Lake Inari northern lights tour with reindeer & dinner

Summary

Ride a sleigh from Ivalo to Lake Inari for northern lights, reindeer, and a fireside meal

You’ll travel by snowmobile-pulled sleigh from Ivalo into Lapland’s wild silence, meet local reindeer on an island, sip hot berry juice by a campfire, and share dinner in a traditional teepee—all with a local guide who knows every story behind these woods. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch those northern lights dancing overhead—something you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bundled up in those thick thermal suits when our guide, Sanni, handed me gloves that felt like oven mitts. She grinned and said, “You’ll thank me later.” The minibus had dropped us in Koppelo—tiny place, just snow and quiet—and then we climbed into this sleigh lined with reindeer hides. There’s something about the way the cold air stings your nose out here near Lake Inari. The snowmobile started up and we slid off into the dark, headlights bouncing over drifts. I kept thinking: this is really happening.

The ride was quieter than I expected—just the engine hum and the crunch of ice under us. Sanni pointed out faint animal tracks crossing the trail (she guessed fox), and at one point she stopped so we could listen to nothing but wind in the trees. It’s weirdly peaceful. When we reached the island, her family waved us over—her dad was already poking at a fire outside their teepee. We got hot blackberry juice that tasted almost smoky from the cup, and I tried saying kiitos properly; Sanni laughed at my accent but didn’t correct me too hard.

I’d never fed a reindeer before. Their noses are softer than you’d think—one nuzzled my glove for more lichen while Sanni told us how her family’s lived here for generations. Dinner was salmon soup (I heard sometimes it’s reindeer), bread still warm from somewhere inside that teepee, and blueberry cake that left my fingers purple. We all kept glancing up at the sky between bites—hoping for those northern lights everyone talks about on these tours from Ivalo to Lake Inari. They showed up late: green ribbons flickering above the trees just as we were packing up. Hard to describe how quiet everyone got for that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Lights Safari and Dinner

• Hotel pickup and transfer to office
• Receive warm thermal clothes and shoes
• Travel by snowmobile-pulled sleigh to Koppelo village
• Ride deeper into wilderness to frozen lakeside
• Break and watch for Northern Lights at Lake Inari
• Visit local family island and meet reindeers
• Relax with hot blackberry juice by open fire
• Dinner in Lappish teepee with local fish or reindeer

Top questions

How long does the Lake Inari northern lights tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included in this northern lights tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in the Ivalo area are included.

What kind of dinner is served on this tour?

Dinner includes either homemade reindeer or salmon soup (not both), Finnish BBQ sausage or vegetarian option by request, bread, and blueberry dessert.

Will I get to meet real reindeer during this experience?

Yes, you can meet and feed friendly reindeers on an island during the tour.

Are warm clothes provided for the Lake Inari aurora safari?

Yes, warm thermal clothing and shoes are provided for all guests.

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians?

A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

How many people are on each group tour?

The group size is limited to 10 people for a small-group experience.

Who leads the tour? Is it a local guide?

The tour is led by a local guide familiar with Lapland culture and nature.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Ivalo, all necessary warm clothing and boots for Lapland’s chill, a guided sleigh ride to Lake Inari pulled by snowmobile, time with friendly reindeer on an island with locals who actually live there, plus a three-course Lappish dinner with hot drinks around an open fire before heading back through the snowy dark.