3 Day Animals of Iceland Tour with Horse Riding plus Whale & Puffin Watching near Reykjavik
Description
Summary
Description
Saddle up and get ready to meet the animals of Iceland on this family-friendly discounted tour combo. You and the kids will have no lack of things to do this summer holiday.
Meet the revered Icelandic horse and look forward to spotting the wild whales and puffins of Iceland. This tour combo is perfect for families traveling to Iceland with young children looking for something different to do every day. This combo spans three days with three separate tours, each providing a unique animal-spotting opportunity promising to introduce you and your family to Iceland’s cherished native creatures and teach you more about them. By booking this combo, you will get a 10% discount.
The first day will kick off the family fun by meeting the iconic and charming Icelandic horse. Small and calm in nature, they are perfect for children and inexperienced riders alike. Take in the breathtaking environment in the saddle on horseback.
For both the whale watching and the puffin spotting, you will get on a boat to discover the incredible marine life Iceland has to offer as well as the stunning landscapes. Get a view of Reykjavík from the sea! Since no tour is longer than three hours, the kids won’t get restless, and it still leaves the rest of your day free for further sightseeing and activities.
If you have a rental car, you can drive to any of the locations. Otherwise, you can choose to add pick-up services from Reykjavík.
Book now and treat the children to see some extraordinary creatures. Check availability by choosing a date.
Included
Map
Attractions
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Horse Riding
Today you will meet the small and stocky Icelandic horse. They are of a unique variety and have been thoroughbred for roughly 1000-years since arriving in Iceland from Norway. Their friendly disposition makes them a pleasant ride for people of any ability or experience level.
Their pony-like stature means they are perfect for both children and beginners and are well trained to host you on their backs. Their gentle and amicable nature ensures that you and your family have a relaxed and comfortable experience.
Upon your arrival at the farm, your noble steed will be selected, saddled and you will be given a helmet. The group sizes are kept small with no more than 20-people for a more intimately guided horseriding experience through established tracks.
The horseriding excursion will take up around an hour, the perfect duration to give the kids a fun but not strenuous introduction to Icelandic horseriding.
After the ride, you and the family can look forward to meeting various other animals on the farm, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits. You will also be offered complimentary coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to top off the experience.
Day 2 - Whale Watching
Make your way to the Old Harbor in the center of Reykjavík to embark on your whale watching tour. Excursions leave in both the morning and after lunch, and you will have the option to choose your departure time in the booking process.
As you cruise away from Reykjavík, your expert guide will point out landmarks such as Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes peninsulas and Hvalfjörður, which translates to 'whale fjord'. Once you have made it far enough out to sea, your guide will point out any marine mammals as soon they spy them.
It's not just whales you can see on this adventure but porpoises and dolphins too! The four most commonly spotted species are white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and humpback whales. Slightly more rare sightings are of orcas (killer whales), pilot whales, fin whales, and basking sharks. Whatever the species, your guide will be able to identify them and teach you more about them.
Each venture out is unique, and it is never clear which species you will encounter. If you do not get to see any marine life, not to fear, you will be given another free ticket to join another tour for your second opportunity at your leisure.
Day 3 - Puffin Watching
Your last but certainly not least tour gives you the chance to spot Iceland's arguably most iconic animal, the puffin. The Atlantic puffin loves to nest in Iceland, and over 60% of the world's population likes to call this country's rugged cliffs home in the summer months. They burrow into the cliffsides, their young pufflings safe inside while the parents go hunting for food at sea.
These little cuties are called the clowns of the sea and are recognizable for their adorably rotund facial features and brightly colored beaks. It's impossible not to fall in love with these charismatic critters, and on this tour, you will get to see them up close.
You will make your way to the Old Harbor, board your vessel for the day, and meet your guide. Once again, you will have the option to choose a tour departing in either the morning or the afternoon.
From the harbor, you will make your way to one of two islands and popular nesting grounds: Akurey or Lundey. Watch in amazement while you see the majestic puffin hunt for food for its young, flapping its wings sometimes up to 400 times a minute.
These nesting grounds are popular with puffins and a wealth of other seabird life, including arctic terns, guillemots, eider ducks, and cormorants. The crew onboard will be ready to point out the various species and answer any questions you might have.
After stopping at the island, getting as close as possible without disturbing any wildlife, you will return to Reykjavík. The whole tour takes approximately one hour, and by the end, you and your family will be truly familiar with Iceland's remarkable animals.
What to bring
Good to know
Children must be 8 years old and up to ride a horse. The weight limit for horse riding tours is 110 kg (240 lbs).
Note that Puffins are wild animals and thus we cannot control how many are seen on the tour.
The weather changes quickly in Iceland, so don't be caught unawares. It is always better to bring a sweater or dress in layers which you can remove if you are too warm.
Please note that this combo is 'meet on location', meaning you will have to make your own way to the meeting point for each tour unless you add pickup during the booking process.
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