Cold air, warm stories, and reindeer at arm’s length. This 3-hour Sami reindeer experience takes you about 20 km northwest of Kiruna to the family farm area in Rávttas, where you learn how winter herding works and what reindeer mean to Sami life. You also get a taste of the wider culture, not just the animals.

Two things I really like here: the hand-feeding of tame reindeer up close, and the chance to practice herding skills yourself, including lasso instruction and then steering your own reindeer sled around a track. One small caution: this outing is not a good fit for animal allergies or for people with mobility impairments, since you’ll be outdoors in winter conditions and moving around the farm.

Key things to know before you go

• 20 km northwest of Kiruna: the pickup is in town, then you transfer by car to the farm area in Rávttas.
• Tame reindeer by hand: you get close enough to feed reindeer directly, not just watch from a distance.
• Lassoing instruction: you’re taught how to throw like a reindeer herder, not left to guess.
• You steer the sled: after brief guidance, you ride your own sled and steer around a set track.
• Suovas lunch in a lávvu: ecological, smoked, and fried reindeer meat served with bread and coffee.
• Stories by the fire: you can ask questions and listen while you warm up indoors/outside by the flames.

Getting from Kiruna’s Tourist Office to the Rávttas Reindeer Farm

Your day starts in central Kiruna. The meeting point is the Tourist Office, and you’ll get pickup by car from there. Then it’s a straightforward transfer out to a reindeer farm in the village area of Rávttas, about 20 km northwest of town.

This matters because it sets the tone. You’re not trying to navigate snowy country roads or figure out rural timing on your own. Instead, you arrive with the guide already in “host mode,” ready to explain what you’re seeing—reindeer care in winter, why certain things are done the way they are, and what Sami culture looks like beyond postcards.

Plan for it to feel like a real outing: you’re outdoors for a chunk of the 3 hours, and there’s walking involved around the farm area and the sledding setup. Bring your camera, and keep your warm layers ready to go.

Hand-Feeding Winter Reindeer (Not Just Watching Them)

The heart of the experience is direct contact with the reindeer. In wintertime, some of the family’s reindeer are kept and cared for in a corral, and that’s where you’ll get close enough to feed them by hand.

This is one of those activities that sounds simple until you’re standing right there. Reindeer are calm, but you still need to handle the moment respectfully. The guide’s job is to help you do it the right way—how close to stand, how to offer feed, and what behavior to expect. You’ll also walk together through the winter “sledding” area with the reindeer, so your first impression isn’t just a feeding point. It’s a short walk that connects the herd to the sled practice.

If you’re hoping for a purely passive experience, this may not be your match. It’s hands-on by design. And if you have animal allergies, this is specifically noted as not suitable.

Lassoing Like a Reindeer Herder: Learn the Skill, Then Try It

After you’ve met the reindeer and gotten your bearings in the farm setting, you’ll shift gears into Sami culture and practical herding skills. You get instruction for lasso throwing, aimed at the kind of motion a reindeer herder uses.

The value here is that you’re not just doing a stunt. You’re learning the basic idea behind a tool and a technique that has real daily use in reindeer herding. You’ll get enough guidance to try it yourself, which makes it more satisfying than watching a demonstration.

The tour guide is central to this part. One guide name that shows up in feedback is Nils, and the takeaway is that the instruction is friendly and kept at your pace. You don’t need to be athletic or experienced. You just need to listen, try, and laugh a little when the first throws don’t look like herding legends.

Your Reindeer Sled Ride: Steering Around the Track

Here’s where the experience becomes genuinely fun. After some instructions, you go for a short reindeer sled ride where you steer your own sled around a set track.

That steering detail is a big deal. Many reindeer tours give you a ride and that’s it. This one gives you an active role, which makes the ride feel longer and more memorable even though the whole experience is 3 hours. You’ll have to pay attention to timing and how the sled behaves on snow—simple, but engaging.

Because it’s winter, expect it to be cold and to require good body control even if the pace is gentle. Wear warm clothing you feel comfortable moving in. (Even if your provider outfit helps, you’ll still want layers you trust.)

A practical note: keep your camera ready, but don’t fight your own cold hands. It’s better to get a few good shots than to drop your warmth for the perfect video clip.

Sami Food in a lávvu: Suovas Lunch and Coffee by the Fire

After the outdoor activities, you return to the farm and eat lunch in a lávvu. The meal is reindeer meat prepared in multiple styles: ecological, smoked, and fried reindeer meat (suovas), plus bread and coffee.

This is not an abstract cultural lecture. You’re eating food that’s connected to the season and the local way of life. That’s why it lands well after you’ve spent time around the herd. You understand where the meal comes from, and you can ask about it without feeling like you’re guessing.

If you prefer not to eat meat, vegetarian alternatives are available on request, so you should flag it ahead of time.

