Reindeer, elk and husky farms in the resorts of Finland. Reindeer that impressed us in Finland Where to ride reindeer in Finland with a visit to a reindeer farm

Rovaniemi is the home of Santa Claus, a city located right on the Arctic Circle - deservedly considered one of the best winter sports centers in Finland. The city of Rovaniemi with a population of 35,000 inhabitants is the capital of Lapland. Everyone who wants to get to know the culture and way of life of this northern region, definitely come here.

Thanks to the presence of snow cannons that guarantee snow cover on the slopes and slopes, the ski season here begins in October. There is also a point that is probably photographed more often than all other sights in Finland - the Arctic Circle sign located at the northern entrance to the city with the designation of the exact geographical latitude of this imaginary line.

In addition to the main duty to fulfill innermost desires, Santa Claus has a lot of worries. He is a very busy grandfather. Judge for yourself: in a year he reads more than six million letters from 184 countries (even from distant New Guinea and Madagascar!). And here they also send messages by e-mail, there is no time to rest. It's good that the faithful dwarf helpers in red caps and striped golfs sort out the bags of letters. Sometimes Santa can be seen rushing around the city on a deer - there is not enough time, time flies, before you have time to look back, how the new year turns into an old one, the years are compressed into centuries, and now the change of the whole millennium has come.

Deer are everywhere here. This does not mean that they are ownerless, although they can roam without any supervision. They belong to the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland - the Sami, who live here about five thousand. By the way, not only Santa Claus can ride reindeer, but anyone who wants to test this unusual vehicle. To do this, you just need to take special short-term courses on "driving deer", after which you are awarded "reindeer rights". And then, harness, let's go!

Where the reindeer will take you is impossible to say for sure, but for sure you will not be able to miss one of the main attractions of Finland with the Arctic Circle sign. Taking a picture next to him, you will feel like a real polar explorer and understand that it is time to boldly go to the "places of Santa Claus".

The best Finnish resorts are located in Lapland. These are Levi, Saariselkya and Ylläs. Fans of impeccable service will not be able to find fault with anything. High-class hotels and cozy cottages are located here, where you can find everything your heart desires: swimming pools, jacuzzis, saunas, gyms, billiards. Night safari on snowmobiles, reindeer and dog sleds awaits you, as well as entertainment in a tropical water park with all the pleasures that come with it.

Be sure to take the time to ride the dog sled. Finnish huskies, or huskies, conquer everyone with their kindness. Also, they have blue eyes like the sky. While the owner ties them into a harness, the huskies whine and bark with impatience - so you want to hit the road as soon as possible! You can even try to drive a team, although this is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

It can also happen that you get bored with the comfortable atmosphere in the hotel. Then we advise you to experience the proverb known to everyone: "With a sweetheart, paradise in a hut." Everyone can do it in a hut, but what about an ice hut, inside which is minus 3 - 8 degrees? But just imagine that through the transparent ice ceiling you will see the twinkling of the northern lights. According to Japanese belief, it brings happiness in the birth and upbringing of children. Yes, you can endure everything for this (especially since in fact warm sleeping bags will protect you from any cold). You can live in a house made of ice, which is called "igloo", in the town of Saariselkä. There, by the way, there is a whole village: twenty igloo houses, an ice church where the newlyweds are crowned. an ice sculpture gallery and even an ice bar.

In the realm of snow, it is impossible to deny yourself the pleasure of skiing, snowboarding, skating and sledding. Polar windsurfing will give you an extraordinary experience: you get on your skis, pick up a small parachute, and now - catch the wind and go! Inveterate skiers who prefer flat running are better off heading to Kuopio - this city is surrounded by over 400 km of ski slopes. Professionals can recommend the ski stadium on the Pujo fell, where the world's only ski jumping school operates. Skiers and snowboarders are waiting for the high-class ski resorts of Takho and Himos, and you can rent the equipment of the "snow extreme" for rent. If you want to teach your kid to ski, then Jyväskylä is the place for you, where even three-year-olds are trained.

