Meet Reindeer in Hammerfest: Sámi Herding Camp Tour

Reindeer, a traditional lavvu, and joik shared by the people who live it

A guided tour of a real Sámi reindeer camp on Salen Mountain above Hammerfest, led by a local herding family. You meet reindeer grazing freely, feed them, gather inside a traditional lavvu, and listen to personal stories about reindeer herding and Sámi culture, including joik performed in a natural, respectful setting. The experience lasts about 90 minutes and is shaped by the rhythm of the animals and daily life, not by a schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Sámi reindeer camp and culture

• Meet local Sámi reindeer herder
• Observe and feed reindeer
• Learn about reindeer herding and Sámi life
• Gather inside traditional lavvu
• Listen to personal stories and joik

The experience

If you have a free afternoon in Hammerfest or are passing through for the first time, this tour takes you to a working reindeer camp on Salen Mountain where a local Sámi family tends their herd. It is not a performance or a staged attraction: the reindeer graze freely during summer and early autumn, and the day unfolds according to their needs and the family's routine. You spend time observing and feeding the animals while learning directly from the herders about the close relationship between people, animals, and the Arctic landscape.

After time with the reindeer, you gather inside a traditional lavvu, a Sámi tent, where the guide shares personal stories about reindeer herding, daily life, and Sámi culture. Joik, a form of Sámi singing, is performed as part of the storytelling, offered naturally rather than as entertainment. The focus throughout is on authenticity and cultural understanding, built on small moments and genuine connection to the place and the people who live there.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• live guide in English or Norwegian.
• access to the reindeer camp and traditional lavvu.
• time feeding and observing the reindeer.
• stories about Sámi culture and reindeer herding.
• joik performance.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jul 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (4 to 12 years) · Child (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Reindeer Island Hammerfest

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour led by a local Sámi herding family, so you experience the camp as part of a small group and learn directly from the people who live there. Choose this if you want genuine cultural connection and time with working animals in their natural rhythm, rather than a staged performance or a private arrangement.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

15 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 12 years); Child (under 4).

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 exactly do you do when you meet the reindeer at the camp?

You spend time observing the reindeer as they graze freely and have the chance to feed them yourself. The herders explain their daily work, the animals' behavior, and how reindeer herding shapes Sámi life in the Arctic.

What is a lavvu and what happens inside it?

A lavvu is a traditional Sámi tent where you gather after time with the reindeer. Inside, the guide shares personal stories about reindeer herding, Sámi culture, and life in the Arctic, and performs joik, a form of Sámi singing, as part of the storytelling.

How long does the whole experience take?

The tour lasts about 90 minutes, though the pace is shaped by the animals and the family's daily rhythm rather than a fixed schedule.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit or have mobility concerns?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The camp is on Salen Mountain above Hammerfest, and public transportation options are available nearby to reach it.