Aurora Hunting with Reindeer Caravan

The best part of this Kiruna outing is the quiet. Once Fredrik and Beatrix take you east of town, the city fades away and you hear only the sled runners, the snow, and reindeer chewing winter lichen. You feed the animals, ride through the dark, then warm up beside a fire while looking for the northern lights.

I like the small group of up to eight, which leaves room for questions and personal attention. I also like that this is more than a quick sled ride: you get a glimpse of Sámi reindeer herding, a warm meal, and time in a traditional tent. The main consideration is the weather. Aurora sightings are never certain, and poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled tour or full refund.

Key points before you book

• Feed the reindeer first: You begin by offering white moss, a natural winter food and favorite treat, before the sled ride.
• Meet local Sámi herders: Fredrik and Beatrix share details about reindeer, family life, and the work involved in caring for the animals.
• Ride in a reindeer caravan: The sled moves at a gentle pace, giving you time to enjoy the dark forest and open sky.
• Warm clothing is provided: Winter jackets and boots are available, a useful comfort in Kiruna’s cold evening weather.
• Dinner finishes the night: Expect a simple meal cooked or served around the fire, with reindeer meat and vegetarian options available when requested.
• Aurora viewing is possible, not promised: The remote setting gives you a better sky than town, but clouds and weather remain beyond anyone’s control.

Leaving Kiruna at 5:30 p.m.

The evening starts with pickup from your accommodation, then a drive east from Kiruna along what is described as the aurora borealis road. This transfer is part of the evening rather than dead time. Fredrik or Beatrix uses it to explain the area, reindeer herding, and Sámi traditions before you reach the animals.

That early introduction matters. A reindeer sled ride can be treated as a simple Arctic amusement, but this outing places it within a living tradition. The Sámi have used reindeer caravans in northern Scandinavia for centuries, and the guides connect the ride with everyday herding work.

You should allow roughly seven hours for the full outing, even though the sledding portion is listed at about four hours. Pickup times, driving, feeding the reindeer, dinner, and time around the fire make this a full evening rather than a short activity squeezed between other plans.

The group is limited to eight people. That is a real advantage here. You are likely to have time to ask about the animals, the work of herding, and the Sámi way of life without feeling like one person in a large crowd.

Meeting the reindeer and feeding them white moss

On arrival, you put on extra winter clothing if needed and meet the reindeer in their enclosure. Jackets and boots are provided, which can save you from packing or renting another full set of cold-weather gear.

The first contact is hands-on. You feed the reindeer white moss and can spend time near them before the sled leaves. This is one of the most memorable parts for families and anyone who prefers an animal experience that begins slowly.

Reindeer are not presented only as sled animals. You see them eating, moving around, and responding to the herders. That small change in pace gives you a better sense of the daily care involved. It also lets you get comfortable with the animals before sitting behind one.

You should still dress sensibly. Provided outerwear helps, but warm layers, gloves, and a hat remain useful in the far north. The evening is spent outdoors and the sled ride is not a fast, heated attraction.

Riding through the forest in a reindeer caravan

Once the animals are ready, you take your place in a reindeer sled caravan. The pace is gentle. You hear the runners creak across the snow and the reindeer moving ahead, with little city noise to interrupt the ride.

That quiet is the point. This is not the right choice if you want speed, sharp turns, or an adrenaline rush. It suits you better if you want a calm trip through the winter woods, with time to watch the sky and listen to the sounds of the sled.

The route leads away from Kiruna and into the wilderness of northern Lapland. The farther you get from urban lights, the better the conditions are for stargazing. On a clear night, the stars can be striking even if the aurora does not appear.

The northern lights are possible during the ride, and some outings have included spectacular displays. Still, you should book this for the whole experience, not only for an aurora photograph. Solar activity, cloud cover, and timing decide what you see. The remote setting improves your chances, but no guide can guarantee the lights.

One practical point: the tour requires good weather. If conditions make the trip unsafe or unsuitable, the operator offers another date or a full refund. This policy protects you from being committed to a long outdoor evening in poor conditions.

Stories about Sámi life from Fredrik and Beatrix

The guides are a major part of the outing. Fredrik and Beatrix are described as a local Sámi couple whose family has worked with reindeer for generations. Their role is not limited to driving the sled or serving dinner. They explain how the animals fit into family life and the work of herding.

You can ask questions during the drive, around the enclosure, and beside the fire. One especially useful aspect is the chance to connect what you see with the seasonal rhythm of reindeer care. The guides have discussed the arrival of calves and the work that continues in the forest after the tour season.

That personal setting gives the evening more substance than a staged cultural display. You are visiting a family connected to the animals and the place, rather than moving through a large attraction with a short scripted talk.

