Sweden - Lapland Summer Short Break

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 JS of Henstridge on 03/09/2024

This ride is mostly on pathless terrain and on small tracks that allow the riders to get to know, and trust, the sure-footed Icelandic horses. The group ride in different directions depending on the terrain including on the bare mountain, in swamp areas, and in the forest. On the nights in a Sami tepee (lávvu) the group sleep around the fireplace in sleeping bags

During the tour there is an extra horse carrying the food and equipment, but everyone carries their own personal things in saddle-bags on their own horse. Some experience of camping would be an advantage for this trail. On the trail, the food is cooked over a fire and will include specialities flike reindeer meat and fish prepared in a traditional ways. Everyone helps each other with the horses and with camp chores on the trail. Sometimes it will be necessary to lead the horses when the terrain demands it and routes may be changed depending on the weather.

Day 1
Arrive and transfer from Kiruna to the farmhouse. Settle into double rooms with shared facilities and enjoy a welcome meal around the farmhouse table.

Day 2
Meet the horses and allocation of the right horse for each rider. Start the trail by riding through the forests, over swamps and along the mountain paths on the south side of the Kalix river. Arrive at the overnight stop in the afternoon. Enjoy an outdoor dinner cooked over the open fire and sleep in the tent.

Day 3
After breakfast, ride west over the bare mountain for some fantastic views. In the afternoon, ride back to the overnight spot from Day 1. Date dependent: There is an option to ride west to Ratekjokk to overnight in a mountain cabin instead.

Day 4
After breakfast, ride over the bare mountain exploring the terrain and enjoying the spectacular views. Finish in the afternoon at the tour's starting point. Say goodbye to the horses and transfer back to the farm by car. Farewell dinner at the farm.

Day 5
Transfer to Kiruna after breakfast.


Please follow this link for a map of the start point of this itinerary: Lapland Summer Trail

Travelling to Kiruna:
SAS and Norwegian flying Stockholm-Kiruna (Norwegian just Fridays and Sundays Nov-March)
There is also a night train Stockholm-Kiruna
Direct Flights Paris - Kiruna: Air France, Saturdays from 21 Dec 24 - 8 Mar 25
Direct Flights Köpenhamn - Kiruna: Thursdays and Sundays from 12 Dec 24 - 30 Mar 25
Direct Flights Dusseldorf - Kiruna: Saturdays 1 Feb 25 - 22 Mar 25

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.

There are about 30 Icelandic horses at the farm that are perfect for beginners and experienced riders. The Icelandic horse is quite small, about 130-145 cm high with four or five gaits walk, trot, canter, tölt and pace. There are Icelandic horses both for riding tours with beginners, and for competing. The paces are at walk, moderate distances in trot (tölt), and short distances in canter.

You should be in good physical health as some days involve up to 5hr in the saddle. You should be confident riding at all paces and able to control a horse in open terrain.
It is also useful if you have camped before as riders are expected to help with camp chores.
In some places riders may need to lead the horses when the terrain demands it, so they should be able to walk beside your horse for up to 20 minutes over rough terrain. Minimum age for this ride is 12 years. Only for riders under 90kg

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

There are two houses at the farm, each with comfortable living space and shared kitchen and bathrooms. When in the farmhouse, sheets and towels can be arranged. There is a sauna at the farmhouse, perfect for the end of a day riding! There is a full 3 course meal at the farmhouse. Meals consist of specialities from the area, for example reindeer meat and fish prepared in a traditional way.

The overnight stops are quite simple. 2 Sami teepees, or 'lávvus', are provided between the group for the camping nights and everyone sleeps around the fireplace. Riders should bring their own travel sheet for the “lávvu” nights. Washing is done using the clean water from the mountain creeks. The food is cooked together over a fire when outdoors. There is usually no toilet and shower on the mountain tours.

