World Horse Welfare Challenge Ride 2019 Girjas Trail, Sweden 4th - 11th August 2019
Location Northern Sweden is a vast landscape of towering alpine peaks and endless vistas of pine forest, Polar plains, meadows and glaciers. Its eastern edge is fringed by a rolling coastline, peppered by islands and skerries. Swedish Lapland is often referred to as Europe s last remaining wilderness. Northern Sweden is also the ancestral home of the Sami, the indigenous people of the region, whose unique traditions and culture still thrive today. Bear, elk, wolverine, golden eagles and the rare Arctic fox have their home here. As if these natural riches were not enough, this is also the land of the summer Midnight Sun and the beautiful winter Northern Lights. This ride takes place 200km north of the Arctic Circle close to Kebnekaise Mountain, the highest point in Sweden. This is an opportunity to ride in an amazing area of pure remote wilderness, for enthusiasts not afraid of trading everyday luxury for the experience. The horses used on the trail are Icelandic horses. They are the perfect mounts for exploring the mountains. Despite their small size they are hardy and have great stamina. If you have not ridden Icelandics before, this trip is a great introduction to the breed. The Icelandic horses are small, up to 13.2hh, but are strong and fun to ride. There is a rider weight limit of 90kgs. On the trail you follow reindeer tracks through the mountains or ride across open country, covering 15 to 25km each day. You will carry your personal belongings in saddle bags on your horse and there is a pack horse to carry the food and camp gear, so the pace is not fast. There are times when you will need to lead the horses due to the rough terrain.
Itinerary Sunday 4th August Flight from London Gatwick to Kiruna, via Stockholm. You will be met on arrival at Kiruna airport and transferred to the farm at Puoltsa. Time to settle in at the farm before an afternoon learning about traditional Sami cooking, which may come in useful on the trail. In the goahti (Sami hut) you learn about the traditional food and culture, based on a long experience of taking advantage of what nature offers. Baking gáhkku (Sami traditional bread) over an open fire, producing the special coffee cheese and cooking meat are some of the things you will learn during the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the farm. Monday 5th August Today meet the horses and have an introductory day ride in Nikkaluokta. This is the opportunity to get to know your horses that will be your companions in the mountains for the next week. You are encouraged to be fully involved with the care of your horse and for most people this adds much to their experience. You will be responsible for grooming and tacking-up your own horse each day, although help and guidance is on hand should you require it. This evening pack your saddle bags for the trail ahead. All your personal equipment for the trail must be carried on your own horse in saddlebags (about 13 litres on each side), although some things can be sent ahead to the cabin at Ratekjokk. If you wish to do this, then please remember to take a second small bag with you. Dinner and overnight at the farm.
The guides knowledge of the region allows them to adapt their routes depending on local conditions. The following is an illustration of the likely route and overnight accommodation. Local conditions may dictate that the route needs to be changed, always with your best interests in mind but you will stay some nights at Ratekjokk and some nights in a lávvu (teepee). Tuesday 6th August After breakfast you will transfer to the horses at a point close to the farm. Start the ride through the forest and up into the mountains with fantastic views. Overnight in a Sami lávvu. Wednesday 7th August Riding south of the Kalix River, the trail takes you over the mountains to the small Sami settlement of Ratekjokk, which has no road access. You stay for the next two nights in a cabin and there may be the opportunity for a sauna. Thursday 8th August A day exploring the area around Ratekjokk, where your guides grew up. Overnight in a cabin. Friday 9th August Leave Ratekjokk and ride over the mountains again. Overnight in a lávvu. Saturday 10th August Completing a circular route, you ride down the valley to the farm at Puoltsa for the last night. Sunday 11th August After breakfast you will be transferred to Kiruna for your flight home.
Accommodation Accommodation on this ride is always shared and may be mixed sex. It is not possible to guarantee single accommodation and you must be prepared to share. Three nights (the first two and last one) are spent in simple and warm accommodation at the horse farm. There are two houses, each with a bathroom, kitchen and living area. Of the five rooms, four are twin/double rooms and one has two bunks. Accommodation for two nights on the trail will be in a lávvu, which is a traditional Sami tepee, and two nights are in a basic cabin. Everyone sleeps together around the fireplace in the lávvu, and if it is cold the fire may burn all night. On the trail there will be no facilities; there may be long-drop loos but no running water. However, there will usually be a river not too far away and there may be an opportunity for a sauna on the evenings in the cabin at Ratekjokk.
