Norway - Northern Lights and Snow Fun

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Day 1
Arrival and Northern Lights Ride:  Check in after 4pm at the guesthouse. Settle in and soak in the views and maybe do a walk on the white sandy beach just a 100 meters from the guest house before dinner. Dinner at Låven restaurant and meet the guide and discuss the week’s program, while getting to know a little of the local history. After dinner, head for the stables at around 10pm to be allocated with a horse and head off on a ride to see the Northern Lights. The ride takes place in the dark, but hopefully there will be moonlight accompanied by the lights. If viewing conditions are good the ride may be a little longer.

Day 2
Tour to Vinje beach: After a late breakfast, saddle up at 11am for a ride towards Vinje beach. If conditions allow, the route will follow the Viking Road and nature reserve trail. Enjoy lunch at our small local shop before heading home in the snow. Hopefully riders can test different gaits in the deeper snow for some real snow fun. After a relaxing dinner head to the sauna by the beach, maybe followed by swim in the arctic sea or diving into the snow! Keep an eye open for the Northern Lights while at the restaurant, sauna or room. 

Day 3
Aaland Gård and Borgvåg:  Breakfast at the restaurant before heading to Vestvågøy for a ride on the gravel roads to Borgvåg, and eventually Aaland gård for a delicious lunch at this award-winning goat farm. Meet the goats and taste their famous cheeses. Ride back to the centre to relax before dinner at the restaurant. Maybe enjoy a walk down to the beach to view the northern lights away from the centre. There will be a bonfire if the weather allows.

Day 4
Explore Lofoten and snowshoe hike: Today is a rest day for the horses. After breakfast the group heads off on an excursion to the small fishing village of Henningsvær to view the local  galleries, local crafts, and more. Lunch at one of the seafood restaurants before heading back in the afternoon. After dinner at the restaurant, head out on a snowshoe walk in search of the Northern Lights. Wearing headlamps, the route climbs along the mountain Hoven for the best view.

Day 5
Eggum and final dinner in the boathouse: After a late breakfast, head to Eggum for a scenic half-day ride along the coastline of Vestvågøy. Relax before a special farewell dinner at the boat house at the beach (weather allowing). Hopefully the northern lights will make an appearance during the meal. If the weather is too harsh, the dinner venue will be the restaurant.

Day 6
Farewell Breakfast and Departure:  Enjoy a final breakfast at the restaurant before packing to check out at by 12pm. Depart from the Lofoten Islands, taking home memories of the arctic winter and breathtaking horseback adventures

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.

This stables has 50 horses to choose from, all of them are Icelandic horses, a unique breed of horse that originated in Norway and arrived in Iceland with the first Norwegian settlers. The Icelandic breed is known for being sure-footed and able to cross rough terrain.

Your mount for this ride is also able to display an extra gait in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter, gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The gait is a four-beat lateral ambling gait called tölt known for it's acceleration and speed, it's a comfortable pace for covering plenty of ground.

The horses range in height from 132 to 147 cm high. The stables have some horses which are more spirited and ideal for more experienced riders. They also have quieter horses for nervous riders. You will be matched with a suitable horse each day and will ride a variety of the horses during the holiday.

The more open program allows the weather to be taken into account. The pace of the ride is always dependent on the weather conditions. The riding hours are shorter than the summer months, due to the low temperatures. We aim for 2 x full days and 2 x shorter days riding.

Intermediate to experienced riders, comfortable at all gaits and riding in a group through varied terrain and in snow.
The minimum rider age is 12 years old.
The maximum rider weight is 90kg

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

Spend 5 nights at a guesthouse on the farm in twin/double rooms with shared bathrooms. The guesthouse has been beautifully renovated, with 6 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and 3 bathrooms to share. The house is situated 50 meters from the stable and restaurant Låven, with a beautiful view to the north and a white beach.

The hosts pay extra attention to the meals, and have an excellent restaurant at Låven (50m from the lodge) that serves dishes using fresh local ingredients. The restaurant can also cater for vegan or gluten-free guests but require advance notice, so please let your travel advisor know. Delicious home baked cakes are available at the restaurant every day.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

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

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: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway

In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Norway.html

In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/norway

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

The Lofoten Islands are quite an anomaly when it comes to climate, as they experience relatively warm temperatures for their high Arctic latitude thanks to the warm Gulf stream. This warmth makes them an ideal place for exploring in summer as you can make the most of the midnight sun. Between mid-May and mid-July, the sun provides its warming light while you can experience the Northern Lights from September to mid-April.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

In Norway, all public hospitals are funded from the national budget and run by four Regional Health Authorities owned by the Ministry of Health and Care Services. In addition to the public hospitals, a few privately owned health clinics are operating.

To contact the Norwegian emergency services, call 110 (fire), 112 (police) or 113 (ambulance).

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the Norway and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Health precautions required: A tetanus shot is recommended

In Norway the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Electricity is available in your accommodation each night for charging cameras and batteries. There is free Wifi available in the lodges and in the restaurant. Please note that should you be using a GoPro, please ask the permission of the group if they are happy to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards – (some locations, mostly in the EU, can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Riding boots designed for riding and walking
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Mobile phone and charger
COLDER CLIMATES
Layers are best
Waterproof/windproof coat, gloves & trousers
(Seat savers will soak up water in wet weather so bear that in mind)

The hosts can provide (if needed):
warm overall
rain clothes
helmet
gloves
saddle bag
water bottle

This ride has an 6 day / 5 night / 4 riding day itinerary with set departures.

2025: 16 - 21 March

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Johan Bojer's novel The Last of the Vikings (1922) tells the story of the Lofoten cod fishermen

Out Stealing Horses - Per Petterson

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Norway's diverse landscapes offer unparalleled opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, marine rafting or diving. The islands are also ideal for surfing - they are among Norway's best and the world's northernmost surfing spots.

Thanks to its varied topography, the Lofoten Islands are home to a huge variety of wildlife both on land and out to sea. The southern islands actually lie on the Røst Reef which boasts the world’s largest deep water coral reef. Other wildlife that can be seen includes birdlife such as sea eagles, cormorants and puffins and otters which are common throughout the fjords. Look out for moose and other bird species that nest in the mountains and cliffs. During the summer, the islands are a great location for whale watching with minkes and sperm whales being seen off the coast.

There is also a spectacular 18-hole championship course nearby which is beautifully situated in nature making this holiday ideal to share with a golfing partner - although possibly not in winter!

Seek local advice if you intend to eat mussels harvested off the coast and certain types of fish from lakes and fjords.