LAPLAND ADVENTURE - FINLAND

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Ride in Lapland, the land of the midnight sun, on the arctic circle. Stay in a typically Finnish home to experience the culture of the Sami and Finnish people, ride amongst the idyllic forests and lakes of Finland. Here you ride on Icelandic horses, which are perfectly suited to this challenging environment in all seasons, at all paces including the comfortable tölt. Enjoy typically Lappish food dishes, the timelessness of the midnight sun in the summer or the northern lights in the winter or the sauna – a central feature of any Finnish home! See reindeer, moose, arctic hares and much more. In season you can enjoy reindeer sledding, husky safaris, snowmobile trips, ice fishing and even visit Santa Claus. There are many activities for non riders to enjoy so this holiday is ideal for mixed ability groups or non riders.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2008: £889, non riders £655 Departure dates May to November on Sundays, Saturdays on request Approximate riding time per day 2 - 5 hours (depending on riding skills) Riding ability required From beginner onwards, faster riding for experienced riders. Min age 6. Group size 1-4 Meeting point Rovaniemi Airport or Kermi/Tornio Airports Transfer Included from meeting point Flight guide £290 return from London. See below for flight info. Single supplement none when available

SAMPLE ITINERARY - LAPLAND ADVENTURE

Day 1
Arrival and transfer to your base. Time to acclimatise, meet the horses. After that there will be a typical Lappish dinner over an open fire in the grillikota.

Day 2
We start the week with a short but very scenic ride to Kivivaaralaavu. Here we make a traditional fire and roast some makkara (Finnish sausages) and drink the traditional coffee or tea. Replete and rested, we head back to the stables and after settling the horses we enjoy a tradional dinner.

Day 3 and 4
We go on an all day ride heading for a cottage deep in the forest perched above a still lake. This will be our overnight spot. After a day of enjoying riding and a wonderful dinner, you can discover a Finnish obsession - the sauna. The cottage is fully equipped with a sauna which is wood fired. If you dare, take a dip in the lake to cool off. Next day, we make ride through the forest again, with coffee break at another hut and finish back in Etelä-Portimojärvi. In the evening after dinner, we take a guided tour of Aavasaksa Hill where we enjoy wonderful views over Finland and Sweden.

Day 5
Today is a rest day for the horses, giving us the chance to sample the many other sights and events of the arctic area. In the morning visit a reindeer farm and enjoy a typical Finnish lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi on the arctic circle. Here you have the opportunity to visit some souvenir shops too.

Day 6
Today we ride to Kekovaaralaavu. The views are great heading up the hill. You can see Portimojarvi Lake in the distance. This part of the forest is home to many wild reindeer. After a traditional lunch break with an open fire and coffee we ride back home and enjoy another hearty dinner and sauna.

Day 7
Today is a 5 hour long ride to Aavasaksa Hill with a lunch break bear the Tegelio River. A final farewell dinner of your choice in the Grillikota, completing your riding holiday.

Day 8
Departure after breakfast.

NOTES - LAPLAND ADVENTURE

Accommodation is a homestay in a typical Finnish house with 2 guest rooms and shared bathroom. Alternative accommodation is available at a nearby hotel/lodge with en suite shower/toilet. The rooms are neat twin beds or doubles in a small hotel on the edge of a lake. The hotel has 9 inside rooms and 6 lodges. If choosing this accommodation you will be transferred to the stables for the start of each day and there will be an accommodation supplement of £130 per person sharing to pay and a single supplement of £45 if booking alone in 2007.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
The ride includes return transfers from the meeting point, all accommadotion and meals on a full board basis, horse riding, visit to the reindeer farm, Rovaniemi visit to Santa Claus Centre and/or museum and a guided walking tour to Aavasaksahill.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic drinks, canned drinks and flights from your home to the meeting point.

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