This adventurous equestrian tour will take you through the sheep farming areas of South Greenland. You will see many Norse and Inuit ruins as you journey from one farm to another, overnighting at different farms and meeting local farmers.
The horses are all Icelandic horses and are well-trained and sure-footed in this difficult terrain. The riding tour also heads up into the mountains to see the glaciers, and during your ride along the beach you will see icebergs floating in the sea. This horseback vacation is aimed at allowing you to experience the daily life and hospitality on the different farms.
Meals consist of hearty local produce. Meat from marine mammals, game, lamb, birds and fish have been the main ingredient in Greenlandic food for generations. The high meat content in the diet provides energy and nourishment all year round in the cold harsh climate.
Read Julie Lawrence's account of her Greenland adventure at Horse Riding in Greenland - A Journey of Discovery
Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.
Review received from JL of Shipston on Stour on 05/08/2024
Day 1
Arrival at Narsarsuaq International Airport and meet at the Blue Ice Explorers reception at the airport. Blue Ice will arrange the bus transport to the harbor (5min.) and boat transport to Qassiarsuk (10min.), where the farm owner will greet the group and check in at the hostel (15min. walk from farm.) Relax before dinner at the farm
Day 2
After breakfast and packing a lunch box for the ride, Take a buggy ride to Inneruulalik farm to meet and be allocated with a horse. When all riders are comfortable, the ride leaves Inneruulalik to reach Tasiusaq farm to stay 2 nights at the farms hostel. The entire ride is about 14km. Dinner at the farm house house.
Day 3
After breakfast and packing a lunch box, ride to a beach to see the icebergs before continuing to a viewpoint of the glacier for lunch. After lunch, head back to the Tasiusaq hostel. The entire ride is about 22km. Dinner is served at the farm house.
Day 4
When the group is ready after breakfast, ride to Sillisit to stay at the farms hostel (20km). Dinner served at the farm house.
Day 5
Once the group have had breakfast and packed their lunch, head out on horseback around Sillisit (15km), Dinner will be served at the farm house.
Day 6
Enjoy breakfast before the ride back to the Ineruulalik farm and drive the buggy back to the same hostel from the first night (7km). Dinner will be served at the farm house. Included:
Day 7
After breakfast, drive with the buggy to the Riding Greenland hostel followed by a 3-hour buggy tour. Lunch at the hostel followed by ar a guided tour by the Norse ruins. The group have a free day. Farewell dinner will be served between 6 and 7pm at the farm house.
Day 8
A final breakfast before taking the boat back to Narsarsuaq and transfer to the Airport as well. Lunch at the hostel may be included dependednt on departure time.
Read Julie Lawrence's account of her Greenland adventure at Horse Riding in Greenland - A Journey of Discovery
The hosts recommend the guests to stay in Narsarsuaq before or after the tour to do a boat trip to the nearby glacier Qooqqut.
Suggested accommodation: Hotel Narsarsuaq: receptionnars@mit.gl / Polartut (apartments): pulaartut@gmail.com / Blue Ice hostel: info@blueice.gl
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
All horses in Greenland are Icelandic horses and are well known for their unique pace, the 'tolt'. The horses used on the trail are owned by the farmers and used by the farmers to gather sheep from the mountains at the end of summer, every year. They are surefooted horses who thrive well in both warm summers and cold winters and are happy navigating the tricky terrain.
This ride is for intermediate and advanced riders only. You should be confident at all paces and in control of a forward going horse in open spaces and within a group environment. The terrain can be challenging and can be intimidating, you will need to be a confident rider. Younger riders must be confident and capable, this ride is not suitable for children.
You will be riding between 3 and 6 hours per day so a reasonable level of fitness will be required.
You are expected to wear a riding hat, you can bring your own or borrow one from the stables.
Rider weight limit is 100kg.
The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
1 night at Riding Greenland hostel with own private room, shared facilities, internet (in the dining room) and a washing machine for all guests to share. 6 nights at 3 different farm hostels, all shared rooms in bunkbeds with own sleeping bag (not provided) and one shared bathroom with a toilet. There can be other guests than the riding group at the hostels Rooms are simple and you will need a sleeping bag to sleep in, as linen is not provided.
Meals consist of hearty local produce. Meat from marine mammals, game, lamb, birds and fish have been the main ingredient in Greenlandic food for generations. The high meat content in the diet provides energy and nourishment all year round in the cold harsh climate.
On some days, after breakfast you will make your lunch for out on the trail, other lunches are taken at farms on route.
Unfortunately due to the high meat content in the Greenlandic diet it is not possible to cater for vegetarians.
Unfortunately vegetarian or other unusual dietary requests cannot be accommodated on this trip.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip.
NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures.
Everyone over the age of 14 is required to show a valid identity document on request Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country.
Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa.
In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice for Greenland: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/denmark
In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/
In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
Southern Greenland is warmest in June, July and August, with highs of 14/15 degrees C. July is the warmest month of the year with average temperatures of 11 and highs of 15 degrees C. Precipitation is low, on average around 22mm during this summer period. Winter temperatures are much lower with average temperatures of -11 degrees C.
The hostel offers free wifi and there are plugs in each room that can be used for charging phones and cameras.
- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Chaps
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Warm sweater (wool or fleece)
- Warm jacket
- Warm stockings and gloves, at least 2 pair of each, scarf and hat
- Warm underlayers (best long sleeve)
- Rain gear
- Sleeping bag
- Sun glasses
- Sunscreen for the face and lips (high factor)
- A pair of slippers for the evenings
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
Provided by hosts
Riding hat
8d / 7n programme with 6 riding days.
2025: 02 - 09 Aug
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 6 | double pp | 2,619 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 6 | double pp | 3,149 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 6 | double pp | 3,375 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 8d/7n | 6 | double pp | 36,815 |
The hosts recommend the guests to stay in Narsarsuaq before or after the tour and do a boat trip to the nearby glacier Qooqqut. Arranged by Blue Ice, the boat sails through numerous pieces of ice to reach the fjord where the glacier is. On arrival, the engines are switched off so that guests can experience the eerie quiet and remarkable views.
Greenland has an amazing diversity of wildlife including seals, whales, musk oxen, walruses, reindeer and rarely polar bears. There are over 230 species of birds, as snow buntings, finches, Lapland buntings and northern wheatears, ravens, the rock ptarmigan, and birds of prey such as white-tailed eagles, peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon. On the coasts northern fulmar, eiders, thick-billed murres, Arctic terns, Arctic skuas and 10-12 species of gull can be seen, whilst in wetlands you can encounter up to 15 different waders such as large ringed plovers, purple sandpipers and red-necked phalaropes.
Qassiarsuk is a small village with about 40 citizens, there is a small local grocery store called Pilersuisoq that is open from 10:00-15:00. There is also a cafe called, Cafe Thorhildur with souvenirs, coffee, tea, and sandwiches. The opening hours of the cafe is usually between 09:30-19:00.
