REVIEW · KIRUNA
Full-Day Reindeer Tour with Pickup in Kiruna
Book on Viator →Operated by Go to Lapland AB · Bookable on Viator
Reindeer herding, up close and hands-on. I love the small group feel and the fact that you spend real time with Sámi herder Frederik and the herd’s day-to-day routine, not just a quick photo stop. I also love the included lunch in a traditional tent. One trade-off: the self-driving reindeer sled time is on a 1 km track, so if you want a longer sled ride, plan for a private option instead.
Logistics are refreshingly clear: the day starts at 8:30am with pickup from selected Kiruna points (not every hotel door). You may get help with winter gear like warm boots and a snow suit if you need it, but there’s also a safety rule—if it’s colder than minus 27°C at the activity location, the tour cancels.
In This Review
- Key Highlights at a Glance
- A Real Sami Reindeer Day, Not a Quick Photo Stop
- Kiruna Pickup and Timing: Where You Need to Be
- Leaving Kiruna Behind: The Drive That Sets the Tone
- Meeting Frederik and Joining the Herder’s Daily Work
- Feeding the Reindeer: Cute, Calm, and Surprisingly Close
- Reindeer Sledding on a 1 km Track: Fun, but Know What You’re Booking
- Lunch in a Sami Tent: Warm Up, Then Eat Reindeer (If You Want)
- Winter Gear and Cold Limits: How the Tour Manages Weather
- Group Size: Why Maximum 8 Travelers Makes It Better
- Price and Value: Is $309.21 Worth It?
- Who Should Book This Tour From Kiruna?
- Should You Book This Full-Day Reindeer Tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the reindeer tour?
- Do they pick up from any hotel in Kiruna?
- Where should I be ready for pickup?
- Is the tour in English?
- Is lunch included?
- What reindeer activities are included?
- What’s the cold-weather rule?
- How big are the groups?
- Can I cancel for free?
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Sámi herder-led experience with Frederik: you follow the work of the herd, including feeding and care routines
- Hands-on reindeer time: you can feed the herd by hand and get close to both male and female reindeer
- Reindeer sledding on a 1 km route: you can go with a guide or ride more independently (when offered)
- Lunch in a Sami tent: you’ll eat warmed up by the fire, with dishes described as reindeer-based
- Built for small groups (max 8): more attention, more time for questions, less waiting around
A Real Sami Reindeer Day, Not a Quick Photo Stop
This full-day tour is built around the work of Sámi herding: feeding the reindeer, caring for them, and learning what herding means in this part of Sweden. You don’t bounce between attractions. You settle into one day in the reindeer world, with Frederik guiding the pace and tone.
I like how the schedule mixes activity with understanding. You’re not only riding or feeding. You’re also hearing how daily life connects to the reindeer and the environment. Guides Peter and Frederik (and their family-run team vibe) keep the day moving without rushing you.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Kiruna.
Kiruna Pickup and Timing: Where You Need to Be
The day begins at 8:30am. Pickup is organized in a way that’s simple once you know the rule: they do not pick up at random hotel locations. You’re picked up from your selected meeting point instead.
Expect pickup between 8:20–8:40am in Kiruna, depending on your hotel area. If you’re at the Icehotel or Camp Alta, pickup is about 9:00am. The provider calls if anything changes, so keep your phone on and be ready a few minutes early.
Why this matters: Sweden in winter has short daylight and long drives. Being ready on time helps the day feel relaxed instead of rushed.
Leaving Kiruna Behind: The Drive That Sets the Tone
About an hour and fifteen minutes after you leave town life behind, the setting changes completely. You’re going away from city pace into a quieter zone where the herd is the main event.
The route is part of the experience, even if you’re not doing anything during it. You’re crossing that line from “touring Lapland” to “being in Lapland.” That helps you appreciate why the herders’ routines feel practical, not staged.
Meeting Frederik and Joining the Herder’s Daily Work
At the farm or herding area, you get introduced to the herd and to Frederik’s day. The best part here is the hands-on element combined with plain explanations—what the reindeer need, what the herder watches for, and how life has changed over time.
This is not a lecture. You’re participating. Many people end up doing real tasks like helping with feeding. That turns the day from entertainment into something closer to learning-by-doing.
If you ask questions, you’ll get answers. A big reason this tour scores so high is the personal attention from a small group size. With a maximum of 8 travelers, you’re less likely to feel like you’re competing for the guide’s time.
Feeding the Reindeer: Cute, Calm, and Surprisingly Close
Feeding is one of the core moments. You’ll get to feed the herd—often by hand—so you can see how curious and comfortable the animals are around people during the right routine.
A detail that stands out: you’re not just looking at reindeer through a fence. You’re getting inside the pen area at times, and you may even be able to pet them when they’re focused on eating. People also mention feeding lichen, which is basically a high-value food for reindeer.
Practical note: this is hands-on. Wear gloves that you’re comfortable using. If you’re given gear, use it. Cold fingers make everything slower.
