Reindeer Sledding and Feeding with Sami Guide Tromso
- Duration4 hours
- Daily
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Overview
This four-hour Sami reindeer experience takes you from Tromsø to a reindeer camp, where you ride a reindeer sled, feed the herd and learn about the life of the Sami herders. The default option includes the longer 25 to 30-minute sledding session, and a 10-minute option is also available. Inside a lavvu, the traditional Sami tent, you enjoy a warm lunch, coffee and snacks while your guide shares stories and joik songs. Transfer from the meeting point is included, and it suits families.
Highlights
- Reindeer sled ride, with a 25 to 30-minute session in the default option
- Feed the reindeer herd at the camp
- Warm lunch, coffee and snacks in a traditional lavvu
- Stories about Sami culture and a joik song from your Sami guide
- Transfer from the meeting point in Tromsø included
- Departures at 10:00 and 13:00
- Children aged 3 to 12 have their own fare
Full Description
Sami culture and reindeer herding in Arctic Norway
The Sami are the Indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, and reindeer herding has been part of their way of life for centuries. Around Tromsø, some Sami families still keep herds and welcome visitors to their camps, which is why a Sami reindeer experience in Tromsø is one of the most meaningful cultural activities in the region. You learn how the herders live with the seasons and why the reindeer matter to their traditions.
Your Sami guide tells stories, explains the clothing and the tent, and sings a joik, the traditional Sami form of song that is closer to a musical portrait of a person, animal or place than a song with a story. Ask questions freely, because this personal side is what makes the tour more than a simple sled ride.
Reindeer sledding: a calm ride through the snow
Reindeer sledding is quiet and slow compared with dog sledding or a snowmobile, and that is its charm. You sit on a sled pulled by a reindeer while your guide leads the way through the snowy landscape, with no engine noise, just the sound of the snow. The default option includes a longer session of 25 to 30 minutes, while the second option has a shorter 10-minute ride.
Reindeer sledding suits children and adults of all ages because there is no driving skill involved and the pace is gentle. Wrap up warmly, because sitting still in the cold feels colder than walking. Sledding depends on snow conditions, so ask us if you have questions about the season you plan to visit.
Feeding the herd and the lavvu
At the camp you meet the reindeer and feed them by hand under your guide's instructions. It is a chance to see the animals up close, notice their thick winter coats and understand how they behave in a herd. Children in particular enjoy this part, and it is a good moment for photos.
Afterwards you go into the lavvu, the traditional Sami tent, where a fire keeps the space warm. You eat a warm lunch, drink coffee and enjoy snacks while your guide tells stories about Sami life. The meal is included in the tour, and if you have dietary needs, tell us when you book so that we can pass this on.
Planning your reindeer tour from Tromsø
The experience lasts about four hours, with departures at 10:00 and 13:00. You meet at a meeting point in Tromsø, and the transfer to the camp is included. The exact meeting place is in your booking confirmation, and it is best to arrive early so that the group leaves on time.
Wear at least two warm layers, a hat, gloves and good winter boots. Booster seats for children are not included on the transfer, but you can bring your own. Many visitors book the reindeer experience as one of the best things to do in Tromsø in winter, alongside an aurora trip, so book early in busy periods.
Itinerary
- Meet at the meeting point in TromsøCheck in with your guide at the place given in your booking confirmation.
- Transfer to the reindeer campA short drive along the coast takes the group to the Sami camp.
- Meet the herd and go sleddingYou are greeted by your hosts and ride a reindeer sled through the snow, for 25 to 30 minutes in the default option.
- Feed the reindeerYou walk to the herd and feed the reindeer by hand, and take photos.
- Lunch and stories in the lavvuYou warm up in the Sami tent with lunch, coffee and snacks while the guide tells stories and sings a joik.
- Return to TromsøThe transfer takes you back to the meeting point at the end of the four-hour experience.
What's included
- Transfer from the meeting point
- Professional Sami guide
- Reindeer sledding
- Reindeer feeding
- Storytelling and joik
- Warm lunch
- Coffee and snacks
Not included
- Booster seats for children (you can bring your own)
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–12
- A half-day plan — about 4 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You need hotel pickup — you meet at the meeting point
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers who cannot manage cold weather and walking on snow
- Guests who cannot climb onto a sled
- Anyone who needs a booster seat for a child on the transfer, unless they bring their own
Meeting point
The meeting point is in Tromsø, and the exact location is in your booking confirmation. The transfer to the camp starts from there, with departures at 10:00 and 13:00. Please arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early.
Important information
- Wear at least two warm layers, plus a hat, gloves and winter boots
- Booster seats for children are not included; you can bring your own
- The transfer from the meeting point is included; hotel pickup is not
- Tell us about dietary requirements when you book
- Sledding depends on snow and weather conditions
- Departures are at 10:00 and 13:00, and the experience lasts about four hours
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the reindeer sledding tour in Tromsø cost?
The price depends on the option and the number of travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children for each option, so you can see the total before you book.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet at a meeting point in Tromsø, and the transfer from there to the camp is included. The exact place is in your booking confirmation.
How long is the tour?
The experience lasts about four hours, including the transfer, the sledding, feeding the reindeer and lunch in the lavvu.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 12 have their own fare, and reindeer sledding and feeding are popular with families. Booster seats are not included, so bring your own if needed.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear at least two warm layers, a hat, gloves and good winter boots. A camera or phone is useful for the feeding and the sled ride.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if seats remain. The booking panel shows the next available dates and departure times at 10:00 and 13:00.
What is the difference between the options?
Both options are four-hour experiences with feeding, storytelling and a warm lunch. One includes a longer sledding session of 25 to 30 minutes, and the other has a shorter 10-minute session.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A warm lunch, coffee and snacks are included and served in the lavvu. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
What is a joik?
A joik is the traditional song of the Sami people, often made to portray a person, an animal or a place. Your guide sings one during the visit.
Is the reindeer experience worth it?
Yes, if you want a calm, cultural activity with animals. It combines a sled ride, feeding and stories, and it is a good complement to more active tours in Tromsø.
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