π¦ Lapland for animal lovers: huskies, reindeer and farms near Rovaniemi
βοΈ Winter Lapland, where everyone has four paws and lots of energy
If you imagine Finland as endless forests, soft snow and dogs barking in the frosty air, you are already mentally in Rovaniemi. In winter, it seems that half the world comes here for the huskies, reindeer and farms, where you can feel like a hero of a northern book for at least a couple of hours, rather than an office worker.
In this article, you will learn how husky and reindeer tours around Rovaniemi are organised, which formats are suitable for families, couples and solo travellers, how to choose a farm without feeling guilty about the animals, and how much time to actually set aside for such a day.
Over the past few seasons, a whole belt of farms has sprung up around Rovaniemi: combined farms like Raitola with huskies, reindeer and lunch in one package, more intimate reindeer farms, and separate husky kennels with long routes through the taiga.
And yes, this is not just a "children's" story. Many adults who come here without children later write that the day with dogs and reindeer was the most memorable moment of the entire trip β more so than the Northern Lights and Santa Park. A winter holiday in Lapland can easily be built around animals if you approach the choice consciously.
π How husky and reindeer tours near Rovaniemi are organised
Huskies: from 2 to 20 km, from hugs to real work
The classic image is you standing on a sled, holding on to the brake, with six to eight huskies in front of you, and in a minute everything around you turns into a white tunnel. In reality, there are several formats:
β short tours of 2-5 km (10-20 minutes of travel and about an hour in total with instruction, hugs and a hot drink);
β medium routes of 5β10 km, where you can already feel the distance and rhythm of the team;
β long safaris of 15β20 km for 3β4 hours with stops, stories and an almost complete reset of your mind.
On a typical tour, you are picked up from Rovaniemi, given warm clothing, briefed, given time to get to know the dogs, then you take turns driving the sled or sitting in it β and finish it all off with a hot drink by the fire.
Reindeer: the gentle rhythm of the north
Reindeer tours are a different pace. Instead of "flying through the forest," there is a gentle swaying, the crunch of snow, and the feeling that you have stepped into an old Christmas card.
Tours range from 5-10 minute short circles in tourist areas to 1.5-3 hour trips through the forest with stops, stories and an introduction to the farm.
On many farms, you can not only ride, but also:
β feed the reindeer,
β listen to stories about nomadic life and Arctic reindeer herding,
β sit by the fire in a kota or laava with tea and a bun.
Combo days: huskies + reindeer + lunch
Combined programmes are a favourite format for families and those who are only spending a couple of days in Rovaniemi. Farms such as Raitola offer an "Arctic day with animals":
β a 5 km husky safari (often self-driven, if adults are comfortable with it);
β a visit to the kennel, stories about the dogs, photos, hugs;
β lunch in a wooden house;
β transfer to the reindeer, 500 mβ1 km by sleigh, stories and "reindeer rights" for children.
Such a day takes 4β5 hours, but it feels like a whole separate layer of the trip, especially if you have discussed with your children in advance that animals are not "attractions" but living, sometimes tired creatures.
π§ "Lapland for animal lovers" itinerary for 1β2 days
Let's imagine that you arrive in Rovaniemi in the evening and the next day you have one full winter day that you want to devote to animals. Here's how you can plan it.
Day 1: Check-in and getting to know the city
Arrive in the evening by night train or flight, check in, walk around the city centre, have dinner and go to bed early, as is customary in the north. Against the backdrop of darkness and snow, even a simple walk along the river gives you the feeling that there is more to see in Rovaniemi in winter than just Santa Claus, but also the silence and the icy air.
- Confirm the time and place of pick-up with the operator.
- Pack spare gloves, socks and a phone battery in your backpack.
- Eat a hearty breakfast β excitement and cold burn calories faster than you think.
Day 2, morning: husky safari
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel or the centre and taken to the farm. At good farms, the plan is roughly as follows: meet the guides, change into warm overalls, get to know the dogs, receive instructions, and only then set off on the trail.
A short tour (2-5 km, about an hour in total) is suitable if you have small children, don't like the cold, or are on a limited budget. But if you've been dreaming of a "real" safari, it makes sense to go for at least 10 km (3-4 hours including travel time and all breaks).
At some point, you will experience that moment of silence: the dogs are working, you can hear almost nothing except the snow under the runners, and you catch yourself thinking that city life is now far, far away.
Day 2: Lunch and reindeer farm
After the husky safari, most combined programmes take you either to a warm laavu (a traditional shelter with a fire) or to a cabin with soup, bread rolls and berry pie. Only then do you move on to the reindeer.