At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. This is a brief introduction to Sámi culture, not a full course in Sámi history or politics. The value comes from the direct setting and the opportunity to listen to people who work with reindeer, not from a long museum-style presentation.

Dinner in a traditional tent by the fire

After the ride, you gather around a warm fire in a traditional tent. This is where the cold evening becomes comfortable again. The fire, the simple meal, and the dark forest create a strong finish to the outing.

Reindeer meat is part of the meal, including smoked reindeer prepared over the fire on some evenings. It is a fitting food for the setting and gives you another connection to northern life. The food is described as simple and delicious rather than elaborate, so you should expect a hearty camp-style dinner, not a restaurant menu.

Vegetarian options can be arranged when requested. If you need a special meal, mention it when booking or well before the tour. The supplied information confirms vegetarian arrangements, but it does not specify every dietary requirement.

The tent also gives you time to talk. You can ask more questions, hear additional stories, and watch the sky between the trees. Several hours with the guides may pass quickly because the meal and conversation are built into the evening instead of added as a rushed final stop.

How the northern lights fit into the evening

Kiruna is well placed for aurora viewing, and this tour takes you away from the city lights. That is a sensible plan for anyone hoping to see the northern lights without spending the entire evening in a van.

The guides travel east toward a more remote area and keep the sky in view during the outing. If the aurora appears, you might see it while riding, during dinner, or while standing outside the tent. The timing is part of the charm, but it also means the show may come and go while you are moving between activities.

Clear weather gives you the best chance. Clouds can block even a strong display, and a clear night may produce stars but no aurora. I would treat the lights as a bonus and the reindeer, stories, food, and setting as the guaranteed core of the booking.

Bring a phone or camera if you want photographs, but remember that very dark conditions can make casual pictures difficult. The experience is likely to be more enjoyable if you first watch the sky and only then worry about getting a perfect image.

Is the $321 price good value?

At $321, this is not a budget evening activity. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: pickup from your accommodation, a small group, winter jacket and boots, reindeer feeding, the sled ride, a Sámi-led cultural introduction, and dinner.

You are also paying for time. This is approximately seven hours, not a short 30-minute ride followed by a quick photo stop. The family setting and group limit add value for people who want conversation and a more personal pace.

The price is harder to justify if your only goal is to sit on a sled or see the aurora. Other Kiruna activities may offer a shorter ride for less money. This tour earns its cost through the combination of animal care, cultural context, transport, clothing, food, and a long evening outside town.

I would consider it good value for a first visit to Swedish Lapland, especially if you want one activity that combines several parts of the region in a single night. It is less appealing if you dislike cold, have little interest in Sámi culture, or are seeking a guaranteed northern lights display.

Who will enjoy this Kiruna evening most?

This suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a quiet, personal outing. Children can enjoy feeding the reindeer and watching the sled, while adults may value the conversation about Sámi life and the time around the fire.

You should be comfortable spending several hours outdoors in winter. The supplied clothing helps, but it does not turn the experience into an indoor activity. The sled ride is gentle, making it a better fit for people who want calm scenery than for anyone looking for speed.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people, with a maximum of eight participants. Specific accessibility details are not provided, so you should contact Go to Lapland AB before booking if you have mobility or other access needs.

The evening also works well for people who want a cultural activity without giving up the chance to see the aurora. You get both, but neither part should be treated as guaranteed or fully exhaustive.

Booking details and cancellation advice

Confirmation arrives when you book, and pickup from your accommodation is available. The stated start time is 5:30 p.m., so keep the evening free and avoid scheduling another fixed activity afterward.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Go to Lapland AB operates the outing. Since conditions matter, I would avoid booking it on the final night of your stay if seeing the reindeer and taking the sled ride is important to you. A weather cancellation is much easier to handle when you still have another evening available.

Should you book the Aurora Hunting with Reindeer Caravan?

Book it if you want a full northern evening built around animals, local hosts, food, and silence rather than a quick aurora chase. The strongest reasons are the small group, the chance to feed the reindeer, and the time with Fredrik and Beatrix in a setting tied to their family’s herding life.

Go in knowing that the aurora is never promised and that the cold can be serious. If you accept those limits, the tour offers a thoughtful way to experience Kiruna beyond the town itself. For many visitors, the stars, fire, reindeer, and stories will remain worthwhile even if the sky stays dark.

FAQ

Where does the Aurora Hunting with Reindeer Caravan take place?

The experience begins in Kiruna, Sweden, then travels east from the city into the wilderness of northern Lapland.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 5:30 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven hours. The reindeer sledding portion is described as about four hours.

Is pickup from my accommodation available?

Yes. Return transport from your accommodation is available as part of the experience.

Are winter clothes provided?

Yes. Winter jackets and boots are provided to help you stay warm.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner is included and is served around a warm fire, with food such as reindeer meat. Vegetarian options can be arranged when requested.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.