We start at Fossnes Farm, situated in the striking beauty of the hilly farmland near glacial river Thjórsá and well know from our popular Kjölur Tour. There is more comfort to this tour since accommodation is always in made up beds in nice 2-4 bedrooms.

Itinerary

Saturday: Arrival in Iceland - Keflavík Airport - Reykjavík
A representative meets all clients at Keflavík Airport and drives them to a guesthouse in Reykjavík. At approx. 17:30 we invite you to a Welcome Meeting including traditional Icelandic soup. Receive details of the following tour and meet your fellow riders.  

Sunday: Reykjavík–Thingvellir -Fossnes Farm –Gnúpverjahreppur -Fossnes Farm
Transfer from Reykjavík via Thingvellir Nationalpark to Fossnes farm, situated in beautiful surroundings, where we meet horses and guides. After an introduction to the Icelandic horse and its special gaits we start our ride along pleasant trails and explore the colourful Gnúpverja­hreppur countryside. This day is the perfect start to get to know your horse and the Icelandic way of trail riding in a relaxed atmosphere. During the ride you will enjoy the view of deep green mountains and valleys and the mighty glacial river Thjórsá. Relax in a hot pool before a hearty dinner at the farm. (4 – 5 hours)

Monday: Fossnes – Hvítárdalur -Fossnes
We leave the farm and head off to the fertile farmlands of neighbouring community Hrunamannahreppur. We take handhorses along for changing our mounts a couple of times a day and this gives us the opportunity to travel at a comfortable speed. We cross the well know salmon river Stóra-Laxá and stop for our picknick lunch at Hrunaréttir, a paddock for the annual sheep round-up in autum. We leave the horses at Hvítárdalur Farm and drive back to Fossnes for the night. (6 – 7 hours)

Tuesday: Fossnes - Hvítárdalur - Gullfoss – Geysir Guesthouse
We continue our ride on soft trails ideal for tölting towards the majestic canyon Brúarhlöð where milky green water passes through bizarre rock formations. Alongside Hvítá River we follow the ever deepening canyon on to the impressive Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and continue to the famous Geysir Hot Spring Area where we will stay for two nights. From the guesthouse we have direct view to the geothermal area and you will have plenty of time to explore this highly interesting area with its countless bubbling  hot springs. Rooms with private facilities tonight. (6 - 7 hours)

Wednesday: Geysir - Haukadalur - Haukadalsheiði - Geysir
Our ride takes us 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. Rooms with private facilities tonight.  (4 – 5 hours)

Thursday: Geysir – Tungufellsdalur – Kaldbakur – Fossnes
We leave the Geysir area and ride along green pastures with grazing horses and cattle back to the bridge at Brúarhlöð canyon where we cross the Hvítá River. Now we head towards the interior and follow beautiful Tungufellsdalur valley onto Hrunaheiðar heath plateau. In clear weather conditions you have an excellent view all over South Iceland from up there and we experience riding along the edge of civilisation. Our horses spend the night at Kaldbakur Farm, while we drive back to Fossnes where we spend the night and enjoy a nice hot bath after a long days ride. (6 – 7 hours.)

Friday: Fossnes – Kaldbakur – Hrunakrókur - Fossnes - Reykjavík
Our last day of riding includes yet again terrific scenery. We cross Stóra-Láxá River close to Laxárgljúfur canyon at lovely situated Hrunakrókur, a deserted farm. The terrain changes to vast green meadows on our way through Laxárdalur valley and we enjoy good riding tracks on our way back to Fossnes Farm (5-6 hours). Here we say goodbye to our guides, staff and horses and return to a guesthouse in Reykjavík for an overnight stay. Approx. arrival in Reykjavík at 18:00.

Saturday: Departure from Iceland - Reykjavík - Keflavík Airport
Transfer by bus to Keflavík Airport in time for the return flight home.

This popular tour has been in operation since 1984 and is ideal for families and those who do not have the riding experience necessary for our highland tours.

Geysir Gulfoss option:  Part of this tour can be booked as a 5-day tour (4 riding days).
The "Geysir Gulfoss" trip starts on Day 2 (Sunday) of the regular itinerary and ends on Thursday morning.

As its name suggests, Iceland is cold, but not as cold as might be expected because of the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. The summer temperatures in Reykjavík range from 41°F (5°C) at night to as high as 77°F (25°C) during the day. The average January temperature is 31°F (-0.5°C). The south is the wettest part of the country, but snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy. During the summer months there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. From mid-November until the end of January, in the darkness of winter, the opposite is true, with the country only experiencing a few hours of daylight each day. The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter.

Despite its extreme north Atlantic situation, Reykjavik's climate is not as cold as might be expected, its average mid-winter temperatures being no lower than those in New York City. This is because the Icelandic coastal weather is tempered by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The city's coastal location does, however, also mean it is prone to wind, and gales are common in winter. Reykjavik is also a very wet city, having on average 213 rainy days out of the year, with spring having slightly more sunny days.

 You are provided with

Although helmets and rain wear are provided, you are welcome to bring your own (better fit, comfort).

Hair dryers: Some guesthouses provide hair dryers but it is not customary. We recommend you bring your her own and coming from North America you need an adapter.

On the Golden Circle we only cross one river which usually does not carry too much water. Short Riding boots are therefore sufficient for this tour.

It is not yet by law that riders need to wear riding helmets. Never the less we strongly recommend clients wearing one, at least for the first few riding days. Clients experience a new breed of horses in new terrain which involves gravel, stones and rocks. Therefore it is for their own good to take precaution.  However, I know that some insurance companies in Europe refuse to pay in case of an accident if clients have not been wearing a riding helmet. We provide helmets here in Iceland which clients are welcome to use. But if you wantsto bring your own it is fine with us as well. If you bring your own it has to be sterilized before bringing it to Iceland.

Regarding the sterilization: What can be washed in a washing machine at medium temperature or dry cleaned is fine to just wash (even riding trousers). But what can not be washed or dry cleaned or is a full leather garment needs to be sterilized.

Accommodation: 2 - 4 bed units with shared facilities throughout the tour, rooms with private facilities for 2 nights at Geysir

Two nights are spent in a guesthouse in Reykjavík, one night before the tour and one after. Three nights are spent at Fossnes Farm and two nights at Geysir Hotel. 

Extra Nights in Reykjavik 

Here are a number of hotels found in the city centre:
www.metropolitan.is  A tourist class hotel
www.fosshotel.is  Operating both a tourist class hotel and two 3star middle class hotels
www.centerhotels.is Company operating two 3star and two 4star hotels
Most of these hotels do not have their own retaurants but are located within walking distance of many eateries.

Here are some B&Bs which offer rooms with and without private facilities:
www.guesthouseanna.is
www.sunna.is
www.isafoldguesthouse.is 

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden who are only required to produce national identity cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin.
Passport Note
Iceland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by all nationals of referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
2. EU nationals staying longer than 90 days will need to apply for a residence permit from the directorate of immigration in Iceland.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
A stay in another Schengen-Zone country counts as the same as a stay in Iceland.