Saariselkä: Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour

A reindeer sleigh gliding through a dark Lapland forest is the heart of this experience. You sit back while the animal follows a familiar route, with only the soft movement of the sleigh and the northern sky above you. It is a calm, old-fashioned way to see Saariselkä after dark.

I especially like the campfire stop, where you can drink something hot, eat local snacks, and hear about reindeer and life in Lapland. I also like the chance to feed the animals and meet them at close range. The main drawback is that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and one recent experience included a longer campfire stop than expected and a shorter sleigh ride.

Key points to know before booking

• A quiet 30-minute sleigh ride: The central ride takes you through a snowy forest rather than a busy resort setting.
• Warm clothing is provided: You still need proper layers, comfortable shoes, gloves, and a hat.
• The campfire is a major part of the evening: Expect hot drinks, biscuits or local snacks, stories, and time around the fire.
• Reindeer welfare is taken seriously: Flash photography is forbidden because sudden light can frighten the animals.
• Guides shape the mood: Eemeli, Visa, Nilla, and Ansee have been praised for humor, local knowledge, and personal attention.
• The Aurora is a bonus, not the product: You can have a fine evening even when the sky stays dark.

A gentle ride through Saariselkä after dark

This tour begins at the Lapponia Tours safari house on Honkapolku 1, a gray building with a tower roof. From there, a minivan takes you to Joikun Kotakahvio and the reindeer farm. The transfer takes about 15 minutes each way.

The short drive matters because the farm experience feels separate from the resort. You leave the lights and buildings of Saariselkä behind and reach a quieter forest setting. Once there, you receive thermal clothing if needed and prepare for the sleigh ride.

The ride itself is designed for comfort rather than speed. You sit in the sleigh while a reindeer leads the way, often through a snowy forest in near silence. You are not steering the animal, so this is a relaxing activity rather than a hands-on driving lesson.

The supplied description calls it reindeer sleigh driving, but your main role is to sit comfortably and let the reindeer follow its route. That makes the tour a good choice if you want a peaceful evening outdoors without strenuous activity.

A ride of roughly 30 minutes is a realistic expectation based on the detailed accounts of the evening. The full activity at the farm lasts about 2.5 hours, though the evening includes feeding the reindeer, the fire, drinks, stories, and photos. If you are booking mainly for a long sleigh ride, ask for the expected riding time when you arrive.

Meeting the reindeer and feeding them

The animals are not just transportation. A key part of the experience is the chance to stop and feed them. You get a closer look at the reindeer, see their individual personalities, and learn how they are cared for and used in Lapland.

This is where the tour gains more meaning than a simple forest ride. Reindeer are closely tied to northern Finnish life, and the experience introduces you to a Sámi tradition connected with the only Indigenous people in Europe. Your guide may explain the animals’ work and daily life, as well as local customs and stories.

Guides have included Eemeli, Visa, Nilla, and Ansee. Their approach can shape the evening. Eemeli has been praised for singing and talking about life in Lapland, while Visa has shared stories about the Sámi people and reindeer. Nilla has helped with photos, and Ansee has been noted for careful explanations and extra attention.

You can bring your own camera. Do not use a flash. Reindeer are sensitive to sudden bright light, and the operator treats this as a safety rule, not a casual request. A guide can take your camera or phone until the end of the tour if you ignore the rule. Use night mode, keep your screen dim, and follow instructions around the animals.

The campfire in the middle of the forest

The stop by the campfire is one of the strongest parts of the evening. You gather around the fire, warm up with tea, coffee, hot fruit juice, or another hot drink, and usually have biscuits or local snacks.

This pause gives the tour its sense of place. The forest becomes very quiet at night, and the fire offers a warm center after time outside. Guides use the break to explain reindeer work, Finnish life, and the surrounding area.

The tone may be informative, funny, or even theatrical. Visa has carved a small wooden object beside the fire, while another guide has used songs, fairy tales, and humor to keep the group involved. You may hear personal stories as well as facts about the animals.

That relaxed stop is also the reason timing can feel different from the short description. One person found the group stayed at the fire longer than expected and spent less time in the sleigh. If you prefer riding above all else, this is worth keeping in mind. If you enjoy stories, hot drinks, and a shared evening outdoors, the longer pause may be a plus.

Searching the sky for the Aurora Borealis

The tour takes place under the northern sky, giving you a chance to see the Northern Lights. Several outings have had clear displays, including sightings during the return ride and bright Aurora seen while sitting behind a reindeer.

Still, no tour operator can promise the lights. Cloud cover, solar activity, darkness, and timing all matter. The activity description is clear about this, and you should book the tour for the sleigh ride and forest setting first.

