World on Horseback

landmannalaugar adventure

HIGHLANDS - SOUTHERN Iceland

jul 24-30, 2026

A person in outdoor gear standing next to a white horse grazing on grass in a mountainous landscape with colorful, rocky slopes and patches of snow.

  • July 24-30, 2026 (7 days / 6 nights / 6 riding days)

  • €3490 per person

  • Intermediate to advanced riders

Join our World on Horseback Exclusive Expedition for a unique journey to the Southern Highlands of Iceland, we will ride alongside a herd of 60 free-running horses, along the powerful Thjorsá river, through the lava fields of Hekla volcano, and on some of Iceland’s wonderful hidden bridle paths.

Our destination is nothing short of spectacular. The highlands are one of the most incredible places to see in Iceland, and we’re fortunate to experience them on horseback, as this area is heavily restricted and only accessible in summer due to harsh weather conditions the rest of the year. We’ll ride through multi-coloured landscapes with yellow, reddish, and greenish rhyolite mountains, towering glaciers, and extensive lava fields that give the region a magical touch. Our journey takes us all the way to Landmannalaugar, a geothermal area renowned for its vivid mountains, where volcanic activity has created a spectrum of colours. Here, we will also have the chance to swim in natural hot pools.

This 6-night, 7-day tour is operated by World on Horseback’s local partner, Íshestar, an Icelandic equine tourism company with over 35 years of experience. Our accommodation will be in a cozy farmhouse and mountain huts..

Photos credit: Gigja Einarsdottir

INQUIRE ABOUT THIS RIDE
Check out other expeditions in Iceland
Two people riding icelandic horses through a river with a herd of horses in the background on a riding vacation.
Two riders on Icelandic horses in tölt gait herding a group of free-running Icelandic horses through a lush green meadow.
A group of riders riding along a rocky riverbed in a mountainous Iceland landscape on a riding holiday in August.
A group of people riding horses as part of a riding holiday group along a dusty trail in a scenic, open landscape with mountains in the distance and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

QUICK GUIDE

  • Airport: Keflavik (KEF) -Reykjavík, Iceland

  • July 24-30, 2026

  • €3490 per person

  • Group size: Max 14

  • Intermediate to advanced riders

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ride through the black volcanic ash, lava fields and rivers of the highlands

  • Fast-paced riding alongside a herd of 60+ loose horses

  • See the multi-colored mountains of Landmannalaugar

  • Stay in a cozy, traditional Icelandic cabin

  • Bath in the natural geothermal hot springs

  • Enjoy delicious, fresh Icelandic food

Landmannalaugar Gallery
A herd of free-roaming Icelandic horses walking along a black volcanic ash and pumice trail, surrounded by a stark, rugged landscape in Iceland.

More information about ICELAND EXPEDITION…

JUL 24-30, 2026 / 7 DAYS, 6 nights, 6 days riding

  • Small but mighty! The Icelandic horse is a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage. They are known for their surefootedness and gentle nature, and they are famous for the Tölt, a gait unique to the breed, which makes them incredibly comfortable over great distances and rugged terrain. Riding an Icelandic horse in its homeland is an authentic experience you won’t forget. These horses are not only strong but also friendly and affectionate- they love a good cuddle!

    On this tour, we’ll also be herding alongside free-running horses, a traditional way of traveling in Iceland. With a fast pace, you’ll switch horses at least once or twice a day!

    Max rider weight: 110kg / 240 lbs

    Did you know? Icelandic horses are the only horse breed in Iceland, kept pure for over a thousand years. No horses are ever imported, which means every Icelandic horse you meet carries a unique heritage found nowhere else in the world.

    Important: All riding gear should be disinfected before traveling to Iceland, as horses here are not vaccinated. We will provide additional information about disinfecting gear at the time of booking.

  • Accommodation: 4 nights in comfortable shared rooms in farm house accommodation, and 2 nights in mountain huts with sleeping bags.
    Please bring your own sleeping bag or let us know in the booking that you want to rent one. Accommodation before and after the ride are to be arranged individually.

