One of the best winter activities and excursions in Northern Norway is visiting a Tromso reindeer farm and learning more about the Sami culture and their relationship with reindeer.
This guide will showcase ethical Sami tours and places where you can go reindeer sledding in Tromso (or simply just feed the reindeer). I have been on several of these Sami experiences with Tromso Arctic Reindeer and will share my tips throughout!
Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more! Tromso sells out so fast so be sure to book ahead!
🇳🇴 Top activities and tours in Tromso:
- Reindeer feeding and Sami culture tour (most popular Sami tour; great for kids!)
- Best northern lights tour from Tromso (my favorite aurora tour in Tromso!)
- Ethical whale-watching tour with orcas and humpbacks (a Nov-Jan must!)
- Tromso Ice Domes (ice hotel visit – super popular and unique)
🛌 Top places to stay in Tromso:
- Clarion ‘The Edge’ (Tromso’s most beautiful hotel – on the sea!)
- Thon Hotel Tromso (I stayed here twice and recommend it!)
- Radisson Blu (many tours leave from here – by harbor)
✈️ Want to get from the airport to Tromso hassle-free? Find the best airport transfer option here!
In the end, I will also answer a few frequently asked questions and tell you some things to know before going on a Sami experience in Tromso, including whether or not I think it is ethical and a couple of places you can learn more about the Sami in Tromso.
I genuinely think booking a Sami experience is an essential part of any Tromso itinerary.
Not only do you learn about the local Indigenous people but you can also see the northern lights (if booking a night excursion) and get a meal covered within the activity!
If I missed any Tromso reindeer tours that you think are worthy of being listed in this guide, please leave me a comment with them. Thanks!
In this post...
Tromso Reindeer and Sami Experiences (Overview)
The way I have this guide curated is that you will see four different tours (all with Tromso Arctic Reindeer). Two are daytime and two are evening. The difference between the tours is whether or not they include reindeer sledding.
While reindeer sledding is a popular activity in Tromso, it is not on everyone’s ‘to-do’ list. One thing to also consider is that if you take a nighttime tour, you may also have a chance to see the northern lights.
Here is a quick overview, including a shoutout to the most booked option!
🥇 Most popular Sami reindeer tour in Tromso:
- Reindeer feeding and Sami culture tour from Tromso (a daytime tour that also includes reindeer sledding, which is optional)
🌞 Daytime Sami experiences in Tromso:
🌙 Evening Sami experiences in Tromso:
- Evening Sami tour with reindeer sledding and northern lights
- Evening Sami tour without reindeer sledding (but still includes the northern lights!)
♿ GOOD TO KNOW: Every Sami experience in this guide is wheelchair-accessible (although certain parts of the ranch are not). Please let Tromso Reindeer Farm know beforehand and they will accommodate. I have verified this with them directly.
Tromso Reindeer and Sami Experiences: Details + How to Book
1. Daytime Sami Experience with Reindeer Sledding (Most Popular)
Duration: 4 hours
Day or evening: Day
Reindeer sledding: Yes
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE
On this Sami experience, you will head out to Tromso Arctic Reindeer’s ranch. You will spend time with the reindeer- giving them food and learning how they are taken care of.
This tour includes reindeer sledding, with shorter and longer sleigh ride options available at the time of booking.
After playing around with the reindeer, you will go inside a lavvo for a delicious bowl of bidos, a delightful soup made from reindeer meat.
As you enjoy your lunch and some cake, you will be told stories about the rich cultural history of the Sami people and hear amazing examples of typical joik singing.
Please note that this is a day tour and it will start at either 10am or 1pm. If you have a northern lights tour in the evening, I would opt for the earlier one to give yourself a bit of downtime in the city before your aurora tour begins!
2. Evening Sami Experience with Reindeer Sledding (and the Northern Lights)
Duration: 4.5 hours
Day or evening: Night
Reindeer sledding: Yes
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE
Venture out to a traditional Sami camp and enjoy a delicious meal around a fireplace while your Sami guide tells you all about the Indigenous culture and its connection to these mystical lights that light up the Arctic skies during the dark winter months.
Your expert guide will explain to you in detail how to capture the magical lights on your camera and the settings you will need.
If the conditions are right, you will then head outside to hopefully see the aurora dancing above. As they are a natural phenomenon, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to see them on any given night.
This tour also includes reindeer sledding if you select it at the time of booking.
If you are looking for more information about taking a northern lights tour, check out my northern lights tour guide. It gives a variety of options for northern lights tours in Tromso!
3. Evening Sami Experience without Reindeer Sledding
Duration: 4.5 hours
Day or evening: Night
Reindeer sledding: No
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE
Spend the evening at a Sami reindeer camp where you will enjoy a three-course meal that is traditionally served at Sami weddings.
