This day trip combines an exciting horseback riding tour in Iceland with one of our most popular tours – the Golden Circle.
We begin the day by driving to Eldhestar riding center located just outside Hveragerði, where the horseback riding tour departs from. The Icelandic horse is a unique breed, known for its sturdiness and easy temperament, and has gained a legion of fans around the world. The ride lets you take in some of the local sights on horseback, and ends with a light lunch.
From there we continue our journey to Geysir geothermal area, where the erupting geyser Strokkur is the star of the show. We also visit the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, with its amazing geology and history.
Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings as you walk down into the rift valley where the American and Eurasian continental plates are literally pulling apart at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament. Witness the steaming geothermal springs as the ground trembles and hot water spouts spectacularly skywards from the famous Strokkur Geyser at home of the one-and-only original geyser and Iceland's most iconic natural attraction. Experience the magnificence and power of Gullfoss Waterfall, a set of glacial river cascades falling 32 meters into a narrow canyon with a thunderous roar.
A favourite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters into the air every few minutes. The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot spring holes. Although you can only see steam emerging from the surface of Geysir these days, its name was adopted to represent spouting hot springs all over the world.
Along the tour, the newly opened Geysir Center offers guests and travellers a chance to use the restroom and to catch some refreshments as well as lunch. Gullfoss Waterfall
As one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland, Gullfoss is a waterfall located in the Canyon of the Hvítá River in the southwest of the country. The beautiful Hvítá river rushes southward in three steps into a narrow canyon with a breath-taking roar and grandeur. Furthermore, on clear days the magnificent Langjökull glacier, Iceland's second largest glacier, can be seen in the distance. Guests may use the restroom and purchase food and refreshments at this location as well.
Located on the northern shores of Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, Þingvellir is the national pride of Iceland and the first National Park. It is, for one, a key location in Icelandic history as the oldest existing parliament in the world first assembled there in 930 AD. For this reason, Þingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, therefore, a protected national park due to its unique geology and natural features. From the viewing area the Almannagjá canyon between two tectonic plates can be seen, a visual representation of continental drift.
- Operates All Year @ 0900
- Duration is around 9 hours and 30 minutes
- Price Includes Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off, Professional local tour guide, 1.5 – 2 hours guided riding tour, Protective helmet, Light lunch at Hotel Eldhestar and Golden Circle Direct Tour
