Forests of Swedish Lapland

Sweden

Overview Description Horses & Riding Food & Accommodation Other Activities Travel Testimonials Itineraries

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… read more

Highlights

Riding horses in the snow
Discovering Swedish Lapland on horseback
Learning Lappish customs and cultures
Taking the night train from Stockholm to Lapland
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: 90kg / 198lbs / 14st 2lbs

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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

90kg / 198lbs / 14st 2lbs

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 followed by a dessert. Special diets including vegan or gluten/lactose intolerant can be catered for with prior notice.

Soft drinks are included (such as juice, cordial and hot drinks), but the restaurant doesn't have an alcohol license. You are welcome to bring your own and keep it at the lodge.

Accommodation

During the whole stay you will be staying at the lovely Lantliv Lodge, in the village of Österjörn, approximately 30 minutes away from the farm. Suitable accommodations are limited in rural Sweden but you are collected each day and enjoy a snowy, scenic drive.

This cosy log cabin accommodation is with shared rooms and facilities. Your hosts reserve two guest rooms for this tour - both rooms sleep 3 people. This is a sociable holiday and guests must be willing to share. Your hosts will always arrange the room set-up according to the group to the best of their ability.

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

The programme includes transfers from and to the local train station of Jörn which has overnight connections to Stockholm. Your hosts pick you up at 08:35am on day 1 (based on you departing on a 21:56 train from Stockholm the night before), On departure day on day 5 your hosts will drop you off at the station for the train leaving at 19:18 (arriving back in Stockholm at 06:22 the next day).

You will find the train website here - https://www.sj.se/en

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: 2 hours

Arrival at Jörn Train Station with the night train.
You will be picked up and driven to your accommodation, the lovely Lantliv Lodge in Österjörn. On arrival, you will have a leisurely breakfast at the lodge and be able to settle into your room for the week. Enjoy your first morning relaxing with a breathtaking view of the frozen lake.

After a warm lunch at the lodge, you will be met and driven to the horse farm (about 30 minutes away) for your first ride in the snow. You will meet the fluffy Icelandic horses, perfectly adapted to this cold environment. Help prepare them for the tour and get to know a little more about them. When everyone is ready, you will head out into the forest for an introductory 2-hour ride. Tölting in the snow is a unique feeling!

After your ride and a warming drink, you will be driven back to the lodge where you will enjoy a cosy, homemade dinner featuring plenty of local produce.

Day 2

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Enjoy a big breakfast at the lodge today as you will be spending the whole day with the horses and will need the energy!

Again, you will be driven to the farm, meet up with the horses, pack your to-go lunch in the saddle bags and get everything ready for the ride. You will set off through the snowy landscapes once more, riding between frozen lakes and hopefully spotting some of the resident wildlife on the way. You might come across reindeer, moose, foxes… and a host of other winter animals! Stop by a lake for lunch and help your guides build a warming fire. Happily warmed and fed, you will take to the road again finishing up your ride back at the stables.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3

Riding: No riding.

Another hearty breakfast at the lodge today before you are driven to the kennel in Storträsk for your dog-sled safari!

Here you will meet Peter and his sled dogs. He will first give you some polar overalls to keep out the cold as well as all the instructions for the day. Then you will go for an exciting adventure: driving your own dog team! If driving feels a bit overwhelming, you can decide to share the sled with another participant.

After this exhilarating expedition, you will gather around the fire for a tasty lunch. Peter will lead you through more beautiful landscapes, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the forest, this time on traditional cross-country skis.

Dinner and night at the lodge.

Day 4

Riding: 2 hours

After breakfast today, you will head out directly from the lodge for your lesson of the day: how to survive in a polar environment!

You will learn how to make a fire from scratch, how to build a shelter, as well as foraging for food in the forest. After a busy morning and feeling very accomplished, you can head back into the warmth of the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to the horse farm for a unique moonlight ride. There is no feeling like riding in the dark, letting your horse guide you through the night, it is quite magical. You will ride by the moonlight, in the pitch dark or sometimes even by the hue of the northern lights… every weather condition makes this experience absolutely unique!

After the ride, you will warm up with a nice wood-fire sauna and a warm dinner around the fire at the farm. You are then driven back to the lodge for the night.

Day 5

Riding: No riding.

Today is already your last day! After breakfast today you can take it easy and enjoy the snowy surroundings of the lodge. Angel, your guide, will show you the beautiful forest of Österjörn, the old “church village”. She will make sure you are comfortable walking through the snow thanks to a pair of snowshoes. These allow for much easier walking in the deep snow. You will then come back to the lodge for lunch and a relaxing free afternoon perfect for reading your book by the fire. Enjoy an early final dinner before you get back to Jörn train station for your night train journey back to Stockholm.

Accommodation	Shared accommodation at a cosy lodge. No single supplement available.
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. 4, 2023 - Dec. 8, 2023 Dec. 18, 2023 - Dec. 22, 2023 Dec. 29, 2023 - Jan. 2, 2024 (Special New Year departure!) Jan. 8, 2024 - Jan. 12, 2024 Jan. 22, 2024 - Jan. 26, 2024 Jan. 29, 2024 - Feb. 2, 2024 Feb. 5, 2024 - Feb. 9, 2024 Feb. 12, 2024 - Feb. 16, 2024 Feb. 19, 2024 - Feb. 23, 2024 Feb. 26, 2024 - March 1, 2024 March 11, 2024 - March 15, 2024 March 18, 2024 - March 22, 2024

Pricing

£ $ €

2023 Per person, sharing	£1585 $2005 €1875 New Year Special!
2023/2024 Rider, shared room.	£1515 $1910 €1790
Included	Transfers from and to the train station at Jörn, 4 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.

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.

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Forests of Swedish Lapland