like coffee and pastries afterward.

Skip it (or consider a different format) if you strongly prefer unhurried time at Thingvellir and hate the feeling of express stops. 45 minutes there can be great for the main viewpoints, but it’s not for people who want to linger for hours.

If you’re unsure, I’d think of your priorities like this: if horses sound like a must-do, this tour is a strong way to make that happen without sacrificing the Golden Circle. If horses are a nice-to-have, you might get a better match with a different itinerary that gives more breathing room.

FAQ

What time does this tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The horse riding at Laxnes Horse Farm is listed as 2 hours.

Do I need prior horse-riding experience?

No previous horse-riding experience is required.

What is the minimum age to ride?

The minimum age for horse riding is 8 years.

Are meals included?

Meals are not included, though stops may be made at local restaurants or shops where you can purchase food and snacks.

What Golden Circle stops are included?

You’ll visit Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Strokkur.