Ounasvaara and Ranua Zoo tour from Rovaniemi: Arctic wildlife

Over 200 Arctic animals live at Ranua Zoo, and you'll see them in a single afternoon.

A six to seven hour tour from Rovaniemi combines a guided climb up Ounasvaara hill for panoramic views of the city with entry to Ranua Zoo, where you'll encounter more than 200 Arctic species. The day includes a Lappish lunch buffet and a short guided hike, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ounasvaara and Ranua Zoo

• Climb Ounasvaara hill
• View panoramic Rovaniemi
• Explore Ranua Wildlife Park
• See over 200 Arctic species

The experience

The tour starts with a climb up Ounasvaara, a hill that rises above Rovaniemi itself. From the top you get a full view of the city and the surrounding landscape: the kind of vantage point that makes the scale of the place clear. The hike is short and guided, so you're not navigating alone, and it sets up the rest of the day by showing you where you are.

After Ounasvaara, you move on to Ranua Zoo, where the real draw is the Arctic animals. The zoo holds over 200 species native to the region. Everything from reindeer and moose to wolverines and lynx. You're not watching them behind glass in a sterile setup. The zoo is built around the landscape itself, so the animals are in something closer to their natural habitat. A guide walks you through, so you get context for what you're seeing instead of just reading placards.

Lunch is a Lappish buffet, which means you're eating food built around what the region actually produces. Hotel pickup is included, and the guide speaks English. Other languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese) are available if you request them at booking. The whole thing runs six to seven hours, which is long enough to move at a real pace without feeling rushed.

What’s included

• Lappish lunch buffet.
• guided short hike up Ounasvaara.
• entry to Ranua Zoo.
• English-speaking guide (French, Italian, Spanish and Chinese available on request).
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Nordic Unique Travels

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here (at least two people are needed on weekdays and Saturdays, and at least four on Sundays and public holidays), so you're never alone but you're not in a crowd either. This suits anyone who wants to see Arctic wildlife and get a view of Rovaniemi without spending the whole day on logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see at Ranua Zoo?

Ranua Zoo holds over 200 Arctic species, including reindeer, moose, wolverines, lynx and other wildlife native to Lapland. The zoo is built into the landscape rather than as separate enclosures, so the animals live in conditions closer to their natural habitat.

How difficult is the hike up Ounasvaara?

The guided hike up Ounasvaara is short and suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's designed to get you to the hilltop for the panoramic view of Rovaniemi, not to be a strenuous climb.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

Lunch is a Lappish buffet, featuring traditional food from the region. If you have specific dietary requirements, let the operator know at the time of booking.

Will I need to arrange my own transportation?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour, so you don't need to arrange transport to the starting point. You'll be picked up from your hotel lobby. The operator will send an email with your exact pickup time, so check it before the tour date.