Visit the Herd – Meet Free-Ranging Reindeer in Their Natural Habitat

Indulge in an exclusive Arctic escape - journey by sleigh to a private reindeer herd, savor gourmet treats by an open fire, and immerse yourself in the timeless luxury of authentic Lapland reindeer herding.

Visit the Herd – Meet Free-Ranging Reindeer in Their Natural Habitat

Step into the real world of reindeer herding and experience one of the most authentic wildlife encounters in Finnish Lapland.

We'll travel by snowmobile-pulled sleigh through peaceful Arctic forests to the winter feeding grounds of our free-ranging reindeer herd. As the forest opens up, you'll find yourself surrounded by hundreds of semi-wild reindeer, most of them female reindeer living freely in their natural environment. This is not a tourist attraction or a fenced reindeer park, but a genuine working reindeer herd and a rare opportunity to witness everyday reindeer herding as it really is.

While the reindeer gather around us, we'll light an open fire and invite you to enjoy a selection of traditional Lappish treats, including warm bilberry juice, freshly baked cinnamon buns, paakeli (Finnish forest flatbread), leipäjuusto (Finnish squeaky cheese), cold-smoked reindeer wraps, reindeer sausage with mustard and dried reindeer meat.

Throughout the experience, your guide, a local full-time reindeer herder, will share stories about reindeer, reindeer husbandry, animal welfare and everyday life in the Arctic. This private experience is reserved exclusively for your group, giving you plenty of time to observe the herd, ask questions and enjoy the silence of Arctic nature at your own pace.

You can arrive at our farm using your own transport or book a return transfer from Rovaniemi. We usually collect guests from their selected location in the Rovaniemi area. The meeting point for self-driving guests is Tolosentie 2202, 97340 Rovaniemi (Meltaus).

To make your visit even more memorable, you can also add a private reindeer sleigh ride through an old-growth forest. You may also reserve a chance to meet our Lapponian Herders or our ponies, or try traditional reindeer lasso throwing (suopunki). Details and optional extras are available during the booking process.

What's included?

Food & drinks
Goods & services tax

Other Inclusions

Return transfer between Rovaniemi and our farm, if you have selected the transportation option.
Snowmobile-pulled sleigh transport from our farm to the winter feeding grounds of our free-ranging reindeer herd.
A journey into a remote roadless forest, where you'll be surrounded by untouched Arctic nature. There are no buildings or other visitors nearby. Only reindeer, peaceful wilderness and, occasionally, other native wildlife.
All food, drinks and activities described in the programme.
Guidance throughout the experience by a local full-time reindeer herder.
Access to our heated kota before departure and after returning from the forest, where you can warm up, change clothing if needed and relax.
Access to our eco toilet at the farm before and after the excursion.

Please note: There are no indoor facilities or toilets at the winter feeding grounds. We recommend using the facilities at the farm before departing into the forest.

Exclusions

Not Included

Transportation between Rovaniemi and our reindeer farm, unless you have booked the transportation option. If you choose to travel independently, you will need your own car or a private taxi, as there are no public bus connections to the farm.
Winter clothing and personal outdoor equipment. Guests are responsible for bringing warm winter clothing suitable for Arctic conditions, including insulated winter boots, warm mittens or gloves, and a hat that fully covers the head and ears.
In February and March, we also recommend bringing sunglasses, as the reflection of the sun on the snow can be very bright.
Optional extra services, which can be booked separately during the booking process.

Please note

Dress code

Important Information – Please Read Before Booking

Your safety and comfort are our highest priorities. Throughout the experience, you'll be accompanied by experienced local guides who know both the reindeer and the Arctic environment.

What to Expect

We set off by snowmobile-pulled sleigh into a remote, roadless wilderness to visit the winter feeding grounds of our free-ranging reindeer herd. The journey through peaceful Arctic forests is approximately 2–10 km, depending on where our reindeer have chosen to graze that day. In other words, the reindeer decide the location of each day's visit, making every experience unique and truly authentic.

Once we arrive, there is a short walk in the snow while we spend time with the herd. Walking a little also helps you stay warm during the experience.

There are no buildings, shelters or visitor facilities at the herd. The reindeer live in genuine, untouched forest wilderness, and during your visit you'll be surrounded only by nature, free-ranging reindeer and, occasionally, other Arctic wildlife. There will be no other visitors or people at the site besides your own group and your guide. The location cannot be reached independently, as there are no roads or marked trails leading there. Access is only possible with our guide by snowmobile-pulled sleigh.

Clothing

This experience takes place entirely outdoors in Arctic winter conditions. Proper winter clothing is essential.

Please wear:

A warm winter overall or an insulated winter jacket and winter trousers
Warm winter boots
Warm mittens
A proper winter hat that fully covers your head and ears (ear warmers or earmuffs alone are not sufficient or safe in cold Arctic conditions)

Being properly dressed will ensure that you stay warm and comfortable throughout the experience.

For safety reasons, we cannot take guests into the wilderness without suitable winter clothing.

Suitability

This experience is not suitable for very young children (0–3 years). The snowmobile-pulled sleigh ride and the uneven forest terrain are generally not physically demanding, but they may not be suitable for guests with back problems or certain other physical conditions.

If you are unsure whether this experience is suitable for you, please contact us before booking. We'll be happy to help you choose the most appropriate experience.

Weather

Our tours operate in temperatures down to −35°C (−31°F). If the temperature falls below this limit, the tour will be cancelled for safety reasons and you will receive a full refund.

If you have any questions about clothing, transportation or the experience itself, please don't hesitate to contact us before your visit. We're always happy to help you prepare for your Arctic adventure.