MIDNIGHT SUN TRAIL - FINLAND
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Ride in Lapland, the land of the midnight sun, on the arctic circle. Undertake a back to nature trail through deserted forests and come across still picturesque lakes. 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 and the timelessness of the midnight sun in the summer and the sauna – a central feature of any Finnish home! See reindeer, moose, arctic hares and much more. Sightseeing is fitted into the evenings so you don't miss out on riding. There are many activities for non riders to enjoy so this holiday is ideal for accompanying non riders.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - MIDNIGHT SUN TRAIL
Day 1
After an introduction to the horses and ourselves, you can ride in the paddock to learn or experience the tölt. After that there will be a typical Lappish dinner over an open fire in the grillikota.
Day 2
Today we start with a long ride to Jopavaara (hill) and camp there in a tent or sleep on reindeer skins in the old authentic cottage and enjoy nature. Very basic facilities, food cooked over the open fire. We will see Portimojärvi (lake) and a wonderful view over the mountains.
Day 3
Today we ride through the forests to Eholämpi, pausing along the way to admire any wildlife we may encounter - moose, reindeer, perhaps an arctic hare. We arrive at a beautiful peaceful location in the forest, perched above a still lake. Here we find a wooden lodge complete with a Finnish sauna and can recover in the relative luxury and absolute silence of the forest with the possibility of a swim in the lake after our sauna. Of course we will have a typical Lappish dinner also.
Day 4
We leave Eholämpi and again head through the forest. We have a lunchbreak at Kivivaaralavuu, another reindeer collection point, enjoying our coffee over the open fire and perhaps roasting a few makara sausages and then head back to Etelä-Portimojärvi. In the evening we visit the highest point around on the Swedish border, Aavasaksanvaara, where we have a guided tour of the old hunting lodge of Tsar Alexander and of course enjoy the views in all directions and perhaps the midnight sun.
Day 5
Today we ride to Porokammpa, an old authentic place with a cottage, where reindeers are collected from all over the forests in the spring and autumn. We spend the night there in a basic camp, either in a tent or once again on reindeer skins around the fire, the landscape around us reflecting from rocks of different colours.
Day 6
After breakfast we saddle up and depart along reindeer tracks through the forest, along a bit of road past the village Taloniemi and arrive by afternoon at Etelä-Portimojärvi. In the evening we can do some sightseeing (arctic circle, souvenir shop, husky or reindeer farms etc) by car.
Day 7
Today brings us to a short ride on the beach, and here we enjoy typical Lappish pancakes made over an open fire and served with jams made from local berries, splash with the horses in the water or even enjoy a swim if it is warm enough. We return by yet a different route and in the evening, we will have a goodbye dinner in the grillikota which signifies the end of your horse riding holiday.
Day 8
After a (possibly late) breakfast, departure back to the airport.
NOTES - MIDNIGHT SUN TRAIL
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our
flights page for some options.
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 accommadation and meals on a full board basis, horse riding, luggage transfer and sighseeing.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic drinks, canned drinks and flights from your home to the meeting point.
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