Sámi reindeer spring migration – Tour of a lifetime. 6 days
Join the Sámi herders and experience the reindeers on their annual spring migration from their winter pastures on the inland to their summer calving and grazing areas on the coast. This adventure is a unique privilege made available for the very few by Sámi families from Finnmark.
This trip is recommended for adventurous people that would like to do something truly unique, learn new skills and live life to the fullest. Age and gender sets no limits, however you must be in a good physical shape. Much of the time will be spent in the hands of the arctic environment.
This trip got honored as one of the World's Best Guided Expeditions / "Tour of a Lifetime" by National Geographic Travel in 2014. :)
The Rough Guide has also honored our trip as one of "Top 20 animal encounters" and it is mentioned in Rough Guides-
This trip got honored as one of the World's Best Guided Expeditions / "Tour of a Lifetime" by National Geographic Travel in 2014. :)
The Rough Guide has also honored our trip as one of "Top 20 animal encounters" and it is mentioned in Rough Guides-
The reindeer migration starts in the heart land of the Sámi culture and ends further north by the arctic coast, where the reindeers have their summer grazing area and where they give birth to a new generation. You will be taking part during this migration, take part in the daily work and learn how the Sámis herd their reindeer herds. Taking part in the migration means you will be travelling with the Sámis, like the Sámis. You will be eating and sleeping like a Sámi herder. Your participation means that you will be living close to the reindeer and experience the old nomadic life of the Sámi people. You will be put to work when necessary leading the herd across the ancient and desolate Finnmark Plateau by snow mobile. You will be sleeping in a lavvu (Sámi tent) or cabins and you will be served traditional Sámi food.
In the middle of April it is light almost 24 hours a day, the snow has started melting and there are some good opportunities for ice fishing on the numerous lakes we pass by.
If you do not have time for the whole migration you can join us on a day trip, "Reindeer herder experience".
Link to an article about our Reindeer migration trip, Northern Norway tourist board.
Link to a Sami Tourism Brochure for Northern Norway.
Itinerary:
The program will vary from trip to trip.
Example:
You spend 6 days and 5 nights on the Finnmark plateau with the reindeers. You will follow the herd on their long migration across the plateau with snowmobile. A fascinating barren and wind swept landscape reaching as far as the eye can see. Here you will have interesting natural experiences together with the Sámis who love to share their knowledge, experience and wisdom of life with their guests. Their fascination for nature and the free life is striking.
However, it is worth considering whether to stay some extra days for interesting activities in the area before and/or after the program.
Distance and where you join during the migration will vary from year to year and family to family. Accommodation before and/or after the migration can also vary depending on where you start and end the migration.
| Warm winter boots | 1 pair* |
| Wind proof jacket (and preferably also waterproof e.g. GoreTex, BreTex or similar membrane fabric) | 1 |
| Windproof pants (Like the jacket) | 1* |
| Warm winter jacket (e.g. thick down jacket) | 1 |
| Thick woollen sweater or fleece jacke | 1 |
| Jumper/pullover/sweatshirt | 1 |
| T-shirts, thin woollen shirts or other technical underwear | 2 |
| Warm underwear (longjons and top with full length arms). Preferably wool or woollen terry | 2 sets (minimum) |
| Warm and wind proof hat that also protects your ears in the wind | 1* |
| Warm and wind proof mittens. Preferably wool or down mittens with wind proof over mittens. | 1 pair* |
| Thin gloves (to protect fingers from direct contact with cold metal) | 1 pair |
| Thick woollen socks | 2 pairs |
| Scarf and/or balaclava | 1 |
| Headlamp | 1* |
| Bag for your personal equipment and clothes (water proof) | 1 |
| Sleeping mat / roll mat | 1* |
| Sleeping bag (minimum comfort temperature >/=-20Celsius) | 1* |
| Liner for sleeping bag | 1* |
| Sunglasses | 1 |
| Ski-goggles | 1* |
| Towel | 1 |
| Toilet articles and other private equipment |
- Items marked with * can be provided by Turgleder for free on request. Information about equipment you need must be conveyed to Turgleder minimum 1 week before arrival.
- Please note that this is the minimum required clothing and equipment for this holiday. You are of course welcome to bring other clothes and equipment in addition to this.
- You should pack your clothing in waterproof bags to avoid equipment from becoming wet during the tour.
- If you choose to bring your own sleeping bag, this needs to be a warm winter sleeping bag with minimum comfort temperature >/=-20˚ Celsius.
- If you choose to bring your own sleeping mat, it must be suitable for camping on snow, meaning that inflatable mats should have down in them or be combined with a thin roll mat. A foam mat (roll mat) should be thick /insulated enough for use on snow (≈14mm).
- We do also recommend that you bring a camera with extra memory cards and battery.
Turgleder also provides:
- Warm arctic trousers/overall to put outside your own warm clothes and warm winter boots
- Tents / Lavvo
- Stoves, cutlery and cooking equipment
- Pulks (sledges for equipment transport)
- Other common equipment necessary for this trip
Dates 2023
- On request
Private trips
Private trips available on request.
* Accommodation before and/or after the migration can vary depending on where we start and end the migration. Normaly in Karasjok, Alta or Kautokeino.
If you need more information about this adventure before you make your reservation/booking, please feel free to contact us via mail@turgleder.com or call us on +47 90855556 (Liv).
When you are ready to book, please go to “booking form” under the «general information» tab and fill in and submit the booking/registration form. When we receive your booking/registration form we will reserve a place for you and send you a booking confirmation also including some questions if necessary. When all details surrounding your participation are in place, we will send you an invoice. Your reservation is valid for 7 days after the invoice is sent.
For more information, please see our booking terms and condition under the “general information” tab.
Note: If you do not receive a reply right away, please be patient with us. We might be out on other adventures without any internet connections. However, if you have not received a response within 3 days, let us know.