Reindeer are central to life in Swedish Lapland, and this full-day tour gives you time to get to know them properly rather than rushing through a farm stop. You are collected in Kiruna and driven to a herding family or reindeer farm, where you meet the animals, learn how they are looked after and, depending on the season, feed them or ride behind them on a sled. Reindeer herding is a Sámi right in Sweden, and many herding families have kept the same migration routes for generations, moving the herds between winter forest and summer mountain pastures. The tour introduces this way of life through conversation, food and demonstration, and the hosts often share stories of the seasons, the traditions of dress and the challenges of modern herding. Lunch is usually a simple traditional meal cooked outdoors or in a Sámi hut, and the day ends with a relaxed return to Kiruna. It is longer and more immersive than a short farm visit, and it appeals to travellers who want culture and animals rather than speed and adrenaline.
How it works
After pickup, the drive to the herd takes you out of town into forest or open country. At the farm or camp, the hosts introduce the animals, show you how to feed and approach them and explain how the herd is managed through the year. If snow conditions allow, a sled ride behind a reindeer is a highlight, quiet and slow compared with a husky team.
What to know
Reindeer are semi-domesticated, so they can be shy or curious depending on the individual. Follow the hosts' guidance about where to stand and how to offer food. Dress in full winter clothing, since much of the day is spent outdoors. Lunch is typically included, but mention dietary requirements in advance, since the traditional menu centres on reindeer meat.
The culture
Sámi culture is the oldest living Indigenous culture in Europe's far north, with its own languages, handicraft known as duodji, traditional clothing and joik, a form of song. The tour is a chance to hear about these traditions from people who live them, and to ask questions about how tourism, mining and climate change affect herding today. Treat the visit with the same respect you would show in any home.
Season
Winter offers snow, sled rides and a Christmas-card atmosphere, while summer and autumn bring green landscapes and different herd activities. Reindeer calves are born in late spring, and the herds move between pastures in a seasonal cycle, so the experience changes with the time of year.
Pairing
A full day is enough to fill your schedule, so follow it with a relaxed evening and perhaps a short aurora trip. If you want more cultural context, add a Sámi museum visit on another day.
Practical tip
Because the day is long, bring a small daypack with a spare hat, a snack and a thermos, and charge your phone before you leave. If the weather is mild, the sled rides may be shorter, and if it is very cold, breaks are longer, so patience pays off. Ask the hosts about the best time of day for the sled ride, since light, temperature and the animals' mood all affect it, and keep small change or a card ready in case there is a small shop or handicraft table at the site.
What to expect
The experience
A full day with a reindeer herding family, including feeding, sled rides where conditions allow, traditional food and stories.
Best time
Winter for sleds and snow, though the visit works in other seasons.
How long
Roughly seven to eight hours with pickup.
Tips
Wear full winter clothing and mention dietary needs when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want an unhurried, cultural wildlife experience.
- Families
- Children often love feeding and meeting the animals.
- Couples
- A calm and memorable day.
- Pair with
- A husky ride on another day or a Sámi museum visit.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
Can I ride a reindeer?+
Sled rides behind a reindeer are common, but riding on their backs is not part of traditional practice. Check what your tour offers.
Is lunch included?+
Usually yes, and the menu often features reindeer. Ask about alternatives.
Who are the hosts?+
Often Sámi herders or guides working with a herding family. The voucher gives details.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, with warm clothing. Check age limits for sled rides.
Can I touch the reindeer?+
Follow your host's guidance. Many animals tolerate gentle feeding and brief touching.