Aktivitetstype: Sami Culture

Join a reindeer sledding and feeding experience with a Sami reindeer herding family that has lived and worked with reindeer for many generations. Here, you get up close with animals and nature, Sami culture, and traditions!

Reindeer sledding is the traditional way the reindeer herding family moved from place to place before the snowmobile was introduced. The family and a herd of several hundred reindeer are located in a camp approximately 25 minutes from Tromsø. Here, they have preserved their culture and maintained traditions, allowing you to partake in this unforgettable experience.

We offer a sleigh ride of approximately 25–30 minutes. Our guide safely leads the “reindeer raid” around the trail.

Afterwards, it’s time to feed the reindeer herd. It’s a powerful and unforgettable experience to stand in the herd surrounded by hundreds of animals. Listen carefully, use all your senses, and take in the unique experience!

We serve a traditional Sami meal in the «gamme» (Sami dwelling). Finally, we gather around the campfire, listen to stories and joik (Sami song), and get to know Sami history better.

Join a trip to a Sami reindeer herding family that has lived and worked with reindeer for many generations. Here, you get close to animals and nature, Sami culture, and traditions!

The family and a herd of several hundred reindeer are located in a camp approximately 25 minutes from Tromsø. Participating in the feeding of the reindeer is a powerful and unforgettable experience. Standing in the midst of the herd, surrounded by hundreds of animals, listen carefully, use all your senses, and take in the unique experience!

We serve a traditional Sami meal in the “gamme” (Sami dwelling). Finally, we gather around the campfire to listen to stories and “joik” (Sami song) and get to know more about Sami history.

You can also book a memorable reindeer sledding tour.

The reindeer: An animal that for generations has been significant to Sámi culture and their survival as indigenous people. The reindeer is the fundamental element for the existence of reindeer husbandry, and the entire way of life for the reindeer herding Sámi is based on the reindeer. Taking care of the animals is the highest priority among the Sámi, as it is with us at Sámi Siida.

The reindeer are here all year round. Some arrive in the autumn and others are born here in the spring. Meet and feed these magnificent animals and get to know them through our experienced guides. They will give you a better understanding of reindeer and reindeer husbandry in Norway. You will have a unique opportunity to be close to reindeer and take pictures with them.

If wather and light conditions are optimal you may also experience the magical northern lights dance in the sky while hand-feeding the reindeer.

The Sami Family will greet you in their home village Maze and serve you traditional Sami snacks with reindeer meat. You will also get the opportunity to see and join reindeer sledding in the sami traditional way. Reindeer herding is still today a traditional way of lifestyle of some Sami people, and you will learn more about reindeer herding from the old days and reindeer herding today.

While you are enjoying the Sami snacks or lunch and hot coffee around the fire, the Sami people will tell you more about them, their lifestyle and history of the old days and new days.

Duration is approx 4,5 hours and includes 2 hours at the Sami host in Maze. Please count in 2,5 hours driving to and from Maze back to Alta

This is a unique experience with a Sami family in their home village called Maze. Maze is a small sami village by the famous MAze-Alta river 70 km from Alta city. The local Sami reindeer herders will greet you in a traditional Sami tent, serve you traditional Sami snacks with reindeer meat. This is a private tour just for you and your group. While you are enjoying the exclusive Sami snacks or lunch around the fire, the Sami people will tell you more about them, their lifestyle and history of the old days and new days.

Duration is approx. 4,5 hours and includes 2 hours at the Sami host in Maze. Please count in 2,5 hours driving to and from Maze back to Alta.

Experience reindeer raid in the old traditional way, in a sled, behind a reindeer, chasing the northern lights.

Reindeer play a central part of the Sámi culture and have been used to transport people for generations. On this trip you can enjoy silence, in a sled behind a reindeer just listening to the reindeers’ hooves crackling in the snow. Our sámi guides take you to a Lavvo, where you will hear about the sámi culture in the pleasant surroundings around the bonfire. You will get a fascinating sight in to the special semi-nomadic culture.

