Rovaniemi: Apukka Reindeer Journey

The best part of this Lapland outing is its quiet pace. You sit in a wooden sleigh as a reindeer pulls you through snowy forest, sometimes across a frozen lake, with a guide steering from the front. It is less about speed and more about watching the animal work and letting the Arctic setting do the talking.

I like the close contact with the reindeer, including time to feed them and gently pet them. I also like the fireside pause, where a hot drink, biscuits, and clear stories about reindeer husbandry turn a simple sleigh ride into a useful introduction to northern life.

The main drawback is the price, $206 per person, and the cold. A few people also found the ride short for the cost, while the line of several sleighs can feel organized and public rather than private.

Key points to know before you go

• The ride covers 2 to 3 kilometers: Expect roughly 40 to 50 minutes in the sleigh, though the full visit lasts about two hours.
• You can feed the reindeer: The time beside the animals is a major part of the outing, not just a quick photo stop.
• The setting changes with conditions: You may travel through forest and across a frozen lake, with snowy views and occasional clearings.
• Winter clothing is supplied: Thermal overalls, boots, wool socks, and mittens are included, but you should still bring warm base layers.
• Seats are assigned for the animals’ comfort: A professional steers each sleigh, and guides balance the load across the group.
• Pickup requires close attention: City-center pickup is 50 minutes before the activity, and Santa Claus Village pickup is 35 minutes before it.

Starting at Apukka Resort in the Arctic cold

This outing begins at Apukka Resort, outside central Rovaniemi. If you need transport, pickup is available from Korkalonkatu 32 in the city center or from the Napapiiri I bus stop at Santa Claus Village.

The timing matters. The city pickup is scheduled 50 minutes before your activity, while the Santa Claus Village pickup is 35 minutes before. Apukka confirms the exact time by email after booking, so read that message carefully rather than relying only on the original reservation time. Missing the pickup means no refund.

Once you arrive, the reindeer farm is a short walk from the resort. One previous visitor described a walk of about 10 minutes to the starting point, so do not assume the bus will drop you beside the sleigh. The resort itself has a forest setting and places to wait, and some people used the time there to look around before the activity began.

The transport is part of the value here. Rovaniemi has many winter activities spread beyond the center, and arranging your own ride in icy conditions can be inconvenient. That said, one past report described standing during the bus ride, so the transfer may not always feel luxurious.

Meeting the reindeer before the sleigh ride

The first real highlight is seeing the reindeer at close range. These are working animals, and they are not all the spotless white creatures often shown in Christmas images. Some are small, some have no antlers, and their coloring varies.

That reality is worth knowing before you book. If you expect every animal to look like a storybook Rudolph, the farm may seem less polished than the photographs suggest. If you want to see real reindeer used in a northern tradition, the variety makes the visit more genuine.

You may have a chance to feed the animals and touch them gently along the back. Several guides have made this part easy for children, and the activity has suited families with children as young as two and three. Keep your hands calm and follow the guide’s instructions. Reindeer are friendly-looking, but they remain animals with their own habits and moods.

The guides also explain reindeer husbandry, local customs, and daily life in Lapland. Past guides named Emily, Christina, Tommy, and Alexi were singled out for clear explanations and a friendly manner. Guide quality matters here because the ride itself is quiet and slow. Good storytelling gives the silence some meaning.

Riding 2 to 3 kilometers through snow

The sleigh ride is the heart of the visit. You sit in a sleigh behind a reindeer while a professional guide steers from the front. The route covers 2 to 3 kilometers, and most accounts put the ride at around 40 to 50 minutes.

You will not be driving the sleigh. Apukka assigns seats to keep the load balanced for the reindeer, and each sleigh is handled by a professional for safety. This may mean you cannot choose exactly where you sit, but it helps protect the animals and keeps the convoy running properly.

