That quiet sound is the whole point. At Apukka, you’ll glide through Lapland on a reindeer-drawn sleigh and hear how reindeer husbandry shapes life up here. It’s scenic, yes, but it’s also a slow, hands-on introduction to an Arctic tradition.

I love the balance of a peaceful ride plus close reindeer time. You get a calm, up-close meet with the animals, and the guide stories help you see beyond the photo moment.

One thing to plan for: it can feel very cold even with the included gear, and the ride portion is relatively short. If you’re expecting a long, fast, big-adventure safari, this may feel more like a well-run classic Lapland experience than an all-day outing.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• 2–3 km sleigh ride through the snowy forest, often timed around 40–50 minutes depending on the session
• Fireside hot drink with stories about reindeer husbandry after the ride
• Winter clothing included (thermal overall, boots, wool socks, mittens) plus a short walk on-site from the resort to the farm
• English live guide who runs the experience and explains what you’re seeing
• Safety-focused sleigh setup, with seats allocated so the load is even and a professional steering for each sleigh
• Not wheelchair accessible, and you should dress for real Lapland cold

Arriving at Apukka: Why This Feels Less Like a Theme Park

Apukka Resort puts you in the right setting for a reindeer journey. You start close to the resort area and then head out on foot to the reindeer farm, just a few minutes away, which makes the whole thing feel grounded and practical.

The vibe is calm. Even when the place has plenty of visitors, the activity itself is built around stillness—quiet hooves, slow movement, and time to warm up after you’re done outside. That matters in Lapland, where weather turns everything into a timing game.

Pick-up Timing and How to Not Miss the Bus

Your day starts with a pre-set pick-up, and Apukka is clear about the timing. You can choose one of two pick-up points: Rovaniemi City Center at Korkalonkatu 32, or Santa Claus Village (Napapiiri I bus stop on the main road E75).

The departure timing is always earlier than the activity start—50 minutes before if you’re in the city center, 35 minutes before from Santa Claus Village. You’ll get your confirmed pick-up time by email within 48 hours of booking, so check it and plan around it.

Practical tip: be ready early at the pick-up point. If you miss it, refunds are not available, so treat the bus like it’s a flight.

Meeting the Reindeer: Calm Animals and Clear Rules

Before you ride, you’ll meet the reindeer and learn what’s happening and why. The experience is built around reindeer husbandry—how people manage the animals, how they live, and what care looks like in a northern landscape.

You’ll also get time with the reindeer up close. Many people end up feeding them and taking photos, and some guides encourage gentle interaction like petting once you’re in the right spot. It’s one of the best parts because you’re not just passing by the animals—you’re meeting them where they live.

Safety note: seats are allocated in the sleighs to keep the load even for the reindeer. And each sleigh is steered by a professional for safety, so you’ll focus on the ride instead of worrying about handling.

The Sleigh Ride Through Snowy Forest: Quiet Motion, Real Lapland Cold

Now for the main event: a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride lasting about 2 hours total for the tour, with the sleigh portion covering 2–3 km. In practice, many sessions feel like a 40–50 minute ride through a snowy forest stretch, sometimes with an open clearing moment that gives better light for photos.

The experience is designed to be slow. The sound is mostly the soft crunch of snow under the runners and hooves, plus the guide’s voice when you stop to listen. It’s not loud, not chaotic, and not about rushing from one spectacle to another.

One detail to keep expectations realistic: Apukka manages multiple sleighs for capacity. That can mean your ride is not purely one single sleigh in a perfect bubble—some sessions may feel like you’re part of a small group caravan. If you want maximum solitude, plan for the fact that Lapland reindeer rides are a shared activity.

How the Guides Make It Work (And Why Names Keep Showing Up)

The biggest differentiator here is the guiding. English-speaking guides lead the whole experience, mixing practical instructions with stories that turn the reindeer journey into a lesson about northern life.

You might be guided by people such as Christina, Tommy, Emily, or Alexi—names that show up again and again in feedback. Common themes: guides explain reindeer life in a way you can actually picture, they handle families and mixed ages with ease, and they keep the mood relaxed so you feel comfortable.

Even the fireside part benefits from the guide. You’re not just warming up—you’re also being guided through how reindeer husbandry works and what it means to people in Lapland.

