4 Best Sami Experiences in Tromsø (+ Reindeer Sledding!)

No trip to the north is complete without visiting a Tromsø reindeer farm where you can learn about the Sami people and how their culture shaped the Arctic.

In this guide, I have detailed the best Sami experiences in Tromsø and places to go reindeer sledding in Tromsø. I have taken several of these tours over the years and will share my insider knowledge throughout the guide.

At the end of the guide, you will find a FAQ section where I try to answer the most common questions regarding Sami tours and Tromsø reindeer sledding excursions. I will also express my thoughts on the ethical side of reindeer sledding and a few extra places where you can learn more about the Sami culture.

I firmly believe that a Sami cultural experience is a must when visiting the Arctic, as it truly gives you an appreciation for the Indigenous people who have called the Arctic home for millennia.

If you take a nighttime excursion there is also a good chance you will see the northern lights if the skies are clear!

If you feel I have missed any Tromsø reindeer tours off my list please leave me a comment below!

Tromsø Reindeer and Sami Experiences (At a Glance)

I have designed this guide so it covers four different tours, with two daytime options and two nighttime options.

The tours are all operated by Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, and the only difference between the tours is whether they include reindeer sledding or not (more on my thoughts about reindeer sledding later).

Here is a quick overview, including a nod to the most booked option!

🥇 Most popular Sami reindeer tour in Tromsø:

• Reindeer feeding and Sami culture tour from Tromsø (a daytime tour that also includes optional reindeer sledding)

🌞 Daytime Sami experiences in Tromsø:

• Daytime Sami tour with reindeer sledding
• Daytime Sami tour without reindeer sledding

🌙 Evening Sami experiences in Tromsø:

• Evening Sami tour with reindeer sledding and northern lights
• Evening Sami tour without reindeer sledding (but still includes the northern lights!)

♿ GOOD TO KNOW: Every Sami experience in this guide is wheelchair-accessible (although certain parts of the ranch are not). Please let Tromsø Reindeer Farm know beforehand and they will accommodate. I have verified this with them directly.

Tromsø Reindeer and Sami Experiences (Details and Booking Info)

1. Daytime Sami Experience with Reindeer Sledding (Most Popular)

Duration: 4 hours
Day or evening: Day
Reindeer sledding: Yes
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE

During this day tour, you will go to the Tromsø Arctic Reindeer ranch for a fun day hanging out with the reindeer and learning about Sami culture. You will get to experience firsthand how the team takes care of the reindeer during the winter and you will even get to feed the reindeer yourself!

On this excursion, you can choose between a longer or shorter sleigh ride, with your choice in length impacting the final cost of your tour.

After spending time with the reindeer, you will head into a heated lavvu to warm up and enjoy a delicious bowl of Bidos, a traditional Sami stew made of reindeer and root vegetables. For those who don’t eat meat, be sure to mention this at the time of booking so you can join meat-free alternatives!

As you enjoy your food, your guides will tell you all about the Sami way of life and demonstrate the traditional joik singing that has been used to pass down generational stories.

The tour is a daytime tour with starting times at 10am or 1pm. I find that taking the morning tour is a great option for those who wish to book an evening northern lights tour.

2. Evening Sami Experience with Reindeer Sledding (+ Northern Lights)

Duration: 4.5 hours
Day or evening: Night
Reindeer sledding: Yes
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE

Escape the city and spend the evening at Tromsø Arctic Reindeer Ranch, where you can enjoy an evening of culture, food, reindeer, and (fingers crossed!) the northern lights.

This tour is a great option for those who wish to do a reindeer sleigh ride and have another chance to see the aurora. During the tour, you will get to sit around a campfire and learn all about the Sami culture as you eat a warming bowl of Bidos.

Along with the cultural talk, your guides will explain a little bit about the northern lights and how to photograph them.

Those who want to do a sleigh ride may get the chance to do it under the aurora if the conditions are right. If you are lucky enough to get clear skies and solar activity, you will be taken outside to view the lights dancing overhead.

3. Evening Sami Experience without Reindeer Sledding

Duration: 4.5 hours
Day or evening: Night
Reindeer sledding: No
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE

Spend a night enjoying a traditional three-course dinner, reindeer, and potentially the northern lights.

