Apukka Reindeer Journey

A reindeer sleigh moves at the pace of the animal pulling it, not a motor, and that is the appeal: the forest can feel quiet and close around you. I like the chance to see snowy woods from a traditional sleigh, then spend time near the reindeer rather than simply climb aboard and leave.

I also like that winter outerwear, lap blankets, and hot drinks are part of the outing, and that round-trip transport makes reaching the farm easier. One consideration: the price is high for a tour of about two hours, and the pickup is strict. Arrive on time, or you may miss the activity without a refund.

The details worth knowing before you book

• Sleigh pace, forest quiet: The main event is a reindeer-drawn ride through snowy woods, a calm alternative to a faster motorized excursion.
• Meet the reindeer up close: There is time to pet and photograph them before and after the ride. One account also describes feeding them.
• A warm pause in the cold: Winter outerwear and lap blankets are provided, with a break for hot drinks. A stop in a kota, a traditional Finnish shelter, has been part of the outing.
• Local stories add context: An English-speaking guide can explain reindeer and herding customs, giving the ride more meaning than a photo opportunity alone.
• Transport is included, punctuality matters: Pickups are offered from central Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, but the bus leaves at its stated time.
• A large operation, not a tiny farm visit: The group can include up to 40 people, so expect a commercial excursion rather than a private, small-scale outing.

A sleigh ride built around a slower kind of winter

This outing is less about covering ground than about noticing the forest. A reindeer-drawn sleigh moves at a measured pace, giving you time to take in the snowy trees and the quiet around the trail. If you want speed, this is the wrong animal-powered ride. If you want a gentle winter activity with a local tradition at its center, the unhurried pace is the point.

The experience lasts about two hours in total, including the farm visit and the ride. The exact time spent on the sleigh is not specified, and descriptions of the outing vary: one describes a short, beautiful trek, while another recalls a long ride through the forest. I would book for the full visit, not on the assumption that every minute will be spent moving through the woods.

The setting is outside central Rovaniemi, at Apukka Resort Adventures’ excursion and husky and reindeer farm. Round-trip transportation is offered, which saves you from arranging your own way to the trailhead. The route and the reindeer themselves are the main draw; the farm is also where you have the chance to meet the animals and take photographs.

Meeting the reindeer before the ride

Expect time with the reindeer before and after the sleigh ride. That matters: the animals are not just a means of transport, but the focus of the visit. You can pet them and take photographs, and one account describes feeding them as well. The chance to see them up close gives children and curious adults a better sense of the animals than a ride alone would.

The farm visit can also give the guide room to explain reindeer and the customs of reindeer herders. That context helps make this more than a snow-season photo stop. Reindeer have a practical place in life in the far north, and hearing about their care and the herding traditions can connect the ride to the region rather than leaving it as a staged novelty.

The group limit is 40 people. That is not a small private visit, and the atmosphere may feel organized and commercial, especially if you prefer a quiet, intimate farm encounter. On the other hand, a larger operation can be a straightforward option if you want transport, winter gear, a guide, and an arranged activity in one booking.

Into the snowy forest by reindeer sleigh

Once it is time to ride, you settle into a sleigh pulled by reindeer and head along a winter trail. The landscape is the reward: snow-covered forest, the steady movement of the sleigh, and the chance to experience a traditional form of Arctic transport. The quiet is a recurring part of the appeal, especially if you have spent much of your trip amid busy resort areas or planned activities.

Do not expect the sleigh to behave like a vehicle on a timetable. The outing is built around an animal, and the pace will be gentle. The available details do not specify the trail’s length, terrain, or how long the ride itself lasts, so I would avoid treating the advertised two hours as two hours in the sleigh.

The experience has also drawn one serious account of a distressing incident during a ride in January 2023. The writer described reindeer becoming tangled in ropes, sleighs overturning, and people being thrown out, and raised concerns about the animals’ welfare. That is a serious report, but it does not establish how often such incidents occur or the animals’ current conditions. If animal welfare or ride safety is a deciding factor for you, contact Apukka Adventures before booking and ask about its current handling and safety practices.

Hot drinks, warm clothes, and the winter reality

Cold-weather comfort is not a minor extra in Rovaniemi. Winter outerwear and lap blankets are provided, and the outing includes a hot-drink break. One version of the visit has ended with hot berry juice and biscuits in a kota. That sheltered pause can be as welcome as the ride itself, especially for children or anyone who finds standing around in the cold harder than sitting in a sleigh.

