The horse farm
The horse farm is located 25 km outside Kiruna in the direction of Nikkaluokta with a fantastic view of the mountains and Kalix River, during the winter you see the northern light and during the summer the midnight sun.
A few miles west are Nikkaluokta and Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise.
If you want to live close to nature, have animals on the knot like moose and reindeer and experience the silence, this is the place for you.
The accommodation in the yard is in double room with shared shower / WC.
On some rides you live in a common mountain ridge and can swim in the river.
Ratekjokk
Ratekjokk is a small Sami village located on the south side of Kalix river, a bit below the tree line. You stay overnight there on the riding and snowmobile tours. Both Matti and Kerstin have their roots in Ratekjokk so this place is really “home” for them. They have a few houses there, a sauna right by a small river and the horses have lots of pasture there in the summertime. Matti’s family has lived and worked there in the roadless land, with water from the river but with luxury like electricity. You cross Kalix river to get there, by boat, snowmobile, skies or on horseback over the mountains.
Here you live in a multi-bedroom. There is electricity, sauna, river to swim in and outdoor toilet.
Sami communities
A Sami community (village) is not what we normally would call a village, but an economical and administrative community that care for the reindeer in the area of the Sami village. There are about fifty Sami communities in Sweden and the reindeer herding area covers around half of the area of Sweden. Just a small part of the Sami population are members of a Sami community. A lot of the Sami culture is carried by the reindeer and that’s why it is so important.
Leaváš and Girjas are Sami communities in the mountain area. Here the reindeer normally are in the west, close to the Norwegian border, in the summer and in the lower mountains during autumn and spring. In wintertime they are more east in the forest land.
Food
Within the Sami culture, reindeer and moose meat is an important part of cooking, often smoked to last for a long time when you are out for several days in the mountains. Other local specialties in this area are river fish. Also, berries and herbs from the immediate area are important ingredients, such as cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries, moose grass, etc. During the rides, hot food is cooked over open fire even at lunches. Which is both good and cozy.
Meals are served with lingonberry drink, coffee and tea.
If you want beer and wine you are free to bring it along yourself.
If you want a special diet such as vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-free etc (remember to send it to info@horsexplore.se when booking).