Please note that this is a participatory trip and you are expected to look after your horse and help with the camp chores. Meals The food on the trail is cooked over the fire and includes specialities from the area. Breakfast may be porridge, bread and meats, tea and coffee. Lunch may be soup, reindeer meat with bread or pie/pizza and biscuits, tea and coffee. Dinner is usually traditional dishes of reindeer or fish with pasta or potatoes. Vegetarians and other specialist diets can be catered for with adequate notice, but you will need to appreciate that this is a wilderness trip and so it is difficult to offer a wide selection of alternative dishes. Fresh water is taken from the river and cordial, tea and coffee is available. Alcohol is very expensive in Sweden and is not provided, so you may wish to bring your favourite tipple to enjoy by the camp fire in the evenings. Weather The air in Sweden is always fresh and stimulating. In July and August, day time temperatures average 12-18 C, with night time temperatures between 5-7 C. The sun doesn t set between May 30th and July 15th, and perpetual daylight lasts from early May to early August. It can rain at any time so good rain gear is essential. It can also be windy in the mountains. Winter arrives in Kiruna around mid-october with a deep blanket of snow that lasts until mid-may, but snowfall can occur year round.
You will be provided with a detailed equipment list but you will need a good rain coat, warm clothes and socks, insect repellent and an adventurer s mind. A hard hat is required. Tales of the mosquitoes in northern Scandinavia abound, however they are less of a problem if you are on the move. On some days, especially after rainy periods, an insect repellent is necessary to enjoy the outdoors and some people may prefer to use mosquitoproof head-nets. Health Information No inoculations are required for Sweden. You are advised to ensure that you have up to date protection against tetanus and polio and most medical experts will also advise vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid. You must inform us of any medical conditions and dietary requirements before travelling. Anyone with severe allergies, heart or respiratory conditions or any other physical limitation must consult their physician before embarking on this ride. Emergency rescue facilities are in place but due to the remoteness of the location we cannot guarantee that anyone who becomes sick or injured will be transferred to a hospital within a specified time. You will need cash (Swedish Krona) for small purchases, although credit cards are generally accepted at most restaurants and stores. Tipping Tipping is not expected, but if you wish to leave something then a tip of about SK330 ( 30) per person would be appropriate. Phones, Cameras & Electricity There is some mobile phone coverage in the area and limited wifi at the farm. There is no electricity supply at any of the trail camps (lávvua and tents) but there are opportunities for recharging camera batteries etc at the farm and at Ratekjokk. Voltage in Sweden in 230 Volts. Sockets are European two round pin.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 World Horse Welfare is acting as agent for In The Saddle (ATOL5359 ABTA No. W1733). You will be bound by In The Saddle s booking conditions once you have been accepted to take part in the event. 2 To reserve your place on the World Horse Welfare Sweden Challenge, and as an indication of your serious fundraising intent, we require a non-refundable registration fee of 175 and a commitment to raising at least a further 2325 in sponsorship for World Horse Welfare (initial 1000 by 1st March 2019, a further 1000 by 3rd June 2019, and the final total of 325 by 5th July 2019). NB. All registration fees and sponsorship monies must be made payable to World Horse Welfare. We are not able to accept CAF vouchers or CAF Charity Card as payment for this trip. 3 If you are unable to meet these requirements you may forfeit your place on the challenge you can of course make up any shortfall yourself. 4 Should you, for whatever reason, not be able to take up your place all sponsor forms and monies collected MUST be paid over to World Horse Welfare or if so requested, returned to the sponsor and proof of return forwarded to World Horse Welfare. 5 You must be over the age of 18 by the date of departure. 6 World Horse Welfare and In The Saddle reserve the right to alter or revise the itinerary should the circumstances dictate. 7 World Horse Welfare reserves the right to refuse participation without disclosing the reason. 8 Hard hats are recommended. 9 You must be in possession of a valid passport to visit Sweden. WHAT S INCLUDED Return flights from London Gatwick and airport taxes. Transfers, shared accommodation, meals (from dinner on day of arrival to breakfast on day of departure), water, tea, coffee, all riding, sleeping bags & camp equipment. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance, alcholic drinks and gratuities. www.worldhorsewelfare.org/riding-events Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384