Icelandic Horse Vacation & Husky Sled Tour in Scandinavia

Experience the snow-covered nature around the Paljakka Nature Reserve on an Icelandic horse vacation and experience the joy of driving your very own dog sled! The trip includes three horse rides and a dog sled tour through Finland's fabulous winter landscape. Experience the most beautiful landscape in the far north on horseback.

Icelandic horses in Lapland: The itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive via Kajaani airport and transfer to the accommodation. Dinner will already be waiting for you when you arrive and you will receive all the information about the planned activities and adventures ahead of you. Enjoy a good night of sleep and look forward to the eventful days in the far north with huskies and Icelandic horses!

Day 2: The dog sled tour
After breakfast, you will receive detailed instructions on how to steer and brake the dog sled independently. Afterward, the excited sled dogs will be prepared for the upcoming tour and harnessed. Glide through the beautiful winter landscape of Finland, over frozen lakes and through dense snow-capped forests. After about 1.5 hours you will return to the husky farm but will have enough time to pet the dogs. After a warm lunch, you will head out again on a guided snowshoe hike (approximately 1-2h) into the Finnish forests. With a little luck, you will discover a dipper or beaver or at least its traces in the wilderness.


Day 3: On Icelandic horses through Finland
After the delicious breakfast buffet, you will meet the friendly Icelandic horses. Each guest gets their own horse, which they will ride throughout the tour. The horses will be prepared for riding and then you can head out into the snowy surroundings of the Paljakka nature reserve. The riding time is around 1 hour, in which time you can enjoy different kinds of flora and natural wonders. After lunch, relax in the sauna or explore the area with a traditional sled. Sleds are a common means of transport in Finland, used by anyone from children to retirees!

Day 4: Happiness is on horseback
The second ride on your Icelandic horse vacation will be about 1.5 hours and will take you to a mountain, from which you will have the most breathtaking view. After the horses have been cared for together, drive to a traditional kota to enjoy lunch. After you have rested, go with snowshoes or forest skiis back to the accommodation (about 3 hours).

Day 5: On snowshoes through Lapland
Today you get to go snowshoeing to lake Iso Särkijärvi (3.5km). Here you can have lunch around a campfire and then enjoy a typical Finnish sauna. And if you dare, take a refreshing bath in the ice-hole after the sauna just like the locals do! Let the day fade away in a cosy atmosphere and keep your eyes open: with any luck, you will see the magical auroras dancing in the night sky.

Day 6: A ride through snowy forests
Today the horseback ride takes you (about 2 hours) to a woodland area of the mountain, where you can admire snow-covered ancient spruce trees. After the horses have been taken care of, we will enjoy lunch together. The afternoon can be spent according to your wishes, e.g. cross-country skiing, ice fishing, or just simply relaxing.

Day 7: Departure
After a hearty breakfast and a last visit to the horses and dogs, you will head back to the airport so that you can make your onward journey. You will leave us with many unforgettable memories of Icelandic horses, excitable huskies, and absolutely stunning winter landscapes.

Requirements: No experience is necessary, but you will be required to aid in the preparation of your horse and be fit enough to ride in the basic gaits. There is a weight limit for riders of 85kg.

Accomodation: The small guesthouse in a traditional Finnish country house and is situated is in the middle of nature on the edge of the Paljakka nature reserve. The location is far away from tourism and noise pollution, making it a great place for nature lovers. Meals prepared are primarily natural food. Sauna and gym facilities are available. Accommodation in a double room or a single room reservation is available at an additional cost of € 400 - / p.

With Icelandic horses through Finland: Many more activities await you!

In addition to horseback riding and dog sledding, other on-site activities are available at no extra charge. Ice fishing, skiing and snowshoeing are included.
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