(No availability) 7 Day Golden Circle Horse Riding Tour in Iceland
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Breathtaking Iceland Horse Riding Tour
This tour was nominated by CNNgo as one of the 15 greatest horse treks in the world. What better or more unique way to do the popular Golden Circle tour than by riding through the lovely countryside of South Iceland? The key attractions on this classic tour are the hot spring area of Geysir, Gullfoss, or the Golden Waterfall, each one guaranteed to take your breath away!
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 242 pounds / 110 kilograms
- Horse Breed: Icelandic horse
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 6 days of horse riding
- Daily horse rides
- Entrance fee to Secret Lagoon included
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- Ground transfers
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
Accommodation
During this tour, you will stay overnight in Blesastaðir Guesthouse and Myrkholt Farm.
Program
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik - Blesastaðir Guesthouse
You will be picked up at BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik at 6:00 p.m., where the bus will transfer you and your fellow riders to Blesastaðir Guesthouse, where horses and staff are waiting for you. After a lovely introductory meal where you will get to know each other, relax and rest so you will be well prepared for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Blesastaðir Guesthouse - Thjórsá Glacier River - Blesastaðir Guesthouse
After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits, start your ride along the pleasant trail at Thjórsá Glacier Fed River. Leave the horses at Sandlækjarmýri field and drive to Blesastaðir Guesthouse. This day is the perfect start to getting to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy the outdoor hot tub at Blesastaðir Guesthouse before a hearty dinner.
- Riding distance: approximately 15 kilometers
Day 3: Blesastaðir Guesthouse - Myrkholt
Leave Blesastaðir and drive back to the horses; from there, head off to the fertile farmlands of the neighboring community, Hrunamannahreppur. Drive spare horses along in a free-running herd, enabling you to change your mount regularly and travel in a brisk space.
Cross the well-known Salmon River Stóra-Laxá and stop for a picnic lunch at Hrunaréttir, a corral used for the annual sheep round-up in autumn. Continue your ride on good trails, towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð, where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. Today's ride ends at Brúarhlöð and you will be driven to the Myrkholt Farm where you spend the night.
- Riding distance: approximately 30 kilometers
Day 4: Myrkholt - Gullfoss - Myrkholt
Continue your ride on soft trails, ideal for tölting, alongside Hvítá River; follow the ever-deepening canyon onto the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss. Have your lunch break at Gullfoss before you ride back to Myrkholt where you will spend the night.
- Riding distance: approximately 20 kilometers
Day 5: Haukadalur - Haukadalsheiði - Myrkholt
The ride takes you through Haukadalur Valley with its beautiful birch forest. Cross clear little streams on the way and enjoy the rich vegetation of wild mountain flowers that bloom during high summer. While you ascend to a highland plateau, you will notice the changes in nature as you reach higher ground. A breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and glaciers of the highland around awaits you when you reach the top of Haukadalsheiði. The rest of the day is spent in the Geysir area. You will have plenty of time to explore this highly interesting area with its countless bubbling hot springs.
- Riding distance: approximately 18 kilometers
Day 6: Geysir - Tungufellsdalur - Kaldbakur - Blesastaðir Guesthouse
Leave the Geysir area and ride along green pastures back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð Canyon, where you will cross the mighty Hvítá River. Now, head towards the interior and follow the beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto the Hrunaheiðar heath plateau and experience riding along the edge of civilization. The horses will spend the night at Kaldbakur Farm and you will drive to the Secret Lagoon for a relaxing bath in the geothermal pool and then drive to Blesastaðir Guesthouse and spend the night.
- Riding distance: approximately 30 kilometers
Day 7: Blesastaðir Guesthouse - Kaldbakur - Hrepphólar - Kálfhóll - Reykjavík
The last day of riding includes yet again terrific scenery. Today, follow good riding tracks past Mt. Galtafell. You will cross River Laxá before you reach Sandlækjarmýri. Turn towards the banks of the Thjórsá River and follow them to Kálfhóll Farm. Here, you can say goodbye to the guides, staff, and horses and return to Reykjavík; your approximate arrival will be at 8:00 p.m.
- Riding distance: approximately 40 kilometers
About the tour
This tour is perfect for families and those not having the required riding experience for the highland tours. Keep in mind that riding days can be long so you should be in good physical shape and have the basic horsemanship skills. On the first riding day, you will get acquainted with the unique Icelandic Horse and its special extra gait as you take an easy trek along the banks of the majestic Thjórsá River.
Continue towards Gullfoss Waterfall with its thundering waters and the hot spring area of Geysir. After a relaxed day's ride in that locality, explore some of the more remote places, well off-the-beaten-track. On your way to the accommodation, visit the charming Secret Lagoon for a well-deserved bath. You will cross the highland moor of Hrunaheiði and enjoy good riding tracks on your way back to Kálfhóll Farm. Please note that Íslandshestar reserves the right to alter the itinerary if necessary.
Luggage
Luggage will be transported in the kitchen van. Bring bags rather than hard cover suitcases. Pack light because transport space is limited.
Changing horses
Usually, you will change horses once or twice a day. On most of the longer tours, Íslandshestar herds spare horses along in a free-running herd, the traditional way of riding in Iceland; all tours of the three and four-horse categories are operated that way. For tours of the two-horse category, guides may lead spare horses for parts of the ride.
Category
This tour is for intermediate riders who are comfortable for long hours in the saddle.
Meeting place
You will be picked up at the BSÍ Bus station in Reykjavik.
Farmer
This tour's farmer will be Gestur at the Kálfhóll farm and family.
Instructors
Hannes and family at Kálfhóll farm
For a long long time Íslandshestar's farmers Gestur and Margrét operated the tours in the south. Now they have past over the legacy to their son Hannes and his right hand Sophie who helped out all those year. The family at Kálfhóll farm are well known for their great hospitality and to lead their guests into the magic world of the southern countryside and incredible highlands of the south.
Location
This horse riding tour will take place in the Southern Region of Iceland. Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe with a pure, unpolluted, and truly magical landscape. In Iceland, you can find a hot spring oasis featuring hot pools and geothermal hot springs that are perfect for relaxing after a long riding day. The three key attractions on this classic tour are the hot spring area of Geysir, Gullfoss or the Golden Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir National Park is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list based on its historical, geological, and cultural importance.
Food
During the ride, full board meals are provided and included in the price. The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the duty-free store at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) upon arrival.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- All horse riding days
- 6 nights accommodation
- Full board meals
- Entrance fee to Secret Lagoon
- Transfer from Reykjavík to the farm
- Use of rainwear, water bottle, saddlebag, and riding helmet
- 11% VAT
What's not included
- Airfare
- Alcoholic beverages
- Individual travel insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Keflavík International Airport
78 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by bus
Íslandshestar's pick up for the tours will be from BSÍ bus station, except for the tours that use domestic flights.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