Reindeer Sledding on a 1 km Track: Fun, but Know What You’re Booking
Yes, there’s sledding. But it’s good to set expectations: the sled trail is 1 kilometer long. You can ride alone or with a guide, depending on how the day is run and your setup.
This short distance is exactly why the tour still works as a full-day experience. If sledding were the only focus, the rest of the herding day wouldn’t fit. The trade-off is simple: you get a real ride, plus learning time, instead of an extended sled-only outing.
How it feels: there’s a bit of adrenaline, and people often describe it as a highlight. Your reindeer may move at a mellow pace, or it may feel more energetic, depending on the animal and the conditions.
If you want a longer sled route above all else, ask about private options. The tour team itself points out that longer independent driving isn’t possible with the full schedule and polar-night timing constraints.
Lunch in a Sami Tent: Warm Up, Then Eat Reindeer (If You Want)
The day ends with lunch served in a traditional Sami tent. You warm up near the fire, then eat something substantial after hours outside.
From the menu descriptions people share, lunch often includes reindeer meat—like kebab-style dishes, smoked reindeer in flatbread, or reindeer meat prepared in local style. If you’re curious, it’s a solid chance to taste something tied to the region and herding culture.
Even if you’re not a meat eater, think of this lunch as a cultural pause: sit down, get warm, and let the day sink in. Winter days move fast outside, and that tipi meal is what slows the whole experience back down.
Winter Gear and Cold Limits: How the Tour Manages Weather
This tour has a clear weather safety rule. There’s a minus 27°C cold limit at the activity location. If it’s colder than that, the provider cancels for safety.
The good news: the day is designed for winter conditions. If you need it, they provide winter jacket and warm boots. Some people report getting warm boots, a snow suit, and gloves on arrival. It’s worth planning to dress in layers anyway, since outdoor time stacks up quickly.
My practical checklist:
- Bring warm base layers and warm socks you trust
- Gloves you can actually handle with (feeding and walking matter)
- A hat or hood that blocks wind
- Sunglasses if it’s bright, plus lip balm for dry cold
Group Size: Why Maximum 8 Travelers Makes It Better
This tour caps at 8 travelers. That small number is not just marketing. It changes how the day feels.
With a smaller group, you get more time inside the pen and more chance to ask Frederik questions. You’re also less likely to wait around while the guide handles everyone else.
This is the kind of outing where small-group limits protect the authenticity. It’s easier for the herd routines to stay calm when there aren’t dozens of people crowding the same space.
Price and Value: Is $309.21 Worth It?
At about $309.21 per person for a roughly 7-hour day, this isn’t the cheapest activity in Kiruna. But it’s also not a simple “petting zoo + ride” package.
You’re paying for:
- round-trip transport from Kiruna pickup points
- a full day with a Sámi herder (Frederik) and support guides
- hands-on feeding time with the herd
- reindeer sledding on the provided route
- lunch in a traditional tent
- small-group organization (max 8)
When I judge value in Swedish Lapland, I focus on how much time you spend outdoors with real interactions. This tour stacks multiple experiences into one day, without turning them into a rushed checklist.
If your top priority is only sledding distance, you might feel the 1 km track is short. But if you want culture plus animals plus a full schedule, the price starts to make sense.
Who Should Book This Tour From Kiruna?
This tour fits best if you want:
- hands-on animal time, not distant viewing
- a day centered on Sámi reindeer herding routines
- small-group attention and lots of Q&A
- a warm meal included so you don’t plan food between stops
It can be a great family outing, too, since many descriptions mention children enjoying the day. That said, it’s outdoors and hands-on. If you dislike walking and cold exposure, you may want to reconsider or dress extra carefully.
Should You Book This Full-Day Reindeer Tour?
Book it if you want the most complete reindeer day from Kiruna: feeding, learning, and sledding in one organized flow. The small group size and Frederik-led approach are the reasons people come away feeling like they saw more than a tourist version of herding.
Don’t book it if your only goal is a long sled route. The sled track is 1 kilometer, and the tour structure protects the rest of the herding day. In that case, look for a private sled-forward option.
Also, keep weather in mind. If it’s too cold beyond the minus 27°C rule, the tour cancels for safety.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 8:30am.
How long is the reindeer tour?
It’s about 7 hours.
Do they pick up from any hotel in Kiruna?
No. They only pick up from the selected pickup point on your booking. They do not pick up at individual hotels or individual locations.
Where should I be ready for pickup?
Be ready for pickup around 8:20–8:40am in Kiruna, depending on your hotel area. For the Icehotel and Camp Alta, pickup is about 9:00am.
Is the tour in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, and it’s served during the day in a traditional Sami tent, with reindeer dishes described in the day’s meal.
What reindeer activities are included?
You’ll feed the reindeer and do reindeer sledding. The sled trail is 1 kilometer long, and sledding can be done alone or with a guide.
What’s the cold-weather rule?
There is a cold limit of minus 27°C at the activity location. If it’s colder than minus 27°C, the tour has to cancel for safety.
How big are the groups?
The maximum group size is 8 travelers.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. There is free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