On the trail, riders carry all personal equipment in their saddlebags. It can be windy and cold up in the mountains, so pack warm clothes. There´s not very much room in the saddlebags so pack carefully and sensibly. The ride provide reindeer skins/sleeping mattresses at the overnight places and riders will need to bring their own travel sheet to put into the sleeping bag. Additional luggage can be kept for riders at the farm during the tour.

Riders are expected to help out with camp chores and help each other out with the horses, there is a team atmosphere on this ride!

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 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/sweden In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Sweden.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/sweden

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

For sunshine visit Sweden between late May and late July, leaving before the August rains. The average temperature in the northernmost mountains in July is about 11°C (52°F), but you should be prepared for occasional sub-zero temperatures and snowfalls, even in summer. The northwest and far north: This is mostly a plateau of moderate to high elevation. Temperatures are largely controlled by altitude and at the higher levels snow cover persists throughout the year. In sheltered valleys precipitation may be much less than on the surrounding hills. Here, during fine weather, winter temperatures sink very low while summer temperatures may rise surprisingly high. The greater part of the area, however, has a severe winter climate with short, changeable summers. Sweden's northern latitude means that it never gets really dark from mid-May to late July, with the trade-off being a pervasive December dimness.

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. If you need to contact the emergency services in Sweden call 112. Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Sweden and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Some nights will be spent sleeping on sleeping mattresses and reindeer skins so if you have an allergy to animal fur please let us know beforehand. Riders should be fit enough to be able to walk alongside their horse up hills and where it is difficult to ride.

In Sweden the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 230V).

Please take along plenty of batteries and film with you before you travel. Camera batteries can be re-charged at the farm but not whilst out in the wilderness. Mobile phone coverage is poor whilst out on the trail. If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.

***Ofelas ask that guests do not to check in directly through to Kiruna even if they say at the airport that it is going to work. A lot of luggage gets stuck in Stockholm - please ask at check-in to be able to pick up and re-check your luggage.***

• Travel sheet
• Robust, comfortable, windproof jacket
• Riding trousers
• 2 warm sweaters (wool is the warmest)
• Cap, scarf
• 2 pairs of gloves (one thinner, one thicker)
• Long-sleeved underwear (wool is the warmest)
• Long underpants (wool is the warmest)
• Extra t-shirts/vests, underwear, socks
• Sandals or other light shoes
• Toilet requisites (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, small towel, toilet paper, earplugs, etc.)
• Antimosquito preparation
• Knife
• Plastic bags or waterproof bags for packing
• Small water bottle
• Sunglasses, sunscreen
• (Camera)
• (Swimming suit)
• (Waistbag)
• (Binoculars)
• (Snacks)
• Torch (for August)

Items provided:
• Raincoat/long raincoat and rain trousers
• Rubber boots/waterproof boots (long legs, comfortable for walking) with thick socks
• Riding hat

All personal equipments you pack on your own horse in saddlebags during the tour. It can be windy and cold up in the mountains, so take warm clothes with you. We will help you with your packing before we leave. It´s not very much room in the saddlebags so we have to think about what we really need to take with us. You just need to pack for two days in the saddlebags, some things you can send to the cabin in Ratekjokk (if the tour is going there), then you can have some extra clothes to change to. We have sleeping bags and reindeer skins/sleeping mattresses in the tepee, so you just need to take a travel sheet to put into the sleeping bag and in the bed in Ratekjokk. Long-sleeved underwear, long underpants and socks are good to sleep in in the tepee, wool is the warmest material. If you don´t have wool or silk, then syntetic is better than cotton. The cell phone isn´t working everywhere during the tour. You can load your electric equipments on the farm in Puoltsa or in the cabin in Ratekjokk. Other luggage we can keep for you during the tour on the farm.

This is a 5 day 4 night programme with 3 days riding. Departure dates are available from 2 riders onwards in July and August. Please see the itinerary below for details.

2025: 6, 20 July; 3, 17 August

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To learn more about the Sami people have a look at www.samer.se and about Kiruna on  www.kommun.kiruna.se/Om-kommunen/English/