Reindeers are synonymous with Lapland and seeing them is one of the best things to do when you come to this region of Finland. Getting a truly authentic experience isn’t always easy though. There are plenty of places to have a quick ride on a reindeer sleigh but few that give you an up close and personal interaction with these beautiful creatures in a way you will never forget. Porohaka reindeer Farm Rovaniemi really will give that to you in spades. This is somewhere to come, visit and interact with these gorgeous animals in a really intimate way. As a family, not as part of an impersonal group trip and it will give you all memories to last a lifetime. If you want to see reindeer in Lapland this is the place to come.
Read more: Our guide to Lapland with kids
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Porohaka Reindeer Farm is around 40 minutes outside of Rovaniemi. They have been herding reindeer since 1914 and this is still very much a working farm.
They are keen to work with every visitor and tailor trips to their farm to give you the experience you’re looking for.
On our DIY trip to Lapland we really wanted to take a ride on a reindeer sleigh and try our hand at ice fishing. So these were the two key components of our trip.
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Meeting the reindeer
Our first experience at Porohaka was to meet the reindeer.
We headed into the female enclosure (a huge forest area that was fenced off) to meet some of these beautiful animals.
This was an amazing experience. With the sky full of pastel pinks and snow thick underfoot we arrived to see lots of hungry reindeer anxious for their breakfast.
Reindeer are such gentle creatures and incredibly shy and jumpy.
They may crowd together but they are not aggressive with people in any way.
Here the children got to feed these beautiful animals, dropping large scoops of pellets on to the ground for them to nibble at. The music of the gentle ringing of bells was the only other sound around us.
The children thought this was magical, it felt like one of those once in a lifetime experiences that you want to drink in every moment of.
While we were there the owner of Porohaka, Katja, told us all about reindeer. How they communicate with one another by the clicking of their feet, how they wander for miles and miles and how their fur is one of the most waterproof and warm hides around.
It was fascinating to learn about these animals who are full of little quirks and such gentle souls.
Just as our feet were starting to feel the bite of the cold we were back on the snowmobile to the main house to warm up and get ready for the next activity.
Reindeer Experience in Lapland – the Sleigh ride
Reindeer have different roles on farms and while some are part of the main herd others are more like family members with names and roles.
We met some of Porohaka’s lovely family members who were ready to take us on a sledge ride through the forest.
There is something so special about being cuddled up on a traditional wooden sleigh that’s being pulled by a reindeer.
Creaking through the forest, listening to the padded feet gently working their way forward, gazing up at the tall trees shrouded in snow.
We all adored our trip out on the reindeer sledges. Being led by our guide and feeling so far away from normal life with all of its stresses and routines. We loved it.
Having lunch at Porohaka Reindeer Farm Rovaniemi
After an hour long reindeer sledge ride we were all very hungry and ready for some lunch.
Porohaka have such a cosy little outbuilding with a fire inside for lunch.
Here we quickly warmed up with mugfuls of hot chocolate and coffee.
If you eat meat you can even try some reindeer soup or if you’re vegetarian like us there is veggie food available for you.
We had some delicious vegan pie made by a local baker and then vegetarian sausages cooked up in front of us over the fire. It was the most atmospheric place to eat and a beautiful moment.
To chat with Katja and her husband about life on the farm and get a real insight in to their world. It was very special.
Ice Fishing in Rovaniemi
Our final activity was one the children were really looking forward to and a chance to have a go at ice fishing.
Behind Porohaka Farm there is a huge frozen lake which the snowmobiles can take you straight into the middle of.
Here we learnt how to ice fish with each of the children drilling holes through the incredibly thick ice.
Sat on reindeer hides they then learnt how to add their bait and drop their lines into the icy water below.
No one caught anything on the day we visited but the children absolutely loved this activity and thought it was fantastic.
Our Reindeer experience in Lapland at Porohaka Reindeer Farm Rovaniemi
We all absolutely loved our time at Porohaka Reindeer Farm, in fact it was the highlight of our trip to Lapland.
There was something so unique and utterly authentic about the visit.
We didn’t feel rushed or part of a large group of tourists. It felt like our family and the family from Porohaka Reindeer Farm, exchanging stories about our lives and getting an amazing insight.
This is such a special activity and we highly recommend it.
Top Tips for visiting Porohaka Reindeer Farm Rovaniemi
- Porohaka Reindeer Farm have all the clothes to keep you warm. Dress as warmly as you can (we have a packing list for Lapland here) but know that they have Arctic suits, gloves socks and boots you can borrow. It was minus 13 when we visited and with the help of their kit we were all very warm.
- If you are interested in spending longer in this area they also have an absolutely beautiful log house here which is available to rent. Find out more here.
- Let them know in advance if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. We absolutely loved all the vegan food we ate on the day.
Find out more about Porohaka Reindeer Farm in Rovaniemi here.
Watch a video of our time here
We hope you’ve enjoyed our feature on our reindeer experience at Porohaka Reindeer Farm near Rovaniemi. Why not sign up to our newsletter to find out more family travel news. Don’t forget to read our guide to Lapland with kids for even more of this beautiful region.
