I have been hiring people in this space for a number of years and I have never seen this level of professionalism. It really feels like you are working with a team that can get the job done.
A Short but Unforgettable Ride
Perfect for beginners, families, or anyone who wants a taste of horseback riding in Iceland, this tour offers a short yet memorable adventure from the farm Mid-Grund, near Hvolsvöllur, about an 1 hour and 45 minute drive from Reykjavík. We ride south towards the ocean, passing open fields and enjoying breathtaking views of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier and, on clear days, the Westman Islands offshore. At the riverbank, we take a break to capture memorable photos of you and your Icelandic horse before riding back home at a relaxed pace. The smooth tölt gait of the Icelandic horse and the ever-changing scenery make this a fantastic introduction to horseback riding in Iceland’s unique landscapes.
Maximum weight for a rider is 100kg/220lb.
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
You can book online on our website or by contacting Ishestar by email daytours@ishestar.is or by phone +354 555 7000
Please note that riding tours at Mið-Grund and Grimsstaðir do not include transfer as they are Meet on location-only tours.
We recommend booking a couple of days in advance just to make sure that we have free spaces on the day you wish to arrive.
Included in all Day Tours:
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
A Scenic Ride into Iceland’s Countryside
Discover the beauty of the Icelandic countryside on this very pleasant 2-hour horseback riding tour. Starting from a farm nearby Hvolsvöllur in South Iceland, about an 1 hour and 45 minute drive from Reykjavík, we ride north towards the mountains, crossing wide open fields and following the peaceful river Írá until we reach the stunning Írafoss waterfall. Here we’ll pause to take unforgettable photos of you and your Icelandic horse against the dramatic backdrop of cliffs and cascading water. On the way back, the route takes us past sheep and cow farms, giving you a glimpse of authentic rural life in South Iceland. With breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and black sand beaches stretching toward the horizon, this ride offers a perfect balance of nature, culture, and adventure. This tour is ideal for beginners and families who want a slightly longer ride than the River Tour, while still enjoying a relaxed pace and the magic of Icelandic horses.
This tour is not operated in Hafnarfjörður, where many of our day tours are operated, but in the South part of Iceland, about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Reykjavík/Hafnarfjörður. See location here: Mid-Grund
Maximum weight for a rider is 100kg/220lb.
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
You can book online on our website or by contacting Ishestar by email daytours@ishestar.is or by phone +354 555 7000
Please note that riding tours at Mið-Grund and Grimsstaðir do not include transfer as they are Meet on location-only tours.
We recommend booking a couple of days in advance just to make sure that we have free spaces on the day you wish to arrive.
Included in all Day Tours:
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
A perfect option to enjoy a multi-day riding tour in the privacy of your family or a group of friends. You stay in a renovated farmhouse at Minni-Vellir, close to Hekla volcano. The perfect location to discover the Golden Circle, Caves or the Waterfalls of the South.
If you want to enjoy a multi-day riding tour in the privacy of your family or group of friends, this is the right option for you.
You stay in the beautifully renovated farmhouse Minni-Vellir, close to Hekla volcano, with views all the way to Langjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. It’s the perfect location to discover the Golden Circle or the Waterfalls of the South even further.
We customize the multi-day riding tour according to your riding abilities and wishes, we have endless possibilities in terms of duration and difficulties of the ride.
Hekla volcano is one of Iceland’s most active volcanos and got the name ‘Gate to Hell’ in the Medieval time, due to her explosive eruptions. While being feared, the lava and ash from the eruptions also provided fertilization of the soil and created rich pastures in the area around the volcano.
You will explore the lava fields from different Hekla eruptions as well as the lush pastures on this tour.
The minimum group size is 3 people, but you can stay with groups up to 10 people.
You can choose self catering or add the option of full board to your booking.
Private riding tour and stay in the cottage Minnivellir
app. 3 hours of riding a day
Accommodation and riding included.
Pick-up at your hotel in Reykjavik between 9 and 10 am, already in riding gear
We adjust the riding tours according to the riding abilities and wishes of the group
We reccomend that you bring warm gloves and a thin hat that can fit under the riding helmet. Included in the price is that you can borrow a helmet, warm overall or rain coat and rain pants as well as rubber boots.
Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
You can book online on our website or by contacting Ishestar by email daytours@ishestar.is or by phone +354 555 7000
We recommend booking a couple of days in advance just to make sure that we have free spaces on the day you wish to arrive.