    Food: The menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available on request when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

    • €3490 per person

    • Optional add-ons:

      Single room supplement: €150

      Renting a sleeping bag: €60 per person

      Renting a safety vest: €100 per person

      Visit to Sumarliðarbaer breeding stable and exclusive hot pools: €90 per person

  • Included:

    • Bus transfer from Reykjavík BSI station to the farm

    • 6 nights shared accommodation

    • Full board (all meals provided)

    • Rainwear, water bottle, saddle bag, and riding helmet

    Not Included:

    • Flights to and from Iceland

    • Travel insurance (We recommend arranging your own travel insurance before your trip to Iceland). Have a look at our blog for tips on how to pick the right travel insurance.

    • Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands.

    • Sleeping bags are not included but are available for rent upon request

  • Distance: 10-20 miles/15-30 km per day

    Ride Time: 5-7 hours/day

    Day 1: Getting started (Reykjavik - Hafnarfjörður- Minnivellir)

    We will pick you up at the BSI Bus Terminal in Reykjavik around noon and drive to the riding center. There we will start to pick out our riding equipment (helmet, saddle), that we will keep for the rest of the tour. Then we will meet our horses of the day and start our introductory ride. We will venture through vast lava fields and hills covered in lupins towards the volcano Helgafell. This mountain was formed through an eruption under a glacier during the last ice age and though not very high (338m), it is a landmark towering over its surroundings. Our ride will take us around it through outlandish landscapes and surprisingly green oases. After the ride we will pack our gear (plus rain gear, just in case) into the trailer and then enjoy a coffee while watching the horses and waiting for dinner. After the dinner we embark our bus for a 1,5 hour drive to our base for the following days: The farmhouse Minnivellir. There we move in and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull and Burfell.

    Accommodation: Minnivellir 

    Day 2:  Towards the Volcano (Minnivellir – Rettanes – Rjupnavellir)

    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.

    Day 3:  Entering the Highlands (Rjupnavellir - Landmannahellir)

    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.

    Day 4:  The Kaleidoscope of Iceland's colors (Landmannahellir)

    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.

    Day 5:  The Gateway to Hell (Landmannahellir – Rjúpnavellir Summer Cottages)

    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.

    Day 6:  Winding Down: (Rjúpnavellir – Skarfanes - Minnivellir)

    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. 

    Optional: Visit to Sumarliðarbaer breeding stable and exclusive hot pools in the evening.

    Riding distance: 35 km

    Day 7: Returning to Reykjavik

    Today we pack, bid our horses farewell, and return to Reykjavik. We will be back to drop you off at the BSI bus station around noon.

  • Fly to: Keflavík Airport (KEF) Reykjavik International Airport

    Airport Transfer

    We recommend booking your transfer between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík with Reykjavik Excursions’ Flybus service. It is reliable, comfortable, and runs both ways, waiting for passengers after each flight arrival. The bus departs from just outside the airport terminal and takes about 45 minutes to reach the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavík. This is where most rides begin, and it is where you will be picked up to start your adventure!

    For the Landmannalaugar tour, please arrange your flight arrival on July 24th no later than about 9:30 or 10:00 in the morning so that you can reach the BSI station in time for pick up around 11:00.

    For the return on July 30th, you will be back at the BSI station at noon, so you can plan for a flight from 16:00 onward to allow ample time.

    Booking: You can book your Airport Direct Ticket to and from Reykjavík.

    Buses are located just outside the terminal building.

    Liability:
    Our ride operator reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise and depending on road or weather conditions.

    Insurance:

    Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage all guests to contact their travel insurance before visiting Iceland.
    Check out our blog for tips on choosing the right insurance for your riding holiday.

  • Make sure to bring comfortable riding clothes and shoes! We recommend high riding boots with a heel, but low boots are also acceptable. Make sure to bring a couple pairs of comfortable shoes, such as hiking or rubber boots, in case they get wet. Bring plenty of layers and wool clothing. We will provide a detailed packing list before the trip.

    Cleaning and Disinfecting Riding Gear: All riding gear (trousers, jackets, etc.) must be washed at 40°C or dry cleaned before arriving in Iceland. For items that can’t be washed (boots, helmets), clean and disinfect them at least five days before your trip. We recommend using Virkon S for disinfecting.
    Please note that used riding gloves, whips, saddles, bridles, chaps, or other leather items are not allowed to be brought into Iceland.
    Note: Iceland has no contagious animal diseases, and the horses are not vaccinated. To protect their health, we ask for your help in following these guidelines. For more information, visit www.mast.is.