And your child will always remember Lumilinna Castle, located in Kemi. In this shining ice palace, guests are greeted by the "spirits of Lumilinna" Terttu and Arttu - a pair of funny creatures that appear here and there. With them you can ride the hill and see the sights of the castle. For the night, we advise you to stay in an icy two-story hotel at the castle, where the beds are made of wood and snow. Do you think you will freeze in a lambskin sleeping bag, lying on a thick mattress stuffed with straw? In such a bed, by the light of candles, no frost is terrible. But you will feel just like in childhood ..

So, to Lapland! There, where every year the Christmas fairy tale begins and miracles happen. There, where it is frosty and snowy, where the polar night and the northern lights. Just try to say at home: "That's enough, we're tired, we're leaving for Santa Claus!", and you will hear a cry of delight from your beloved child, who is already fucking tired of studying and terribly wants adventures in the country of the Snow Queen and the real Santa Claus where, in the words of the Reindeer from Andersen's fairy tale, "wonder as well."

Lapland is an ideal starting point for a variety of safaris: 150 motorized sledges can start from here on a journey through unknown expanses at the same time. Rovaniemi is also a city of reindeer, from where every tourist can take away not only the unforgettable impressions of a ride on a reindeer sleigh, but also real "rights" to drive this local vehicle.

How much the entertainment costs: A reindeer and dog safari costs about $100 (500 Finnish marks). The same is the cost of a one-day cruise on an icebreaker in the Gulf of Bothnia and a night in an ice hotel. Don't forget to take a picture with Santa Claus (80 FIM) and take a diploma from him for visiting the Arctic Circle.

What else unusual can await a traveler in the land of the aurora borealis? Well, for example, have you tried, emerging from the warm waters of the pool, immediately get on your skis and rush off the hill?

Such entertainment offers the water park "Serena" in Helsinki. And dive into the waters of Bothnia, where the icebreaker from the city of Oulu will take you, and swim among the ice, is it weak? If yes, go fishing. True, for this you need to purchase a license, which costs about $ 20. You can fish on the shore of a lake in eastern Finland, and in rapids, and in the sea - on the Aland Islands off the Baltic coast.

It is hard to imagine Finland without the legendary Yolupukki on a reindeer sleigh, who lives in the Arctic Circle. For the sake of reindeer and snow, thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to Lapland every year.

But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to combine a developed infrastructure and centuries-old traditions without loss. In addition, in the northern region of Finland, the number of carnivorous wild animals has increased greatly over the past three years.
Local residents of Lapland have been sounding the alarm for several years - the number of deer is sharply decreasing every year. This year, the reduced supply of venison is comparable to the situation in 2000, when extreme weather conditions left the animals starving.

To this day, reindeer herding in Finnish Lapland is supported by hereditary reindeer herders, so half-wild reindeer walking around can be found right on the roadway. However, they should not be touched - they are semi-wild, that is, having an owner, they graze on their own throughout the Lapland tundra.

Spectacular reindeer races, well known among tourists, are held in all six districts of Lapland, usually in the places with the highest concentrations of tourists. Lappish souvenirs tend to feature the horned reindeer, a symbol of northern Finland that has spawned a world-famous brand for the Lappish people.

Lapland reindeer herders have become part of the national Sami culture, which has been mentioned in written sources since the beginning of the 1600s. Even under the Swedish king Charles IX, a decree was issued on the domestication of wild breeds of deer in northern Finland. Since ancient times, deer have been of commercial importance and have been used as a means of transportation. The experience of breeding deer is inherited. The children of reindeer herders are taught from an early age to follow the horned beauties, receiving a part of the deer as a gift from their father and their own sign for marking them. Reindeer are not kept in paddocks: they move freely throughout Lapland.

Reindeer are the property of the reindeer breeder, so hunting for them is prohibited in the country. The owner's well-being depends on the number of individuals, therefore, when asked about the size of the herd, the reindeer herder usually answers that he has "deer run on both sides of the tree." In the warm season, reindeer herders prepare food for the winter in the form of hay and dry branches. In autumn, the owners collect the deer in special fences, where they are counted and sorted. Fawns born in spring are branded with the owner's mark. The young are set free. In an unmarked baby, it is not difficult to determine the owner-reindeer breeder, since he always follows his mother.