At the farm, you will learn about the life of a reindeer herder, what the animals do in the summer, how the herds are managed, and why reindeer in Lapland are not just a "symbol of Christmas" but also an economy, culture, and way of life.
A short sleigh ride through the forest (500 mβ1 km) takes only a few minutes, but the live contact, feeding and conversations often prove to be more important than the ride itself. For children, this is an excellent balance: first the thrill of the huskies, then the gentle, slow pace of the north with the reindeer.
Day 2, evening: return and a light walk/sauna
By evening, you return to the city and suddenly feel a very simple state: pleasant fatigue, rosy cheeks and a desire for something simple β soup, sauna, hot chocolate. At this moment, the main rule of activity in Lapland for adults comes into play: do not try to squeeze in another tour, but allow your body and mind to digest the day.
𧩠How to choose a farm: ethics, comfort, common sense
The topic of the ethics of animal tours in Lapland is currently being discussed very actively: forums, Facebook groups and blogs are full of both enthusiasm and concerns.
To feel at ease, it is worth looking not only at the price and beautiful photos, but also at several other factors.
- Transparency and stories about the farm.
Good farms openly state how many dogs/reindeer they have, what they feed them, how often they work and rest, and what the annual cycle is like. If the website only offers "magical tours" and zero information, this is a cause for concern. - Group size and length of the day for animals.
Ethical operators limit group size (often to 6β10 people), do not schedule a dense network of "conveyor belt" tours, and calmly cancel/reduce trips in abnormal weather. - Equipment and safety.
On northern tours, clothing is not a bonus but a mandatory part of care: warm overalls, boots, mittens, hats. If the operator suggests that you "come in your own clothes" at β20 Β°C, this is a cost-saving measure at the expense of safety. - Other guests' impressions.
In reviews, pay attention not only to "how beautiful it was," but also to what people write about the animals: do the dogs seem happy, are there any complaints about obvious fatigue, crowding, and nervous bustle on the farm?
If a farm provides detailed information about its animals, answers questions calmly, and does not try to "upsell" unnecessary activities, this is almost always a good sign.
Ethical animal tours in Finland are not about sterile perfection, but about an honest balance: the animals work, but they live in understandable conditions, rest, and are not turned into "photo props."
π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Scenarios: with children, as a couple, solo, and for expats
Families with children aged 4β10
The main thing here is rhythm and temperature. A good scenario:
β morning β short or medium husky tour (2β6 km),
β daytime β lunch and a deer farm,
β Evening β at most, a walk around Santa Claus Village or along the river.
For children, this is a format with "lots of animals, but without overload," and for parents, it's a chance to decide where to go in Finland with children for the second time in winter: repeat Lapland or move to other regions.
"After the husky tour, my son spent a week playing 'dog sledding'. We are glad that we didn't choose the shortest distance: the first few minutes were spent overcoming fear, but then all the fun began."
Couple or group of friends
Here you can safely consider longer programmes:
β 10β20 km husky safari in the morning,
β deer farm with lunch,
β in the evening β the city, sauna or "hunting" for the northern lights.
This is a case where a 3β5-day itinerary in Lapland can easily be built around one "animal" day and a couple of days in other locations (snowshoeing, national parks, Rovaniemi as a base).
Solo travellers and budget travel
If you are travelling alone and want lots of contact with animals but don't want to break the bank:
β choose a short husky tour with an emphasis on time in the kennel,
β combine it with a more affordable visit to a reindeer farm without a long route,
β look for groups where transfers are included β this eliminates separate taxi costs.
Expats and repeat visitors
For those who already live in Finland or have been to Lapland:
β you can take more in-depth, longer programmes with fewer people;
β come during the off-peak months when there are fewer crowds but there is still snow;
β choose farms that focus on lifestyle rather than "one lap and a photo".
β οΈ Common mistakes on husky and reindeer tours
10-15 minutes in a sled fly by in the time it takes to sing one song. If this is the dream of the whole trip, it is better to look for a medium format of 5-10 km, rather than the shortest circle "around the pen".
Many people write the same thing afterwards: "We only had time to understand how it works β and then it was over." If your budget is limited, it's better to save on souvenirs and take a slightly longer distance.
Huskies + reindeer β that's already a lot of excitement, especially with children and in the cold. Adding a busy park to that is almost guaranteed to result in tiredness and tears.
It's better to admit it honestly: Lapland for animal lovers is a separate destination in itself, not just an "add-on to Santa." If you want both, plan at least 2-3 days in the region.
