The aurora belt · NORTHERN LIGHTS REINDEER RIDES IN FINLAND
A trip north is short and the clear nights are shorter. These 15 northern lights reindeer rides in Finland justify an evening, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back outside.
Meet your English-speaking guide at Santa Claus Holiday Village or Nordic Unique Travels Office, then head to a farmhouse for a 5-km husky sleigh ride. Afterward, search for the Northern Lights by car, weather permitting. Winter clothing and hot blueberry juice are included.
“We like the most the sleigh ride with the husky’s. Unfortunately we were not able to see the northern lights”
Meet in central Rovaniemi, then ride a covered sleigh pulled by a guide-driven snowmobile to a frozen lake away from city lights. Your guide shares Aurora stories while you warm up with blueberry juice and gingerbread. Winter clothing is supplied, but the Northern Lights are never guaranteed.
“Unfortunately didn’t get the chance to see the Northern lights but was an incredible experience going out on the sleigh ride and making a fire out in the snowy fields! Loved it!”
From Levi, ride with active huskies for about 1 km, then glide through snowy woodland in a reindeer sleigh. English and Finnish guides explain local traditions, with hot juice and a snack included. The short format suits first-time visitors, families, and anyone unsure about committing to a longer safari.
“The whole experience was just so amazing, from initial transport to reindeer ride to husky ride 10/10! I want to especially mention our Husky tour guide Salla who was so sweet and thoughtful and made the experience so much more enjoyable. If there’s one highlight to my trip in Lapland it was this Safari tour, thank you to the whole team 😊”
Spend a split day with huskies and Lapland reindeer, then chase the Northern Lights at two evening locations. Your English-speaking guide, such as Allen, Lea, Alexander, or Aurora, handles hotel pickup, transport, local stories, and a cozy BBQ with berry tea and marshmallows.
“We enjoyed being able to combine different activities in a unique tour. We decided to spend our free time exploring the Santa’s Village. The rides were not extremely long, but it was a fair length, particularly considering the weather conditions.”
Meet your guide at Lapponia Tours in Saariselkä, pull on thermal clothing, and ride a reindeer sleigh through the quiet forest to a campfire stop. Feed the reindeer, hear about Sámi traditions, and watch the sky for the Aurora Borealis. Guides may include Visa, Nilla, Ansee, or Eemeli.
“A once in a lifetime experience was made extra special with the Aurora's putting on a spectacular show. The campfire, local stories and sharing of personal stories with the group was wonderful. Our guide was fantastic, knwledgeable and very entertaining. The sleigh ride was magical, on a cold evening, my heart was warmed.”
Spend a full day with Arctic reindeer and Siberian huskies, visit Santa Claus Village, then hunt for northern lights at two dark-sky spots. Guides such as Rafi, Paul, Alexander, William, Jade, and Ale are praised for friendly service, photos, and careful timing. Pickup covers addresses within 12 kilometers of central Rovaniemi.
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This tour was an absolute highlight of our trip to Lapland! The reindeer sleigh ride was serene and magical — slowly gliding through the snow-covered forest was like something out of a fairy tale. The reindeer were calm, well cared for, and the handlers shared interesting facts about them. The husky safari brought a whole different level of excitement. The dogs were full of energy and clearly loved to run. Riding through the snowy trails with them was exhilarating and beautiful. We also got to spend some time with the huskies afterward, which was a lovely touch. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience feel safe and…”
From Ivalo, Tina and Tapio’s small family operation takes you by minibus to Koppelo, then by reindeer-hide-covered sleigh across the frozen lake to their island cottage and teepees. Expect thermal gear, reindeer feeding, fire-cooked fish or reindeer, and a small-group English tour.
“Zonder noorderlicht (wat natuurlijk nooit te garanderen is) is deze tocht wat magertjes. Het is vooral een (koude) tocht over het meer in een slee achter een sneeuwscooter gevolgd door een tussenstop in een tipi tent met vuur waarop worstje/soep/brood worden klaargemaakt en waar je de gelegenheid krijgt 2 rendieren te voeren. Daarna nog paar minuten terug met de slee naar de auto die ons terugbracht naar de beginlocatie waar we onze dikke geleende pakken konden inleveren en daarna teruggebracht werden naar ons hotel. Als totaalpakket niet slecht als aanbod, maar in de praktijk zonder noorderlicht heeft het weinig om het lijf.”
Travel from Rovaniemi to a reindeer farm for a peaceful 20-minute sleigh ride, feeding time, hot juice, biscuits, and a talk on herding and Sami life. Guides include Sunny and a Barcelona-born guide. Northern lights are possible but never guaranteed.
“Organizator odwołał wydarzenie, nie zwrócił wpłaconych pieniędzy. UWAGA OSZUST.”
Ride 2 to 2.5 km through snowy Lapland forest in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, then warm up in a cosy Kota hut with hot drinks, snacks, and stories about reindeer. The English-speaking guide leads the caravan from a private rural location outside Rovaniemi. Northern lights are possible, never promised.
“Die Tour war super organisiert und es hat uns (mit Kind, 9 Jahre alt) viel Spaß gemacht. Leider gab es keine Polarlichter zu sehen.”
Travel from Levi Center by bus to a quiet snowy trail, where a horse pulls your group through the Arctic night. Afterward, warm up in a traditional Kammi with hot berry juice and local cookies. English and Finnish guidance is provided, and northern lights sightings are possible but not guaranteed.
“We enjoyed, just wish we seen polar lights, staff was very friendly”
At 8 p.m., Johanna and Niilo of Ivalo Experiences welcome you to a reindeer fence near Ivalo. Meet young reindeer, learn about herding, try suopunki lasso throwing, roast reindeer sausages, and warm up with hot berry juice while watching for the aurora.
“Expérienbce authentique a IVALO , très bien, sympathique, bon contact avec les rennes notamment des jeunes rennes. Très bonne soupe. Bonnes explications.”
This 3.5-hour evening outing combines a reindeer farm visit, feeding, folklore, and a sleigh ride through the forest with an Aurora search. Nordic Unique Travels provides pickup, winter clothing support, and a guide, though the Northern Lights are never guaranteed and departure times can change.
“Despite of not seeing Northern Lights, the experience of doing de bonfire together with the staff was pleasant.”
Meet your English or Finnish-speaking guide at Kuukkeli Shopping Center, then ride by minivan between aurora viewing spots, a reindeer farm, and a cozy grill hut. Feed friendly reindeer, roast sausages, and warm up with berry juice while keeping the pace personal.
Sit back as a professional guide pulls your sleigh by snowmobile to a remote northern lights site near Rovaniemi. You’ll warm up in a tepee with coffee, drinks, barbecue snacks, winter gear, and a light-hearted Lappish shamanism program. Guides including David and Yves have helped groups through forest and snow.
“this tour was a beautiful experience, and luckily we saw the northern lights , even if not 100% perfect. the guide David, and his colleague were good in the instructions, in guiding us through the forest and the frozen lake. it takes energy, and Read more”
Meet in Rovaniemi at 7:00 pm for a three-hour Arctic night outing with a 20-minute reindeer sleigh ride, farm visit, feeding time, and talks about Sami culture and reindeer. The English-language tour returns to its meeting point and accepts groups of up to 24.
“This activity is not worth the price. Also, it's better done during the day (we did the 8pm tour) when there is some light. The high point was the discussion on sami culture and reindeers, which was really interesting.”
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