If you want to meet the small but mighty Icelandic horse and get in the most popular tour in Iceland all in one day, you won’t want to miss the Viking Horse and Golden Circle Tour. You’ll ride through the gorgeous Icelandic landscape on a horse descended from the first horses to set hoof on the island in the Viking-Age and then visit the most iconic sites in Iceland: Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir geothermal area.

Viking Horses

Known for their small yet robust statures, gentle temperments and unique fifth gait (tölt), the Icelandic horse as a breed has remained virtually the same since it was first brought to Iceland at the peak of the Viking Age in the 9th century. You’ll ride out into the picturesque Icelandic landscape of Laxnes just outside of the city of Reykjavik and experience the land in the manner similar to that of the early settlers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, this tour is wonderful way to enjoy roaming the Icelandic countryside.

After an hour long break to relax and grab lunch, you’ll join the Golden Circle Tour which leaves Reykjavik at 13:00.

Thingvellir National Park

The first stop on this tour is Thingvellir National Park, a designated UNESCO world heritage site. This is where Icelandic democracy began more than 1,000 years ago on the fields of parliament (Thingvellir) and it’s also where two tectonic plates are gradually separating creating a gorgeous landscape of steep cliffs and broad fields featuring Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.

Gullfoss and Geysir

Next up, you will see one of the most popular and powerful waterfalls in Iceland is Gullfoss (golden falls). The roar of the Hvita River falling over two tiers into the gorge below is exhilarating and on sunny days creates rainbow upon rainbow. With your camera and a good raincoat, you’ll be able to capture the beauty of the waterfall and its rainbows from several angels by way of the paths available around the waterfall, including one that leads to its bottom. From Gullfoss you’ll continue on to Geysir geothermal area with its boiling mud pits, steam vents, Geysir, the namesake of all geysers, and Strokkur a geyser that erupts on a regular basis to the delight, and sometimes surprise, of onlookers.

On your way back to Reykjavik you’ll travel through beautiful agricultural areas before heading back to Reykjavík over the mountain heath Hellisheidi.