INQUIRE
A line of icelandic horses walking on a dirt path in a green field with a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky, part of a riding holiday.
Riding a horse on a grassy landscape in Iceland with other horses running free alongside during a riding holiday.
A person riding a horse in Iceland in volcanic landscapes with snow patches on peaks and rugged terrain.
Four icelandic horses with different coat colours seen on a riding holiday.
Icelandic horses used in a riding holiday drinking from water in a volcanic landscape with green moss-covered mountains and partly cloudy sky in the background.
Three people riding horses along a mountainous riverbed with colorful hills and a partly cloudy sky in the background, an icelandic horseback trip.
A white Icelandic horse and rider on a rocky Icelandic terrain with colorful mountains and patches of snow in the background during a riding holiday.
Icelandic horses walking along a dirt trail in a volcanic landscape with green moss-covered mountains and snow patches in the background.
Green grassy landscape with a red house and a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky seen from the saddle on a riding holiday in Iceland.
Three Icelandic horses wade through a shallow river as part of a riding holiday expedition across the volcanic island.
Two people riding horses on a riding vacation through a shallow river with a herd of horses in the background, surrounded by hills and cloudy sky.
Seven Icelandic horses walk in a line across a black volcanic landscape near a rocky hill under an overcast sky.
Icelandic horses crossing a shallow stream in a mountainous landscape with green hills and patches of snow.
People riding Icelandic horses on a riding vacation across a river in a scenic, mountainous landscape with expansive green hills and a cloudy sky.
Icelandic farm landscape with mountains, green fields, farm buildings with red roofs, and a herd of horses in a fenced area under a partly cloudy sky.
Group of people on horseback in a volcanic landscape with mountains in the background, some wearing helmets and taking photos.
A close-up of an Icelandic horse with a blonde mane and a white blaze on its face, surrounded by other horses, with green hills and cloudy sky in the background.
A group of people riding horses on a riding expedition in Iceland along a dark volcanic landscape with rocky terrain and mountains in the background under overcast skies.
Group of people on a horse riding holiday relaxing in hot springs in Iceland at the base of a rocky, green hillside with steam rising from the water.
Icelandic horses crossing a river in a lush, green canyon with steep volcanic cliffs in the background, part of a riding holiday expedition.
Group of people riding horses on a riding vacation in Iceland along a rocky trail in a desert landscape with mountains in the background under cloudy sky.
People swimming and relaxing in a small natural pond surrounded by lush green grass and rocky hills during a riding vacation.
Group of horses standing outdoors in a field under a blue sky with clouds.
Six Icelandic horses, three white, one brown, and two black, running across a dark, barren landscape with a cloudy sky seen on a riding holiday.
Icelandic horses crossing a river in a mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky.
A person riding a black horse in Iceland on a riding holiday with three other horses running free across an open landscape under an overcast sky.
Group of horseback riders crossing a winding river in a vast, open landscape in Iceland with mountains in the background under cloudy skies.
Cozy living room of an Icelandic cabin.
A herd of Icelandic horses walking along a grassy hillside beside a river in a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks in the background.
A man in black on a riding holiday rides a horse down a gravel path in a mountainous Icelandic landscape with patches of snow, green moss, and cloudy sky.
Two people riding Icelandic horses on holiday along a river, with free horses wading in the water beside them, surrounded by rocky terrain and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
People riding Icelandic horses outdoors on a holiday with a scenic mountain landscape in the background.
Icelandic horses grazing and standing by a river in a mountainous landscape with riders on a horse riding holiday riding their horses along the riverbank
Herd of Icelandic horses grazing in front of a typical icelandic cabin.
Icelandic horses grazing free in front of a traditional Icelandic cabin.
A small red Icelandic house.
Bedroom in a traditional icelandic cabin.
Bathroom in an Icelandic farmhouse.
Traditional icelandic cabin.
Cozy bedroom in a mezzanine in an Icelandic cabin.
Cozy living room in an Icelandic cabin with a large windows overlooking a scenic view of horses grazing outside.
Traditional kitchen in an Icelandic farmhouse.
Cozy living room in an icelandic farmhouse with a large windows overlooking a scenic view of horses grazing outside.
Two people riding horses on a dirt trail during a riding vacation in a vast, open landscape in Iceland with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky.