Aurora Hunting with Reindeer Caravan

The best part of this Kiruna evening is the quiet. Once Fredrik’s reindeer caravan leaves the city, the only sounds may be runners creaking over snow and reindeer tugging at winter clover. You feed the animals first, then ride into the dark under a starry sky, with the northern lights as the hoped-for finale. I like the direct contact with the reindeer and the chance to meet a Sámi herder in his working environment, not at a staged city attraction.

I also like the practical care built into the outing. Warm boots and winter clothing are provided, dinner is served by a fire, and pickup from your accommodation is available. The main consideration is weather: the aurora cannot be promised, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation or a new date. At $321, this is a costly evening, but the small group, transport, clothing, meal, cultural setting, and reindeer ride give it more substance than a simple northern-lights chase.

Key points to know before booking

• Feed the reindeer before the ride: White moss is used as a treat and part of the animals’ dinner.
• Ride in a Sámi reindeer caravan: The sled journey recalls a centuries-old form of travel in northern Lapland.
• Meet local herders Fredrik and Beatrix: They explain Sámi life and the work of caring for reindeer.
• Warm up beside a fire: Dinner is served in a traditional tent, with reindeer meat and vegetarian food available when requested.
• Small groups make the setting personal: The tour accepts no more than eight people.
• The aurora is a bonus, not a promise: Clear skies help, but nature controls the show.

Leaving Kiruna for the reindeer country

Pickup begins around 5:30 p.m., when Kiruna is already settling into a long winter evening. The reindeer herder collects you and drives east along the aurora borealis road, away from streetlights and the built-up parts of town.

That transfer is not dead time. Fredrik and Beatrix use it to explain their life with the animals and give you some background on Sámi traditions. You are heading toward the reindeer in the forest, rather than simply arriving at a picture stop for a quick ride.

This distinction matters. The experience is built around a working herder and a family connection to reindeer. You are not just sitting in a sled while someone pulls a rope. The animals, their care, and the people who live with them are the center of the evening.

The group limit of eight is another plus. A small party allows you to hear the guide clearly and ask questions without turning the evening into a crowd scene. It also suits families, couples, and anyone who prefers a calm outdoor activity to a large coach excursion.

Feeding the reindeer with white moss

At the reindeer area, you get time with the animals before boarding the sled. White moss is offered as a treat and as dinner, giving you a simple way to interact with the herd.

This is one of the most memorable parts for many people because it slows the evening down. You can greet the reindeer, feed them, and watch their behavior at close range. The animals are described as friendly, and children in particular should enjoy this hands-on start.

Still, remember that these are animals, not props. Follow the herder’s directions and let the reindeer set the pace of the contact. The value here comes from seeing how feeding fits into daily care, not from trying to force a perfect photograph.

The feeding stop also gives you a better sense of what reindeer herding involves. Reindeer are central to Sámi life in northern Scandinavia, and caring for them is a living occupation. You get only a short glimpse of that world, but it is a more grounded introduction than a generic cultural talk.

A quiet sled ride under Kiruna’s winter sky

Once the animals are fed, you take your place in the reindeer sled. The caravan heads out into the wilderness, with a reindeer pulling you through the snow.

The ride is intentionally gentle. The charm is not speed. It is the sound of the runners, the steady movement of the animal, and the sudden quiet that comes when city noise disappears. The snow may creak beneath the sled, while the reindeer stop to snap at clover along the route.

The main activity is described as about four hours, while the full evening is listed at approximately seven hours. The difference likely includes pickup, driving, feeding, the meal, and time around the fire. Plan your night around the longer figure, especially if you have another booking afterward.

The sled ride is also the point where conditions matter most. Good snow and suitable weather help create the experience described here. If the sky is cloudy, the ride and Sámi setting still remain, but the aurora portion may not happen. If poor weather makes the outing impossible, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

Searching for the northern lights

The route takes you far from Kiruna’s city lights, giving you a better chance of seeing stars and aurora activity. Your guide can point out the sky and choose a suitable setting, but no operator can control cloud cover or solar activity.

That is why I would book this as a reindeer and Sámi culture evening with a possible northern-lights display, not as a guaranteed aurora hunt. If the lights appear, they can turn a fine outing into a remarkable one. Reports of spectacular aurora sightings are part of the tour’s appeal, but you should be comfortable enjoying the evening even if the sky stays dark.

The timing helps. A 5:30 p.m. start places the experience in the winter night, rather than making you wait until very late for darkness. You may see stars during the sled ride and watch the sky while dinner is prepared.

Bring patience. Northern lights often require looking up, waiting, and accepting that nature may offer only a faint glow or nothing at all. The remote setting makes that waiting pleasant instead of tedious.

Dinner beside the fire in a traditional tent

After the sled journey, you warm up beside a fire and eat dinner in a traditional tent. Reindeer meat is part of the meal, and the food is described as simple and satisfying rather than elaborate.

