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.
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.
2010 Beginner Programme - First riding lesson in the paddock including first lesson of how to take car of your horse. Afternoon 2nd lesson and more information about horses.
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.
2010 Beginner Programme, Day 3 - After breakfast, riding lesson in the paddock and in the afternoon we do our 1st short riding tour in the forest! Between riding lessons we will visit a souvenir shop in Juoksengi and so some sightseeing by car.
2010 Beginner Programme, Day 4 - Riding lesson in the paddock and in the afternoon we will show you how to train horses in a different way, by lunging. If there is time we will do a short forest ride again.
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 can visit the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi on the arctic circle (not included). Here you have the opportunity to visit some souvenir shops too.
Day 6
Today we ride to Jopavaaraforest (Porokamppa in 2010) and enjoy some more tolting with our horses. After a traditional lunch break with an open fire and coffee we ride back home and enjoy another hearty dinner and sauna. 2010 Beginner Programme - Riding lesson in the morning and in the afternoon a nice riding tour to Kivivaara. Sausages and coffee in the forest!
Day 7 Today is a 5 hour long ride to Aavasaksa Hill with a lunch break at the end of the skiing tracks near the Tegelio River. A final farewell dinner of your choice in the Grillikota, completing your riding holiday.
2010 Beginner Programme - On this last day we try to reach Porokammpa and we will have lunch at a traditional reindeer cottage.
Day 8
Departure after breakfast.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
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 £295 per person sharing to pay or £355 per person if booking alone in 2010.
When to come?
- Riding in the midnight sun is possible in June and July - a special experience!
- With the warm weather in June, July and August it is also possible to be able to swim with your horse
- The most beautiful time to ride in the forest is September and October because of the berries and colours of nature.
- In November it is possible to go for day rides in the snow and this is a good time to see the Northern Lights.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
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, and a guided walking tour to Aavasaksahill.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic drinks, canned drinks and visit to Santa Claus and flights from your home to the meeting point.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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