Rafting & horse riding tour from Reykjavik | IS-AA1602

We’ll pick you up from Reykjavik and take you to a horse riding center in the Ölfus area located about 30 mi (50 km) from the capital city. Once there, our certified tour guide will help you to put on your gear and match you with a friendly horse that compliments your riding style and personality!

After a safety briefing, we’ll head out to the evocative scenery of Ölfus. Enjoy mile after mile of undulating lava fields, steaming geothermal areas, and rippling wetlands. A seemingly never-ending spiral of wild beauty, you’ll feel like you have galloped into a fantasy novel! We’ll ride at a pace that you’re comfortable with and ensure you have a one-of-a-kind horse riding experience. Icelandic horses are amicable and intelligent animals, so your sure to make friends with your trusted companion in no time.

If you wish, we’ll teach you some tips on how to manage the diverse gaits (ways of walking) of the Icelandic horse. In addition to the standard walk, trot, and gallop, they employ the famous tölt (fast and smooth walking) and skeið (flying pace). These talented horses are small but stocky, allowing them to easily manage uneven ground and endure the temperamental weather of the North. The estimated time of your horseback riding trip is 1.5 - 2 hours.

After your horseback ride, enjoy a scrumptious lunch at the riding center’s cozy restaurant.

Next, we’ll head to our Drumbó base camp on the Hvítá River, where our superb white water adventure begins. Upon arrival, your expert guide will help you to gear up and give a short safety briefing before you hit the vigorous rapids. Along the way, be enchanted by the raw, rugged scenery carved by powerful glacial waters over the millennia.

Meaning “White River”, the Hvítá River, as its name suggests, is the quintessential rafting destination. When you’re not conquering the tumultuous rapids, the calm stretches offer astonishing vistas of jagged ravines. The main highlight of our trip is Brúarhlöð Canyon, a hidden gem just off the famous Golden Circle route. The narrow gorge reveals bewildering rock formations called breccias. Don’t be surprised if you’ll meet Karl and Kerling (“Old Man” and “Old Woman”), two trolls turned into stone or so the legend says.

We’ll conclude our outing with a rejuvenating sauna experience before we drop you off in Reykjavik.

Pick-up is at 8 a.m. from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavik. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes and we greatly appreciate your patience.

You can find a list of our available pick-up points in Reykjavik on our information page.

• This tour is family-friendly and suitable for all levels of expertise. Icelandic horses are extremely easy-going, making them child-friendly and a great choice for novice riders.  
• We provide you with all the necessary equipment for both activities but make sure to bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes. We recommend avoiding cotton, as it holds moisture and absorbs body heat when it gets wet. Quick-drying synthetic fabrics such as nylon or fleece are ideal.