You get used to the reindeer roaming freely on the roads of Lapland already during the first day of the trip. There are so many of them that it is impossible to drive through and not see a single reindeer, especially in summer. Knowing the habits of wild animals, Laplanders strongly advise tourists to drastically slow down at the sight of deer standing on the side of the road, because they can rush at full speed right under the wheels of the car, trying in such an absurd way to turn off the road or run to their relatives. It happens that there are several horned handsome men who have lost their leader in the middle of the road. However, it will not be possible to feed or stroke them - reindeer have a wild disposition.

Representatives of the Finnish Lapland breed of reindeer change their antlers every year in the spring. This species of animals is characterized by a beautiful crown on the head of both the male and the female. It happens that the growth of horns in males reaches two centimeters per day. The shedding of antlers is accompanied by deer fights. Another feature of this breed of reindeer is also the presence of skin on the horns. In autumn, the skin begins to peel off from them, hanging in pieces from the bare horns. In autumn, the mating season begins for male deer, they behave especially aggressively towards humans.
Delicious reindeer meat is present in the assortment of all stores in Lapland. It is sold in frozen, smoked and canned forms. In restaurants, tourists are offered at least five different venison dishes, presenting guests with national cuisine. By the way, I myself personally tried smoked venison soup in cream in Rovaniemi - you will lick your fingers!

The cost of reindeer meat is extremely high, especially when transported to central and southern Finland through suppliers. A whole deer carcass or half can be bought directly from Lapland producers for only ten euros a kilogram, so a local resident without a large separate freezer is not a Laplander, because frozen venison, elk, fish and berries are taken from this treasury throughout the year.

Today, there are 56 reindeer herding farms in Finnish Lapland, covering about 114,000 sq. m. As a result of the reduction in the number of livestock, only 80,000 deer were sent for slaughter this year from all farms, and this figure is lowered annually. Let me remind you that in 2010 the number of slaughtered animals was more than 100,000 pieces, and in 2005, reindeer herders experienced their best years, having the opportunity to slaughter 124,153 animals.

Experts see the reason for the decrease in the number of deer in the contradiction between the provision of favorable conditions for the development of tourism in Lapland and the expectation of a stable supply of venison from reindeer farms. Numerous tourist areas are narrowing the reindeer pastures, leaving scarce territories for the animals to feed. Tracking and hunting predators is limited by strict regulations. Many researchers see the problem of the crisis in reindeer husbandry not only in numerous predators and poor pastures, but also in oversized herds that do not have enough food in the territory allotted to them.

From a financial point of view, compulsory feeding of reindeer has become difficult for reindeer herders. Since the process of feeding animals in the wild is mechanized, the reindeer breeder must own a car, a motor sleigh and an ATV. Rising fuel prices and the use and maintenance of expensive technical equipment sometimes limit the frequency of winter feeding.

The decline in the number of reindeer herds is directly related to the increase in the number of predators in Lapland. Last year alone, more than 5,000 deer went missing as a result of attacks by large carnivores, which means that reindeer meat prices are likely to rise by up to 20-30% in the near future. In addition to the reindeer herders themselves, the reduction in the supply of venison and the change in its cost are mainly concerned about the chefs of restaurants in Finland and companies involved in the processing of reindeer skins.

The state policy legally protects Lapland's predatory animals by paying monetary compensation to reindeer owners based on evidence found from the reindeer. However, the Lapland reindeer herders believe that these amounts do not cover the costs. From their point of view, the number of predatory animals should be controlled.

Today, a reindeer breeder has the right to get even with a specific predator that causes significant damage to him, only with the consent of the relevant nature protection authorities.
By the way, the capture of the beast is carried out at the expense of the hunter's own funds. So, recently, in the Salla region, they unsuccessfully searched for a wolf that killed more than ten deer.

Statistics show that at least one hundred wolverines roam the territory of reindeer farms, which are endangered, and it is forbidden by law to catch them. In addition to wolverines, in the Lapland forests, bears are not averse to feasting on venison, which, according to average estimates, are 200–300 pieces, a hundred lynxes and hundreds of hungry wolves that migrated from Russia and other regions of Finland closer to reindeer farms.

Finland is a fairly small country, but its sights are unique. With each visit, tourists fall more and more in love with it, get acquainted with its historical values ​​and visit the most interesting places.

