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Europe: Finland Riding the Bear's Trail |
| What: |
Seven day/seven night/five days wilderness riding tours through Oulanka National Park in Northern Finland. The area is close to Iceland and borders Russia. |
| Dates and Rates: |
Prices in 2008 are $1350 US/860 E for ride including transfers from local airport. Rides operate every week, Sunday to Saturday from June 8 to
July 12, and July 20 to September 13. Winter rides available upon request from March 16 to April 12. Also Sunday to Saturday. Rates are $1815
US/905 GBP/1160 E
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| Horsesense: |
Advanced beginners
will be comfortable and enjoy a modestly paced ride
through the forests, crossing many streams and
rivers and up and down challenging river banks The
Finnish horse you ride is a solid, sturdy horse.
The ridingis European style with Western tack.8 guests
maximum, riding 4 to 6 hours a day covering 25 to 35 km
daily. |
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| Oulanka National Park in Northern Finland, just south of the Arctic Circle provides a fascinating background for this wilderness trip through a less traveled area of the world. The park's natural growth is left largely unchanged by its care takers and there is a sense of riding through a wilderness that has not been altered by man, a wilderness where fallen trees are quickly covered by moss, and recycled into the land courtesy of abundant rain or snow that speeds the recycling process. It produces a color, and a feel that makes for interesting riding, along with the often challenging terrain with its steep river banks, areas of very spongy ground, and its serenely attractive pine coverings. The border of Russia is frequently in site as you transverse the old Bear's Ring Trail; although 'truth be told' the bear being a natural reclusive traveler is seldom seen. Reindeer, deer and a rich variety of birdlife provide abundant visual stimulation as does the fast moving rapids, the slower moving rivers and streams you frequently cross. The Finnish horse is a delightful creature, brave, sturdy, and willing and eager to run when the terrain opens ups. Our ride outfitter is a fountain of humor and good will. The campsites, cabins, saunas, and food are more than sufficient to lift the spirits of tired riders. Fisherman may wish to linger around Finland, as the salmon are calling your name, Helsinki is a modern attractive international city, and still remains a haven for consumer goods deprived Russians. Kussamo has been home to the winter Olympics |
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| WHAT TO EXPECT: |
| Getting There : |
| Helsinki is nearest international airport. Kuusamo Airport in Northern Finland should be your ultimate flying destination. Sunday arrival day Saturday departures.
Kuusamo transfer included |
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| Room and Board : |
| Finish food is basic stuff with grains, toast, meats and cheeses for breakfast along with coffee or tea. Lunch involves depending on your location, typical trail food consisting of a sandwich, fruit, sweets and soft drinks while dinner can often involve if you are lucky fresh caught salmon
or reindeer meat. Nightly sleeping arrangements vary but involve a combination of some camping with facilities, park summer cottages often with sauna, and more sophisticated sleeping arrangements.
First and last night are in comfortable cabin with
showers and sauna. |
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| Alternate activities: |
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| There are weeklong non-riding adventures regularly scheduled that included canoeing, hiking and fishing |
| Weather: |
| Temperatures are moderate during the day and may cool off in the evening. In September the evening temperature may drop below freezing. It can rain at any time although the summer months are generally drier. Good rain-riding gear is recommended. It will remain light all night. |
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| ITINERARY |
People must bring rainwear - but be will ensure there is a nice warm pub to dry off in. Riding, accommodations, breakfast and lunch are included.
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| Sunday |
Transfer from Kussamo airport to the horse farm,
in Kayla village. Meet the horses. Overnight is enjoyed in comfortable cabin near to the farm. Meet the rest of the group and have the chance to learn more about your wilderness trail. |
| Monday |
After breakfast meet the horses
at the horse farm. Set off from the stables, riding
through to Kiutajarvi Lakei where we stop
for lunch. After lunch we ride into the Oulanka
Park. with our first camp by Lake Kalliojarvi where we
spend the nigh in a Finnish "lean to" and enjoy a
suana and dinner around campfire. |
| Tuesday |
Continue riding through the Oulanka Park, with a first stop to see the Kiutaköngäs rapids. The Kiutaköngäs Rapids are the best known sight in the Park; the Oulanka River surging down between russet colored dolomite walls and descending 14m over a distance of a few hundred meters. After visiting the rapids we continue deep into the wilderness, crossing many small streams, through deep canyons and rocky hills and riding past swamps. We have lunch on top of the canyon and after lunch ride down the valley and cross the Oulanka River. Continuing away from the Bears Ring, the route now goes along to the
Liikanen Village where we overnight near Russina
border, tent sauna, dinner and campfire.. |
| Wednesday |
After breakfast around the campfire, we cross the Oulanka River and ride into the Kitkanniemi wilderness. We ride up the Oulanka valley, crossing the wilderness with its thick forests and rocky landscape. To reach our overnight spot, we have to ride down some very steep hills into the Kitkajoki
River valley. The night will be spent in tents. There is no shower or sauna but a very nice swimming place in the river. |
| Thursday |
At Harrisuvanto, the route follows the Kitkajokiriver to Päähkänä hills. We cross Kitkajokiriver to the Kahlaamo ford and ride to the top of the valley. We have lunch on top of 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 lO meters through a narrow passage between steep rock faces. After visiting Jyrävä, we continue to Juuma village. Here on the sandy track, we have the possibility of a fast gallop. We overnight at
Juuma camp ground in cabin. There is a sauna and
shower . |
| Friday |
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 celebration.
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| Saturday |
Transfer to the Kuusamo Airport for your return flight to Helsinki |
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| Included: |
| Tranfers to and from Kussamo Airport, all meals, accommodations, riding and taxes are included. Also included are sheets and blankets at luxury cabins, and for nights in tents sleeping bags, together with inflatable mattresses are provided and for non-riders helmets for canoeing are supplied. |
| Not included: |
| Costs of getting to Kuusamo Airport, any personal expenditures in area and there are some extra services you may opt for at time of booking that you will be informed of.
Lunch on Sunday or Saturday is not included. |
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