Included in all Day Tours:
Pick-up at your hotel in Reykjavik between 9 and 10 am, already in riding gear
We adjust the riding tours according to the riding abilities and wishes of the group
Double rooms (and sleeping loft) in a beautiful private cottage. Accommodation before and after the ride are to be arranged individually.
Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building.
Terms & Conditions
If you book online you will be asked to pay the full amount. Please contact us for different payment options.
Liability
Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.
For more information please see also our Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact us at multidaytours@ishestar.is
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
The Dark Side of the Sun Dark Side of the Sun €2.890 About Tour The event of
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
This tour is designed for riders who seek an encounter with true wilderness, dramatic landscapes, and the remarkable endurance of the Icelandic horse. Each day presents a new terrain shaped by volcanic forces: soft ash trails, rugged lava fields, glacial rivers, and secluded valleys far from any road or crowd. With Hekla, the most active volcano of Iceland rising on the horizon, the Icelandic horse carries you confidently through this ever-changing environment.
Instead of riding into the Landmannalaugar area, where heavy traffic could make travel with a free-running herd of horses unsafe, and thinking about the welfare of our horses and riders, we choose to explore the area around our resting place, riding rare highland paths that lead to hidden waterfalls and amazing views. Riding a single horse along these remote routes offer a far more intimate experience of the highlands, quiet, immersive, and breathtaking in their solitude. After the ride we will travel by bus into Landmannalaugar itself, where riders get to relax in the natural geothermal hot spring, or explore the colourful rhyolite mountains on foot..
We reccomend that you bring warm gloves and a thin hat that can fit under the riding helmet. Included in the price is that you can borrow a helmet, warm overall or rain coat and rain pants as well as rubber boots.
Maximum weight for a rider is 110kg/242lb.
Riding clothes. Riding gear (riding trousers, jackets, etc.) needs to be washed (40°C) or dry cleaned. Items which can not be washed or dry cleaned (riding boots, riding hats) need to be cleaned and disinfected at least five days prior to arriving in Iceland. The Icelandic Veterinary Authority recommends the broad-spectrum disinfectant Virkon S for disinfection. Used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps and other used leather gear may not be brought into the country.
Kindly note that these precautions are necessary because there are no contagious animal diseases in Iceland. Horses are not vaccinated and are therefore susceptible to infectious agents from abroad. Please help us to protect Iceland’s fragile nature! For further information please take a look at: Import of riding equipment | Matvælastofnun
You can book online on our website or by contacting Ishestar by email daytours@ishestar.is or by phone +354 555 7000
We recommend booking a couple of days in advance just to make sure that we have free spaces on the day you wish to arrive.
Included in all Day Tours:
Early afternoon pick up in Reykjavik
We drive up to the former farm Minnivellir (1,5 hours) where we settle in. After a short brief, we catch our horses from the field next to the house, get acquainted with the gear and ready for the first ride. This ride takes us through lush fields – fertilized through the ash from the eruptions of the Hekla volcano – to the farm Hellar at Skarðsfjall mountain range. There we take a break and visit the biggest man-made cave in Iceland. We finish our visit with homemade snacks from the farmer and his family that has lived there for centuries before we head back to Minnivellir. We take a different route this time and ride alongside the shores of the mighty river Þjórsá.
Accommodation: Minnivellir
Today we ride towards the majestic Hekla volcano. The landscape changes from lush fields to ash and sand dunes with sharp lava rocks: Both testimonies of the power of Hekla's eruptions. We reach Rangá river and have our lunch break at a historical sheep round-ups. After lunch we cross Rangá river and ride closer to Hekla until we reach Rjúpnavellir, where we leave our horses and drive back to Minnivellir for the night.
Accommodation: Minnivellir
Riding distance: ca. 30 km.
After a nice breakfast and a short drive we start our ride into the highlands. With a view of the Hekla volcano we climb up into the mountains, through black sand and past small lakes until we reach the remote valley Landmannahellir.
Accommodation: Landmannahellir
Riding distance: 35 km.
After an exhilarating ascent up to the highlands, we leave the herd behind for a well deserved rest and go on a single horse ride exploring the area. After a warm lunch in the hut we go by bus to Landmannalaugar passing through an obsidian field and experiencing the colors change from greenish black lava fields to the blue-yellow-reddish of the rhyolite mountain ranges in Landmannalaugar. In Landmannalaugar we will have time to enjoy a soak in the thermal hot spring as well as a hike through the area. Then we return by bus to out hut in Landmannahellir for a warm dinner and a cozy evening.