Before the meal, you will have the chance to help feed the herd of reindeer that are overwintering in the region.
The friendly animals will come up close and eat directly from your hands. While spending time outside, keep an eye out for magical displays of the northern lights that, if you are lucky, will come out and play.
The evening will end in a Sami lavvo listening to stories of the Sami people and performances of joik, a form of traditional chanting.
This is my preferred tour as I am not a fan of reindeer sledding. But, I understand if reindeer sledding is on your bucket list and you want to include it as part of your trip – which, if this is the case, I would select one of the tours listed above (one is an evening one and one is a daytime one).
4. Daytime Sami Experience without Reindeer Sledding
Duration: 4.5 hours
Day or evening: Day
Reindeer sledding: No
Seasonality: November-April
Meeting Point: Radisson Blu Hotel
➡️ CHECK PRICE HERE
Depart from Tromso and drive into the surrounding countryside where you will visit a traditional Sami reindeer ranch.
You will have the opportunity to get up close to several hundred partly wild, but friendly reindeer who will gather around you to get some of their preferred food, lichen.
After feeding the Tromso reindeer, you will head for a traditional meal that has been stewed over an open fire in a traditional gamme.
The meat included in the stew is normally reindeer, however, for those who don’t eat meat, you can request a vegetarian option in advance.
Following lunch, you will sit around a fire to learn all about the history of reindeer herding and the Sami people, along with some tips on how to survive winter in the far north.
Your welcoming hosts will also perform traditional joik songs that have been passed down through the generations.
FAQ
Is it ethical to go reindeer sledding in Tromso?
I feel I need to add the following part to this guide. One of the most common things to do in Tromso is to enjoy a Sami experience and go reindeer sledding. But, is it ethical?
I don’t think so and here is why…
Unlike dog sledding in Tromso, the reindeer looked miserable when I saw them dragging people in sleds around. I have been on two different experiences where I witnessed this- one in Norway and one in Finland.
Both times, the reindeer were lured around following a person carrying an apple or food as they slowly pulled along a sled of tourists.
Some of the tours recommended above do include reindeer sledding but it will always be optional.
Please note, this is not to condemn any Sami traditions of using reindeer for work… this is merely them being used for tourism purposes in a way that didn’t sit well with me.
Will you see the northern lights?
If the skies are clear, it is very likely that you will witness the mesmerizing northern lights in Tromso during your Sami experience at a reindeer ranch! I did, at least.
Make sure you bring your camera equipment and be ready to see the skies dancing.
What should you wear to a reindeer ranch in Tromso?
Tromso can get super cold! Especially once you leave the city. If you’re visiting in the middle of winter, here are some things I recommend wearing or bringing on your tour:
- Winter parka
- Wool sweater
- Mittens/gloves: I like mittens as they keep you warmer, but can make photography and other things challenging – so go with what feels best for you.
- Wool hat: I wear ones from Haddock, a Lofoten brand that you can also purchase at Intersport in Tromso… but any will do
- Thick socks with snow/winter boots (I wear Fubuki boots – can see a pair below!)
- Base layers: Kari Traa (women only) and Devold are great brands to check out
- Hand Warmers: Some people may argue the need for these – but if your hands are cold, your hands are cold! You can bring along one-time-use ones (can find them all over Tromso center) or rechargeable ones. The rechargeable ones must be packed in your carry-on luggage.
Other Places to Learn About the Sami in Tromso
If you are looking for other ways to learn about the Sami in Tromso (and the Arctic), I highly recommend visiting the Tromso Museum (not to be confused with the Polar Museum).
The Tromso Museum has a lot of information and permanent exhibits detailing the lives and history of the Sami.
If your dates are flexible, also consider visiting Tromso during Sami Week! In 2025, it will take place from February 3-9. I went there in 2024 and they offered everything from events (like reindeer racing) to Sami language classes and movies.
It was a great way to learn more about the Sami! Click here for more information.
Do you have any questions about taking a Sami cultural tour in Tromso? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. Thanks!
More Tromso Travel Guides
- What to know before you visit Tromso
- Where to stay in Tromso
- Tromso trip costs
- Tromso airport to city
- Best Tromso northern lights tours
- How to book a husky safari in Tromso
- What to do in Tromso in winter
- Snowmobiling excursions in Tromso
- Tromso Itinerary (2-5 day options)
- Ethical whale watching tours in Tromso
- Museums in Tromso
- What to pack for winter in Norway
- Tromso cafes
- Day trips from Tromso, Norway
- Tromso in summer travel guide
- Cabin rentals in Tromso
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.