Tour description
If you would like to go horseback riding on the legendary Icelandic Horse, and whale watching in one day, you will enjoy this tour.
You will be picked up from your hotel by the tour operator's shuttle around 8:45 am for the horseback riding. Riding a horse that is so connected to the nature and landscape of Iceland is an unforgettable experience. The Icelandic Horse is intelligent, good-tempered, and beautiful. You will be riding on excellent riding paths through a variety of landscapes, including lava fields and charming hillsides. The total riding time is 2 to 2,5 hours including stops.
After the horseback riding tour, you will be driven to Reykjavik's Old Harbour for the whale watching tour. The boat takes you to Faxafloi Bay, where you can enjoy the seascapes and explore the fascinating world of whales, dolphins and seabirds before being returned to the harbour at the end of the whale watching tour. Over 90% sightings for whales and dolphins by this operator. Estimated arrival time is 16:00-16:30 pm.
What’s included
- Transfers to and from the Riding Centre
- Guided riding tour, 2,5 hour
- Guided boat tour, 2,5-3,5 hours
- Whale watching, English and German speaking guidance
- Horse back, English, Danish, Norwegian, French. (Swedish and Faroese upon request)
- Riding helmets, rubber boots, and rainwear or a warm outfit during the ride
- Sightseeing
- Voucher / ticket for the whale watching part of the tour (supplied at the Riding Centre)
Info
- Season: All year
- Riding skills: Beginners – little or no riding experience needed
- Duration: 7 - 8 hours (with transfer)
- Departures: Daily at 09:30 (all year) and 13:00 (May - through September)
- Pickup: starts at 9:00 (all year) and 12:45 (June - through August)
- The tour ends at Reykjavik Old Harbour after the whale safari: c. 16:00 for the 9:00 departure, and c. 19:00 for the 13:00 departure
Discount
Children 8-11: 50% discount
Please note: Minimum age: 8 years
Details
Our riding centre is set in beautiful surroundings just outside the Reykjavik area, about 13 minutes’ drive from down town Reykjavik. The centre has excellent facilities. Please note that you cannot take any backpacks or bags with you on the ride.
All customers are provided with warm overalls, raingear, riding boots and helmets in their size. The staff take pride in finding horses to suit individual needs as well as secure the safety of everybody.
The history of the Icelandic Horse can be traced right back to the settlement of the country during the Viking Age. The breed has remained pure for over a thousand years, so there is only one breed of horse in Iceland – the Icelandic Horse. Sure footed and friendly natured, the Icelandic Horse is at home everywhere in the Icelandic landscapes. The tölt ("running walk") is the specialty of the Icelandic Horse - a smooth four-beat gait, with variations in speed, from a gracious, slow tölt up to a very fast and extended tölt - and always very comfortable for the rider.
After the horse riding tour, you will be transferred to Reykjavik's Old Harbour, where you can board the whale watching boat, for the whale watching part of the tour.
Note
Riding gear (riding boots, riding trousers, jackets, hats, gloves, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C), dry cleaned or disinfected before arriving in Iceland. Used leather gear, such as saddles, bridles and other leather gear, may not be brought into the country.
Disinfection of riding equipment
Most veterinary clinics offer to do the disinfecting. It is important to obtain a written statement confirming that the riding gear has been disinfected to show at the Icelandic Customs.
Used riding clothes and boots that cannot be placed in a washing machine or dry cleaned should be washed and disinfected as follows:
Rinse thoroughly with detergent; Dry; Spray with 1% VirkonS® (10g per litre of water)
Store for at least 5 days prior to bringing the clothes into contact with horses in Iceland
Please understand that these precautions are necessary in order to protect the animals.
Images / Video