The route can pass through snowy forest and, depending on the conditions, over a frozen lake. A forest trail feels enclosed and quiet, with branches and snowbanks close by. The lake offers a more open view. One ride became especially memorable when the group reached a clearing and the sun came out.

The reindeer walk at a steady pace. This is not a husky-style race or a fast snowmobile outing. You may find the slow movement soothing, especially if you have already spent several days rushing between activities. You also have time to watch the reindeer’s gait, listen to the runners over the snow, and notice how the animal behaves in front of you.

Still, adjust your expectations. One person wanted more distance and speed, and another felt that several sleighs tied together made the trip feel more like an amusement ride than a quiet forest outing. Group size and timing affect the mood. A small departure can feel almost private, while a full convoy is more structured.

The route itself is attractive, but it is not guaranteed to look dramatic every day. Snowfall, clouds, and daylight change the view. Some people found the scenery beautiful, while one person felt it was fairly ordinary. If your priority is the reindeer and the tradition, the setting should satisfy you. If you want a long wilderness ride with sweeping Arctic views, this may feel limited.

What the sleigh ride feels like in real winter

Cold is the practical issue you should take most seriously. Apukka supplies a thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, and mittens. Those layers help, but they do not make you invulnerable at minus 20 Celsius.

Several people found their feet became cold, even with the supplied gear. A cashmere sweater alone was not enough for one person after more than 40 minutes sitting in the sleigh. Bring warm clothing for the layers underneath, with particular attention to your feet, hands, and head.

The sleigh is open to the weather, and sitting still can feel colder than walking. Avoid arriving in ordinary city clothes and assuming the rental gear solves everything. Wear warm base layers and keep extra heat around your feet. You should also bring a phone or camera that can handle the cold, though the supplied information does not specify any equipment policy.

Families can enjoy the ride, but small children may feel the cold quickly. Children aged two and three have taken part, yet the activity remains outdoors for much of the time. If your child dislikes sitting still or becomes uncomfortable in winter gear, the ride may be harder than the festive setting suggests.

Fireside drinks and stories about Lapland

After the sleigh ride, you gather around a fire for a hot drink and biscuits. This is a simple part of the program, but I consider it important. After nearly an hour in a moving sleigh, you need a place to warm your hands and feet.

The fireside stop also gives the guide room to explain the animals in more detail. You learn about reindeer care, their place in Lapland, and aspects of Finnish life. The stories help connect the attractive sleigh ride to an actual working tradition.

The hot drink is not just a free extra. It changes the rhythm of the outing. You move from watching the forest, to meeting the reindeer, to sitting still and listening. Some past visitors also enjoyed biscuits with the drink. The supplied information does not specify the drink choice, so do not book this expecting a full meal.

After warming up, you may have more time to feed or gently pet the reindeer. That second chance to see them at close range can be more rewarding than taking photos during the ride. You can watch how individual animals behave, including the occasional energetic reindeer that wants to move ahead of the one in front.

How much value do you get for $206?

At $206 per person, this is an expensive two-hour activity. The cost makes more sense if you use the full package: return transport, winter clothing, a professional guide, the sleigh ride, animal time, and the fireside drink.

Apukka is also handling a complicated winter operation. The resort must move people from Rovaniemi or Santa Claus Village, provide cold-weather gear, assign sleigh seats, manage reindeer, and keep the activity moving on schedule. Several people appreciated the smooth organization and on-time transfers.

Still, the price is high for the amount of riding. The actual sleigh route is 2 to 3 kilometers, commonly lasting around 45 minutes. If you compare only minutes in the sleigh, cheaper options may look tempting. If you need pickup and clothing, the difference becomes smaller because you are not arranging those pieces separately.

I would book this for a special Lapland day, especially if you value convenience and a polished operation. I would hesitate if your main goal is a long ride, high speed, or a private encounter. The activity gives you a gentle introduction, not a full-day expedition.

Group size, animal care, and what to expect

Apukka’s guides allocate people across the sleighs to keep the animals evenly loaded. This is a sensible rule, even though it limits your choice of seat. Each sleigh has a professional at the controls, so you are not responsible for managing the reindeer.

