A reindeer-drawn sleigh glides silently through the forest to a traditional lávvu with a crackling campfire. Pure magic. Suitable for all ages.
Of all our tours, the Reindeer Safari is the one that guests describe with a particular kind of quiet wonder. There is no engine noise, no exertion, no need for experience or courage. There is only the gentle creak of the sleigh, the soft sound of reindeer hooves on snow, and the canopy of a Finnish winter forest passing slowly above you.
The sleigh glides through the forest to a traditional Finnish lávvu — a tipi-shaped shelter with a fire burning inside. You warm your hands around the flames, breathe in the wood smoke, and then step back outside to look up at the northern sky. On clear nights, the aurora dances above the treeline. On any night, the stars are extraordinary.
No minimum age. No prior experience. No physical demands. Just the most elemental, beautiful winter evening imaginable.
A gentle, magical, deeply Finnish evening that stays with you long after you return home.
Wrapped in warm blankets and furs, you glide silently through ancient spruce forest on a traditional reindeer-drawn sleigh. The only sound is the creak of wood, the breath of the animals, and the occasional dusting of snow from a branch above.
Deep in the forest, your sleigh arrives at a traditional Finnish lávvu — a tipi-style wilderness shelter. A fire crackles inside. You warm up, breathe in the wood smoke, and listen to the silence of the Finnish winter. It is one of those rare, perfect moments.
The lávvu is positioned in a forest clearing with a clear view of the sky. On nights with good aurora activity — common throughout our December–March season — you will step outside from the warmth of the fire to see the northern lights above the trees.
There is no minimum age for this tour. Infants and toddlers sleep peacefully through the sleigh ride. Children old enough to understand what they are seeing tend to remember it for the rest of their lives. It is equally popular with honeymooners and grandparents.
"We put our three-year-old to sleep in the sleigh and watched the aurora together above the lávvu. It is the most beautiful evening of our lives. We will do it every year."— Elena & Dmitri Volkov, Moscow · December 2024
Age: Suitable for all ages including infants and very young children. No minimum age applies. This is our most family-friendly and honeymoon-popular tour.
Families: Young children (too young to sit up) can be carried in a sled-mounted bassinet or held in arms during the sleigh ride. Please mention very young infants when booking so we can prepare appropriately.
Season: Runs December through March. The lávvu fire is always burning regardless of temperature outside.
Aurora: The lávvu clearing provides a good view of the sky. Aurora sightings depend on natural conditions. For a guaranteed aurora experience with cloud chasing and KP tracking, we recommend also booking our Aurora Hunting Photography Tour on a separate evening.
Clothing: Dress in warm layers — blankets are provided on the sleigh, but warm boots and a good winter jacket are essential. Overalls available from us if needed.
Payment: Secure your place with a €40 deposit. Balance due 48 hours before your tour date.
Yes, absolutely. There is no minimum age for this tour. Infants often sleep peacefully during the gentle sleigh ride; toddlers are enchanted by the reindeer; older children find the whole experience unforgettable. We can prepare a sled-mounted bassinet for very young babies — please let us know at the time of booking. The Reindeer Safari is consistently our most-booked tour for families travelling with children under five.
The lávvu clearing offers a good view of the sky, and on nights with active aurora and clear skies — which are frequent in Finnish Lapland from October to February — you may well see the northern lights from the campfire. However, this tour does not include real-time aurora chasing. If you want the best possible aurora guarantee with KP tracking and cloud chasing across a 150km radius, we recommend also booking our Guaranteed Aurora Hunting Photography Tour on a separate evening. Many families and honeymooners book both — it makes for a perfect Finnish Lapland itinerary.
The Reindeer Safari has a quality of romance that is very hard to replicate. The silence of the forest, the gentle warmth of the fire, the stars overhead, and the possibility of the aurora — it is the kind of evening that creates memories couples talk about for decades. We also offer private Reindeer Safari bookings for couples who want the experience entirely to themselves, with personalised touches. Contact us for private tour options.
The sleigh provides warm blankets and furs, and the lávvu is heated by an open fire. However, you should dress appropriately for Finnish winter: thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer, and an insulated outer jacket. Warm waterproof boots are essential. We can provide thermal overalls and boots if you need them — just let us know your sizes when booking. Children should be dressed particularly warmly as they generate less body heat when sitting still in the sleigh.
Yes. Private Reindeer Safari bookings are available and popular for families, couples, and groups wanting an exclusive experience. A private tour means your guide's complete attention, full flexibility on timing, and a deeply personal evening in the Finnish forest. Contact us at bookings@rukanorthernlightstours.com or call +358 465 630 404 for private booking availability and pricing. Private tours can also be customised with special elements such as a Sami cultural storytelling session by the fire.
€80 per person. All ages welcome. December to March from Ruka and Kuusamo, Finnish Lapland. Secure your place with a €40 deposit.