Instructions and training

Arrival in the district of Ādaži in Alderi and settling down in guest house. Safety briefing and acquaintance. Refreshing the skills of equestrian or instructions (tuition in accordance to information left while reservation of vacation). Minimum 3 hours riding in Ādaži district and/or full day horseback riding training. The next morning leave for the starting point of the selected route.

Zvainieki Circle horse riding route:  Kaplava - Zvainieki - Kaplava (8 km)

Arrival at Kraslava region and visiting the typical horse farm of Latgale, you will be introduced to the history of the farm. This horse riding route continues with horseback riding along Zvainieki Circle of nature park “Daugavas loki” (Meanders of Daugava). In the park you can very often see wild animals, listen to bird songs and feel the beauty of the Daugava valley. If you are someone who loves fast galloping on horseback then this is a great place for you, because the selected route provides the possibility of fast horseback riding through the fields and wood paths. This region has a lot of wild and rural territories.

Priedaine circle horse riding route: Kaplava - Priedaine - Kaplava (17 km)

Breakfast at 09:00 and 5 hours horseback riding along Priedaine Circle of the nature park „Daugavas loki” with a picnic on the bank of the Daugava (Sproģi ravine, Sproģi great pine, Saulkrasti, beach of Ulmanis, Priedaine’s sight tower, meadow of Pauls etc.), sights of the Daugava and Stirbļi pine forest.

Kaplava horse riding route: Circle via Kaplava (20 km)

About 7h long horseback riding trip via Kaplava and unfamiliar spruce forest in the Latvian-Belarusian border area. I will not lie if I say - mysterious, dreamlike and a bit eerie… in the snaky road of unfamiliar spruce forest which in the first stage looks never-ending. But there is the end! It opens to a view on the wooden farmsteads built in the beginning of the last century, forgotten luxury and today’s reality.  You will gain a real insight into the cultural history of the small villages of Latgale: Lielborne, Veckaplava, Vecborne and Kaplava. Enjoyment of the nature park “Daugavas loki” (Meanders of Daugava) landscapes, including a visit to the Veckaplava Russian Orthodox church. Visiting the complex of wooden buildings that has gained a status of state significance for its value of historical heritage.  Visiting also Borne  Evangelist Lutheran church, house and buildings of Vecborne baron Engelhard.

Sight on Belarus from horseback: Kaplava - Plusi (15 km)

Horse ride to Latvian – Belarusian border area to visit 3 sightseeing places:  The sight on Belarus - Europe's last dictatorship with the lake, village, fields and woods of Pļusi, Kaplava-Pļusi border crossing point, Matulišķi. While on horseback you can see the mosaic like scenery of Belarus over the border, without ever crossing it.

Selija landscapes horseback riding route: Selija circle (15 km)

This part of the horse riding route includes a calming ride through mysterious, narrow wood paths with the typical landscape of Sēlija – hillocks, fields, small forests and separate farmsteads. After the 2 hour horse ride you will be returning back to Kaplava village.

Kaplava - Alderi (Transfer)

Return to Alderi overnight with and/or transfer to airport or direct transfer to airport. End of your vacation.

Arrival and aqcuintance

Excursion in Riga old town. Arrival in the district of Adazi and settling down in the guest house. Safety briefing and acquaintance.

Pine forests of Adazi (20 km)

Excursion in stables and riding through the beautiful hilly pine forest trails and wild landscapes. These places were specially protected and now you can discover the wild landscape by yourself on horseback. In Adazi about 40% of territory of the region is covered by forests, where numerous lakes are scattered. Because of the special nature reserve protection of this territory many economic activities are prohibited here. Since 2004, the area of protected landscapes is included into the Natura2000 network of EU protected natural areas.

Neverending forests and trails (30 km)

Today you will ride neverending forests crossed by numerous amount of trails and paths. Wild nature, gorgeous forest and variety of beautiful riding paths are characteristic for this day's ride.

Horse riding in forests along forest lakes (25 km)

This day of vacation offers a possibility to ride not only in wild forests and beautiful meadows along beautiful lakes, but also visiting of military herritage of Soviet army. This equestrian day offers wide diversity with riding in beautiful riding paths and gorgeous places of nature.