Accommodation: Landmannahellir
Riding distance: 40 km.
We leave the scenic Landmannahellir area and ride north of Mt. Hekla volcano, down from the highlands. A desert of black ash and light pumice is a witness to numerous eruptions of this volcano, the most active one in Iceland and known as the Gateway to Hell. Rjúpnavellir cottages are our first step back into “civilization”. We leave the horses there and drive back to Minnivellir for a cozy evening.
Accommodation: Minnivellir
Riding distance: 35 km.
Our last riding day leads us west of Mt. Hekla volcano and around the big lava field ‘Merkurhraun’, that is about 6000-8000 years old. We ride alongside the mighty river Þjórsá and past the beautiful waterfall Þjófafoss that shows another, rather positive side of Mt. Hekla's eruptions: fertile farmland. We ride through lush green fields and cross the rivers Ytri-Rangá and Eystri-Rangá.
We return to Reykjavik in the late afternoon.
Riding distance: 35 km
Today we pack our things in the morning and bid the horses farewell before returning to Reykjavik around lunch
Comfortable shared rooms in the Minni-Vellir farm house, 2 nights in Landmannahellir mountain huts with sleeping bags. Please bring your own sleeping bag or let us know in the booking that you want one from us (free of charge). Accommodation before and after the ride are to be arranged individually.
Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building.
If you book online you will be asked to pay the full amount. Please contact us for different payment options.
Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveler. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.
For more information please see also our Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact us at multidaytours@ishestar.is
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
The Dark Side of the Sun Dark Side of the Sun €2.890 About Tour The event of
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
Reykjavik to Stóri Kálfalækur, Dalur, and Kolviðarnes
The journey begins with a around 12:30 pm pickup in Reykjavik, followed by a bus ride to Stóri Kálfalækur. Over there we have lunch, get acquainted, and prepare our tack for the ride of the day. Once ready, we will set off to meet our horses, who have been enjoying a rest in a nearby field. Our ride takes us through lava fields and sparse vegetation to the striking yellow sand beaches, where the rhythmic tölt of our horses blends with the sound of waves. We continue our ride in the fjords making our way to the picturesque stop, Kolviðarnes, where the horses rest overnight, while we return to Stóri Kálfalækur farm
Riding Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers.
Kolviðarnes-Stóri Kálfalækur
Today's journey is tied to the rhythms of the tide as we begin by navigating the Haffjarðará. This stream, under the influence of the tide, oscillates between a tranquil crossing and a formidable river. Guided by Siggi's deep understanding of the area, we will traverse the stream safely at the opportune moment. Our path then leads us along the edge of the Eldborg volcano's expansive lava field. As we venture further into the serene fjords, the retreating tide sculpts an ever-evolving landscape of small streams and inlets. Watch closely for eagles soaring above, scouting for fish left behind by the receding waters.
Our day's ride culminates with a return to Stóri Kálfalækur. The evening promises a delightful closure to our journey, marked by a final dinner together. We will enjoy an evening filled with the warmth of great company.
Riding Distance: Approximately 35-40 kilometers.
Sightseeing in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Our third day is a scenic excursion to the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We will pack up in the morning and head towards Ólafsvik, where we embark on an exciting whale watching tour, a unique opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close. This day provides a well-deserved break from horseback riding, allowing those continuing on the Grand-Tour to explore and relax. Also a perfect way to end a special adventure for those who are heading home after the tour.
Return to Reykjavik in the evening
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary
I have been hiring people in this space for a number of years and I have never seen this level of professionalism. It really feels like you are working with a team that can get the job done.
I have been hiring people in this space for a number of years and I have never seen this level of professionalism. It really feels like you are working with a team that can get the job done.
I have been hiring people in this space for a number of years and I have never seen this level of professionalism. It really feels like you are working with a team that can get the job done.
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
AVAILABILITY
Dauer
DEPARTS FROM
Multi-Day Tours with Íshestar take you beyond the ordinary, into the heart of Iceland. For more than 40 years, we have partnered with local farms and experienced guides to create unforgettable horseback adventures across the country. Riding the unique Icelandic horse through volcanic landscapes, remote valleys, black sand beaches, and mountain trails while experiencing Iceland the way few travelers ever do. Every journey is thoughtfully designed to combine exceptional riding, authentic local hospitality, and the natural beauty that makes Iceland unlike anywhere else.