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. Afterwards, the excited sled dogs will be prepared for the upcoming tour. Glide through the beautiful winter landscape of Finland, over frozen lakes and through dense snow-capped forests. After about 15 km you will return to the husky farm but will have enough time to pet the dogs. After a warm lunch, you can explore the area on your own, for example with snowshoes. With a little luck, you will discover a dipper or beaver, or at least its traces in the wilderness.

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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 you can enjoy different kinds of flora and natural wonders. After the horses have been taken care of together, you drive to a traditional Kota (Finnish barbecue hut) to enjoy lunch. After you have rested a strap on the snowshoes and follow your guide on a hike through the forest back to the accommodation.


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 lunch, relax in the sauna or explore the area with a traditional kick sled. Kick sleds are a common means of transport in Finland.

Day 5: A Ride Through Snowy Forests
Today the horseback ride takes you to a woodland area of the mountain, where you can admire snow-covered ancient spruce trees. After about 2 hours you arrive back at the lodge and take care of the horses, afterwards you can enjoy a delicious lunch together. You can spend the afternoon just as you wish, e.g. cross-country skiing, or just relaxing.

Day 6: On Snowshoes Through Lapland
Today you get to go snowshoeing to lake Iso Särkijärvi (3-4 km). Here you will have lunch around a campfire and then you can try your luck at ice fishing. You also have the possibility to enjoy a typical Finnish sauna on the lake (for an extra charge). If you dare, take a refreshing bath in the ice-hole after the sauna just like the locals do! End the day in a cosy atmosphere and keep your eyes open: with any luck, you will see the magical auroras dancing in the night sky.

Day 7: Departure
After a hearty breakfast and a last visit to the horses and dogs, you will head back to the airport or train station in Kajaani 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:
You should have first experiences and you will be required to help with the preparation of your horse and be fit enough to ride in the basic gaits. There is a weight limit for riders of 85 kg.

Accommodation:
The small guesthouse in a traditional Finnish country house style is situated 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. For the preparation of the meals, mostly natural foods are used. Sauna and gym facilities are available. Accommodation in a single room is possible for an extra charge.

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

In addition to horse riding and the dog sled tour, other activities can also be booked on site. You have the choice between ice fishing, skiing and snowshoeing as well as additional dog sled tours and horseback rides. At your free disposal are snowshoes, kicksleds, forest skis, cross-country skis (classic and skating) and toboggan sledges.
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