Riding through diversity of nature in Carnikava (40 km)

This day you will spend seeing diverse nature. You will see the same river you might have seen in the first riding day and for sure you will see a special river which starts nowhere and ends nowhere. This day of riding offers you the forests with different landscapes, a hilly terrain and wonderful wild beaches. You can enjoy playful sun beams throughout the ride and see 4 different water ways.

Today you will move on with horses to the next spot in other village where horses will stay overnight to await you next morning.

Lilaste beach route (32 km)

For 5th day of vacation this route offers you to spend a terrific time riding on the white sanded beaches of Lilaste nature park. Apart from all this, you will feel the closeness to the breathtaking nature and will be able to explore the beauty of beaches. The sound of waves, the scent of meadows and the freshness from the sea will make you spend a beautiful vacation. Latvia is famous for its beaches. Over 500 km long shoreline provides plenty of places for riding and beeing in touch with the nature. Fabulous beaches, covered with the finest sand in the world.

This day starts with riding at the village and finishes in next village where horses are brought home afterwards.

Adazi - Riga (Transfer)

Adazi - Riga (transfer). Return to Riga for overnight stay or direct transfer to the airport.

Arrival and aqcuintance

Pick up at Riga airport and transfer all the way to South-East Estonia. Arrival to the Guesthouse and settling down. You will be accomodated in this Guesthouse for the next three nights. Safety briefing and introduction of the plan of the upcoming days.

Cultural heritage route (30 km)

After introduction to the stables and excursion around You will start your riding in a village that used to be one of the most popular destinations for pilgrimiges in the 15th century. The castle ruins from the time are still standing there by the magical river of Piusa.

Lunch in a cozy teahouse in a small village of Tsiistre. We will also have a stop over in the Tsiistre museum.

We will ride through the curvy roads surrounded by forests in Haanja National park and will arrive in the guesthouse where sauna is already heated and dinner ready for us right after sauna and swimming.

Top of the hill route(22 km)

You will head to the highest peak of Estonia - Suur Munamägi. On the way you will enjoy the views and landscapes of Haanja National park. You will ride to the second highest peak of Estonia - Vällamägi which is known for having the oldest forest in Estonia and is situated next to the oldest moor in the area.

We will have lunch in a cafe by the Suur Munamägi hill and visit the watch tower/museum.

Heading back to the Guesthouse to enjoy sauna, dinner and rest.

Diverse route to the new place (27 km)

After discovering mostly the southern part of the Haanja National Park now you will ride through the northern part of the park. Yoou will go by the Kavadi lake - famous for its beauty. Riding through the small villages of the area will give you the chance to observe the life of the locals.

We have a chance to have lunch in a small family based goat farm, which is famous for their delicacy cheese.

We will continue the day on a 1000- years old trading route, nowadays just a remote village road, towards our Organic farm - the home of the horses.

By now you have probably noticed that Estonians are huge fans of Sauna. So Sauna will be heated also in your new accomodation place where you will spend another 3 nights.

Exploring another culture of locality (30 km)

We will get acquainted to the district of Setu which is located on the right shore of the Piusa river. People in this district are called the Setus. They are a little nation who speak the Setu diallect, similar to the Estonian language. Their culture, traditions and religion differ from the Estonians.

Piusa River is known as the fastest flowing river in Estonia. The surface of the valley of the Piusa river is mainly sandy which makes it perfect to ride on.

You will have lunch in one of the most important villages in the Setu district - Obinitsa. It was the Finno-Ugric capitol of culture in 2015. You will have a traditional Setu meal followed by a visit to the local art gallery and museum.

After the visits to Obinitsa we will take a route through some little Setu villages and lovely landscapes. You will notice the dirrefence between the atmosphere and style of the Setu villages compared to the Estonian ones you passed in the previous days.

Magic of Puutlipalo forests (26 km)

Today you will ride in the magical forests of Puutlipalo. The locals say that even one visit to Puutlipalo forests will turn one into a better and more positive person.

We will have a picnic in the forest and visit a remote wooden church called Puutli. It was built in 1935 by 9 families who were deported to Estonia for work. Since the second World War the church has been preserved by the help of the locals but has not been in active use. Its once famous interior has unfortunately not preserved, but the church itself and the graveyard next to it are a unique sight.

Its time to have the last ride back home on our equine partners and say goodbye to the horses and the beauty of the South-East Estonia.

Estonia - Rīga transfer

Transfer back to the airport or Riga city after the breakfast.