Reindeer Farm Experience with Sleigh Ride Rovaniemi
- DurationAbout 2.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This reindeer farm experience near Rovaniemi is a shared small-group trip of about 2.5 hours that takes you from the city to a traditional farm in the Lapland forest. You check in at the safari office in Rovaniemi city centre or in Santa Claus Village, put on the thermal overalls, boots and gloves we provide, and ride out to meet the reindeer and the local herders who raise them. After a talk on reindeer herding and northern life, you take a 500-metre sleigh ride pulled by a reindeer through the snowy trees, then warm up with hot juice by the fire. Transport between the office and the farm is included; hotel pickup is not. It suits families, couples and first-time visitors to Lapland.
Highlights
- Meet semi-domesticated reindeer and the herders who raise them
- 500-metre reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy Lapland forest
- Talk on reindeer herding traditions and life above the Arctic Circle
- Hot juice by the fire at the farm
- Thermal overalls, boots and gloves included
- Transport from Rovaniemi centre or Santa Claus Village to the farm and back
- Morning or afternoon departure that fits easily into a winter day
- English-speaking guide and a friendly small-group atmosphere
Full Description
Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland, a compact city where the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers meet just south of the Arctic Circle. Almost completely destroyed at the end of the Second World War, it was rebuilt with a main street plan said to trace the shape of reindeer antlers, and it is now the main gateway to Lapland, with an airport, a night train from Helsinki and safari offices in the centre.
Most people looking for things to do in Rovaniemi come for snow, husky and reindeer trips, Northern Lights hunting and Santa Claus Village. This reindeer experience is one of the shortest and most relaxed ways to meet Lapland's most famous animal, and the city-centre office on Koskikatu is within walking distance of most central hotels, so you can combine it with other activities on the same day.
Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle
Santa Claus Village lies about 8 kilometres north of Rovaniemi centre, right on the Arctic Circle, which is marked by a line across the main square. It is open all year, with Santa's main post office, craft shops, snow activities in winter and a safari house where this trip can also begin. Many visitors choose to check in here and spend the rest of the day in the village.
If you are wondering how to get to Santa Claus Village, the local bus runs regularly from the city centre and the drive takes about 15 minutes by taxi. You can tell us when you book which office suits you, at least 48 hours before the start. Visiting the village and meeting reindeer on the same day is one of the classic Santa Claus Village reindeer combinations for families in Rovaniemi.
The reindeer farm and the herders' way of life
Reindeer in Finland are semi-domesticated: they roam the forests and fells freely most of the year, but every animal belongs to a herder and carries the owner's mark notched into its ears. Herding families round them up in autumn and winter, and many still live by this work, which has shaped northern culture for centuries. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, a feature unique among deer.
At the farm a local herder introduces you to the herd, explains how reindeer find lichen under deep snow, how the round-ups work and what the year looks like for a herding family. It is a calm, personal visit rather than a show, and you have time for questions and photos. For many guests this reindeer herder visit in Finland is the most memorable part of a Lapland trip.
The reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy forest
The highlight is a 500-metre reindeer sleigh ride along a forest track, a short and gentle ride where a herder leads the reindeer and you sit in a traditional wooden sleigh, listening to the hooves on the snow and the silence of the trees around you. It is not fast or bumpy, so it suits small children and older travellers alike, and it is the traditional way people travelled in Lapland before engines arrived.
After the ride you warm up with hot juice by the fire before the transfer back. The best time to visit Rovaniemi for a reindeer sleigh ride is from December to March, when the snow is deep, the forest is white and the low sun or blue twilight gives beautiful light for photos. Morning and afternoon departures let you choose the light you prefer.
Itinerary
- Check-in at the safari officeMeet at the office in Rovaniemi city centre or the safari house in Santa Claus Village, at 08:15 or 13:45, and collect your winter clothing.
- Transfer to the reindeer farmA short drive into the forest outside Rovaniemi with our guide.
- Meet the reindeer and herdersTime with the herd and the local herding family, with photos.
- Talk on reindeer herdingThe herder explains the work, the seasons and life in Lapland.
- Reindeer sleigh rideA 500-metre ride in a wooden sleigh pulled by a reindeer through the snowy forest.
- Hot juice by the fireA warm drink and time to ask questions before leaving.
- Return to the officeTransfer back to your starting office; about 2.5 hours in total.
What's included
- Transport from the safari office to the reindeer farm and back
- English-speaking guide
- Reindeer farm visit with local herders
- 500-metre reindeer sleigh ride
- Hot juice
- Winter clothing: thermal overalls, boots and gloves
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Meals
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers who want it organised for them — confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Meeting point
There is no hotel pickup on this trip. Check in at the reception inside the safari office in Rovaniemi city centre at Koskikatu 8, on the corner of Valtakatu, or at the safari house in Santa Claus Village at Joulumaantie 5, to the left of the reindeer enclosure. Please tell us at least 48 hours before the start which office you will use, unless you chose it when booking, and arrive about 15 minutes before 08:15 or 13:45. Transport from the office to the farm and back is included.
Important information
- Tell us at least 48 hours before the start which office you will check in at
- Arrive on time: late arrivals cannot join the departure once it has left
- Thermal overalls, boots and gloves are provided; wear warm layers, wool socks and a hat underneath
- Temperatures in Lapland can fall below -20°C in mid-winter, so protect your face and hands
- Follow the herders' instructions when approaching or photographing the reindeer
- No meal is included, only hot juice at the farm
- There is no hotel pickup; the city office is a short walk from most central hotels
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared small-group trip with other travellers, an English-speaking guide and local herders at the farm.
How long does it take?
About 2.5 hours from check-in to your return to the office, including the transfer, the farm visit, the sleigh ride and hot juice by the fire.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You check in at the safari office in Rovaniemi city centre or in Santa Claus Village, and our transport takes you from there to the farm and back.
What is included?
Transport from the office to the reindeer farm and back, an English-speaking guide, the farm visit with local herders, a 500-metre reindeer sleigh ride, hot juice and winter clothing: thermal overalls, boots and gloves.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a child rate for ages 4 to 13. The booking panel on this page shows the current price.
Is it suitable for children or people with reduced mobility?
Yes for children: the sleigh ride is slow and gentle, and children from 4 to 13 have their own rate. The farm has snowy, uneven ground and the sleigh sits low, so travellers with reduced mobility should contact us before booking.
What should I bring?
Warm base layers, wool socks, a hat or beanie and a scarf. We provide the overalls, boots and gloves. Bring a camera or phone with a charged battery, as the cold drains it fast.
What is the best time to visit Rovaniemi for reindeer?
December to March for deep snow and classic sleigh rides. December is darkest and most festive; February and March bring more daylight and bright snowy scenery.
What happens in very cold or snowy weather?
The trip runs in normal Lapland winter conditions, including snowfall and hard frost, and the warm clothing is designed for it. If conditions are unsafe, we offer you another time or a full refund.
How do I get to Santa Claus Village?
The village is about 8 km north of Rovaniemi centre. The local bus runs regularly from the city, and a taxi takes about 15 minutes.
How long is the reindeer sleigh ride?
The sleigh ride covers 500 metres along a forest track, a few calm minutes in the snow, and the rest of the visit is spent with the herd and the herders.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and start time in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes and sends the office address.
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