where to see reindeer in tromso

Visit the camp and experience the real Arctic. Have seen some amazing scenery. Staying in one place vs. traveling around specifically to see the best lights possible is a whole different experience! Be sure to book your Norway rental car ahead of time to ensure availability! But if my children dont want to be, then my family will no longer be a reindeer herding family. The 10 Most Charming Mountain Towns in Colorado, The Perfect Weekend in Salt Lake City Itinerary: 2 Days in SLC. To comprehend reindeers significance in Norway, you first need to understand a little about the Sami people. The Troms Arctic Reindeer is a family business founded by the Smi reindeer herder Johan Isak Turi Oskal in 2016. The first question is: are these animals domesticated or is this going against their nature? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The reindeer were fun to feed with plenty of opportunities to interact with them and ask the hosts questions. For our next visit, we would skip the sledding and spend more time interacting with the reindeer. We also got to experience several cultural elements of Sami life: sitting around the fire in a lavvu (a traditional Samitent) with our hot drinks, eating a traditional hot meal from Sami culture (reindeer stew, called bidos in Sami), and hearing the beautifuljoik, a type of Sami song that seeks to reflect or evoke a person, animal, or place.. As a plus: the location couldnt be better!>>Check reviews from verified guests, look at photos, and book your room here. Mid-Range: For a slightly more upscale meal in Tromso that still isnt too pricy, I loved Mathallen. However, in recent years there has been a positive movement of Norwegians (Swedes and Finns) and Smi towards working together and creating sustainable, small-scale, culturally sensitive tourism products. Features of this page require a browser with localStorage enabled. Reindeer visit, and Sami Culture Including Lunch from Tromso, Sami Culture and Short Reindeer Sledding from Tromso, Overnight Stay with Reindeer Sledding & Feeding, Reindeer Sledding Experience and Sami Culture Tour from Tromso, Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner and Chance of Northern Lights, Aurora Hunt Tour with Citizen Science from Tromso - Professional Photos Included. Reindeer herding is more of a lifestyle than just a profession and there are currently over 3000 people active in Sami Reindeer husbandry. In modern times, there are laws and regulations to protect reindeers welfare and ensure that they are not overworked or mistreated. Each reindeer takes turns to dash along the track and is timed while it pulls its Sami owner on skis. Others were lingering further away. This has helped to introduce the unique and powerful sound of joik to a broader audience and has helped to raise awareness about the cultural traditions and heritage of the Sami people. Hi! Since we enjoy solitude, we decided to get as far away from the entrance as possible. . The only part of a reindeer they do not use is the kidney. This is the first written source of domesticated reindeer husbandry and is often referred to. We had a fabulous time on this trip. I hope you will enjoy it, learn something new and perhaps consider adding reindeer feeding & sledding to your Troms winter itinerary. In recent years, joik has gained increased recognition and popularity beyond the Sami communities, and it has inspired several contemporary artists to incorporate elements of joik into their own music. The number of reindeer varies annually, but there are around 250.000 herd animals in Norway. It was my last pre-pandemic trip and Ill always be grateful that I had such a magical experience before Covid would change the face of travel for the next few years. Reindeer feeding & Saami Culture. He was very young, maybe in his early 20s, and his dedication to preserving Sami culture, stories, traditions, and language was really moving. (Lavvo is a traditional Sami tent. Unlike horns which are never shed, antlers fall off and grow back larger each year. 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Today, you can experience many aspects of the Sami culture in and around Troms, with the herders still bringing the reindeer south to the traditional overwintering grounds in the Troms area. Did you know that Rudolf the reindeer and all the other 8 Santas helpers are actually females? During winter Camp Tamok, our Tromso wilderness centre, is the start and end point for a range of winter activities by huskies, reindeer and snowmobile. The meeting point for the Reindeer Farm Visit is in front of the Radisson Blu Hotel in the city center of Troms. She escorted us to the spacious Smi tent, lavvo, where she instructed us on how to feed reindeer and gave us a timeline of the whole tour. It was also a calming and cheerful experience, We had the most wonderful day. Even though the reindeer sledding was nice, we didnt feel comfortable being pulled on sled by a reindeer, but it is, of course, up to you to decide where you draw the line when it comes to reindeer sledding. I opted for a 10-minute reindeer sled experience because I wanted to see it for myself in order to write about it from my perspective and determine whether I would recommend it to others. The semi-nomadic people heavily relied on fishing and reindeer herding to support their communities, with herders migrating huge herds of reindeer from their summer feeding grounds in the north, further south to where the snow is less deep and the reindeer are able to dig out the lichen. Though Lapp, Laplander, and Lappish are still in use, the people themselves consider these terms to be offensive. The Sami people have a deep cultural connection to reindeer and have traditionally taken great care to ensure the well-being of their animals. The views and photo stops were stunning too. The following tours are what I recommend for reindeer sleighrides in Tromso as well as Sami culture tours. You can actually view my entire guide to what to wear in Norway in winter here. Some of the tours recommended above do include reindeer sledding but it will always be optional. Visit Sami camps to see reindeer, go on guided tours with herders, or enjoy a reindeer sledding adventure in the wilderness. Reindeer are also native to this part of the world, and Sami people traditionally relied on these animals for food, clothing, and transportation. >> Click here to check rates and availability for Smarthotel Troms. Make sure you bring your camera equipment and be ready to see the skies dancing. Note that these tours are outdoor activities, and while