The exact clothing supplied is not detailed, so do not assume it covers every personal need. Bring whatever you normally rely on to stay warm in winter, particularly for your hands and feet. The included outerwear and blankets are useful support, but they do not remove the need to dress for the conditions.

The warm stop also gives the visit a natural breather. Rather than rushing directly from the ride to the bus, you have time to warm up and listen to the guide. The pace is part of the charm, though it may feel slow if you are trying to fit several major activities into one day.

What the price buys, and what it does not

At $215.54 per person, this is a costly two-hour activity. The price is easier to understand if you see it as a bundled outing: round-trip transport is offered, winter outerwear and lap blankets are provided, a guide leads the activity, and you get both a sleigh ride and time with the reindeer. You are paying for a managed winter excursion, not just a short ride.

Still, this may not be the best value if your only aim is a long sleigh journey. The ride’s length is not stated, and some accounts describe it as short. You are also paying for the setting, the animal encounter, and the warm-up break. If those elements matter to you, the outing offers a fuller visit; if you want maximum time on a sleigh for the money, compare other options before deciding.

For families, the ability to meet and photograph the reindeer can help justify the cost, especially if children are keen on animals. One family described the guide’s explanations and the reindeer encounter as highlights. But the price multiplies quickly across a family, so be sure the whole group wants the farm visit and gentle pace, not just one exciting ride.

The group can reach 40 people, which also affects value. This is not a bespoke outing with a guide dedicated to a handful of people. You get a planned, accessible way to reach the farm and take part, but those seeking a small-scale visit may find the operation too commercial.

Pickup timing can make or break the day

The listed starting point is Apukka Resort Adventures, Excursions and Husky & Reindeer Farm, at Tutkijantie 28, 96900 Rovaniemi. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered from central Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village: the city-center pickup at Korkalonkatu 32 is 50 minutes before the safari start, and the pickup from Santa Claus Village bus stop Napapiiri I, by the main road, is 35 minutes before.

Treat those times as firm. The bus leaves exactly at the stated time, and a late arrival means you may miss the excursion without a refund. One person who arrived ten minutes late could not join, even though they had a car and hoped to meet the group at the farm. Do not assume the operator will call if you are running behind, or that you can join at another location. Confirm your pickup point and time, then build in a buffer.

If you are driving, the farm address is provided, but the pickup instructions stress arriving on time and do not promise that late arrivals can join there. Contact the operator in advance if you plan to meet at the farm instead of taking the bus. That small check could save an expensive disappointment.

The activity is offered in English, confirmation is received at booking, and most people can participate. It is typically booked about 30 days in advance, so reserve early if your dates are fixed, particularly during a busy winter visit.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this outing if you want a calm, distinctly northern activity and value time with reindeer as much as the sleigh ride. It suits families, first-time visitors, and anyone curious about local herding customs. The hot drink, winter gear, and transport help make the plan practical, while the forest ride gives you a quiet break from more energetic activities.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a private farm visit, a guaranteed long ride, or the lowest-cost way to see reindeer. The large group limit and resort setting may feel commercial if you prefer small-scale experiences. And because one account described a serious animal-handling incident, anyone with strong concerns about animal welfare should ask direct questions before committing.

Should you book the Apukka Reindeer Journey?

Book it if you are drawn to a gentle sleigh ride, a snowy forest, and a chance to meet the reindeer before and after the journey. The included transport and cold-weather provisions make it a practical package, and the guide’s explanations can add useful local context.

Skip it, or compare alternatives, if the price feels steep for a two-hour outing, if you want a long ride above all else, or if you prefer a small operation. Whichever way you decide, take the pickup time seriously and ask Apukka Adventures about current animal handling and safety if that is important to you.

FAQ

How long does the Apukka Reindeer Journey last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours. The exact duration of the sleigh ride itself is not specified.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $215.54 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Apukka Resort Adventures, Excursions and Husky & Reindeer Farm, Tutkijantie 28, 96900 Rovaniemi. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from central Rovaniemi?

Yes. Pickup is offered at Korkalonkatu 32, 50 minutes before the safari starting time.

Can I be picked up at Santa Claus Village?

Yes. Pickup is offered at bus stop Napapiiri I by the main road, 35 minutes before the safari starting time.

What language is the tour offered in, and how large can the group be?

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 40 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted. If the activity is canceled due to poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.