One of the most famous and interesting places has become, which is a unique linguistic and cultural region as part of Suomi. It is here that every tourist can temporarily plunge into the atmosphere of magic and fairy tales, as well as see the most beautiful miracle of nature - the northern lights. After all, it is in the north of Finland that this natural phenomenon can be observed up to two hundred nights a year. And, of course, get to know your favorite wizard and his faithful assistants - reindeer.

Lapland is the largest European region where Finnish reindeer are bred. The field of reindeer breeding is clearly structured and includes more than 5 thousand participants and is practically the only way for local residents to earn money.

There is a special cooperative (autonomous economic and geographically separate unit) of which every reindeer herder becomes a member. All cooperatives are fenced and contain no more than 500 reindeer. In total, hundreds of thousands of these animals are under the close attention of reindeer herders and are rightfully one of the main attractions.

A trip to a reindeer farm in Finland will be one of the best activities for the whole family. In the very center, these amazing animals with kind bottomless eyes, branched horns and soft fur are found almost everywhere.

A visit to the farm is not only a good way to meet real reindeer, but also a fun ride in a reindeer sleigh.

In winter, this type of entertainment is in great demand, so you will have to stand in line for several hours. At this time, you can enjoy the fabulous landscapes, as well as visit the chum (in the very center of the village), warm yourself by the fire and get to know the local employees who are dressed in traditional costumes.

The Finnish deer is the symbol of Lapland. Each has a name and its own owner, who will first tell a lot of interesting facts about the life of the animals themselves, about the features of their breeding and nutrition, and then allow them to stroke their pets, feed them and take beautiful pictures as a keepsake.

Many interesting facts about them will be revealed while listening to a theoretical lecture, which is an obligatory part of the excursion. For example, that Santa Claus helpers are able to withstand very low temperatures, thanks to their thick fur, and live on average up to 20 years.

And also Finnish reindeer's eye color changes, which is really, magical: from golden brown to deep blue, depending on the time of year.

Currently, the mammal belongs to a rare species. They are bred not for demonstration to tourists, but for food. Milk has unique properties and value, and reindeer meat is considered the most favorite dish for the inhabitants of Lapland and a distinctive national feature.

After the theory, you can safely proceed to the most interesting part - reindeer riding. The sleds are not driven by trained instructors, but by ordinary visitors. This does not pose any difficulties, since Finnish animals are very obedient and perfectly remember the entire route, since they have to tread the path several times a day.

The duration of the tour is approximately three hours. After the reindeer sleigh ride, lunch will be offered. Tourists can enjoy tea drinking in a bright chum, or located on the farm itself and try venison dishes.

Opening hours and cost

The cost of the tour is not clearly defined and depends on many factors: the age of the tourist (a child ticket is cheaper), the duration of the Finnish reindeer ride (ranges from 500 meters to several kilometers) and the lunch menu (choosing a chum or a restaurant).

On average, the price of visiting a deer farm for an adult will be approximately 120 euros, and for a child 70 euros.

The working hours for visitors on all farms are approximately the same: daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

However, for the reindeer herders themselves, the working day begins early in the morning. In spring and summer, it is necessary to feed the animals, clean the barn and prepare hay, as well as repair and prepare all buildings for visiting in order to create a unique atmosphere of magic for tourists.

In autumn, the work is even more intense. It is necessary to count the livestock and mark each, as well as determine the part of the deer for the winter. The rest will turn into delicacies and fluffy skins.

In order for the animals not to cause damage to the local flora (after all, they feed mainly on reindeer moss and juniper), their number is clearly regulated and in winter it is allowed to keep no more than 230 individuals.

The Sirmakko Reindeer Farm is a real nature reserve where you can observe reindeer in their natural habitat. Also touch the amazing Sami life. This is Lapland.

The highlight of this tour will be the passage of the ceremony of initiation into Laplanders, which will give every tourist an unforgettable vivid experience. Anyone can rent a small house. On the territory of the farm there is a souvenir shop selling goods with local symbols.

This farm is located at the address: Rovaniemi, Valtinmutka, 15.

Upon arrival at the Finnish reindeer farm, you must remember that this place is unique. The beauty and pristine nature, clean air and rare representatives of flora and fauna. Therefore, littering is strictly prohibited. Talking loudly or gesticulating too much in front of animals is not recommended. And also feed them brought food.

For a comfortable trip in the winter, you need to take care of the presence of warm clothes, comfortable shoes to protect your hands. It is advisable to purchase a protective face cream (especially for children) so that the skin does not experience discomfort during reindeer riding.

Attention should be paid to the fact that a huge number of Finnish reindeer die under the wheels of vehicles, so in Finland there is a special road sign for motorists. And also for this reason, the horns of animals are painted with a special reflective solution and they cross the road only in specially designated places. When traveling in your own transport, you need to be very careful.

And of course, a camera or camcorder is a must. This will allow you to capture the most interesting moments of your stay in the fairy-tale land of reindeer.

Interesting video: Lapland, home of Santa Claus

In the ski resorts of Finland, you can not go skiing and snowboarding perfectly, but also get to know the locals better: deer, elk and husky dogs.

Ski resorts in Finland are not only a sea of ​​snow, dazzling winter landscapes, impeccable ski slopes, a feeling of joy, freedom and adrenaline. Neither children nor adults will be bored here, because there are many opportunities for a wide variety of entertainment on the territory of the resorts and in the vicinity! One of them is trips to deer, elk or husky farms. During a trip to the farms, you can chat with "be-be-bear" reindeer, swift-footed elk, as well as charming friendly huskies.

deer farms

Did you know that every reindeer in Finland has its own owner? There are special deer farms where these amazing animals are bred. Moreover, each deer has a brand by which its owner can be identified.

If you come to ski in Northern Finland (for example, in Vuokatti, Salla, Ruka or Ylläs), a great entertainment option would be to look at one of the reindeer farms. For reindeer riding, it is best to come to the farm during the day, because at night you will not be able to see much. On the farm, you can not only ride reindeer, but also feed and pet the animals, as well as learn how to drive a reindeer team, and then get an official document - the right to drive reindeer! Those wishing to take something to remember from Finland with them can buy cute local souvenirs that are sold directly on the farm.

By the way, deer do not live on the farm all year round. In the spring, they are released for grazing, after which they disperse around Lapland in search of food. Deer are harvested on the farm only in winter. How do owners determine the location of deer? It turns out that each deer has a GPS transmitter, with which you can easily track the location of its movement. Interestingly, before the advent of cars, reindeer were the only means of fast transportation in Lapland.

Elk farms

In Finland, moose are also called Scandinavian elephants - they are very respected and appreciated here. According to the laws of Finland, only animals born in captivity can be kept on a farm - that is, moose are not caught in the wild, but are specially bred for keeping on farms. So far, the only moose farm in Finland, Hirvikartano, is located near the resort of Himos in central Finland.

Moose are the largest mammals in Finland, weighing up to 700 kg. The average body length is 3 m, and the height is 2.1 m. What do these amazing animals eat? Moose are fed with dried leaves of willow, birch and rowan, as well as potatoes, barley and hay. And the favorite delicacies of moose are apples, watermelons, tomatoes, carrots, rutabaga, bananas and dried willow-tea.

During your visit to the farm, you can pet, feed the animals and, of course, take pictures with them. When visiting a moose farm, it is very important not to make noise or disturb the peace of its inhabitants. If you want to take a picture with a horned elk, it is worth coming to the farm before January-February, when they start shedding their antlers. New horns grow in them only in May-June.

The moose living at the Hirvikartano farm are friendly. If you wish, you can perform a funny ritual “kiss with an elk” - holding a bread crust in your teeth, stretch it towards the furry elk muzzle. At the Hirvikartano farm, moose have learned to snatch the crust from their mouths so masterfully that it really turns out to be a real “kiss”. Be sure to try to capture this interesting moment in the camera frame!

By the way, moose are not the only animals in Hirvikartano. In addition to moose, reindeer and spotted deer live here, with whom you can also meet and chat. An excellent end to the trip will be a visit to the home-cooked restaurant located here, where you can taste delicious elk dishes.

Husky farm

Visiting husky farms leaves neither children nor adults indifferent. Husky dog ​​safari in Finland is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Farms with these charming "smiling dogs" can be found in many parts of the country, especially in the north.

There are husky farms near the ski resorts of Ruka, Ylläs, Salla, Vuokatti, as well as many others. Here you can pet the dogs, take a ride in a high-speed dog train, and after a walk, treat yourself to a fragrant glög with gingerbread cookies and dine in a cat - a Lapland hut. Those who wish to ride longer can book a safari for longer distances - 5.7 and 13 km.

The strength and endurance of the Husky can only be envied! They are able to tirelessly run tens of kilometers. Did you know that these tireless runners can overcome up to 100 km / day? They are not afraid of frost and can sleep right on the snow. In addition, Huskies simply love to ride in sleds. Such a trip is a real expanse for them, because running is their favorite pastime!

Harness running requires special skills that are acquired only during training. In addition, to work in a team, a dog must have certain moral qualities - for example, diligence, good nature and sociality.

Before the safari, dogs are put on special harnesses that help to properly distribute the load. It is very important that the weight of the sled be at least 80 km, because with insufficient load it will be almost impossible to control them. On command, the Huskies start together. The sleigh does not go, but simply “flies” – the four-legged team works so harmoniously and harmoniously.

If you love speed and are looking for something unusual, Husky safari is what you need. At the same time, sensations and emotions are simply unforgettable, and memories from such a trip remain for a long time. Communication with four-legged blue-eyed fluffy Huskies will give the whole family a lot of positive emotions, and children will be delighted!

Husky park and safari express 2 and 4 km(Husky Point cattery)
Duration: 2 hours

On this tour you will meet real Siberian huskies with thick fluffy fur and blue eyes, as well as foxes, spitz, arctic fox, boogie tundra wolf and husky wolves. The nursery is located just 15 min. drive from Levi. On a dog sled trip, you ride on sledges as passengers: you sit down two people in sleds (you can also take a small child). The musher stands on the runners behind the sled, and you get the feeling that the huskies themselves are rushing you along the taiga paths. A journey of 2 or 4 kilometers flies by like one unforgettable moment. After the trip, it's nice to sit in a yurt by the fire, taste sausages fried on the fire and a hot drink (tea/coffee/juice). The owner, the famous mahout Reijo Jaskelainen, will show a film in Russian/English about the history of the origin of the Laika breed, about their habits and content. The bonus will be a local attraction called "Deer Kiss".

Husky kennel and self-guided sleigh safari 5 and 10 km (kennel of Paulina and Hannu)
Duration: 2 hours

The nursery is located just 15 min. drive from Levi. The owners of the farm, Pauliina and Hannu, keep real racing Alaskan huskies, as well as Siberian huskies. Their pets are participants and winners of the latest European and Scandinavian competitions. Safari routes for 5 and 10 km. Upon arrival, you will go through the school of mushers and immediately go on a safari, as the dogs harnessed to the teams are very impatient. The route will run through the forest and open hilly terrain with beautiful views. After the safari, you can warm up in a cozy yurt, drink hot berry juice, tea or coffee and fry a sausage on a fire. The hostess will be happy to tell you a lot of interesting things about the "dog" life of her pets. The kennel contains more than 70 dogs. You can also meet husky puppies.

"Polar Express": husky + deer (Husky Point cattery)
Duration: 2.5 hours

Combination of two of the most popular excursions in Lapland - traditional vehicles in the Arctic - husky and reindeer. After a breathtaking 2 km husky safari and a wonderful 1 km reindeer ride, the guide will tell you about the traditions of reindeer herding and dog breeding. During a tour of the kennel, you will meet Spitz, Arctic fox, Boogie tundra wolf and husky wolves. At the end of the tour, it is nice to sit in a yurt by the fire, taste sausages fried on the fire and a drink (tea/coffee/juice).

Wolf safari 10 km (Husky Point cattery)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Departure: on request

Are you afraid of wolves too? After this exciting excursion, you will stop being afraid of them and at the same time get great pleasure from a 10 km ride in a team with husky wolves through the twilight forest led by a professional driver. You can give a trip to a friend for his birthday! At the end of the tour, it's nice to sit in a yurt by the fire, taste sausages fried on the fire and a drink (tea / coffee / juice).

