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Forests of Swedish Lapland

Overview

This special ride takes place close to the Arctic Circle, at the entrance to Lapland, and brings you all the magic of the polar region and its subarctic climate. The forests of this area are known as 'taigas' and your hosts and their friendly Icelandic Horses welcome you to explore their Swedish ta…

Highlights

  • Riding horses in the snow
  • Discovering Swedish Lapland on horseback
  • Learning Lappish customs and cultures
  • Tolting through the countryside on a fluffy Icelandic
  • Enjoying Nordic activities such as husky sledding

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 5 riders per group
  • Average of 2 - 3 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 85kg / 187lbs / 13st 5lbs

Description

This special ride takes place close to the Arctic Circle, at the entrance to Lapland, and brings you all the magic of the polar region and its subarctic climate. The forests of this area are known as 'taigas' and your hosts and their friendly Icelandic Horses welcome you to explore their Swedish taiga. Utmost respect is shown to nature, the local people and the horses who carry you on the ride - the horses are ridden bitless and are much loved by their owners.

Far away from touristy areas, you will explore this spectacular wintry landscape of snowy forests, frozen lakes and wildlife. Group sizes are kept small at five riders maximum, making it easy for everyone to follow through the snow. It's important to keep in mind that this is a harsh climate and whilst the horses are used to it, you will need to come prepared with your warmest clothes and a spirit of adventure.

Horses & Riding

Tack

You will ride in traditional Icelandic saddles. The saddles look closer to a dressage saddle in design, with relatively flat seats. Stirrups are typically worn long and are shaped to accommodate heavy boots. The horses are ridden in bitless bridles.

Horses

This destination uses Icelandic horses as they are so well adapted to the harsh winter environment. The Icelandic horse is famous for its extra gait - the tolt - which has similar footfalls to a walk but is faster and usually very smooth to ride.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Lappish Winter Adventure is a based ride

Ages

16+ recommended.

Health

General good health recommended.

Weight

85kg / 187lbs / 13st 5lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

Hearty, homemade fare using fresh, local and ethically-sourced ingredients. Breakfasts usually consist of cereals, bread and yoghurt, along with a menu of warm options, whilst lunch is a soup following by a pie to suit the group (such as chicken and bacon or broccoli and cheese). Dinners are 2 hearty warm dishes. Special diets including vegan or gluten/lactose intolerant can be catered for with prior notice. All the meals noted “at the camp” will be served in the small restaurant. The restaurant has its own bar where you can enjoy a drink in the evening.

Soft drinks are included (such as juice, cordial and hot drinks).

Accommodation

Cosy log cabins on the shore of the lake Norsjön, approximately 25 minutes away from the farm.

You will share a 2-person stuga, the typical Swedish cabin. Each stuga has its own toilet and shower. If you are a group of 3 persons, you can even decide to all stay in the same cabin as there are one single bed and a double bed-sofa.

Itineraries

Lappish Winter Adventure Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

This winter programme also includes dog-sledding, a Polar survival course, traditional skiing and snowshoe hiking.

Travel

Guests will need to fly into Stockholm and get a connecting domestic flight to Skellefteå airport. The transfers are planned for the flight arriving at around 14:00 in Skellefteå on day 1 and a departure around 10:00 from Skellefteå on day 6. Please contact us for exact timings for your dates. You can book your flight tickets on SAS’ website: https://www.flysas.com/

Testimonials

Martin W., Feb. 20, 2024

This was a unique, once in a lifetime, experience! We loved our holiday! 3 great rides on Icelandic horses in temperatures down to minus 35 degrees, dogsledding with huskies and then enjoying some fun in the snow and enjoying superb hospitality at our accommodation - what a great way to spend a week!


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Arrival at Skellefteå airport and transfer to your accommodation, the lovely campsite of Rännudden, beautifully located on Lake Norsjövallen in Västerbotten's hinterland. You can then settle into your cabin for the week and take a relaxing first evening. Dinner is served in the small restaurant.

