WINTER WONDERLAND - FINLAND
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In the winter Lapland, on the artic circle, becomes a winter wonderland. It is a beautiful forested wilderness with the magical northern lights. This ride is equally suited to adventurous riders who want something completely different or families wanting to visit the home of Santa Claus while seeing the real Finland en route. You stay in a typically Finnish home to experience the culture of the Sami and Finnish people, ride on Icelandic horses, which are perfectly suited to this challenging climate, at all paces including the comfortable tölt. Enjoy typically Lappish food dishes, the northern lights in the winter and 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 visit Santa Claus. There are many activities for non riders to enjoy so this holiday is also ideal for mixed ability groups or non riders.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - WINTER WONDERLAND
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 getting your horse riding holiday off to a great start.
Day 2
On your first day in Lapland we will try out one of the local modes fo transport - a snowmobile. We have an introduction-tour including safety information and tips on driving the snowmobiles followed by a drive along an easy track for beginner riders. The tour will bring you to a husky farm where we leave the snow mobiles and change to enjoy a husky safari. After the husky safari we get back on the snow mobiles to return home.
Day 3
Today we travel to Rovaniemi and meet Santa Claus in his own village headqurters. His village is situated at the Arctic Circle. The atmosphere is very festive with large outdoor christmas trees, piles of snow, lights and music. The nearby post office is in the middle of it's busiest period - 11 million letters are received and answered yearly with those from England being the most! After a visit to all the souvenirshops, we will drive to Ranuajärvi to learn about the reindeers. The people of Lapland have generations of knowledge of these wonderous animals. After a few activities, we depart on a reindeer sled ride and the reindeers bring us through the silent snow covered forests for about 3 hours. A unique experince and chance to enjoy the silence of nature!
Day 4
Today it is ice fishing! If there's anything you ever wanted to know about ice, you will find out today. Before we can go ice fishing, we have to make holes in the ice by hand. After that the guide will explain how to catch the fish and when you catch one, we can cook it immediately over an open fire right on the ice. The ice is very thick and strong enough for trucks to drive on. In the afternoon, we head off to visit a local shop near Pello on the artic circle, on our way you can see the beautifull frozen expanse of the Tornionjöki river that forms the border wtih Sweden.
Day 5
In the morning, you meet some very special horses, all Icelandic horses. They look like ponies especially with their long and thick winter coats, but are really horses and are very strong and friendly. After a short riding lesson, we will ride into the forest. If this is too much we can also ride in the paddock only. In the evening, we embark on a snow-shoe-safari at Aavasaksanvaara hill nature reserve, with beautiful views over Finland and neighbouring Sweden. The guide is, as always, on hand to give you all the historic and natural information about this park. The first steps may be difficult but after a while, you will be glad to have snowshoes….
Day 6
Today is a rest day or a day that you can choose from activities like: More reindeer-, husky or icelandic horse trips, Sledgerides with Finnhorses, visit the Snowcastle, visit Sampo or explore the local opportunities for skiing or langlaufing in the neighbourhood. (Some of these extra activities may incur costs)
Day 7 Departure in time to catch your flight back home.
NOTES - WINTER WONDERLAND
In March some overnight trips as in the summer programme are also possible depending on weather circumstances and riding ability of the guests.
Because the weather in Lapland can change very fast and because it can be really cold we may for safety decide not to go riding on a particular day if it will be too dangerous for riders and horses. Of course should this be necessary an alternative program will be offered that day instead.
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, snowmobile excursion (2.5hours), husky sled ride (1hour), reindeer sled ride (3 hours), visit Rovaniemi museums and Santa Claus centre, icefishing, horseriding, snowshoewalking at Aavasaksanvaara, and English speaking guide.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic drinks, canned drinks, extra safaris/activities and flights from your home to the meeting point.
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