The wind on the sleigh and static queues on the street quickly wear you out. The damp cold of Lapland does not forgive "just jeans and trainers".
Even if the farm provides overalls, it's worth wearing layers underneath: thermal underwear, a warm jumper, wool socks. Your phone will run out of battery much faster in the cold β a power bank is not a luxury, but a way to see your photos later.
It's normal to be shy about asking questions about care, the number of tours and vets, but these questions help to support responsible tourism.
Farms that operate honestly are usually happy to talk about their business. On the contrary, if the answers are evasive or you are rushed to "pay first, then you'll see everything" β this is a red flag.
β¨ When Lapland is remembered through the eyes of a dog
A good "animal" day near Rovaniemi is rarely about the mileage. People remember not only the speed of the sled, but also how a particular husky stubbornly climbed under your arm behind your ear, how a deer cautiously reached for your palm, how it smelled of smoke in the hut where you drank tea after the frost.
Lapland in winter can be different: some people chase the northern lights, some chase the perfect shots of Santa's village, and some come just to "be with the animals." And often it is the third scenario that turns out to be the quietest and most important.
Approach your choice of farms calmly and carefully: ask questions, read reviews, and don't be tempted by "too cheap" packages. This way, you will support those who work honestly, and you will remember Lapland with warm feelings, rather than with anxiety about "what if we ended up in the wrong place."
If you want to discuss a specific tour or farm, compare several programmes, or incorporate an "animal day" into a longer itinerary in the north, please share your thoughts in the comments. Write about which huskies and reindeer you remember most, and don't hesitate to ask uncomfortable questions: that's how honest guides are born.
β FAQ
For most adults and families with children, 5β10 km is a comfortable option. Short 2 km loops only give you a "taste" of the experience, but often leave you feeling that it ended too quickly. Long 15β20 km tours are good if you are confident in your health and enjoy active sports in the cold.
Yes, because the sensations from reindeer and huskies are fundamentally different. Huskies are all about speed and drive, while a reindeer sleigh is a slow, almost meditative journey through the forest. Even a short trip with stories from the farmers gives you a different layer of understanding of Lapland and life in northern Finland.
This is not only normal, but also desirable. Brief questions about the working conditions of dogs and reindeer, veterinary control and group sizes help you feel at ease and show that there is a real demand for responsible tourism in Finland and Lapland.
Yes, if you choose short or medium programmes and don't schedule too many activities in one day. It is important that children are dressed warmly, can sit inside between trips and do not spend too much time queuing in the cold. It is often at this age that Lapland is remembered as a pure fairy tale.
Usually not: most tours include transfers from hotels or from the centre of Rovaniemi. Renting a car gives you more freedom and can be beneficial for large families, but you need to be confident in your winter driving skills in Finland.
Most husky and reindeer tours near Rovaniemi provide insulated overalls, shoes and mittens. But you still need to bring your own base layers: thermal underwear, a warm jumper, a hat and socks. This greatly increases your comfort, especially if you are spending several hours outside in a row.
While actively moving, it is better to focus on steering the sled and safety. Guides usually make stops where you can safely take out your phone or camera. At many farms, the guides themselves offer to help with taking pictures so that you do not risk damaging your equipment and are not distracted from the road.
As a very rough estimate, you can expect to pay β¬150-250 per adult for a combined tour with transfer, clothing, lunch and two activities. Prices are lower for children, but it all depends on the length of the route and the level of service. Plus, add the cost of food in the city and any additional activities.
Technically, yes, if you go to see the huskies and reindeer in the afternoon and go out to see the aurora in the evening. But it's a very busy day, especially with children. It's safer to do this only in good weather and if you can easily tolerate the cold and lack of sleep; otherwise, it's better to leave the aurora hunting for another evening.
The classic peak season is from late November to early April, when there is stable snow and most farms are open. December and the New Year weeks are the busiest, January-February are colder but slightly less crowded, and March offers more sunshine and longer days. The choice depends on what is more important to you: the festive atmosphere, snow or light.
Yes, many people choose the "cottage + one or two trips to farms" format. This is especially comfortable for families and those who love peace and quiet: you live at your own pace, and the huskies and reindeer become bright episodes rather than the sole focus of the trip.
As a rule, yes: good operators have very gentle, relaxed programmes. You don't have to drive the sled yourself, you can choose a short route and spend more time just on the farm, listening to stories and petting the dogs. It is more important to be honest with the guide about your fears than to suffer them in silence.
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