The setup is clearly built for groups. You may travel with several sleighs in a line, and the convoy can reduce the feeling of being alone in the forest. One person also described an inexperienced reindeer causing stops and some confusion. The situation was handled calmly, but it shows that working with animals always brings a little unpredictability.

There are also different impressions of animal welfare. Many people felt the reindeer looked healthy and well cared for. One person was concerned about animals tied near trees and felt some reindeer did not seem eager to walk behind the others. I cannot resolve that difference for you, but it is fair to recognize that a working farm may look different from a wildlife encounter.

The guides’ role is central. They explain what is happening, answer questions, and help you stay comfortable. This is not a self-guided photo stop. You are watching a managed activity involving animals, people, and winter conditions.

Who will enjoy this Apukka outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families wanting a calm activity that works for young children
• Couples looking for a quiet, romantic winter outing
• First-time visitors to Lapland who want an easy introduction to reindeer culture
• Anyone who values included transport and cold-weather clothing
• People who prefer gentle scenery and storytelling over speed or adventure

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also reconsider if you dislike cold, sitting still, group outings, or short rides.

Photography is part of the appeal, but the conditions are not fully controlled. A snowy forest, a clearing with winter sun, or a reindeer close to your sleigh can produce wonderful pictures. The animals may not match the polished images used in holiday advertising, and the schedule may not give you unlimited time for portraits.

Booking, cancellation, and useful planning details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. The activity is conducted in English.

Bring warm clothing even though Apukka supplies thermal outerwear, boots, socks, and mittens. Do not bring alcoholic drinks into the vehicle. The pickup message from Apukka arrives by email within 48 hours of booking, and you should check it carefully for the confirmed time.

Allow for the full two-hour schedule, plus pickup and return. If you are staying at Santa Claus Village, use the Napapiiri I stop on the main E75 road. From central Rovaniemi, use Korkalonkatu 32. Arrive early enough that you are not running for the bus in winter gear.

Should you book the Apukka Reindeer Journey?

Book it if you want a well-organized, gentle Lapland activity with transport, winter clothing, a fireside drink, and real time beside reindeer. The strongest parts are the calm sleigh ride, the chance to feed the animals, and the guides’ stories about reindeer husbandry and Finnish life.

Skip it if $206 feels too high for about 45 minutes of riding, or if you want speed, solitude, or a long route into the wilderness. The convoy may feel busy, the scenery can vary, and the cold is serious.

For most first-time visitors, I see this as a pleasant and memorable introduction to Lapland rather than a must-do adventure. Go with realistic expectations, dress well, and give the animal encounter as much attention as the sleigh ride. That is where the outing earns its price.

FAQ

How long does the Apukka Reindeer Journey last?

The activity lasts two hours in total. The reindeer sleigh ride covers 2 to 3 kilometers and commonly lasts around 40 to 50 minutes.

What is included in the activity?

The package includes the reindeer sleigh ride, an English-speaking guide, stories about reindeer husbandry, a hot drink, and winter clothing. Return transfers are included from central Rovaniemi or Santa Claus Village if needed.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from Rovaniemi city center at Korkalonkatu 32 and from the Napapiiri I bus stop at Santa Claus Village. The exact pickup time is confirmed by email from Apukka Resort.

How early is pickup from Rovaniemi?

Pickup from central Rovaniemi is scheduled 50 minutes before the activity begins.

How early is pickup from Santa Claus Village?

Pickup from Santa Claus Village is scheduled 35 minutes before the activity begins.

Can I feed or touch the reindeer?

You can have the opportunity to feed the reindeer and gently pet them. Follow the guide’s instructions when approaching the animals.

Is winter clothing provided?

Yes. Apukka provides a thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, and mittens. You should still bring warm clothing for additional layers.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the activity and pay later, subject to the booking conditions.