Vindel Mountains Expedition

Overview

Duration: 8 days/7 nights.

Accommodation: 2 nights in hostel, accommodation in traditional wooden tipis and cabins along the route.

Required: Beginners welcome. You should be in good health with average level of fitness, used to the outdoor life and able to walk over rough terrain if necessary. Max weight 90kg. Normally suitable for participants 15-55 years, other ages possible by arrangement.

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Vindel Mountains Expedition is a multi-day mountain riding holiday taking you over 100km through the pristine mountain wilderness of Lapland. Along the way, you will stay at traditional wilderness camps in wooden wigwam accommodation with dinner prepared over open fire. The horses you will be riding are Icelandic horses - strong, sure-footed and friendly animals ideal for mountain riding in Lapland.

The silence and vastness of the Lapland landscape will seduce the senses with its tranquility and thrill you with its majesty, and you will carry your memories of the wilderness with you long after you have returned to "civilisation"!

Vindelfjällen, one of the largest protected natural areas in Europe with an area of more than 500,000 hectares, is rich in wildlife. Elk and reindeer roam the plains, Golden Eagles and Sea Eagles circle the skies above and the reserve is critical habitat for the Arctic Fox, Sweden's most endangered mammal. Vindelfjällen also offers excellent fishing, and during your tour you will have the opportunity to fish the clear waters for char and salmon trout.

Despite being an extended riding tour in a remote wilderness area, Vindel Mountains Expedition is an accessible horse riding holiday suitable for all levels from the novice to more experienced rider. The pace and distance covered each day will vary according to weather conditions and the needs and wishes of the participants.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Ammarnäs. Check-in to your hotel accommodation for the evening from 15.00. Please note that dinner for this night is not included.

Day 2

After breakfast, you meet at 10.00 for instruction meeting, to talk over the coming riding tour in the Lapland mountains and ask any questions you may have and check through your equipment. Personal items will be packed into "pack-rolls". Your guide will help you to select your horse and make ready for the tour. You have lunch at the Wärdshus at 12.00 and your riding tour then begins with a ride to the camp at Tjaskal, approx. 8km.

Day 3

Your icelandic horses take up onto the wide mountain plains, heading northwest along Stuore Jåppe with chances to see some of the rich birdlife in the area, including the Golden Eagle. In good weather, you can ride up on the high plateau area of Urtstjåkke. Lule Skeblejaure is your goal for the day, about 20km, with accommodation in traditional Lapland rigid tipi or "kåta".

Day 4

The mountain chain of Skanderna, which runs along the Swedish-Norwegian border, takes you west. Your destination for the day is the kåta at Dukkejaure, a distance of around 20km. Here a very special Swedish experience awaits - a wood-heated sauna by the lakeside - the perfect way to unwind after a day's riding in the Lapland mountains!

Day 5

Travelling eastward across the river Vindelälven to Björkfjället, where in good visibility you have views into Norway. You ride approx. 24km across a beautiful landscaped of smooth, rolling mountains, ideal terrain to try to ride in "tölt", (the fourth pace of the Icelandic horse) to your next overnight, the kåta at Framakjaure.

Day 6

You continue over Björkfjället's expansive grasslands towards the highest overnight on the tour, Båsatjaure at 1000m above sea level, with opportunities to ride both at "tölt" and gallop. Distance around 20km.

Day 7

Today you leave the mountain world and ride towards Ammarnäs, taking lunch in Biergenis where you can learn how modern methods of reindeer husbandry work. By the time you are down in the village you will have ridden approx 25 km. After a shower and sauna it will be time for a hearty farewell dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 8

Breakfast and departure. Please check out by 12.00

Dates & Prices

Dates

08.07-15.07.12, 29.07-05.08.12.

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

£964/person (based on 2 persons sharing on Day 1 and Day 7). Single supplement £31.

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

Lodging as per itinerary above: 2 nights in hotel accommodation in Ammarnäs, 5 nights in traditional wooden tipis and cabins along the route.

Meals

All meals and accompanying drinks are included from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 8. Other drinks and snacks may be brought with you as required. Food served is from the local area and will include elk, reindeer and fish.

Equipment

Horse and riding equipment will be provided. Your personal equipment will be packed into pack-rolls, which hold approx. 40 litres. Pack-rolls will be supplied by your host.

Guide

Experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

What The Price Does Not Include

• Alcoholic drinks
• Dinner on Day 1

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

Basic riding experience required, that is, you should be able to handle your horse at walk, trot and canter. You should have good physical condition/stamina and be used to the outdoors. Sufferers from asthma or allergies should note that you will be exposed to both hay and smoke during the tour. Dog(s) may also accompany the group on some tours. You should be reasonably flexible as you will need to lift your leg approx. 30cm over the pack rolls (which sit at the back of the saddle) without assistance. You should be able to walk without difficulty in pathless terrain. Max. weight 90kg, standard age range 15-55 years. Younger or older participants with suitable experience are also welcome by arrangement.

During the tour everyone helps with tasks such as fetching food and water and helping to lift the gates to the paddocks.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

Max. group size 10 persons. This experience is open to travellers from all over the world. Groups may be made up of participants from a number of countries, around 70% of whom are likely to be from Scandinavia.

It is also possible to book this experience as a private tour for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve

Vindelfjällen is one of largest protected areas in Europe. It contains almost all types of regions that can be found in the Swedish mountains, from primeval forests with spruces and pines, to the moors, marshes and the alpine bare mountain regions. The area has many lakes, loved by a wide variety of birds. In the reserve there is extensive reindeer herding. The main river in the reserve is Vindelälven, with many rapids and waterfalls.

Wild, striking rapids rush through Vindelfjällen. The River Vindelälv is a National River, protected from being regulated for hydro-electric power.

Below its source, the small river passes the summer settlement of Gran Sámi community at Vindelkroken. It then runs through the beautiful valley of Vindelådalen, which was used by settlers on the trade routes to Norway.

The river eventually gushes over the rapids at Vindelåforsen before reaching the Ammarnäs Delta and is an excellent river for fly-fishing.

Additional Notes

This tour has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm. Night train + bus connections to Ammarnäs. Total travel time from Stockholm around 15-17 hours.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward connections to Ammarnäs.

Map of Sweden