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

The best part of this day is the sharp change of pace: first you ride a small, calm Icelandic horse through fields and over a river, then you settle onto a bus for Iceland’s classic sights. Laxnes Horse Farm gives you a close look at a breed prized for its gentle nature, smooth ride, and unusual extra gait.

I like the way this tour combines two very different Iceland experiences without making you arrange separate transport. I also like the sensible sightseeing order, with Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss saved for the second half of the day. The main thing to consider is the long schedule and the possible gap between the riding portion and the Golden Circle bus. One December departure had a one-hour delay, which left less time at the sights.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride before sightseeing: Spend about two hours at Laxnes Horse Farm, including an easy river crossing and countryside riding.
• Three major Golden Circle stops: Visit Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss, with walking and photo time at each.
• A full 11-hour day: Expect an early start, several hours on the road, and a return to Reykjavík tired but well supplied with scenery.
• Warm-up time at the farm: You have about 40 minutes to warm up and eat before continuing to the Golden Circle.
• English-speaking operation: The tour includes a live English guide, riding equipment, Wi-Fi on the bus, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
• Check the Kerið detail: Kerið crater is named in the description, but it is not listed among the timed itinerary stops, so confirm its inclusion before paying.

Two Iceland classics in one long day

At $234 per person, this is not a budget outing. It is priced as a full-day combination tour, with Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, a horse ride, equipment, a guide, and transport between several distant sights.

I see the value mainly in the combination. A separate horse-riding outing and Golden Circle trip would take more planning, and you would need to solve the transport between them yourself. Here, the farm and sightseeing bus are joined into one booking.

The trade-off is time. You are not getting a relaxed farm morning followed by a leisurely Golden Circle afternoon. You are fitting two major activities into 11 hours. If you like full days and want to cover the famous sights efficiently, that works well. If you prefer long walks, quiet stops, and flexible meal breaks, this may feel hurried.

The experience has a strong rating of 4.8 from 53 bookings, and the most consistent positive point is the horse farm. The staff are described as kind and welcoming, and the ride is the part that gives the day its character. The Golden Circle portion is more dependent on traffic, timing, and the quality of the guide on your departure date.

Laxnes Horse Farm and the Icelandic horse

The day begins with pickup at one of many Reykjavík hotels or designated bus stops. The drive to Laxnes Horse Farm takes about 30 minutes, so you reach the countryside fairly quickly rather than spending the first part of the morning on a long highway transfer.

At the farm, an instructor selects a horse for you and provides the riding gear. This is useful for beginners, since you are not expected to choose an animal or arrive with your own equipment. The Icelandic horse is smaller than many riding breeds and is known for a calm temperament, a smooth ride, and an additional gait beyond the usual walk, trot, and canter.

The riding portion lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. You travel over hills and through fields, with an easy river crossing along the way. The appeal is not speed or technical riding. It is the chance to see the countryside at ground level, with the horse doing the work while you take in the open views.

You should be comfortable spending a couple of hours outdoors on horseback. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the tour runs in winter as well as summer, so warm, practical clothing matters. The supplied information confirms that riding gear is included, but it does not specify exactly which garments are provided. Dress as if you will be outside for the full riding period.

The farm section is also a good reason to choose this tour over a standard Golden Circle bus trip. Thingvellir and Gullfoss are essential sights, but they are shared by many day tours. Riding an Icelandic horse adds a more personal connection to the countryside.

After returning to the farm, you have about 40 minutes to warm up and eat before the Golden Circle vehicle arrives. Tea and coffee have been provided at the farm on at least one departure, but do not treat that as a full meal. Bring food or plan to buy something later, since the schedule gives you limited time for both eating and sightseeing.

Thingvellir after the farm

The trip from the horse farm to Thingvellir takes about 20 minutes. This makes it the easiest Golden Circle transfer of the day, and it gives you a chance to settle back into bus mode.

Thingvellir National Park is one of Iceland’s most important natural and cultural sites. The tour points out the meeting area of the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, a feature that helps explain the country’s dramatic geology. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You have about 40 minutes here for a guided visit, photographs, and a walk. That is enough for a first look at the main area, especially if your goal is to understand the setting and take in the wide views. It is not enough for a long park walk or a slow exploration of every path.

I like having Thingvellir first among the major sights. You see a broad, open setting before the geothermal activity at Geysir and the force of Gullfoss. After a morning on horseback, though, some people may wish for a longer walk here. Keep your expectations practical: this is a focused stop, not a full national park day.

Geysir and the rhythm of an eruption

The bus ride from Thingvellir to Geysir takes about an hour. This is one of the longer road sections, but it breaks up the day after the short park visit.

The Geysir geothermal area is famous for its hot springs and regular eruptions. The original Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, although the active attraction you are most likely to watch is Strokkur. The provided tour details simply promise a spectacular eruption at Geysir, so expect a chance to stand near the geothermal area and watch the water burst upward.

The scheduled stop is about 70 minutes, which is the longest sightseeing period in the Golden Circle itinerary. That gives you time to walk, take photos, and wait through more than one eruption. It also creates the day’s main food decision. A one-hour lunch break is included within this part of the tour, according to the supplied experience details, so you may need to choose between a leisurely meal and extra time around the geyser.

That is worth knowing before you arrive. If the weather is cold, you will want warm food and a place to sit. If the geyser is active while you are eating, you may feel pulled away from lunch. Keep the meal simple and watch the time.