Lapland village and mini reindeer safari
Duration: 1.5 hours

A fun program for the whole family. Full of impressions, it is, nevertheless, the shortest and most inexpensive program in the resort. Only 15 min. bus ride from the resort, on the banks of the taiga river, in the forest, there is a Sami settlement, which is more than 200 years old. The owners of the farm, Arya and Erkki, will help you get comfortable in a reindeer team and take you for a ride in a small circle along the river. You will also be able to take pictures with handsome deer with large branched antlers. After skiing, the hostess will invite everyone to the guest house, where she will treat you to warm berry juice by a cozy crackling fireplace and tell you a lot of interesting things about deer. You can buy interesting handmade souvenirs made of deer antler and skin.

Reindeer safari 3 km self-guided
Duration: 2 hours

An excursion for those who want to ride a reindeer with a breeze and drive a team on their own. The starting point is a small and cozy reindeer farm on the banks of the taiga river. Because deer are semi-wild animals, you will need a short briefing from the farm owner. After that, you get into the sleigh and the deer will rush you along a narrow path through a snow-covered forest. After skiing, you can feed reindeer with reindeer moss. Then, in a cozy guest house or Lapland yurt by the fire, you can warm up a little, drink hot coffee / tea with sweet treats and hear an interesting story of the farm owner about the life of reindeer and reindeer herders.

Deer farm visit and super safari 5 km
Duration: 2 hours

Located 15 minutes from Levi, Erya Farm offers a 5 km super safari through the fabulous winter forest. From early morning, the deer owner begins to prepare her pets for the trip: she puts on a picturesque harness, harnesses to a light home-made sleigh, puts warm reindeer skins in the sleigh for “passengers”, puts a kettle on the fire ... After returning from the forest, a cup of hot tea or coffee with pastries from crackling fire in the fireplace will seem especially tasty. You can buy handmade souvenirs, feed moss reindeer and see the old buildings on the farm, some of which are over 100 years old.

Reindeer safari 3 km + ice fishing + salmon soup for lunch
Recommended for adults and children over 6 years old
Duration: 4 hours

Combination of 3 km reindeer safari, ice fishing in Wolf Lake and lunch in a Lapland yurt: hot salmon soup with traditional black bread and butter, coffee/tea with a sweet bun. The reindeer team is used as transport along the way from the bus stop to the lake (the route is divided into 2 parts of 1.5 km in each direction). Rainbow trout (Finnish salmon) is caught. The fish you catch can be cooked on the fire. During lunch we will talk about nature, animals, reindeer herding. Those who successfully return will receive the rights to drive a reindeer team.

Reindeer safari + ice fishing + salmon soup for lunch + snowshoes
Recommended for adults and children over 6 years old
Duration: 4 hours

The tour is based on the same program as in the previous tour, but with the addition of the possibility of hiking on snowshoes. In winter, the thickness of the snow cover in the forest can reach more than 1 meter. Snowshoes are a great way to get to unspoiled places where you can't go in ordinary shoes.
Warm clothing is included in the price of the tour.

Reindeer Night Safari "Chasing the Aurora"
Duration: 2 hours

You will take a trip in a time machine to the past, when the Saami used reindeer as their only mode of transport, and only the Northern Lights illuminated their path during the long winter nights. The journey from Levi to the departure point takes about 15 minutes. The adventure will begin when the local reindeer herders will take you across the ice to the other side of the taiga river, from where you will go on a leisurely 3 km walk on a reindeer sled through the forest. Back at the deer farm, you can watch the northern hemisphere night sky, and if you're lucky, you'll see beautiful flashes of the northern lights.
Hot berry juice and a fire in a wooden yurt will help you warm up. It is possible to rent warm overalls for the price of 10€ per person.

Excursion to a horse farm and riding Finnish horses through the winter forest
Day program
Duration:~1 hour (skating 40-45 min).

Duration:~2 hours (skating 1-1.5 hours)

Night program (chance to see the northern lights)
Duration:~1 hour (skating 40-45 min.)

The horse farm is located 10 km from the resort of Levi in ​​a snowy forest. You will have a guided tour of the stable, briefing and horseback riding through the snow-covered forest. Upon returning back, a treat awaits - warm juice and cookies. Min. the child's age is 6 years. Max. rider weight - 100 kg.