The indigenous Sami people and their reindeer have been living and working on the land for centuries. It’s only in recent times that the Sami have invited guests to be part of their life. But who are the Sami? Why are reindeer so popular in Norway? Learn more about the Sami people and their culture, where are they from and why are they so important?
See all reindeer & sami culture tours
4.5 hours
9:45
Tromsø
Come meet our herd and immerse yourself in the Norwegian nature as the seasons change!
4.5 hours
17:45
Tromsø
Come join us just 50 minutes away from Tromsø for a wonderful evening of Sami tales and feeding our reindeer herd!
4.5 hours
13:00
Tromsø
Come meet our herd and immerse yourself in the Norwegian nature as the seasons change!
5.5 hours
08:30 / 11:30
Tromsø
Join us for a captivating journey into the heart of Sámi culture, where you'll meet gentle reindeer, glide through snowy landscapes, and hear captivating stories from Sámi herders themselves. Get ready for an evening filled with unforgettable moments and maybe the northern lights will show up.
4.5 hours
09:45
Tromsø
Join in the daily feeding of a herd of over many reindeer! Enjoy untouched Arctic nature around you as you marvel at the Lyngen Alps and learn more about our ancient culture!
4 hours
09:45
Tromsø
Join an unforgettable Arctic reindeer experience: feed some of the 300 reindeer at the reindeer camp and learn more about Sami reindeer herders.
4 hours
13:00
Tromsø
Join in a latery feeding of a herd of over 200 reindeer! Perfect if you wish to rest in the morning, or if you have been on a northern light tour the night before.
4.5 hours
09:45
Tromsø
Try the oldest means of transport from the arctic and join the daily feeding of a herd of over 200 reindeer! Enjoy the Arctic landscape in this daytime tour and learn more about reindeers and the Sami culture.
4 hours
09:45 / 12:45
Tromsø
A trip to a Sami reindeer camp north of Tromsø to try reindeer sledding (for 30 minutes) and discover Sami culture
4 hours
09:45 / 12:45
Tromsø
A trip to a reindeer farm 30 minutes away from Tromsø to try reindeer sledding (for 15 minutes) and discover the traditional Sami way of life.
4.5 hours
17:45
Tromsø
Spend an evening at a reindeer camp departing from Tromsø. This trip is a full Sami and reindeer experience including reindeer feeding and Sami stories, a traditional dinner and a chance to see the Northern Lights.
4.5 hours
17:45
Tromsø
Try the oldest vehicle from the arctic, feed our reindeer herd and enjoy the arctic landscape in this evening tour while the northern lights might appear above you!
4.5 hours
17:45
Tromsø
We would like to invite you to visit our Sámi camp and join us for a family-friendly reindeer feeding evening tour with a chance to see the Northern Lights!
3 hours
09:30
Narvik
Experience authentic Sámi culture in Narvik through close encounters with reindeer, traditional storytelling around the fire, local Sámi refreshments, and a meaningful insight into the Arctic way of life.
When in Northern Norway, Tromsø, getting to know about the Sami and their reindeer should be part of your bucket list! Meet the Sami, their culture, traditions and reindeer. You can also feed them and try a real Sami meal during your tour.
Reindeer sledding, reindeer feeding and cultural sessions around an open fire in a traditional lavvu are among the activities you can book in Northern Norway (and Tromsø).
You can choose to visit these camps in the evening, sleep there, and, if you are lucky, see the Northern Lights!
These experiences generally include a classic Sami meal, bidos (reindeer stew), and an introduction to Sami history and culture.
This provides an opportunity to learn about their traditions, myths and legends and the symbology of their clothes.
You may have heard about the Sami people living in the north of Europe, but how much do you really know about them?
The Sami were the first indigenous people of Northern Europe and Scandinavia.
Their presence extends from Norway to Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
Studies suggest that they have inhabited these northern areas for more than 9,000 years, suggesting that they were the first people living in the Arctic after the Ice Age!
An estimated Sami population of between 60,000 and 100,000 is spread around the world.
