WHY YOU´LL LOVE IT
Meet reindeer among *snowy forest trees (* snow cover weather-dependent). Visit a private woodland belonging to a local herding family, where the animals move freely across a large area.
Spend an unhurried hour with the herd. Follow the herder between feeding spots, offer hay and pellets, and photograph the reindeer as they approach.
Enjoy the wilderness journey as a passenger. Travel in a sled pulled by a snowmobile, with your guide taking care of the driving.
Taste a full lunch prepared by the kota fire. Enjoy signature vegetable soup, toasted rieska, reindeer sausage and Finnish pancakes with berry jam.
Hear stories directly from the herder. Learn about individual animals, the changing seasons and the family’s everyday work with reindeer.
Keep the experience personal. Groups of up to 10 leave time for questions, lasso practice and a relaxed meal together.
THE EXPERIENCE
A sled ride through the snowy wilderness brings you to a forest where dozens of reindeer gather among the pines and birches. On this experience from Levi, spend around an hour feeding the herd alongside a local herder before stepping into a warm kota for lunch by the fire. Enjoy the chef’s signature vegetable soup with toasted rieska flatbread, grill reindeer sausage and finish with Finnish pancakes and berry jam. Warm winter clothing is included, and groups are limited to ten guests.
From the pickup point, the sled travels 15 minutes across public tracks then private land - open bog, then the Secret Reindeer Forest - old pine and birch, privately owned, no other visitors. When the sled stops, the reindeer approach because they know what the arrival means.
The forest is privately owned by the reindeer herding family. No other visitors, no other groups. Animal welfare is the priority: no rides, the animals move freely across a large area, and are only gathered during winter for feeding and care.
Our Signature Reindeer Therapy Program in the Secret Reindeer Forest
Approximately one hour in the forest, moving through several feeding spots with hay and pellets. Dozens of reindeer. The herder leads and talks throughout - about individual animals, the seasonal calendar, what this work actually demands. Guests can photograph freely.
Traditional Lappish kota meal by the open fire
The kota is pre-heated and warmed in advance, ready for the guests. Our own kota chef serves a traditional Lappish kota meal.
After spending time with the reindeer, the group moves into the warm kota. The lunch starts with the Northern Light Veloute - our kota chef’s signature soup, made fresh over the open fire and served with rieska, local flatbread toasted on the flames. Then reindeer sausage: guests can grill over the open fire with the chef’s guidance — locally made, ecologically sourced. Then our chef serves thin Finnish pancakes with arctic berry jam and whipped cream. Coffee brewed in a pot over the fire, berry juice, herbal tea. While the guests enjoy their meal, the host carries on — more stories about the reindeer, the arctic way of living, and whatever questions have built up over the last hour.
Lasso and diploma
Lasso throwing before the return sled ride. Each guest receives a personal diploma of reindeer herder’s assistant. The return journey is approximately 10 minutes.
All food uses locally produced, high-quality ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan or chicken sausage alternatives available on request.
Who this is for
Couples and small groups who want the full meal experience — soup, sausage, pancakes and stories by the fire
Families with children aged 10 and above - calm, closely supervised (see children’s safety section)
Guests who want the most complete Herder’s Day: wilderness, herd, full lunch and diploma
Anyone seeking an authentic Sámi-inspired reindeer herding experience in Levi
Private Option
The full herder's day with soup lunch, arranged as a private experience in the Secret Reindeer Forest. Your group only, from the sled ride out to the last question answered by the fire. Contact us to arrange.