Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland
Riding in Greenland

This glacier trail will take you through the sheep farming areas of South Greenland, past rivers and up into the mountains, where you can see the many glaciers. En route you will pass through some unique and stunning landscapes. On the riding tour you will  see many Norse and Inuit-ruins and find out about the history of the area during a guide tour of the ruins. 
Ride Icelandic horses, who are well-trained and sure-footed in this difficult terrain and experience the unique pace of 'tolt'.
The highlight of this riding tour is the rare opportunity to visit glaciers and see icebergs floating along in the sea.

This horseback vacation also includes a buggy tour, storytelling of living a life as a sheepfarmer in the arctic, a showing of the greenlandic national costume and an hour guided tour by a certified site-guide of the reconstructed Norse ruins - all in all a complete Greenland experience. 

Accommodation is in a simple but comfortable hostel based at the farm, offering private rooms with shared bathrooms and local food.  Linen is provided.

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 AE of Billingshurst on 26/08/2024

Ride Summary
What was your overall impression of the holiday
Overall impression
Unicorn Trails sales staff

Riding tour leader

Additional Comments
Horses and Tack

Additional Comments
Meals

Accommodation

Miscellaneous

Was this trip accurately described to you beforehand?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
Was there anything you should have known and were not told? NO
Please give more details to explain your response:
Just advise future customers about possibility of flight delays..
What could we do to improve this ride?
Nothing!
How would you rate the difficulty of this ride out of 10 where 1 is very easy and 10 is very advanced?
6
Please explain why you scored it as you did:
It is easy ride but due to terrain you need to be confident on a horse and well balanced to help the horse on inclines and declines.
Would you recommend Unicorn Trails to your friends?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
May we use you as a reference for other people wishing to go on this ride?
YES
Any other comments:
Unicorn comments: Thank you for your feedback. Glad you had a good time! :)

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 a team-member from Riding Greenland will greet the group. Check into the hostel which s a 15min walk from the farm house. Dinner at the hostel.

Day 2
After breakfast, drive with the buggy to the hosts’ farm Inneruulalik to meet the horses. After an introduction of the horses the guides will match rider and mount. Today's route is from Inneruulalik to Qassiarsuk (7km) in the mountains. Lunch will be served at the hostel and afterward the group are free to do what they wish. Dinner will be served at the hostel.

Day 3
At breakfast, pack a lunch box for the ride and head out through the Qorlortup Itinnera farm toward the Tasiusaq farm where the horses spend the night Enjoy the packed lunch in a scenic spot before The group head back to the hostel in the buggy buggy. The entire ride is approx.17km. Dinner will be served at the hostel.

Day 4
After breakfast and packing a lunch box, ride to a beach with icebergs before continuing to a vantage point with a view of the glacier. Enjoy the packed lunch before riding back to Tasiusaq to leave the horses and take the buggy back to the hostel. The entire ride is approx. 22km. Dinner will be served at the hostel.

Day 5
Start with breakfast and a buggy trip back to the horses in Tasiusaq to ride to Inneruulalik (14km)and have lunch at the hosts farm house. Afterward, take the buggy back to the hostel. Dinner will be served at the hostel.

Day 6
Once the group have finished breakfast, drive with the buggy on a 3-hour tour before having lunch at the hostel.In the afternoon there is a guided tour of the Norse ruins. For the rest of the day the group are free to do what they wish. Dinner will be served at the hostel

Day 7 
Pack a picnic luch after breakfast and head out to the farm Inneruulalik, and to at he Naajat mountain before returning. (21km).  A farewell dinner will be served between at the hostel with the hosts who will also show the group the Greenlandic national costume. 

Day 8
After breakfast, the guides will let the group know the transfer time the boat back to Narsarsuaq and road transfer to the Airport. Depending on departure, lunch may be included on the last day

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

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.

Horses & Riding

All horses in Greenland are Icelandic horses. The horses used on the trail are owned by the farmers and used 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 confident navigating the tricky terrain.



 


Rider requirements

This ride is for intermediate or above, you should be confident at all paces and in control of a forward going horse in open spaces an within a group environment. You will be riding between 3 and 5 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

Younger riders must be confident and capable, this ride is not suitable for children.

Weight Limit

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

Accommodation is based at the riding center in their hostel. It offers single rooms with a single bed and shared use of the bathroom. Rooms are simple but comfortable. The accommodation has free wifi and free use of the washing machine.  

Meals consist of hearty local produce. Pack lunches for the trail are made after breakfast, and eaten on the ride. 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. Dinner is always followed by dessert.




Unfortunately vegetarian or other unusual dietary requests cannot be accommodated on this trip.

Documents - Visa and Consulate Info

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


Climate Summary

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.

Climate Chart

Mobile, WiFi and charging

The hostel offers free wifi and there are plugs in each room that can be used for charging phones and cameras. If using a GoPro please ensure that you have the group's permission to be filmed.

Packing List

- 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
- 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

Programmes

8d / 7n programme with 5 riding days.

Departure Dates

2025: 1 - 8 (Full), 12 - 19 (Full), 22 - 29 (Full) Jul; 12 - 19 (Full), 23 - 30 Aug

Pricing
A single room can be booked for no extra supplement when available.
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description £
20258d/7n5double pp2,959
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description
20258d/7n5double pp3,559
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description US $
20258d/7n5double pp3,815
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description SEK
20258d/7n5double pp41,619
Other Activities

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.

Wildlife

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.

Other Information

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.

Travel Summary

Meeting-point (getting there):
Narsarsuaq International Airport (QAK)
Transfer:
2025: included from meeting point
Flight Guide:
2025: London to Narsarsuag (UAK) return from £1600pp (Season Dependent)
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