An estimated 40,000 live in Norway, 15,000 to 25,000 in Sweden, 6,000 in Finland and 2,000 in Russia.
The Sami people are best known for their semi-nomadic reindeer herding lifestyle.
Their life is organised around the reindeer migration – up into the mountains during winter and back to their community often near the coast during the summer.
Although the Sami people are now part of modern society, they retain some ancient traditions such as joik (a Sami chanting generally about a place, a person or a thing), duodji (handicrafts) and reindeer husbandry.
When visiting Tromsø, you should try an Arctic tour involving the Sami and their reindeer and learn about their culture and history.
The Sami people don’t live in reindeer camps anymore.
During the modern era, their classic lavvu gave way to houses and apartments in towns and villages around Norway.
However, some traditions are retained by a minority (estimated around 10%) of reindeer herders.
For traditional, environmental, cultural and political reasons, in some regions only Sami people are permitted to own and herd reindeer, which is why this activity is strongly connected to Sami people.
In the Northern Sami language, they call Sápmi the area traditionally inhabited by the Sami people.
It has no formal boundaries but generally includes Northern Norway, Trøndelag and some areas just south of Trøndelag (Trollheimen and Femundsmarka).
The Kola Peninsula in Russia, Lapland in Finland and Norrland in Sweden are also considered part of Sápmi, with just a minority in these areas.
Nature and Sami were always closely linked.
For many centuries, the Sami had strong connections with hunting, fishing and reindeer husbandry.
In modern times, most Sami people have other types of jobs just like you.
However, as the Sami people move with their reindeer herd to summer grazing areas, most of the activities related to the Sami and their reindeer are offered during winter (October to March).
Settlements exclusively for Sami people no longer exist.
However, you can visit some nice Sami and reindeer camps around Tromsø and choose from many different activities.
From feeding the reindeer, hearing and learning about the fascinating Sami history and culture, trying reindeer sledding, tasting an authentic Sami meal or even staying overnight in a traditional Sami tent.
The choice is yours!
The animal that best represents the Sami is the reindeer!
It plays an important role in Sami food, storytelling, myths and legends, clothes, and even souvenirs that are made from reindeer hide and antlers.
The Sami identity is closely linked to reindeer husbandry, which forms an important part of their history and culture.
It’s estimated that there are roughly 250,000 semi-wild domesticated reindeer in Norway.
These are social animals that live in big groups.
As well as being used in food production and for making clothes, the reindeer is used in traditional Sami handicrafts.
You will find beautiful products and be perplexed by the Sami people’s creativity and ability to use the reindeer for everything!
In former times, reindeer were used to pull sleds as a means of transport, but this has now been replaced by modern snowmobiles.
However, you can still experience the joys of reindeer sledding when you visit Northern Norway (and Tromsø).
Reindeer sledding is considered one of the most traditional Arctic experiences, offering a peaceful ride through snowy landscapes while learning about Sámi heritage. It is a unique way to connect with both nature and culture in Northern Norway
Based on our guests reviews
Very well-organized excursions.
Based on our guests reviews
Reindeer and Northern Light Tour was an excellent experience. Everything was first class from meet and great to departure home.
Based on our guests reviews
We chose BestArctic to help us book our excursions while we were in Norway and couldn’t recommend them more! The website is very informational and easy to book. And if you have any questions, the team in the Tromso office was super friendly and helpful!
Based on our guests reviews
great trip, had a wonderful time. The company was great, gave us an excellent explanation on policy and procedures. My daughter accompanied on the trip and she had a blast.
Based on our guests reviews
The guys are the best tour guides in the world. Their human warmth characterizes them to always be ready to please visitors. They speak several languages extremely well.
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Feed their reindeer, enjoy a traditional Sami lunch, go on a reindeer sledding experience, see the Northern Lights in the evening at a reindeer camp surrounded by hundreds of reindeer, and enjoy storytelling around a bonfire in an authentic lavvu (traditional Sami tent).
Grab this opportunity and dive into their history, culture and cuisine at their authentic reindeer camps. They look forward to meeting you!
