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When Abby and I planned our spring break trip to Norway, reindeer feeding in Tromsø was the Arctic experience we were most excited about. We had just two nights in Tromsø between visits to Bergen and Oslo, and I knew I didn’t want to miss it!
I booked our Tromsø reindeer experience a couple of months before the trip, and it became such a special part of our time in Norway. We fed reindeer as fresh snow fell, warmed up around a fire, and learned about Sámi culture from people with deep family connections to reindeer herding.
Today, I want to share our experience and what you should know before booking this Arctic reindeer experience. It is a splurge, and I know it helps to hear from someone who has actually done it. We paid for this ourselves during a personal mother-daughter trip, and I’m so glad we made it a priority.
Short on time? This is the exact reindeer tour in Tromsø that we booked through GetYourGuide.
Reindeer Feeding in Tromsø, Norway
We went with Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, which operates the tour listed on GetYourGuide as Tromsø: Reindeer Sledding & Feeding with a Sami Guide. We selected the option with a 10-minute sled ride, but they canceled that portion because melting snow left conditions unsuitable for sledding. I’ll share more about that below!
This is an approximately four-hour experience that includes transportation from Tromsø, reindeer feeding, lunch, and a Sámi cultural presentation. It was a manageable amount of time to set aside during our short stay, and I appreciated the included transportation and meal.
Our Experience Reindeer Feeding in Tromsø
We visited on April 3, 2026, right at the end of the season. It was literally the VERY last day of tours, and the herds would be moving to another area for the summer just days later.
While it was spring break for us, there was still snow on the ground, and it certainly felt cold enough to bundle up. We were fortunate to get both falling snow and sunshine during the same visit. This honestly made it so magical for us!
I want to walk through our Tromsø reindeer experience, so you have a better idea of what the outing involves.
The feeding was the highlight for me, but I also enjoyed learning about this part of Norway and spending time at the camp.
As a frequent traveler, supporting local businesses like this in the places I visit, is important. Because for me, responsible tourism depends on giving back to the communities you travel through.
Abby and I honestly can’t recommend this experience enough. Both of us felt like it was one thing we would have really regretted skipping during our mother-daughter trip to Norway.
Getting to the Reindeer Camp From Downtown Tromsø
We met in downtown Tromsø and took a large bus out to the reindeer camp. Having the transportation arranged made this easy, especially since we only had a couple of nights in town. We didn’t have to organize a separate transfer or rent a car for the outing.
Check the meeting instructions on your reservation before heading out, as the meeting point can depend on the option you book. Give yourself enough time to find the group and be ready before departure.
We were staying at the Radisson Blu Tromso and it was just a short 5 minute walk to the tour bus meeting point.
Once at the camp, we gathered inside a lavvu, a traditional Sámi tent, before going out to feed the reindeer. The fire and tent setting were a lovely introduction to the experience.
They did have coffee which was a really nice treat! And they took time to tell us exactly how to feed the reindeer.
Feeding Reindeer in Norway’s Arctic Snow
We were given big buckets of food and had time to walk among the reindeer. Some reindeer were especially excited about the food, but I didn’t find them overly aggressive. It was really fun to be that close and watch them approach us.
We had plenty of time to take pictures, which I appreciated. I could photograph Abby with the reindeer, capture some close-ups, and still enjoy feeding them myself. If you enjoy photography, you’ll probably come home with a lot of pictures from this part of the tour!
The weather made it even more memorable. It was overcast when we arrived, and then it started snowing while we were outside. Standing there with Abby, surrounded by reindeer as the snow fell, was such a special experience. It’s not every spring break that we get to do something like this!
By the end of the feeding, the sun had come out, and the landscape looked completely different. You can see that change in my photos, from falling snow to bright sunshine across the field. We really lucked out with the weather!
Lunch at the Tromso Arctic Reindeer Camp
After feeding the reindeer, we headed inside for lunch. We could choose reindeer stew or a vegetarian meal, and I chose the vegetarian option.
I’m not much of a meat eater to begin with, and I honestly wasn’t particularly interested in eating reindeer after spending time feeding them!
That said, reindeer is on the menu everywhere in this part of Northern Norway.
It was nice to have something warm to eat after being outside. I also loved the setting, with a large fire and pots warming above it. Between the tent gathering spaces and the wooden hut where we ate, we had plenty of chances to warm up throughout the visit.
One thing I would recommend is wearing layers you can easily remove. You’ll want a warm coat outdoors, but sitting near the fire can feel very different. I was glad we weren’t spending the entire four hours out in the cold.
During lunch, the staff was also letting some of the children try lassoing an antler target, and everyone looked like they were having such a fun time!
Learning About Sámi Culture in Northern Norway
We also gathered to hear about Sámi culture and reindeer herding. The young woman sharing stories with us was Sámi, and her father was a reindeer herder. I appreciated learning from someone whose family was connected to the traditions she was describing.
One thing that stayed with me was our hosts’ explanation of the challenges of finding enough food for the herd and how the visitor experience helps support feeding the reindeer. Hearing about that connection made the visit more meaningful to me.
Most people don’t travel north of the Arctic Circle, and I was glad we had the opportunity to hear a little about the lives and traditions of people with deep roots here. It was a worthwhile part of the experience alongside the time with the animals.
There was also a small gift area where you could buy souvenirs from your Tromsø Arctic reindeer experience!
Does the Tromsø Reindeer Tour Include Sledding?
The Arctic reindeer tour option we booked included a 10-minute reindeer sled ride. There is also an option for a 25-30 minute reindeer sledding experience.
