Saariselkä: Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour

A reindeer pulls you through the dark forest while the snow muffles every sound. This is the heart of the experience: a slow, quiet ride beneath the northern sky, with a real chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis if clouds stay away. The reindeer are well cared for, and the ride offers a gentle introduction to Lapland’s Sámi traditions.

I like the campfire stop, where you warm up with a hot drink, biscuits, and local stories. I also like the chance to feed the reindeer and see their different personalities up close. The main drawback is simple: the campfire can take longer than expected, leaving less time in the sleigh, and the Northern Lights are never guaranteed.

• A quiet forest ride: Let the reindeer set the pace through snowy woodland.
• A useful winter setup: Thermal clothing and blankets help on very cold evenings.
• A personal campfire stop: Guides share stories, songs, facts, and sometimes even a bit of carving or Finnish folklore.
• A real Aurora possibility: The best sightings happen by chance on a clear night.
• A short, focused outing: The total activity lasts about 2.5 hours, including transfers.
• A tour for older children: Children under seven and pregnant women cannot join.

From Saariselkä to the Reindeer Farm

The tour begins at the Lapponia Tours safari house on Honkapolku 1, a gray building with a tower roof. Allow a little time to find it, especially in the dark or during heavy snow. You then ride about 15 minutes by minivan to Joikun Kotakahvio and the reindeer farm.

That short transfer matters. You are not spending the whole evening in a vehicle, yet you still leave the resort area and reach a quieter setting among the trees. Transfers from Saariselkä are included, but you must arrange your own way to the meeting point if you are staying in Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, Muotka, Inari, or the Ivalo area.

At the farm, the staff provide thermal clothing. Bring comfortable shoes and dress in layers anyway. Lapland can be seriously cold after sunset, and the warm clothing works best when you already have a dry base layer, socks, hat, and gloves underneath.

The Reindeer Sleigh Ride Through the Forest

The sleigh is the main event. You sit back while a reindeer guides you along a forest route, rather than driving a motorized sled yourself. That makes the experience calm and low-key. You hear the runners on the snow, feel the cold air, and move at the animal’s unhurried pace.

This is not a thrill ride. If you want speed, sharp turns, or a long snowmobile adventure, choose something else. If you want to sit quietly and take in the forest at night, the reindeer sleigh fits well.

The ride is also a practical way to see how much atmosphere comes from darkness and silence. In daylight, Lapland’s woods are beautiful. At night, the same setting feels more dramatic, especially when the trees are covered in snow and the only light comes from the sleigh, the guide, and the sky.

The exact balance between riding and the campfire can vary. One outing included roughly 30 minutes in the sleigh before the stop, while the campfire lasted longer than expected. That is worth knowing before you book. You are paying for the whole evening experience, not for a fixed-length sleigh ride alone.

Feeding Reindeer and Meeting the Animals

During the stop, you can feed the reindeer. This gives the evening a more direct connection with the animals than simply watching them pull a sleigh. The reindeer are described as well cared for, and each animal has its own character.

Listen closely when the guide explains how the reindeer work and live in Lapland. The animal is not just a photo prop. Reindeer have long been important to northern communities, and the sleigh ride connects you with one small part of that working tradition.

The activity presents reindeer sleigh driving as a Sámi tradition. It is best to treat this as an introduction rather than a full lesson in Sámi culture. The guides add useful background about Finnish life, reindeer, and the surrounding area, but the 2.5-hour format leaves only limited time for wider cultural context.

You will have chances to take photographs with the animals. Keep your camera ready before the ride, but do not use a flash. Sudden flashes can frighten the reindeer and create a safety problem. Flashlights are also prohibited, so use the natural light and follow the guide’s instructions.

The Campfire, Hot Drink, and Local Stories

The campfire is where this tour becomes more than a simple sleigh ride. You gather in the forest, warm your hands, and drink something hot while the guide talks about reindeer and life in Lapland. Tea, coffee, hot fruit juice, and biscuits may be served, depending on the evening setup.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Eemeli has been praised for his easy humor, local stories, and singing. Ansee has been described as especially attentive and generous with information about Finnish life. Visa has entertained groups with reindeer stories, local knowledge, personal tales, and even wood carving by the fire. Nilla has helped visitors take photographs and explained the reindeer clearly.

That range gives you a useful sense of what the evening can feel like. One guide may turn the stop into a lively storytelling session with songs and jokes. Another may focus more on the animals and local facts. The atmosphere can be relaxed, funny, and personal rather than formal.

Still, the campfire is not a guaranteed private moment. You share it with the group, and the guide may be handling several tasks at once. On one evening, the longer stop made the schedule feel a little rushed. I would see this as a minor tradeoff: more time for stories and warmth, less time moving through the forest.

