Reindeer have shaped Sami culture in Lapland for thousands of years, and a peaceful sleigh ride is the most authentic way to experience the Arctic. At a working reindeer farm you'll meet the herders, feed the animals, and glide through snowy woodland on a wooden sleigh pulled by a calm, well-trained reindeer. Many tours hand you an official 'reindeer driving licence' at the end and include a warming break in a traditional kota tepee. It's the gentlest, most family-friendly of all Lapland safaris.
What a reindeer sleigh ride is like
If husky sledding is the adrenaline of Lapland, the reindeer sleigh is its soul. At a working reindeer farm you’re welcomed by the herders, introduced to the animals and handed a bundle of lichen to feed them. Then you settle into a traditional wooden sleigh, tucked under a warm reindeer hide, and a calm, well-trained reindeer pulls you at a gentle walk through silent, snow-laden forest. There’s no driving to do and no rush — just the crunch of hooves on snow. It’s the calmest and most family-friendly of all the safaris, and wonderful for very young children and older visitors.
Sami culture and the reindeer
Reindeer have been semi-domesticated and herded by the Sami people — the indigenous people of Lapland — for centuries, and a farm visit is a genuine window into that living culture. Many tours include stories and traditions from a real herder around a campfire in a kota (a traditional Lappish tepee). Choosing a family-run farm means your visit directly supports this heritage.
Driving licences, combos and cost
Most safaris hand you a light-hearted “reindeer driving licence” at the end — a lovely keepsake for kids. A short farm visit with a sleigh ride starts around €79–€95; longer safaris with a kota campfire or cultural experience run €130–€160.
The most popular option of all combines a reindeer ride with huskies and a Santa Claus Village visit in one day — see the Santa Claus Village + Husky & Reindeer combo, or read husky vs reindeer if you’re deciding between them.
When to go
The reindeer season runs December to April with reliable snow. Farms around Rovaniemi — several right beside the Santa Claus Village — include hotel transfers, so you don’t need a car. Browse our reindeer tours below.
