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This trail in southern
Lapland, home to the Sami people, will take you
through some of the oldest forest in Europe. Located
just south of the Arctic Circle, the Oulanka
National Forest is between Kuusamo and the Russian
border and the ride follows the famous Bears Ring
Trail. This is an opportunity to ride in an amazing
area of pure remote wilderness for enthusiasts who
are not afraid of trading everyday luxury for the
experience.
We ride pure Finnish horses, the fastest cold-blood
in Europe. There are a number of fast flowing rivers
to cross and rare birds to see including the Golden
Eagle.
The first and the last nights are spent at a
comfortable cabin close to a lake. There are nice
rooms with open fire and showers and sauna.
On the trail, one night is spent in a cabin with
showers and sauna. The other three nights on the
trail, accommodation is in a rustic cabin, laavu or
tent. A support vehicle will carry your belongings
to the campgrounds with road access, although on
some nights you will need to carry a change of
clothes/overnight gear etc. with you. An experienced
wilderness cook will ensure you will not be hungry
on your adventure. You will enjoy traditional
Finnish dishes made from reindeer and salmon as well
as more familiar dishes. Vegetarians can be catered
for with adequate notice.
PG-OUT7
Rates include accommodations and all
meals, 5 riding days.
English speaking guide.
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,595
-- based on € 1,125
2008 Dates:
06/08-06/14 06/15-06/21
06/22-06/28
06/29-07/05 07/06-07/12
07/20-07/26
07/27-08/02 08/03-08/09
08/10-08/16
08/17-08/23 08/24-08/30
08/31-09/06
09/07-09/13
Meeting:
Kuusamo
Airport: Helsinki - Kuusamo
Transfer:
Included from Kuusamo
Level:
Intermediate
Horses:
Finnish Coldblood
Tack:
English and Western
Pace:
Moderate with trots and canters
Min/Max Riders:
2-8
Note: You ride ~20 miles per
day
Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday: Transfer from Kuusamo Airport
to the horse farm, north of Ruka. Meet the horses.
Overnight in a very comfortable cabin near to the
farm. Meet the rest of the group and have the chance
to learn more about your wilderness trail.
Day 2: After breakfast meet the horses at the
horse farm. Set off from the stables, riding through
pretty Finnish countryside to Käylä village.
Continue to Porontima Lake where we stop for lunch.
After lunch, ride past Kiutalake and into the
Oulanka Park. Our first camp by Kallio lake. The
night will be spent in “lean to” laavu, Tent sauna
and dinner around campfire.
Day 3: Continue riding through the Oulanka
Park, with a first stop to see the Kiutaköngäs
Rapids and Oulanka National Park visitor centre, The
Kiutaköngäs Rapids are the best known sight in the
Park; the Oulanka River surging down between russet
coloured dolomite walls and descending 14m over a
distance of a few hundred meters.
After visiting the rapids we continue deep into the
wilderness, crossing streams, through deep spruce
forests and rocky hills and riding past swamps. We
have lunch by the side of a spring and after lunch
ride down the Oulanka. The route now goes along to
the Liikanen village. Overnight near the Russian
border zone in hut, with tent sauna and dinner by
campfire.
Day 4: After breakfast around the campfire,
we visit the Russian border and then ride
down the Oulanka valley, crossing the wilderness
with its thick forests and rocky landscape. To reach
our overnight spot, The night will be spent in tents
next by the Oulanka River. There is no shower or
sauna but a very nice swimming place in the river.
Day 5: At Jäkälämutka the route follows the
Kitkajoki river to Päähkänä hills. We cross the
Kitkajoki River to the Kahlaamo ford and ride to the
top of the valley. We have lunch on top of the world
with a view of the canyon and into Russia. After
lunch we continue upstream along Kitkajoki to Jyrävä,
which are Finland`s most powerful rapids, where the
waters fall down more than l0 m through a narrow
passage between steep rock faces. We overnight at
Juuma campground in cabins. There is sauna and
shower.
Day 6: Today we follow up the Kitkariver to
Saarikoskirapid and ride through beautiful
countryside and wilderness to the lunch place next
to the Kitkariver. After lunch, we ride to the Käylä
village and back to the farm where we leave the
horses for a well-earned rest. We return to the
cabin and enjoy a final sauna and an evening of
final dinner at farm.
Day 7: Transfer to the airport for your
return flight to Helsinki.
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