Reindeer Herder's Day In The Wilderness With a Snowmobile Sled in Levi
3 hours
Daytime
Levi, Finland
Reviews
English
Easy
10+
Group
Unique experience of finding the reindeer in the wilderness and acquiring important reindeer skills.
We offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience of meeting the reindeer in their natural habitat by visiting a reindeer forest in the wilderness. Take advantage of this exclusive private experience just for our small group. Avoid the tourist buzz and crowds. Our host keeps long-standing family traditions in reindeer herding. Reindeer always live free most of the year in nature and only collected in the enclosures for the wintertime for proper feeding and care. Animals’ well-being is the top priority of the farmers. We don’t use reindeer for rides, they live on the traditional feeding grounds and freely move around within a large area in their natural environment. Our groups are quite small (up to 10 people) and visits are scheduled only 2 times a day.
First, we will get dressed in warm winter clothing and helmets. Then we will drive about 7 minutes outside Levi center to the pickup point, where we will change from car to a sled and go for a ride pulled by a snowmobile. On our way we will see beautiful Lappish nature: open bogs, forests and fells. Part of the route lies on private lands, where we will be exclusive visitors one-on-one with nature. After some 20-30 minutes of sled ride, we will arrive at an old forest with pine and birch trees. Forest is privately owned by the reindeer family and there are no other visitors in the whole area. Curious reindeer will approach the sled expecting to get food. Our host will greet you, introduce himself and his family and get you acquainted with the Lappish reindeer husbandry experience. You will pick up the food and start feeding the reindeer. We use different types of food, usually hay and pellets. As we slowly move through different feeding locations, we get to meet and feed dozens of reindeer. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with these beautiful animals, be close to them and take nice photos. Some of the reindeer might let you touch them, while most of them are still quite shy, as they are wild animals, living most of the year free in nature. We call this experience a “reindeer therapy”, as it’s so peaceful and relaxing.
You will spend about one hour outside with reindeer. The host will tell you interesting facts about the reindeer and the herders year. As you start to feel chilly, we will invite you inside the warm Lappish hut (kota), where our chef will offer you lunch.
Get comfortable on the benches covered by reindeer skins close to the open fire and we will offer you a warm drink of your choice: herbal tea (naturally decaffeinated) and berry juice. Being outside in the cold naturally increases your appetite. Our lunch menu starts with a savory vegetable soup (valid for season November 2025 - April 2026) with a local flat bread “rieska” slightly toasted on the open fire. Then we offer you a reindeer sausage that you should grill in the open fire by yourself (our chef gives instructions). Sausages are made from the local ingredients ecologically and taste like you never had before. After that our chef will serve you thin and crispy pancakes, freshly grilled on the pan on the open fire, topped with jam from local berries and whipped cream. Pancakes are usually enjoyed accompanied by freshly made coffee in a pot on the open fire. In the meantime, our host will continue with storytelling about the reindeer and arctic way of living and of course answer your questions.
Finally, it’s time to practice lasso throwing outside the hut (kota). This experience is always lots of fun. At this point, you will receive personal diploma of reindeer herder’s assistant. Then it’s time to say goodbye and return to civilization. Our trip back is also by a snowmobile sled but a shorter distance this time (about 10 min).
Note! This activity is recommended for families with children aged 10 and above!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Ride in a sled pulled by a snowmobile to the reindeer secret forest in the wilderness (both ways)
Program Reindeer Herder’s day in the wilderness
Introduction to reindeer husbandry culture
Feeding the herds of reindeer at several different feeding areas
Taking photos with own cameras
Storytelling by the reindeer herder
Lunch in the warm hut (kota) around the open fire
Hot drinks: traditional coffee in a pot made on the open fire, hot berry juice and tea
Vegetable soup (starting from season November 2025 - April 2026)
Frying reindeer sausage in the open fire (other options available upon request)
Pancakes with jam from arctic berries and whipped cream
Frying marshmallow in the open fire
Lasso throwing practice
Personal diploma of reindeer herder’s assistant
Warm winter clothing
NOT INCLUDED
RECOMMENDATION
We strongly recommend wearing layers clothes under warm winter clothing and 2 woolen socks in your shoes.
Recommended child age 10+
CANCELLATION POLICY
We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 21 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 10% if booking is cancelled 365 days or less before the event
PLEASE NOTE
Child age: 2-11 years
Recommended child age 10+
Reindeer are semi-wild animals and even being used to living next to people, they are quite shy and can be unpredictable. Please always follow the instructions given by the guide and try to be calm and careful when close to the reindeers.
This activity involves a ride in a snowmobile sled. According to Finnish law you must wear a helmet even when riding in a sled. We will get you fully equipped for this ride.
For the food we use only locally produced high quality ingredients.
Please be at least 20 min before pick up time to get dressed.
Important Information for Families with Kids:
This activity is recommended for families with children aged 10 and above. However, its suitability depends on your child's temperament and your commitment as parents to take extra responsibility and supervise your children closely throughout the program.
Key Points to Consider:
Outdoor Conditions:
The large part of the program takes place outdoors in the cold temperatures and lasts for an extended period. Ensure your children are comfortable in such conditions and dressed warmly to stay protected.
Reindeer Interaction:
Reindeer will roam freely around the group during the activity. Parents must maintain constant supervision of their children to ensure everyone's safety. The reindeer on the farm are semi-wild animals that are not tamed to interact with humans. As such, they may become startled by sudden movements, loud noises, or a person standing too close. When frightened, the reindeer may run in a certain direction and accidentally hit a person in their path, including with their antlers or hooves. Our company and the reindeer farm are not liable for any accidents involving reindeer that may occur during the program.
Child’s Temperament:
This activity is ideal for calm and composed children who can remain relaxed and quiet. If your child exhibits more active behavior and may engage in unexpected actions (such as running, shouting, or making sudden movements like waving their arms), the likelihood of an accident increases. Therefore, our company does not take responsibility for any potential consequences; this responsibility lies entirely with the parents.
By taking these factors into account, you can make an informed decision about whether this program is a good match for your family.
MEETING POINTS
If you do not choose pick-up, you can start the experience at any of the places below:
Scandinavian Travel Group / Safari Market: Keskuskuja 2 B 3, 99130 Sirkka, FI.
PICK UP
We offer pick-up to the following places for this experience:
Scandinavian Travel Group / Safari Market (Keskuskuja 2 B 3, Levi): FI, Keskuskuja 2 B 3, 99130 Sirkka.
We had a great tour with guide Steve and herder Jussi in the woods. Jussi picked us up with a snowmobil with a sleigh for 10 persons and brought us deeper into the woods. He told us a lot about his work as a herder, about the reindeers and the familycompany. We were allowed to feed the reindeers, they are semi-wild, so we stood in the middle of the herd. So great! The reindeers walk freely in the woods but when they hear Jussi coming, they come to see him (food :) ). After a while we got hot drinks, pancakes and sausages made by Steve in the cabin, on the fireplace. Charming. Very relaxed and interesting tour, especially because it's max. 10 persons. The tour on friday we would like to was fully booked but they arranged another one for us, a group of 6, a few hours later. Many thanks.