After arriving at the reindeer ranch, you will help feed these beautiful animals who are spending the winter on the farm. The reindeer are so friendly they will eat lichen directly from your hands!  Keep your eye on the sky if it is clear for the chance to see the aurora.

After the reindeer have been fed, it will be your turn to eat. On this activity, you will be served a traditional three-course meal that is normally reserved for Sami weddings.

The night ends in a lavvo, where your guides will talk to you about the Sami Culture history and even perform joiks that have been passed down through their families.

This is my favorite tour as I do not enjoy reindeer sledding and would rather spend more time learning about the Sami culture and feeding the reindeer. I recommend booking this tour towards the end of your Tromsø trip, as it provides a relaxing way to end your stay and another chance to see the northern lights!

4. Daytime Sami Experience without Reindeer Sledding

Duration: 4.5 hours
Day or evening: Day
Reindeer sledding: No
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE

Spend a day immersing yourself in Sami culture, on this fantastic tour to a traditional Tromsø reindeer ranch!

After arriving at the ranch, you will be put to work helping to feed the reindeer. While reindeer typically live a semi-wild lifestyle many are bought back onto farms during the winter where they can be fed and looked after before being set free in the spring.

After spending time with the reindeer, you will head inside to enjoy a traditional Sami stew, perfect for warming up after spending time outside. Typically the stew is made out of reindeer meat, however, for those with dietary requirements or not wanting to eat it you can request vegetarian options at the time of booking.

After enjoying your food, your guides will talk to you about the life of a reindeer herder in the far north and how this ancient tradition has evolved with the modern age. At the end of the talk, your guides will perform a traditional Sami joik.

FAQ

Is it ethical to go reindeer sledding in Tromsø?

Reindeer sledding is one of the most popular activities in Tromsø. However, I have often found myself questioning if it is ethical for tourism purposes.

I, personally, do not believe it is.

When I compare dog sledding to reindeer sledding, the reindeer look miserable having to slowly trudge in a circle or line pulling tourists along. Sometimes the reindeer are enticed along the route with an apple or a carrot and move with little enthusiasm.

I have, however, suggested tours with reindeer sledding included in this guide as I am aware it is many people’s dream, and they may have differing opinions than me!

I think it is also important to note I only disagree with it when it comes to reindeer pulling sleighs for tourism purposes. I am aware it has long been part of Sami traditions as they migrate with their herds and I have no issues with that.

Will you see the northern lights?

If you are lucky enough to get clear skies, then there is a good chance that you will get to see the aurora. However, while the evening tours do offer a chance to see the northern lights, it is not guaranteed.

I always recommend people plan to take a dedicated aurora tour if that is their goal. These Tromsø reindeer farms are at a set location, so if it is cloudy you will not be able to see them nor will there be an effort made to find clear skies.

But, be sure to bring your camera gear just in case!

What should you wear to a reindeer ranch in Tromsø?

While Tromsø during the winter is cold, the reindeer ranches are located further inland where temperatures get even colder! I highly recommend wearing some warm clothes on your Sami excursion and below I have listed some of the things I wore:

• Winter parka
• Wool sweater
• Mittens/gloves: Mittens are the best for keeping your hands warm, however, they are also challenging for those wanting a little bit of dexterity.
• Wool hat: I wear ones from Haddock, a brand from the Lofoten Islands that can also be purchased in Tromsø (at Intersport), however, any decent hat made from wool will do.
• Thick wool socks with snow/winter boots: I wear Fubuki boots with wool socks.
• Base layers: I love Kari Traa (women only), but Devold has great options too for men and women.
• Hand Warmers: Handwarmers can be purchased pretty much everywhere in the city. I have never been personally too convinced by them. However, if you want a more sustainable option I recommend purchasing rechargeable electric hand warmers (just remember these need to go into your carry-on and not the hold of the plane).

Other Places to Learn About the Sami in Tromsø

While taking a Sami tour is a great way to learn about Sami culture, I also recommend visiting the Tromsø Museum to further enrich your knowledge! The museum has many permanent exhibits that detail the history and culture of the Sami in great detail.

There is also an annual Sami festival that is hosted each February (in 2025 it will be held between the 3rd and the 9th). I highly advise visiting Tromsø during this time if your schedule allows, as it is one of my favorite winter festivals in the Arctic!

Do you have any questions about these Sami experiences in Tromsø? Let me know in the comments!

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