Apukka Reindeer Journey

The reindeer farm visit was completely different but just as special. It was much calmer and more traditional, and learning about the culture behind reindeer herding made it feel really meaningful—not just a tourist stop. We also got to see the northern lights on the adventure

The reindeers were chill and it was a vibe to ride in the sled, feed the reindeer and take photos with them. Specially thanks to Tommy, Dennis, and Antonia.

I hope i am reveiwing the right tour - the one that starts at Apukka resort . This was an enchanting experience and i had every confidence in the team. The bad reviews had worried me , but you need to remember these are not Disney animals and have their feelings, fears and characters. Tommy led us on a magical walk through the forest in the moonlight and after we could feed the reindeeer lichen, and lead them one by one to their night paddock . The young man guide was fascinating and passionate about his animals . clothed properly we did not suffer cold at all .i recommend this trip . PS sorry reindeer, but your sausages were delicious

We had an amazing reindeer trek from Apukka Resort. It was a short, but very beautiful walk, to the reindeer area. We thoroughly enjoyed our adventure with the reindeers through the forest. So beautiful! We then finished with some hot berry juice and biscuits in a kota. Our tour guide told us lots of interesting facts and our kids loved it. We then had our opportunity to get some photographs with surrounding reindeer. Amazing! Trip of a lifetime! Thank you.

This was a great experience in the Finland forest with about 11 Reindeer pulling 11 sleighs. The experience includes, sleigh ride, guide, hot drink and BBQ sausages on an open fire, and essential winter clothing. The guides are knowledgable and ensure you have fun and stay warm. We were so lucky, the Aurora lights turned up for a photo opportunity. Couple of things to bear in mind, its cold, take note of the advice from the Apukka Adventure Clothing people when they issue you with the kit, they know what they're talking about! The sleigh is not comfortable, you sit on a Reindeer hide on a wooden sleigh, so if you suffer with back problems, this will be uncomfortable. The ride is 30-40 minutes each way. The tent/teepee that you have the BBQ in has an open fire in the middle, you will come out smelling like a BBQ as well, but its worth it.

Truly amazing a most do when in Lapland. The two ladies who were in charge of the reindeer's were so friendly and professional. Really enjoyed this.

We were 10 mins late so didn't do the activity we had no phone call ,we phoned them. we had a car we could have met the coach at the reindeer centre,but they didn't give the address to us. We couldn't rebook as all other rides were fully booked.

To the managing Director Apukka adventures. It is to my great dismay that on 29 January 2023, we attended a reindeer sledge ride at approximately 2 pm. It was extraordinarily distressing and traumatic for all concerned. I question that the reindeers have been abused, as they were very distressed, trying to get put into the sledge and then walking in a straight line. Resulting from this distress and query mal treatment of these animals several reindeers got tangled in the ropes of the sledges, jumping and butting each other ,sledges overturned ,people in the sledges were thrown out, and several sledges were broken. This is unacceptable, I query how you have been registered as a tour operator . I request a full refund of my money immediately. I will be taking further action in relation to this incident. Regards, Gita Chandra

It was a terrible experience. The reindeers we're very distresses and agitated. The Reindeers jolted off together out of control. They turned one of the sledges which was carrying people. The sledge broke. One of the staff members fell. The animals trampled over each other and became entangled. Clearly the animals we're not prepared or ready to be doing this type of work and it's extremely dangerous for tourists, staff and animals. 4 of us were very distressed and left. Then others followed after another attempt at swapping out some of the animals. Concerned for animal welfare.

Great! Got to feed and pet the reindeer. enjoyed a long ride through the snowy forest on a magical sleigh ride.

Reindeer tour was arranged very badly. The guide made us wait half an hour outside in -20 degrees so that she can gather everyone. We were already feeling so cold. Then we walked to a small tent with fire for a little while and went to feed the Reindeers. By the time we did the sleigh I was so cold that my feet and toes were in severe pain and I just wanted the sleigh to finish fast so we can go back to warm. The shoes they offered were feeling horribly cold! They had to take us directly to sleigh and then in tent to warm up and then feeding the Reindeers and going back and do the checking of everyone inside the property not in super cold weather. tourists who visit lapland are not used to these extreme low temperatures and its good to have some understanding of the customers and consider it when designing the Tours!

Smooth and comfortable ride through the forest. It’s a nice experience, though, the husky experience was our personal favorite.

We were advised to meet at Santa Claus village bus stop which we presumed was the bus stop in the village. We waited for 40 mins. We contacted company who advised the bus stop was the wrong one and we should have been waiting on main road. Another family also was waiting with us had the same problem. No offer for another time was given without an extra $640 .. we lost $640 Australian dollars on this all because instruction is not clear, many staff where we are staying say this is a common presumption with this company.

We were in Rovaniemi and chose the reindeer sleigh. In the morning we were greeted very nicely and brought to the bus by a guide, who was very nice. He came up to you and immediately started talking to you. after that we changed our clothes (we got a snow suit, shoes and gloves) and then we started. we drove with the reindeer through the dreamlike landscape. afterwards a guide named Aleksi told us everything about the reindeer. he was also very friendly and he told the stories funny. you could ask him everything about Finland or the reindeer and u know that he really likes to work with the animals. We were picked up again by the shuttle bus. I would recommend it to anyone it was a wonderful experience and definitely worth the money!

A very magical and memorable experience, the Reindeer are absolutely beautiful. You do get very cold as you're sitting still for quite a while so really make sure you have lots of layers! The trail through the woods is straight out of a fairytale and the guides are passionate and knowledgeable about their animals.