That advice protects the value of the evening. If the Aurora appears, it can turn a lovely outing into a remarkable one. If it does not, you still have the animals, the fire, the stories, and the dark forest.

For photographs, prepare before you leave. Flash is prohibited, and a phone may struggle in low light. Follow the guide’s instructions rather than holding up the group while trying to adjust your camera. The best moments may be brief, so enjoy the view with your own eyes too.

Cold-weather comfort and what to wear

Thermal clothing is included, which is important in Saariselkä. The forest can feel much colder than a heated hotel or a lit street, especially while sitting still in a sleigh.

You should still arrive wearing warm layers. Bring comfortable shoes, warm socks, gloves, and a hat. The operator specifically advises layered clothing, and that is sensible because you may feel cold during the ride but warm beside the fire.

The warm clothing is useful, but it does not replace preparation. Dress as if you will spend a substantial part of the evening outdoors. Blankets may also be available, as one family outing included them, but do not depend on that detail unless the operator confirms it.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, flash photography, and flashlights are not allowed. The flashlight rule helps protect the animals and keeps the group’s night vision intact.

Is $222 a fair price?

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap short activity. The value depends on what you want from a Lapland evening.

The price covers thermal clothing, an English or Finnish-speaking guide, transport from the Saariselkä meeting point to the farm and back, the reindeer sleigh ride, feeding the reindeer, and a hot drink beside the fire. You are also paying for the setting and the staff who care for the animals and run the evening safely.

I consider the price reasonable if you want several connected experiences in one outing: animal contact, a forest ride, local stories, a campfire, and a chance at the Aurora. It is less convincing if you want only a long sleigh ride or if seeing the Northern Lights is your sole goal.

The tour’s value also rises when the guide adds something personal. Stories, songs, carving, and practical explanations about reindeer can make the campfire feel like part of the experience rather than waiting time. The strongest evenings appear to be those where the guide takes an active role in bringing the group together.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

This tour suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a gentle outdoor activity. Children must be at least 7 years old, although one account describes children aged 10 and 6 attending. Since the stated age rule says under-7s are not suitable, confirm the policy before booking for a younger child.

It is also a good match if you want contact with animals without a demanding physical activity. You sit in the sleigh, walk around the farm area, feed the reindeer, and spend time by the fire.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women according to the supplied conditions. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but it is still sensible to confirm how access works at the meeting point, transfer vehicle, farm, and sleigh before paying.

You should choose another activity if you dislike cold, darkness, animals, or outdoor pauses. You should also think twice if you need a guaranteed Aurora sighting or a tightly timed program with a fixed balance between riding and campfire time.

Transfers, timing, and practical details

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

The transfer to the farm takes about 15 minutes, followed by the 2.5-hour farm experience and another 15-minute transfer back. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact departure time varies.

Transport is not included from Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, Muotka, Inari, or Ivalo. If you are staying in one of those places, arrange your own way to Saariselkä. This extra transfer can affect the true cost and the amount of planning required.

The guide service is available in English and Finnish. The activity is weather dependent, so poor conditions may affect the program. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your northern Finland plans are still changing.

My take: book it for the evening, not just the lights

I would book this tour if I wanted a peaceful introduction to reindeer culture, a quiet forest ride, and a warm campfire with a guide who adds stories and personality. The best part is the complete evening, not any single promise.

The Aurora can be spectacular, but it is luck. Choose this experience because you like the sound of feeding reindeer, sitting under blankets in a sleigh, and drinking something hot beside a fire in the dark forest. If the lights appear, you get a memorable extra. If they do not, the evening still has a clear purpose.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

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

How long does the activity last?

The main activity at the reindeer farm lasts about 2.5 hours. The transfer from Saariselkä takes about 15 minutes each way.

Is transport from Ivalo or Inari included?

No. Transport is not included from Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, Muotka, Inari, or Ivalo. You need to arrange your own transfer to Saariselkä.

Is the Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are possible but cannot be guaranteed. The activity runs even when the Aurora does not appear.

What is included in the price?

The price includes thermal clothing, an English or Finnish-speaking guide, the reindeer sleigh ride, a hot drink by the campfire, and the opportunity to feed the reindeer.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Dressing in layers is recommended because the activity takes place outdoors in cold conditions.

Can I use a camera or phone?

Yes, you may bring your own camera or phone. Flash photography and flashlight use are strictly prohibited because reindeer are sensitive to sudden bright light.

Are young children and pregnant women allowed?

Children under 7 and pregnant women are listed as not suitable for this activity. The activity is described as wheelchair accessible.