Exploring Rovaniemi on a husky sled ride and a reindeer safari not only offers a closer connection to these iconic Arctic animals but also shows you an authentic slice of life in Lapland. It’s a unique and deeply immersive experience.
Guide: Professional guide or self-driven
Round-trip transfers: Included
Food & drink: Included
Duration: 1.5 hrs to 4 hrs
Recommended ticket:
Guide: Professional guide
Round-trip transfers: Included
Food & drink: Depends on ticket option chosen
Duration: 2 hrs to 3 hrs
Recommended ticket:
Guide: Expert guide
Round-trip transfers: Included
Food & drink: Included
Duration: 2.5 hrs to 3.5 hrs
Recommended tickets:
Explore the wilderness of Lapland with a husky sled ride. Few experiences match the thrill of racing through snow-covered forests and landscapes on a sled pulled by a pack of these hardy dogs. These sleigh rides can last from a couple of hours to multi-day safaris, and you can even steer your own husky team!
You can’t visit Lapland without meeting its most iconic animal – the reindeer. For generations, the Sámi people living above the Arctic Circle have used reindeer-drawn sleighs to travel across the frozen landscape. Today, you can enjoy a gentle reindeer safari through the scenic forests. Accompanied only by the sounds of reindeer hooves, it’s a peaceful way to explore the wilderness.
Visit a husky farm and spend time with the energetic Siberian and Alaskan huskies who pull your sleds. Take a tour and learn about the training, daily care, and life of these dogs. You’ll also get to interact with mushers (the drivers of sled dog teams) and hear engaging stories about these gorgeous animals.
Spend time at a reindeer farm and get a glimpse into the indigenous Sámi people’s traditional reindeer herding lifestyle. Visit the enclosures, where you can feed, interact, and take photos with these majestic animals. You’ll learn about what they eat, how they live, and how these semi-domesticated Arctic deer have been an important part of Lapland’s culture.
Pair your Rovaniemi husky sledding or reindeer safari adventure with a chance to see the breathtaking northern lights. Go on a nighttime sled ride through spectacular frozen winterscapes as you search the dark skies for the aurora borealis. It’s the best way to combine two of Finland’s most unique cultural and adventure experiences.
With Rovaniemi being popularly known as the hometown of Santa Claus, a visit to Santa Claus Village is not to be missed. Get an inside look into the magic of Christmas, followed by exciting reindeer and husky rides. It’s the ultimate Lapland experience!
For a more action-packed Arctic adventure, combine the speed of snowmobiles with a lively husky sled ride, followed by a relaxing reindeer safari through the Nordic wilderness. Each mode of transport has its own charm and together, they allow you to have an all-encompassing experience of Rovaniemi’s natural beauty.
Get the chance to see rare Arctic animals like polar bears, wolves, lynxes, snowy owls, and arctic foxes at Ranua Wildlife Park. Opened in 1983, the park is home to 50 animal species, many of them endangered. Take a guided tour and learn about the Arctic’s diverse wildlife. It’s a perfect outing for families with kids!
If you want to observe brown bears in their natural habitat, a bear-watching tour is a must-do. The bears, which are Finland’s national animal and Europe’s largest predator, can be found in the remote forests north of Rovaniemi. Stay overnight in a log cabin in the wilderness along with an expert guide and get the chance to take amazing photographs of these majestic beasts.
From Rovaniemi: Reindeer Farm Visit with Reindeer Sled Ride
From Rovaniemi: Husky Sledding Experience
From Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Chase with Husky Sledding
From Rovaniemi: Night Reindeer Sled Ride with Chance of Northern Lights
The best time to go husky sledding or on a reindeer safari is during the winter months from December to March. You not only get to experience the snow-covered Arctic countryside with these animals, but your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are also high.
Rovaniemi’s location on the Arctic Circle and its natural environment, with its snow-covered forests, open fields, and long winter season, provides the perfect backdrop for husky sledding, reindeer safaris, and other animal-related activities.
Husky sledding and reindeer safaris in Rovaniemi are best done during the winter months from December to March, when there is full snow cover. The longer nights also offer a higher chance of seeing the northern lights.
Take a trip to husky and reindeer farms, where you can meet and interact with the animals. You’ll also get insights into Sami culture and their traditional lifestyle as reindeer herders. Visit Ranua Wildlife Park to see polar bears, wolves, and other Arctic wildlife, including many endangered species. You can go on safaris and spend time in the wilderness to observe bears, moose, and elk in their natural habitats.
Yes, most husky sledding and reindeer safari experiences in Rovaniemi are family-friendly and welcome children of all ages. Family tours are often shorter, with features like additional blankets and special safety briefings. Some longer tours may have minimum age requirements, so it’s best to check with the tour provider for age restrictions before you book your tickets.
With its remote location and being surrounded by wilderness, Rovaniemi offers excellent opportunities to see the northern lights. You can also go ice fishing and take a snowmobile safari to explore the Arctic landscape. And with Rovaniemi known as the official home of Santa Claus and Christmas, a visit to Santa Claus Village is a must-do.
Yes, it’s best to book your tickets for Rovaniemi husky sledding and reindeer safari experiences in advance. Rovaniemi’s popularity for winter activities means tours can fill up quickly for the peak winter season (December to March). Purchasing your tickets at least 2–4 weeks in advance will allow you to secure your preferred dates and times.