Day 2

Riding: 2 hours

After a hearty breakfast at the camp. you will be picked up in the morning for a whole day in the beautiful village, Svansele. You will start with a guided tour of the biggest wildlife exhibition in Sweden. Your guide’s tales accompany you along the twelve thematic rooms. You will know everything before you get to see it for real during the activities! After the tour, you will enjoy a nice lunch around the fire, cooked from the most local products.
After lunch you will then head to the farm where you will meet the fluffy Icelandic horses, prepare them for the tour and get to know a little more about their specifics. When everyone is ready, you will ride out into the forest for a 2-hour ride. Tölting in the snow is a unique feeling! After the ride and a warm drink guests will be driven back to the camp where you will enjoy a nice dinner.

Day 3

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

After breakfast in camp you will head straight to the farm to enjoy the whole day with the horses! You will tack up your horses, pack your lunch in the saddle bags and get everything ready for the ride. You will be riding through a snowy wilderness, between frozen lakes and dense frosty forests, hopefully spotting a few animals. Reindeers, moose, foxes… you never know who you can meet on the way! You will stop by a lake for lunch and make a warming fire, before taking to the road again with your fluffy companions. Dinner and night at the camp.

Day 4

Riding: No riding.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will drive to the kennel, in Åmliden. There you will meet Lena and her sled dogs. She will first give you all the instructions for the adventure. Then you will go for an exciting experience: driving your own dog team! You share a sled with another participant, so everyone gets to try driving as well as sitting in the sled.
After this exciting adventure, you will drive to see your host's friend Börje, who is a reindeer herder. He will serve a nice warm lunch around the fire and tell you all about the life and ancestral customs of his people, the Sami, who were once nomadic, traveling according to the movements of the herd. In the afternoon, you get the chance to observe the reindeer up close!
Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day 5

Riding: 2 hours

After breakfast, you will drive to Jenny and Basti’s farm for your next adventure: a snowshoe hike accompanied by sled dogs! They will introduce you to their friendly dogs and show you how to best enjoy the hike. It can be a bit challenging, but the pace will always be adapted to the participants and to the weather. A nice home-made lunch will take place in the forest or at the farm, according to temperature.
Later in the afternoon, you will head back to the farm for a moonlight ride. There is no feeling like riding in the dark, letting your horse guide you through the night. The moonlight, pitch dark or sometimes even northern lights… every weather condition make this experience absolutely unique! After the ride, you can warm up with a nice wood-fire sauna and a warm dinner around the fire at the farm. You will then be driven back to the camp for the night.

Day 6

Riding: No riding.

Already the last day! After breakfast, you will be driven back to Skellefteå where you can catch your transport towards home or on to your next adventure!

Accommodation

Shared accommodation at a cosy lodge.

Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Riders must be comfortable in all gaits and in good physical condition.

Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 5
Departure windows

Dec. 8, 2024 - Dec. 13, 2024

Dec. 15, 2024 - Dec. 20, 2024

Dec. 28, 2024 - Jan. 2, 2025

Jan. 5, 2025 - Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 12, 2025 - Jan. 17, 2025

Jan. 19, 2025 - Jan. 24, 2025

Jan. 26, 2025 - Jan. 31, 2025

Feb. 2, 2025 - Feb. 7, 2025

Feb. 16, 2025 - Feb. 21, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2025

March 9, 2025 - March 14, 2025

Pricing

2024/2025
Per person, sharing
£1475 $1855 €1780
Included Transfers from and to/from Skellefteå airport at set times , 5 nights of shared accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, horse riding and activities detailed in the programme (with daily transportation).
Not included Flights, travel insurance (compulsory), airport transfers, alcohol, tips for guides or other personal expenses.

Extras

2024/2025 - Single Supplement £36 $45 €43 per night
Paid to Far and Ride
subject to availability.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.