About This Experience
This 90-minute experience from Sami Siida in Alta is the longer, culture-led companion to the operator’s one-hour reindeer visit. Most of it takes place in a lavvu, the traditional Sámi tent designed for a nomadic life in the northern climate, where Sámi guides talk about their traditions, beliefs and family stories around the fire. Coffee or tea from the bonfire comes with Masi cake.
You also get hands-on time with traditional handcrafted Sámi clothing and spend time with the reindeer, including feeding them. Several reviewers single out the joik, the traditional Sámi song, that their guide sang by the fire at the end. The experience is conducted in English.
It suits travellers who want to understand something of Sámi life, and families, since it is only unsuitable for babies under 1 year and people with animal allergies. The listing describes it as wheelchair accessible. Transport is not included, which one reviewer pointed out, so plan how you will get there. Part of the visit is outdoors with the reindeer, so dress warmly.
The rating is 4.9 from 42 reviews. Reviewers describe guides who are proud of their heritage, funny and engaging, plenty of unhurried time with friendly reindeer, and a clear introduction to how the Sámi, the land and the reindeer depend on each other. The only practical complaint in the written reviews is the lack of transport.
Highlights
- Fireside time inside a lavvu, the traditional Sámi tent
- Personal stories of Sámi traditions and beliefs from Sámi guides
- Meet the reindeer outdoors
- Learn how Sámi life has been rooted in nature for generations
- A joik, the traditional Sámi song, is often part of the visit, reviewers say
What's Included
- ✓ Guided tour inside a traditional Sámi lavvu
- ✓ Bonfire coffee or tea with Masi cake
- ✓ Hands-on experience with traditional Sámi clothing
- ✓ Feeding the reindeer
- ✓ Live guide in English
- ✓ About 1.5 hours, wheelchair accessible
Not Included
- Transport to and from the site
- Hotel or cruise-port pickup
- Meals beyond the bonfire coffee or tea and cake
What to Bring
- Warm clothing
- Warm boots for the outdoor reindeer time
- Camera
Good to Know & Caveats
- Dress warmly for the experience.
- The tour is conducted in English.
- Transport is not included; check the address on your booking confirmation and plan your own way there.
- Start times vary by date: check availability to see starting times.
- Not suitable for babies under 1 year or people with animal allergies. Smoking is not allowed.
- Free cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Not Suitable For
- People with animal allergies
- Babies under 1 year
Meeting Point
The experience is run by Sami Siida in Alta with no pickup listed, so check the address on your booking confirmation and plan your own transport.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 42 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
This was a fun and unique tour. The guide was excellent. She told us about the Sami culture in words and song. She was very welcoming and easy to communicate with. We also interacted with cute reindeer with the opportunity to feed them. Transportation was not included.
— , 2026-11
One of the best tours we have been on. Our guide, Mi, was extremely engaging and enthusiastic. She was clearly very proud of her heritage and it showed. We loved meeting the reindeer and hearing all about the Sami way of life. Fantastic.
— , 2026-11
Our tour was a wonderful introduction to Sami culture and reindeer. Learning about the long-standing relationship between the arctic animals, the land and the indigenous people was very interesting. The reindeer were friendly and a lot of fun to feed. Our guide was funny, engaging and enthusiastic about sharing her culture; we very much enjoyed the joiks (cultural vocal expressions) by the fire at the end of the tour. Absolutely recommend this activity!
— , 2026-10
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens on the Sami lavvu experience in Alta?
Sámi guides share stories of their culture around the fire in a lavvu tent, serve bonfire coffee or tea with Masi cake, let you handle traditional Sámi clothing, and take you to feed the reindeer.
Is transport included?
No. The listing includes no pickup, and a reviewer confirmed transportation was not included, so arrange your own way there.
What language is it in?
The tour is conducted in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The listing only rules it out for babies under 1 year and people with animal allergies, and reviewers mention it working well for children.
How much does it cost?
It was $150 per person on 6 November 2026, the earliest date we checked in early November 2026. Prices vary by date.