This was a nice, calm and slow pace sleigh ride with reindeers. We had a small group. Our guide was great, she knew a lot about reindeers and Lapland nature. In the middle point we stayed in a tent with a fireplace, drinking hot berry juice and grilling sausages. It was a really nice experience.

Excellent journey with our local guide Johani (not sure about the writing, sorry for this !) The ride was very pleasant, discussion with him and his lovely wife as well and everything was magical. However despite the recommendation, a couple of tourist in our group didn't respect anything. Noise, music in the sliders, talking over the guide during the explanation. It was really unrespectful and made me crazy at the end ... So please, new rich and rednecks, skip your turn and leave your seat to others. You have nothing to do here.

This was the only best thing at Apukka Resort. The reindeer journey is the longest and quiet relaxing. I did it during the night as well as during the day - both were memorable. Usually reindeer rides happens inside a pre defined path if you do reindeer ride booking and either by yourself or a person incharge. This was a different experience l. The distance is longer and more open than any other reindeer rides in Rovanemi.

friendly staff, excellent organization and once in a lifetime experience. the whole tour is inside the appuka resort, so safe and also good for every age and condition. off course weather is the most challanging thing to consider. may to reconsider a bit the snacks and food . not my taste and more options should be given .

Awful experience. The reindeer ride lasts about 5 minutes, thrn you get to this area where there’s a very cold tepee with a fireplace. They have large groups, so not everyone can get into the tepee which means you freeze most of the time. The “activities” they offer during your share of ass freezing are to decorate trees (very difficult with gloves) and decorate gingerbread cookies. In the tepee, with gloves and with the icing that’s frozen, like everything else. The only warm thing to drink is a finnish drink and no coffee or chocolate for the kids are included. They should be as the tour is mainly for kids. You wait for almost 3 hours in the freezing cold to meet Santa in a very cheap house, where he sits sad and alone in front of a central room fire that looks like the one in the tepee. You’re going to Santa’s House but it’s really a tepee made of wood with no Furnitures or anything. You’re there for less than 10 minutes with the “elf” rushing you to leave because others need to enter too. Very very very awful experience, a total rip off and my kids froze which is was makes me more angry because I can take that is bad and everything but that you leave people outside for 3 hours with -20 degrees is absolutely unacceptable.

Incredible experience being able to meet, feed and sleigh ride with a local owner of the reindeer. She was very friendly, knowledgeable and had a true passion for her reindeer. She taught us so many things about the reindeer and we learned a little bit about her background here in Finland. I wish we could have done another tour with her Finish horses! Now we have to come back!

Well organized. At the Apukka Resort you could borrow the winter clothes. Approximately half-hour round trip with the reindeer sleigh. Then tea, cookies and information about reindeer and then you could feed the animals.

È’ stata una bella esperienza. Il tour con le renne è stato meraviglioso nel silenzio assoluto della foresta e lungo il fiume. Da consigliare

Fairytale landscape. The sweetest reindeer make the experience unique. Reindeer sleigh ride in Finnish nature. First, a guide explains reindeer and herding life and offers you a hot tea and excellent Lapland biscuits. Activities to try.

We loved the reindeer sleigh ride. The duration wasn't too short either, it was a real experience. The ride went through the forest and over a frozen lake...beautiful! Afterwards you can eat very well in the restaurant (lunch buffet, highly recommended).

First of all, the shuttle was 30 minutes late, so we stood in the cold for 45 minutes with a 2-year-old child. When we got there, we were taken to the reindeer. The first 20 meters took a good 10 minutes because the reindeer didn't want to walk. After that, we walked about 100 meters. After they didn't want to walk again, two reindeer were swapped, with one reindeer's tongue hanging out as if it couldn't go on. Then we went another 100 meters until one reindeer fell to the ground and couldn't get up. Whereup the guide, I assume because he spoke Finnish, screamed for help. Nobody came, minutes went by. He screamed again and again and tried to hold the first reindeer down in order to, I assume, go to the lying reindeer. After about 10 minutes, a female guide finally came and "pushed" the reindeer up even though it couldn't get up. We got out of the sleigh and I told them that this was animal cruelty! The female guide then said that the reindeer are just not in a good mood. I then said that you shouldn't do something like that. We should get back in and wait. We decided to walk back as long as we could see the sleighs they didn't move, which took another 10 minutes and after that we had no visual contact. This is pure animal cruelty where the animal's needs are not taken into account. If an animal is lying on the ground and is obviously unable to get up, that is not animal-friendly! The answer we received was that the animal felt comfortable, so it lay down! We are very aware that many different circumstances led to this experience, but as an organizer you have to be ready and cancel an event if the conditions are not met for whatever reason! In my opinion, it's pure greed for profit! Apart from that, I found out that a reindeer has a pulling power of a maximum of 175kg. We were two adults and a child, and had a lot of clothes on, heavy winter boots, a camera, a backpack, etc. You can't forget the sleigh either, mathematically it doesn't work out with 175kg, even if you do the math in favor of the organizer. According to Get your guide, it's a tour in a small group of a maximum of 10 people. I didn't count, but there were at least 20 people, if not more.

La foresta innevata nel silenzio totale! Un’ esperienza fantastica con renne dolcissime. La guida molto disponibile ci ha raccontato le usanze degli allevatori di renne

Leuk om meer te horen over rendieren. Resort wel erg commercieel en groot. Zelf geef ik voorkeur aan kleinschaliger opzet

As with huskies, the fairytale landscape and the sweetest reindeer made the experience incredible, reason for the high rating. Adequate and interesting explanations of the companion. But also here the offer to refresh - called hot drink and light meal - was ridiculous: the usual herbal tea in a paper cup plus a biscuit. And when booking they also ask if you have intolerances or limitations.... given the price, well deserved for nature and animals, we found the thing really inadequate.