Greenland - Glaciers and Fjords
The southern margin of Greenland is ice free year round and is home to your hosts and guides who make a living here as sheep farmers. It is also where Eric the Red settled when he came to Greenland a thousand years ago.
The adventure starts on arrival in Greenland; from the airport it’s a short boat ride across the fjord to the riding base. Icelandic horses are used for sheep farming around the southern edges of Greenland. During the week the ride will explore these remote and barren mountains; crossing meltwater streams and green valleys to fjords dotted with icebergs.
Please note that this is a participatory trip and you are expected to help with the horses and chores during the ride.
Video credit: www.equestrianadventuresses.com
For this trail you should be confident at all paces on varied terrain and fit enough to spend long hours in the saddle (typically three to six hours a day). The pace is not fast and is dictated by the terrain, but there will be opportunities to tölt and canter. There may be times when you will need to lead the horses. As this ride is in a very remote area, you should also be confident on a horse in different situations and able to act independently if required.
The Icelandic horses are small up to 13.2hh, but strong and fun to ride.
The tack and riding is English style.
You will be responsible for the care of your own horse (saddling, grooming etc) but the guides are on hand to help if needed.
There is an upper age limit of 60 years on this ride.
Hard hats are mandatory.
Accommodation is in shared rooms sleeping two or more guests and single/twin/double accommodation is not available. Ablutions are shared.
Five nights are spent at Inneruulalik guesthouse, which has three bedrooms with made up beds and a communal dining/living/kitchen area. The guesthouse has a shared toilet and shower.
Two nights are at Sermilik hostel on Tasiusaq farm in three bedrooms with a communal living/dining area. The hostel has a shared toilet and shower. You will need to bring a sleeping bag for these nights.
Meals are traditional Greenland fayre typically lamb, muskox, reindeer and fish. It is not possible to cater for vegetarian or other specialist diet requests on this ride.
INCLUDES Accommodation in shared rooms; meals (from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the last day); riding; transfers from Narsarsuaq.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single/twin/double rooms are not available on the ride and you should be prepared to share.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Narsarsuaq.
TRANSFERS Included from Narsarsuaq airport at set times.
Return boat transfers are included at set times from Narsarsuaq.
The arrival transfer will depart Narsarsuaq after the last flight has arrived (c.15:10). If all guests are on an earlier flight, the transfer will be brought forward. The return transfer will leave the farm early morning to cater for guests booked on early flights.
We recommend flights with Air Greenland from Copenhagen.
The ride takes place on the southern tip of Greenland near the edge of the ice-sheet.
The climate in Greenland can be extreme. It's very important that you bring appropriate clothing as advised on our "what to bring" list.
Willing and careful Icelandic horses were ideal for the rough terrain. They were easy to handle and, although some were not of the standard you are likely to encounter on rides in Iceland, they were all honest, hardworking little horses.
Barbara ,Hertfordshire