One December departure had a particularly difficult version of this problem. The bus guide arrived about an hour late at the farm, then the group had to hurry. The same account described sharp comments from the guide and too little time at the sights. This appears to be an exception rather than the normal plan, but it is a real risk on any tightly timed combination tour. A late start has consequences because the final waterfall stop and return drive cannot simply be stretched.

Gullfoss, the powerful final stop

From Geysir, the bus continues to Gullfoss. You have about 40 minutes at the waterfall, followed by a return drive to Reykjavík of roughly 100 minutes.

Gullfoss is fed by glacial rivers from Langjökull and is one of Iceland’s most forceful waterfalls. The water drops through two main levels, creating a broad, noisy rush that feels much larger than a quick photograph suggests. The short walk to the viewpoints gives you several angles, but spray and wind can make the paths feel cold and wet.

Forty minutes is enough to see the waterfall and take photographs. It is less generous if you want to linger at every viewpoint or walk slowly in poor weather. Wear shoes with a firm sole and bring waterproof layers, even if the sky looks clear when you leave Reykjavík.

Ending with Gullfoss makes sense. It is the most dramatic stop for many people, and the sound and scale give the day a strong finish. The downside is that you may be tired by this point. After the horse ride, three sightseeing stops, and a long return drive, the waterfall can become one more item on a packed checklist rather than a quiet moment.

The Kerið crater question

The description of the day includes Kerið, a volcanic crater with a lake, and says its views can take your breath away. Yet the detailed timed route lists only Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss after the horse farm.

That difference matters. Do not assume Kerið is included simply because it appears in the general description. Ask the operator to confirm the current route before booking if the crater is important to you. There is no separate duration given for a Kerið stop, and the listed 11-hour schedule already has a full set of destinations.

If Kerið is included on your departure, it adds a colorful volcanic crater and lake to an already varied day. If it is not, the main route still covers the three signature Golden Circle sights. I would book this for the horse ride and the classic trio, not specifically for Kerið.

Bus timing, pickup, and the practical details

Pickup is available from many Reykjavík hotels, hostels, campsites, cruise-related stops, and designated city bus stops. The long list includes places such as Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, BSÍ Bus Terminal, Reykjavík Campsite, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, and the Reykjavík Maritime Museum.

Check your exact pickup point carefully. Reykjavík tour transport often uses nearby designated stops rather than pulling directly to every hotel entrance, and choosing the wrong point can create a stressful start. The activity includes pickup from your accommodation in Reykjavík, but the supplied route also lists specific meeting points, so follow the confirmation for your booking.

The return trip offers many drop-off points as well. They include central stops, hotels, the campsite, BSÍ, and Skarfabakki cruise terminal. One December booking ended at a different point from the pickup location, requiring a taxi. That is a useful warning: confirm the return stop if you need to reach a particular hotel, cruise departure, or dinner reservation.

Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which helps during the long drives, though you should still treat it as a convenience rather than the main reason to book. The ride is where you rest, look out the window, and listen to the guide’s explanations.

The live guide speaks English. One guide named in the experience details is Monica, who led a December departure. That particular day received criticism for delay, rushed stops, and an unhelpful tone. I would not use one poor departure to judge every guide, but I would leave plenty of flexibility after the tour and avoid booking a fixed evening plan immediately afterward.

The tour is not suitable for children under seven or for people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Those limits apply to the riding portion and should be taken seriously. The day also requires getting on and off a bus, walking at outdoor sights, and spending time on horseback, so consider your comfort with those activities before booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful in Iceland, where weather and changing plans can affect a day’s schedule. They do not remove the need to check the forecast or confirm the start time when you book.

Who gets the best value from this tour?

I would recommend this day to you if you want a first taste of Iceland and do not have room for separate outings. You get a distinctive farm experience, the country’s best-known scenic route, and transport from Reykjavík in one long package.

It is particularly well suited to:

• First-time visitors with only a few days in Iceland
• People who want to ride an Icelandic horse without arranging a full riding holiday
• Couples or friends who enjoy active sightseeing
• Anyone who prefers an organized route to driving unfamiliar roads
• Visitors who want both countryside contact and famous photo stops

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed schedule, a long lunch, or serious time at each Golden Circle location. I would also think twice if you are booking around a cruise, flight, or evening event. A delay at the farm can affect every later stop, and the return drive is about 100 minutes even when the day runs on time.

Should you book the horse ride and Golden Circle?

Book it if the horse ride is the part you are most excited about and you also want to see Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss without managing several bookings. The farm staff, gentle Icelandic horses, countryside route, and river crossing give this day something a standard bus loop cannot provide.

Skip it in favor of a simpler Golden Circle trip if you care most about generous sightseeing time or dependable timing. At $234, the tour earns its price through convenience and variety, not through a leisurely pace. Confirm the Kerið stop, check the pickup and drop-off points, and leave your evening open.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts 11 hours, including Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, horseback riding, sightseeing, and the bus journeys between stops.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from many Reykjavík hotels, hostels, campsites, cruise-related locations, and designated city bus stops. Your booking confirmation should show the exact pickup location.

How long is the horseback ride?

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

What is included for horseback riding?

An instructor selects a horse for you, and horse-riding gear is included. The ride travels through the countryside, over hills and fields, and includes an easy river crossing.

Which Golden Circle sights are included?

The timed route includes Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall. Kerið is mentioned in the general description, but it is not listed among the timed stops, so confirm whether it is included on your departure.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The activity includes a live English-speaking guide.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven are not permitted on this activity.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included at many Reykjavík hotels and designated city stops, although the return point may not always be identical to the pickup point.