However, we were notified a day or two beforehand that warmer spring conditions and melting snow meant sledding would not be available. The rest of the tour went ahead, and we received a partial refund.
Honestly, I wasn’t overly disappointed. Sledding sounded like a fun addition, but it was only a short part of the overall experience. Feeding the reindeer was what I was most looking forward to, and we still had plenty of time to do that.
I do think it helps to understand the duration before you book. Our reservation was for a 10-minute session within a four-hour outing, so it wasn’t a long sledding adventure. Look at the available options and choose the one that best fits what you want to do.
Just know that if you visit early or late in the season, snow conditions may affect sledding. Even though it started snowing during our visit, that didn’t change the operator’s earlier decision about the sled route. And, as you can see in my photos, the snow was melting when the sun came out.
We still thoroughly enjoyed our Tromsø reindeer experience!
When Can You Go Reindeer Feeding in Tromsø?
Reindeer feeding is generally seasonal, so check your travel dates before planning around it. As you can see on the availability calendar, Tromsø Arctic Reindeer’s 2026–2027 feeding season runs from October 31, 2026, through April 4, 2027. Conditions can affect operations, so your tour calendar is the best place to start.
We visited Tromsø in early April, and we had plenty of daylight for feeding and taking photos. There was snow on the ground, but warmer weather was already affecting the sledding. I loved our visit, although I wouldn’t book an end-of-season tour assuming every activity will be possible.
If you’re visiting in December, the light will be quite different from what you see in my pictures. Tromsø experiences polar night from approximately late November until mid-January, when the sun stays below the horizon.
That doesn’t mean it is completely dark all day. There are hours of twilight, and the sky can have beautiful blue, pink, and purple tones, as described in Visit Tromsø’s winter guide.
I think that would bring its own atmosphere to this experience! The main thing is to know that a winter visit and an early-April visit won’t look the same. If daylight is a priority, keep the changing daylight hours in mind when planning your trip to Tromsø, Norway.
What to Wear for Tromsø Reindeer Feeding
Dress warmly for this experience. Even during our April visit, I was glad to have extra layers, and a couple of things I brought made a big difference outdoors.
First, I recommend a warm winter coat, preferably a longer one for extra coverage. Pair that with warm layers, a hat, and gloves. Waterproof winter boots are also a good idea because the snow can get slushy and messy, particularly toward the end of the season.
The Ocoopa hand warmers I brought came in clutch! I was really glad to have them while spending time outside, and they would be one of the first things I’d pack for another cold-weather trip like this.
I also brought my ChappyWrap shawl and wrapped it around my neck and face for extra warmth. It was helpful to have something I could adjust as we moved between the outdoor feeding area and the warm indoor spaces.
Of course, bring your camera or phone for photos. For the rest of your trip, my Europe travel essentials post covers more of the practical items we bring when traveling abroad, including plug adapters and portable chargers.
Is Reindeer Feeding in Tromsø Worth It?
For us, it absolutely was! We paid for this experience ourselves, and it was one of the things I was most excited to share with Abby during our trip.
I know this is an expensive activity, particularly when you’re booking for a family. However, know that Norway can be expensive to travel in. So, it makes sense to think about which experiences you want to prioritize. This was one I felt good about making room for in our budget.
We had transportation, lunch, time with the reindeer, and a chance to hear about Sámi culture all within one outing. I appreciated that we could simply show up and enjoy something that would have been much harder to arrange on our own.
That was something we also appreciated about our Douro Valley day trip from Porto this summer. A well-organized tour can make it easy to get beyond the city and experience more during a short stay.
If you enjoy animals, photography, and learning about where you are, I think this Tromsø reindeer experience is worth considering. Even with the sledding canceled, I’m glad we booked it, and feeding reindeer with Abby was a highlight of our Norway trip.
How to Book this Tromsø Reindeer Feeding Experience
We booked our Tromso reindeer feeding and sledding experience through GetYourGuide. Enter your dates and group details to see current prices and options, and check the inclusions before choosing your tour.
At the time of writing, the listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, along with a reserve-now, pay-later option. Confirm those terms on your selected reservation, including the exact cancellation deadline. That flexibility is helpful when you want to book an activity while still finalizing the rest of your trip.
I booked a couple of months ahead because this was at the top of our list and we had limited time in Tromsø. If you know you want to do it, I would check your dates early rather than assume there will be space once you arrive.
That said, it’s still worth looking if your trip is coming up soon!
We often book activities while already traveling, and you can read about how we find last-minute tours on GetYourGuide. You may find availability during the week of your visit, or even the day before.
If you’re visiting Tromsø on a cruise, compare the full tour timing with your ship’s schedule. You’ll need enough time to reach the meeting point and get back before your ship’s all-aboard time. Check where your ship docks rather than assuming it will be beside the tour departure point.
Check Availability & Prices for Our Tromso Reindeer Tour
More Europe Travel Inspiration
This is my first Norway post here on the blog, and I look forward to sharing more from our mother-daughter trip to Norway! I plan to write about more of the fun things we did in Tromsø, Bergen, and Oslo, where we stayed, and tips for getting around Norway by plane.
>> We also visited the Magic Ice Bar in Tromso!
In the meantime, you can browse my Europe travel guides for more firsthand experiences, itineraries, and ideas for your next vacation.
If you’re new to travel in Europe, my guide to planning a trip to Europe for your family is a good place to begin. My International travel tips can also help you make sure you have everything you need, such as the right Europe plug adaptors and power converters.
For more GetYourGuide tours, tickets, and experiences we’ve enjoyed in Europe, check out the following popular tour posts!
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Or browse our Europe destination guides in the menu at the top of the site. And follow along on social media to see where we are heading next!
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