Fireside Stop: Hot Drink, Cookies, and a Chance to Slow Down

After the ride, you gather around a fire with a warm drink. It’s simple but smart: you get a break from the cold right after you’ve been outside on the sleigh.

Many sessions include biscuits or cookies along with the hot drink, and the fire area is where the story portion really lands. You can ask questions, listen at an unhurried pace, and soak in that rare feeling of being outside in winter without rushing.

This is also where the experience becomes more emotional for a lot of people. When the animals are right there and you’re warming up beside the fire, it stops feeling like a quick photo stop and starts feeling like a memory you’ll keep.

Clothing and Comfort: What’s Included, What Isn’t

Apukka provides winter clothing for the activity: thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, and mittens. That’s a big value point because Lapland cold isn’t something you can fake with a nice jacket—your legs and feet matter.

Still, the cold can surprise you. A few people note that their feet or the overall warmth didn’t feel perfect in extreme temps, and one person specifically wished for extra warmth like a blanket. So treat the provided gear as a strong base, not a guarantee that you’ll be cozy in every condition.

Practical approach: wear warm layers under the overalls, keep your hat on if you use one, and make sure your socks and mittens fit snugly. If you’re sensitive to cold, bring your own extra warmth where it’s allowed by the gear rules for the activity.

Price and Value: $206 for Two Hours, and Where the Money Actually Goes

$206 per person sounds steep until you look at what’s included. For a 2-hour experience, you’re getting a guided sleigh ride 2–3 km, storytelling about reindeer husbandry, a hot drink (often with cookies or biscuits), winter clothing, and transfers if you need them from either the city center or Santa Claus Village.

What you’re paying for is organization and cold-weather management. The event runs with professional steering, allocated seating for safety, and enough structure that you aren’t guessing what to do when it’s freezing outside.

Is it better value than the cheapest reindeer rides nearby? Maybe not. But if you care about a smooth, well-timed experience and you want real hands-on reindeer time plus fireside comfort, it can feel worth it—especially during peak season when “random” tours can turn into waiting around in the cold.

Animal Welfare: What’s Mostly Praised, and What You Should Watch For

The reindeer here are generally described as healthy and well cared for, and many interactions feel calm. People repeatedly say the animals seem gentle and comfortable close up, and that the farm staff clearly know what they’re doing.

That said, not every comment is purely positive. A couple of remarks raise concerns about how some reindeer were positioned (like being tied during parts of the activity) or whether every animal was fully accustomed to riding people.

Here’s the balanced takeaway for you: you can’t control animal behavior, but you can choose a provider that shows clear professionalism and safety. If anything looks off to you in the moment, speak to the guide calmly and ask what’s happening and why.

Who Should Book This (And Who Might Not)

This is a great fit if you want a classic Lapland experience: a quiet sleigh ride, reindeer up close, and a warm ending by the fire. It works well for families too—there are experiences where kids loved the reindeer and the ride pace felt manageable.

It also suits couples and solo travelers who want something romantic and slow rather than sporty and rushed. The fireside drink and the guided explanations help you feel like you’re part of the place, not just watching it from a distance.

You might skip it if you need a wheelchair-friendly option—this activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. And if you’re searching for a long adventure day, you may find the actual time on the sleigh short compared to full-day excursions.

Should You Book the Apukka Reindeer Journey?

I’d book this if your ideal Lapland day includes a reindeer sleigh ride plus real winter warmth at the end. The included clothing, the structured safety setup, and the fireside stop make it feel like a complete package rather than a quick roadside event.

Skip it or reconsider if you’re the type who needs maximum solitude, long ride time, or zero cold discomfort. Also sanity-check the price if you’re mainly in it for the photos—at $206, you’re paying for guidance, comfort, and logistics as much as the reindeer.

If you want a calm, traditional Rovaniemi experience that slows you down for a couple hours, Apukka is one of the more straightforward choices.

FAQ

How long is the Apukka Reindeer Journey?

The duration is 2 hours.

How far do you ride in the sleigh?

The reindeer sleigh ride is 2–3 km.

What winter clothing is included?

You’ll be provided a thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, and mittens.

Where are the pick-up points?

There are two: Rovaniemi City Center at Korkalonkatu 32, and Santa Claus Village at the bus stop Napapiiri I by the main road, E75.

Is alcohol allowed during the activity?

Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.