That fits the character of the tour. You are in a forest setting with a herding family, not at a formal restaurant. The fire, the tent, and the meal give the evening a strong sense of place. You can sit, listen, ask questions, and let your hands thaw after the ride.

Vegetarian food can be arranged when requested. I would make that request at booking, since the information confirms that vegetarian options were provided but does not list the exact dish.

The meal is also an important cultural moment. Conversation about Sámi life and reindeer herding continues around the fire, and the guides are happy to answer questions. You may hear about the seasonal rhythm of the work, including the period when reindeer calves are born. Keep in mind that this is an introduction, not a full course in Sámi history or politics. Its strength is personal contact and a look at everyday life.

Warm clothing makes a real difference

Kiruna winter evenings can be severely cold, and sitting still in a sled can chill you faster than walking. The tour provides winter jackets and boots, which removes one major packing problem and adds real value to the price.

You should still dress in layers. The supplied outerwear handles the worst of the cold, but warm base layers, gloves, and a hat are sensible. The information confirms jackets and boots, but it does not say that every item of cold-weather clothing is supplied.

The fire and tent are welcome at the end, but they do not make the outdoor parts warm by themselves. If you are sensitive to cold, ask the operator what clothing is included before departure.

The provided equipment is especially useful if you are visiting Kiruna without a full Arctic wardrobe. Renting or buying suitable boots and outerwear separately can be expensive, so the clothing package helps justify a portion of the $321 cost.

What the $321 price includes

At $321, this is not a budget activity. I would compare it with what you would pay for a separate reindeer ride, a northern-lights excursion, dinner, warm clothing rental, and a private transfer. Here, those pieces are combined into one small-group evening.

The strongest value comes from the combination of experiences. You receive return transport from your accommodation when pickup is available, meet the herders, feed the reindeer, take the sled, hear about Sámi culture, search the sky, and eat beside a fire.

The group size matters too. With a maximum of eight people, the guides can give the evening more attention than a large commercial outing. The personal quality is one of the main reasons to consider this tour over a cheaper, more basic sled ride.

The price is harder to justify if your only goal is to see the aurora. The lights may not appear, and the tour does not claim to guarantee them. If you want a low-cost sky search, another option may fit better. If you want a cultural outing with a meal and reindeer contact, the package is more reasonable.

Who will enjoy this evening most

I would recommend this for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Swedish Lapland who want more than a photo stop. Children should enjoy feeding the reindeer, though parents should be ready for a long winter evening and periods of sitting outdoors.

It also suits anyone interested in Sámi culture and traditional ways of traveling. The experience offers a personal introduction through the herder’s own work, which gives the evening more meaning than a ride without context.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, darkness, or uncertain weather. The outdoor setting is the point, so this is not a good choice for someone seeking a warm indoor dinner with a guaranteed show.

Photographers may like the stars, fire, reindeer, and sled, but the light will be limited. Bring realistic expectations about taking sharp photographs in a moving sled or around a fire.

Practical details that affect your decision

The experience starts at approximately 5:30 p.m. and lasts about seven hours overall. Pickup is available from your accommodation, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need to manage a printed voucher.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance for the sled, snow, or tent. If you have mobility concerns, contact Go to Lapland AB before booking and ask for specific advice.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Since bad weather can cancel the outing, check your plans carefully and avoid scheduling an important late-night connection afterward.

The operator is Go to Lapland AB. The tour is offered in Kiruna, with the evening taking you east into northern Lapland.

Should you book the reindeer caravan?

I would book this if you want the northern lights to be part of a wider evening, not the entire reason for going. The reindeer feeding, sled ride, warm clothing, fire-cooked dinner, and time with Fredrik and Beatrix give you several worthwhile elements even if the sky stays cloudy.

At $321, it is a premium experience. The cost makes the most sense for people who value a small group, accommodation pickup, a supplied winter outfit, and direct contact with a Sámi herding family.

Skip it if you want the cheapest possible aurora outing or a guaranteed display. Choose it if you want a quiet trip into the forest, a taste of reindeer-herding life, and a good chance to remember the evening for more than just the color of the sky.

FAQ

Where does the Aurora Hunting with Reindeer Caravan take place?

The experience is based in Kiruna, Sweden, and travels east from the city into northern Lapland and the surrounding wilderness.

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The overall experience lasts approximately seven hours. The main Kiruna activity is also described as four hours, so allow the full evening for pickup, transport, reindeer activities, dinner, and the return journey.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Return transport from your accommodation is available.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum group size of eight people.

Are warm clothes provided?

Winter jackets and boots are provided. The information does not specify every item of clothing, so you should still plan to bring warm layers.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner is included, and it is served around a warm fire in a traditional tent.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Vegetarian options can be arranged when requested.

Will I definitely see the northern lights?

No. The aurora depends on suitable weather and natural conditions. The tour can be canceled because of poor weather, in which case you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.