Lapland · FARMS
The good farm visits fill up weeks ahead in high season, and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
From Rovaniemi, visit a reindeer farm to learn about herding and take a 500-meter ride, then meet Alaskan huskies for a shared 500-meter sleigh ride. An English-speaking guide handles the transfers and explanations. Winter clothing is provided, and the tour also includes time at Santa Claus Village.
“We enjoyed every moment in that tour. I totally recommed it.”
Spend 2.5 hours visiting a traditional reindeer farm near Rovaniemi. Feed the animals, and, if snow allows, ride a reindeer sleigh for about 400 meters. Then warm up in a kota with hot berry juice and cookies while a herder explains reindeer and farm life. Pickup is available within 10 kilometers of the city center.
“We really enjoyed it we were picked up from our accommodation, although it did take us an hour to get there with stopping to pick others up & then all being transferred into a bus, it was well organised. The ride was only short but a lot of fun & it was really nice to feed them too, there was lots of information & plenty of opportunities to ask questions. It’s cold so wrap up warm.”
Spend 6.5 hours visiting Santa Claus Village, meeting Santa, and sharing lunch before riding a snowmobile to a reindeer farm for a short sleigh ride and hot drinks. Two people share each snowmobile, with children riding in a sled behind the guide. Guides vary; past trips have been led by Vasilia, Mica, Ramon, Alex, and others.
“Great (packed) day of Santa village, lunch, snowmobiling, reindeer farm, and back. It’s a long day and very cold. Wish we wore second pair of socks and heated gloves but the day was organized and comfortable going in and out of warm areas so you’re not outside for 8 hours. This tour will get you to the front of the line to meet Santa. The snowmobiling was fun and reindeer farm nice. I wish the group size was a little smaller because there would be less waiting but it’s their busy season so understandable! Brought our 5 and 8yr old who surprisingly didn’t complain too much. They started to lose…”
From central Rovaniemi, ride to a local husky farm for a short sled trip of about 500 to 800 meters. Meet the dogs, hear how they are raised and trained, and warm up with a hot drink and cookies. Hotel transfers are included, and the two-hour outing runs from November 17 to April 11.
“awesome! he came to pick me up on time and he was very kind and told me a little about lapland. and husky safari is very funny. my guide is very kind and explained all the things about dogs and their life. and they gave hot drinks and delicious cookies.”
Travel by minivan from Rovaniemi to a reindeer farm for a guided visit, a 2-km sleigh ride, reindeer feeding, and a warm drink with local snacks in a kota hut. An English-speaking guide and photographer accompanies the tour. Edited photos are sent to a password-protected gallery a few days later.
“It was planned and executed in the best possible way. We had a great time at the farm!”
From Rovaniemi, join a small group of up to eight for a three-and-a-half-hour visit to a working reindeer farm. Guides such as Matias and Valeriia share stories about reindeer and farm life, help you meet and feed the animals, and take professional photos. A 400-metre sleigh ride is possible when snow conditions allow.
“Enjoyed the tour. Nice pictures also) Recommended! Better to see reindeer and have a ride here than in Santa Claus village.”
Meet reindeer at a farm near Rovaniemi, feed them, and take a short sleigh ride. An English-speaking guide leads the 1.5-hour visit, with a farm explanation and snacks and hot drinks included. Kevin is one guide named by a guest, but guide assignments can vary. Check the meeting and transport details before booking.
“Ha sido una experiencia para recordar toda la vida. Poder estar tan cerca de los renos , darles de comer , son animales tan magníficos que te reportan energía. Y el paseo en trineo espectacular. Gracias a Kevin , nuestro traductor , y a todos los demás .”
From a selected Rovaniemi meeting point, travel to a husky farm for a 1-kilometer sleigh ride and time with the dogs in their kennel. An English-speaking guide and local mushers explain the dogs’ working lives. Winter overalls, boots, and gloves are included. Puppy cuddles depend on the season.
“Great time with the dogs, could have been longer though. The dogs were great, we enjoyed the sledge ride a lot. Loved that it was possible to cuddle the dogs afterwards.”
From Rovaniemi, drive a snowmobile about 15 to 25 km to a local reindeer farm, where you’ll take a short sleigh ride and learn about reindeer and Arctic herding. The three-hour trip includes winter gear, a guide, hot drinks, and an International Reindeer Driving License. Two people share each snowmobile; drivers need a license and must be at least 18.
“It was a great afternoon! We had fantastic guides who took good care of us. You are provided with warm clothing, which you definitely need! 😉 You receive a briefing and then you're off. We also learned a lot about reindeer, which was very interesting. After the sleigh ride, we enjoyed warm drinks and pastries in a hut before heading back. We would definitely do it again!”
From central Rovaniemi, an English-speaking guide takes you to a local husky farm for a welcome, a short talk, hot drinks and snacks, then a brief sled ride and time with the dogs. The ride is listed as 800 meters, while the activity description gives 1 kilometer, so expect a quick outing rather than a long run.
“La durée de la balade pourrait être plus longue”
Spend about seven hours visiting Santa Claus Village, meeting Santa and heading by snowmobile to a reindeer farm for a short sleigh ride. The tour includes winter clothing, lunch, hot drinks and a guide. Safartica runs the trip from central Rovaniemi, with hotel pickup available from selected hotels.
“The afternoon was so enjoyable ...santa in scv is so bad...nic was brilliant he was great with us on trip...half the day was just walking around scv.”
Travel from Rovaniemi to a local reindeer farm for a 2 km sleigh ride through snowy woodland, a chance to feed the reindeer, and time to hear about herding from local hosts. Warm clothing, hotel transport, hot drinks, snacks, and a collection of edited photos are included. The three-hour tour is offered in English, with pickup arranged by message.
“Timely pick up; good warm thermals etc. The tour itself was well organized and even the hot drink / snacks after the ride were served in a very cosy hut. Enough time for doing the activity and taking snaps.”
Spend about seven hours exploring Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide, from a short Ounasvaara forest walk to husky and reindeer sleigh rides, Santa Claus Village, and the Arktikum museum. Santa meetings are brief, and photos or videos may cost extra. Meet at the city-center office, not your hotel, and check the museum schedule before booking.
“We absolutely loved our day!!! Our guide Nicky was like part of the family and kept my 14, 10 and 3 year old interested all day. It made the day more magical having a guide so friendly & knowledgeable. From the winter trail, to the museum, to the remainder of the day at Santa Claus village- I would do this trip again tomorrow. Thank you for this experience!!”
From your Rovaniemi accommodation, an English-speaking guide takes you to a reindeer farm for an introduction to the herd, time to feed the animals, and a 400 to 500-meter sleigh ride. You’ll hear about Sámi life and reindeer herding in a kota hut, then warm up with a hot drink and cookies. The two-hour outing includes transport.
“De rit zelf was heel leuk! wel was het kort. Rendieren voeren was ook leuk. Je kreeg nog bessensap en wat lekker. Gids probeert er wat van te maken en vanalles nog te vertellen. Leuk om gedaan te hebben.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the Rovaniemi city-center office, then visit a reindeer farm for a short sleigh ride and an introduction to herding life. Hot blueberry juice and Finnish ginger cookies are included, along with a reindeer driver license. The ride can be brief, so book for the farm visit as well as the sleigh.
“These reindeers look a bit happier than those in Santa Village, so if you really want to experience reideer sleigh ride I can recommend this one. Ride is quite short, but I think long enough for “bucket list” as reindeers are quite slow. At the end I was happy we didn’t took 2km ride.”
Pick a sky, a sled or a frozen lake.