If weather and light conditions are optimal, you can get the opportunity to experience the magical Northern lights dance across the sky when you book the evening tour.

Through storytelling we will guide you into our living culture and provide insight into our traditions. Our local guides will lead you into the Sámi way of life and give you a Sámi cultural experience through stories about our traditions.

In a small museum we have collected object from our ancestors and created a precious story about our lives, which we are happy to share with our guests. You will be able to experience reindeer up close; to meet and feed the reindeers we have in our Siida (camp). Relax by the fire in the cozy atmosphere of the Lavvu and feel the power of the traditional Sámi joik. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the beautiful and fascinating Sámi culture.

Lavvu is a traditional Sámi tent that has been used by the Sámi for generations and adapted to our nomadic way of life and the the climate. In cozy surroundings, requirements. This experience is suitable for everyone. Walking distance to the reindeer enclosure where the reindeer are. Warm clothing and shoes are recommended for the outdoor activities at the wintertime

Our recommendation:                 
Combine this tour with a delicious dinner at Sami Siida’s restaurant. Table reservation must be done in advance. Restaurant is open from 15:00 – 20:00

This is a special version of a tour that is normally only available for large groups. You’ll take a private tour to learn about and experience old Sami traditions, just you and your host. The tour starts in Alta. You will be picked up by a guide and drive out with your car to the Sami town of Maze. Along the way, you’ll have a one-on-one guided tour with one of our best guides who can tell you about life in Alta and Norway, the history of the area, and details about the history and future of the Sami people.

When you arrive in Maze, you will be greeted by a member of a local reindeer-herding family, clothed in a traditional winter outfit. After introductions are complete, you’ll meet a few frisky reindeer, and try out a brief but exciting (and occasionally unpredictable) reindeer sled ride at the compound. Your host and guide will help you start the sled, but after that it’s up to you to hang on and have fun!

After the fun reindeer ride, you are ushered into a large lavvo, a traditional Sami tent that features a fire in the center. Over coffee and delicious dried reindeer meat snacks (or lunch if you prefer), you’ll spend the rest of your two-hour stay talking with your host about the old days and old ways of the Sami. You’ll even hear joiking, the chantlike song of the Sami, and get a chance to try it yourself in a fun way.

With the visit complete, you’ll say goodbye to the world of the Sami and return to Alta. If there’s time remaining, we will extend the tour to show you a few extra sights around town.

Duration is approx. 4,5 hours and includes two hours at the Sami camp in Maze, and 2.5 hours of private guiding and driving, along with transport, and snacks/lunch at the Sami camp. The tour is guaranteed to be exclusive, so only your guided group will be at the Sami camp during the tour. (Group size 2-8 people)

The Sami continue their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle based around their very own reindeer herds. At Sorrisniva we work closely with local Sami families to give guests authentic experiences with an understanding of the Sami culture and lifestyle.

This unique and intriguing experience takes you through the breathtaking scenery surrounding Sorrisniva. You will ride on a sled pulled by reindeer for 2,5 – 3 km looking for the northern lights. An exciting and quiet nature experience in the Arctic winter darkness in the evening. Along the way they will tell you stories from the Sami culture and legends about the Northern Lights.

Our recommendation:

Combine this tour a visit of the Igloo Hotel and with a delicious dinner at one of Sorrisniva`s restaurants. Mus be booked in advance.

The Sami continue their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle based around their very own reindeer herds. At Sorrisniva we work closely with local Sami families to give guests authentic experiences with an understanding of the Sami culture and lifestyle.

This unique and intriguing experience takes you through the breathtaking scenery surrounding Sorrisniva. You will ride on a sled pulled by reindeer for 2,5 – 3 km. Eventually you will arrive to a traditional Lavvu where you will hear stories around the bonfire and experience the traditional Sami Joik that is the core of the Sami culture.

Our recommendation:

Combine this tour with a visit of the Igloo Hotel and with a delicious dinner at one of Sorrisniva`s restaurants. Must be booked in advance.