Comfort
Your first and last night will be spent in the hosts' home.
At the equestrian centre, a converted former school, a warm welcome awaits you; the centre's accommodation is basic but comfortable, consisting of dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms.
Whilst out riding the trails, you will sleep overnight in either kota (traditional tents) or in rustic log cabins with no running water or electricity.
Meals
Meals consist of Lapland’s specialties like sauteed reindeer, salmon, white fish, forest mushrooms and berries, etc.
Climate
Lapland's summer temperatures can reach 27°C and the days are often mild, between 15 and 20°C. However, it's important to bring warm clothes with you for the evenings and the colder days. Don't forget that during this period you will be able to experience the midnight sun - consider bringing an eye mask to help you sleep through the night!
Guide and local team
Päivi is a horse riding instructor and owner of a herd of Finnish horses. her husband Pasi is a musher, who drives a team of 40 huskies and takes tourists on 2 day long-distance treks in the winter. Together they own an agency in Lapland that offers riders and amateur Nordic sports enthusiasts a chance to get the best out of the region. In the summer months, Päivi leads groups of riders through the wilds of Lapland, sometimes with Pasi by her side.
Tips
Tipping is not obligatory, however if you would like to, please give it to one of the local team.
Packing list
Important: there are mosquitoes in this area in the summer. Please make sure to bring a mosquito spray and a face net is strongly recommended.
Head
- Equus Journeys STRONGLY recommends wearing a helmet. We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit. Helmet makers (GPA, HKM, LAS Helmets, Lamicell, Troxel, Equithème) now offer horse-riding helmets that are ventilated, strong and light and comfortable. Alternatively, under hat protective wear is available (Ranch & Rider, Lexington Safety Products) as well as western helmets (Troxel).
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
- Warm hat for cold nights when camping
Upper body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm fleece or jumper (and a spare in case one gets wet)
- Warm and waterproof jacket - it can rain at any time of year and the evenings can be particularly cold
- Swimming costume - for swimming/bathing in rivers/hot springs
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Thermals
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms
- Waterproof over trousers
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots/hiking boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps as an extra layer against inclement weather. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful for abundant dew in the mornings or when it rains
- Trainers/Crocs or equivalent light shoes for moving around the camp in the evenings
- Several pairs of warm, thick socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, cold or rain whilst riding. Waterproof gloves can be particularly useful
Nightwear
- Sleeping bag - one with a protection factor down to - 5 celsius, but we strongly recommend one with at least - 8 or 10 celsius
- Sleeping bag liner - silk, cotton or fleece - to add an extra layer of warmth
- Inflatable mattress or sleeping mat - strongly recommended
- Pyjamas, tracksuits or thermals for sleeping in
Other useful items
- Towels - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Small backpack for accessing items required during the day (carried by support crew)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries and bulbs
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre)
- Swiss army knife
- Wet Wipes or equivalent (for when washing facilities aren't available)
- Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it with after use
- Small plastic bags for your rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
- A soothing cream will be useful to treat areas irritated by long hours in the saddle
- Mosquito spray/bite soothing cream, and, possibly, mosquito net. Mosquitoes are everywhere in the summertime!
Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Water purification tablets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
General recommendations
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided with a capacity of 60-80 litres. We recommend taking a backpack or similar.
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Please take your rubbish home with you. There are no recycling facilities, so take your used batteries, aerosols etc. back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling
- If you prefer travelling light, please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid to do you laundry once in the country