One more thing I like about this lunch setup: it’s not rushed. You’re seated in the lávvu and can transition naturally from food to conversation, often with a warm atmosphere that makes the rest of the tour easier on your body after time in the cold.

Stories Around the Fire: Ask Questions About Sami Life

Once you’ve eaten, you warm up and settle in. You can relax around the fire and listen to stories from Sami people. This is where the “why” behind the reindeer-herding world starts to feel real.

You learn about Sami culture and reindeer through conversation, not just facts on a poster. And because you’re outdoors, then indoors/by fire, you’re in a setting that feels like a home moment, not a classroom. The guide speaks English and Swedish, so you can actually ask what you care about instead of relying on translated snippets.

If you’re the type who wants context—how reindeer care fits into winter, what tools like a lasso mean, what sled travel represents—this storytelling time is where that connection tends to click.

Price and Value: Is $348 for 3 Hours Fair?

At $348 per person for a 3-hour experience, this is not a budget activity. But it also isn’t just a short “photo stop.” You’re paying for a package of hands-on moments and a complete rural hosting setup:

• Pickup from central Kiruna and a transfer out to the reindeer farm area
• Close contact with tame reindeer, including hand-feeding
• Lasso throwing instruction
• A reindeer sled ride where you actively steer around a track
• Lunch in a lávvu featuring suovas, bread, and coffee
• Time to warm up and listen, with the chance to ask questions

When you break it down that way, the value comes from the fact that the cost buys you access and instruction, not just scenery. You’re also eating a proper sit-down meal after outdoor activities, which is part of what keeps the day from feeling like a skim of attractions.

So the real question isn’t only whether it’s expensive. It’s whether you want a hands-on Sami reindeer day with food included. If yes, the price starts to make sense. If you only want a quick look at animals and you’re price-sensitive, you might prefer a shorter or more basic option.

Practical Planning: Cold Weather, Cameras, and Simple Rules

This is a winter activity, so plan accordingly. Bring warm clothing and a camera. Even with layers, the outdoors time is real, so you’ll want to dress for wind and standing still as well as walking.

You should also know the basic behavior rules that keep the experience calm and safe: no pets, no smoking in the vehicle or indoors, and no alcohol or drugs. Baby strollers aren’t allowed, and bachelor or bachelorette groups are not permitted.

One more planning point that matters: pickup is limited to Kiruna city center. You can’t count on pickup from other places outside Kiruna (like Jukkasjärvi and other nearby areas). If you have your own car, you’ll still want to coordinate with the provider so you arrive at the right place on time.

Who Should Book This Sami Reindeer Experience (and Who Should Skip)

This tour fits best if you want a hands-on day in Sami reindeer life, with real interaction rather than just watching. It’s especially good for people who enjoy practical skills—feeding animals properly, trying lasso throwing, and getting the fun factor of steering a sled.

It’s also a strong choice if you care about context. The lunch and the fire-time stories aren’t tacked on. They’re part of the day’s flow, and they make the reindeer experience feel grounded.

Skip it if any of these apply:

• Animal allergies (not suitable)
• Mobility impairments (not suitable)
• You need a stroller-friendly route (strollers aren’t allowed)
• You want to travel with pets (pets aren’t allowed)

If you’re coming from warmer climates, you’ll likely appreciate the way these tours handle warmth—one review specifically notes that warm clothing is provided, which helps reduce the stress of dressing for subarctic weather. Still, I’d treat that as a bonus, not a replacement for your own cold-weather readiness.

Should You Book Giron Reindeer’s Kiruna Sami Reindeer Experience?

I’d book this if you want the kind of Kiruna activity that feels like a full slice of rural Sami reindeer life: feeding tame reindeer up close, learning lasso throwing basics, steering a sled on a track, then eating suovas in a lávvu with stories around the fire.

I’d pause if you’re traveling with mobility needs, have reindeer-related allergies, or you’re looking for something lighter and less hands-on. And because it’s priced at $348 for 3 hours, it makes most sense when you value instruction and included meals—not just a quick animal encounter.

If you can handle winter cold and you’re excited by practical culture, this is a smart use of your time in Swedish Lapland.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Kiruna Sami reindeer tour?

The meeting point is the Tourist Office.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts 3 hours.

How do you get from Kiruna to the reindeer farm?

Pickup is provided from the centre of Kiruna by car, and you travel to the reindeer farm in the village of Rávttas, about 20 km northwest of Kiruna.

Do I get to feed the reindeer?

Yes. You’ll feed tame reindeer by hand when you arrive at the farm’s corral area in winter.

Will I ride a reindeer sled, and can I steer it?

Yes. You’ll receive instructions first, then you can go for a short ride on your own reindeer sled and steer it around a track.

What is included in lunch?

Lunch is served in a lávvu and includes ecological, smoked, and fried reindeer meat (suovas), bread, and coffee. Vegetarian alternatives are available on request.

What languages is the guide available in?

The live guide is available in English and Swedish.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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