Looking for the Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis is the extra prize, not the main product. The tour runs under the northern sky, so you have a genuine chance to see the lights from a quiet forest setting. Sitting in a sleigh or standing by a campfire while green or colored light appears overhead can be a remarkable moment.

But no guide can promise it. Clouds, light conditions, solar activity, and timing all matter. Some nights offer a strong display. Other nights bring only stars, snow, and darkness. The tour operator guarantees the sleigh safari, not the Aurora.

That distinction helps you set the right expectations. Book this because you want a reindeer and campfire experience. Treat the Northern Lights as a bonus. If seeing the Aurora is the central purpose of your evening, consider leaving room in your schedule for more than one attempt.

The most useful tip is to avoid judging the tour only by the lights. One group did not see the Aurora and still had a fun evening of stories, singing, dancing, and reindeer facts. A clear sky can produce magic, but a cloudy one does not erase the value of the forest ride.

Cold Weather, Clothing, and Comfort

Lapland evenings can be much colder than the thermometer suggests, especially when you sit still in a sleigh. Thermal clothing is included, and blankets may be available. Even so, wear warm layers and comfortable shoes. Avoid cotton as your only layer, and make sure your footwear is roomy enough for thick socks.

You should also protect your hands and face. The sleigh ride is gentle, but you are exposed to the air for much of it. If you tend to get cold quickly, bring extra hand warmers if you have them, while still following the rules about flashlights and equipment.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The no-flash rule is especially important because it protects both the animals and the people around them. A guide can remove a camera or phone until the end of the tour if someone ignores the rule.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not describe the exact sleigh access or transfer setup. If you use a wheelchair, contact the operator before booking so you can confirm the practical arrangements for the vehicle, farm, and sleigh.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

This outing suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a peaceful evening rather than an adrenaline rush. Children aged seven and above can join, and the gentle ride can work well for a family looking for something quieter than snowmobiling.

It also suits first-time visitors to Lapland. You get several classic elements in one short outing: snow, reindeer, a forest, a campfire, a hot drink, and a chance at the Aurora. The guides add enough local information to give the activity more meaning than a quick animal encounter.

It is less suitable if you dislike cold, sitting still, or shared group activities. Pregnant women and children under seven cannot take part. You should also think twice if you want a long sleigh journey. The evening includes travel, dressing, feeding the reindeer, and the campfire, so the actual ride may be shorter than you imagine.

Is $222 a Fair Price?

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap evening. The value depends on what you want included. The price covers thermal clothing, English or Finnish guiding, transfers from Saariselkä, the sleigh ride, the campfire drink, reindeer feeding, and the chance to see the Aurora.

For a short activity, the cost is high. Yet you are not paying only for transport and a few minutes with an animal. You are paying for an organized winter outing in a remote setting, with equipment and staff who manage the cold, the reindeer, the fire, and the route.

I think the price makes more sense if you value comfort and a complete package. It is less convincing if your main goal is simply to take a short sleigh ride or photograph the Northern Lights. Since the Aurora cannot be guaranteed, do not treat the price as payment for a light show.

The free cancellation option up to 24 hours before departure and reserve now, pay later arrangement add useful flexibility. Check the available starting times, since the activity is weather dependent and evening conditions matter.

My Advice Before You Book

Arrive ready for winter, not just for a normal cold-weather walk. Wear layers, bring comfortable shoes, and keep your camera handy without using flash. Plan your evening around the full experience rather than expecting a long, fast sleigh journey.

I would book this tour if you want a gentle introduction to Lapland with strong atmosphere and a good guide. The campfire stories and close contact with the reindeer give it more character than a basic ride. I would skip it if you need guaranteed Northern Lights, dislike group outings, or want a high-speed adventure.

The best reason to choose it is the setting. A reindeer carries you through a quiet forest, then you warm yourself beside a fire while the sky may put on its own show. That combination is worth more than any single activity on the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Lapponia Tours safari house at Honkapolku 1 in Saariselkä. It is a gray building with a tower roof.

How long does the activity last?

The total activity lasts about 2.5 hours. This includes approximately 15-minute transfers each way between the meeting point and the reindeer farm.

Is transportation included?

Transportation from the Saariselkä meeting point to the reindeer farm and back is included. You must arrange your own transfer to Saariselkä if you are staying in Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, Muotka, Inari, or the Ivalo area.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The tour gives you a chance to see the Aurora Borealis, but sightings depend on weather and natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Dress in layers, even though thermal clothing is provided.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven cannot join. The activity is suitable for children aged seven and older, according to the stated restrictions.

Can I take photographs during the tour?

You may bring a camera, but flash photography and flashlights are strictly prohibited. Flashes can frighten the reindeer and create a safety risk.