the lavvu (Sami tent) will be nice and warm, outdoors it will not be! And let me tell you; we are pretty spoiled concerning reindeer since we could watch them almost every day from our tiny off-grid house we rented close to Troms. Visit Sami camps to see reindeer, go on guided tours with herders, or enjoy a reindeer sledding adventure in the wilderness. The Sami still practice the traditional methods and ensure they pass down the stories and methods of their forefathers to the younger generations. Troms Arctic Reindeer Experience is a complete Sami Reindeer experience carried out by traditional Sami Reindeer Herders within a 30 minute drive of Troms. Included:Transfer by bus from and back to TromsEnglish-speaking guideMeal (stew) and hot drinksEntrance and guided tour to Troms Ice DomesShort movie in the ice-cinemaNon-alcoholic ice-shot, Itinerary:Transfer by bus: 90 min (1,5 hours)At Troms Ice Domes: 2 hours 15min (Guided tour + free time + lunch)Transfer by bus: 90 min (1,5 hours), Departure time: 10.45am (10:45)Latest meeting time and place: 15 minutes before departure (10.30am/10:30), Samuel Arnesens gate 7, 9008 Troms.Duration: 5 hours 15 minutesLevel of difficulty: very easyNumber of participants: 2 48. Frankly, Tromso has a lot of cloud cover which makes it hard to see the Northern lights from a stationary place, so you may not be able to see the Northern lights from the reindeer ranch, even if there is a lot of solar activity. Today, Sami culture is celebrated although of course there is always more to learn and Sami people live around the country, although their culture is most prevalent in the north. Samuel Arnesens gate 7, 9008 Troms, Norway. Subscribe to get notified about new guides, inspiration, deals, and much more! But, here are a few things I suggest bringing with you if you visit a Troms reindeer farm: It is very likely that you will witness the mesmerizing northern lights in Troms during your Sami experience at a reindeer ranch! Sami people have been herding and racing reindeer for centuries, and youll hear their national anthem at the end of the day; the racing happens around Sami national day. Reindeer and Smi people have a connection that is thousands of years old. Reindeer arent just characters from Christmas tales; for Scandinavias Sami population, theyre indispensable for everyday life. {{!preprice}} Reindeer herding is more of a lifestyle than just a profession and there are currently over 3000 people active in Sami Reindeer husbandry. All opinions are my own. Reindeer sledding can be a fun and interesting cultural activity, but ensuring that the animals are well cared for and treated ethically is essential. ), 18 Outstanding Things to Do in Oranjestad (+ Activities! best things to do in Troms in the winter, we partook in a tour that departed from the city to a nearby Sami camp, Check rates and availability of the tour by clicking here, but their parents or grandparents must have also had reindeer herding as their primary occupation, How to visit the Norway fjords in winter (2023 guide), 15 warmest places in December in Europe (2023 guide), 15 best Christmas markets in Germany (2023 guide), 9 best things to do in Menorca in winter (2023 guide). Taking a Sami tour is one way that we as tourists can preserve the Indigenous culture of the Sami people and ensure that the story of the Sami people is not forgotten. Book your Aurora Alps Reindeer and Northern Lights tour here! Although I have to say that theyre our lifeblood! our Sami guide, Per, told us, as we sat around long tables in a fire-heated hut, having devoured a vegetable soup or, for meat eaters, reindeer stew. If you are looking for more information about taking a northern lights tour, check out my northern lights tour guide. This means that reindeer only stay in Troms for the winter period; in the summer, they move inland where it is cooler. Unfortunately, climate change-induced rainfall forms a thick layer of ice, which makes it impossible for reindeer to dig through it and obtain lichen and moss, the staples of their diets. Your email address will not be published. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This mostly overlaps the region that, in English, is known as Lapland a term not preferred by the Sami people, as it 1) erases their culture and 2) is thought to be derived from an offensive word for the Sami. I'll often see reindeer roaming the streets when I drive to the neighboring island of Kvalya. We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten. - Level of difficulty: very easy. We did this tour through a company I worked for, so my colleague and I could better understand the tours we were selling. This is the same company but they also run a Northern lights nighttime tour. {{? It has a design similar to aNative Americantipibut is less vertical and more stable in high winds.). Me and my partner Reiulf, ho is Sami reindeer herder close Troms city. Reindeer meat is a specialty in Norway, and Sami people dont waste any part of it. I was putting together trips for people who wanted to visit Troms and Lofoten, so naturally, I needed to try the activities that I was recommending. Copyright 2022 The Privacy & Cookies Policy. The reindeer on the reindeer farms do not have to go far or fast, and they pull the sleds for approx. As modern society and culture have crept into the Arctic (my way of politely saying that colonization and attempts to endanger the culture and traditions of the indigenous people of Northern Scandinavia DID exist despite being a very taboo topic), the Sami people have managed to keep a few traditions afloat, even if just for showcasing them to curious tourists. in English and Creative Writing. There can be a lot written about the racialized discrimination of the Smi people in Scandinavia, but I do not feel educated enough to dive into this topic. To help preserve and teach people about this extraordinary culture, there are plenty of tours you can take from Troms to learn all about the Sami way of life and reindeer herding. Joik is a deeply personal and expressive form of music that reflects the Sami peoples unique cultural identity and traditions. Stay in heated yurt-style glamping tents, complete with cozy carpeting, comfortable beds heated with reindeer pelts, and panels that open up into the aurora above you so you can watch the Northern lights dance overhead from your bed! You will have the opportunity to get up close to several hundred partly wild, but friendly reindeer who will gather around you to get some of their preferred food, lichen. After playing around with the reindeer and lassos, you will go inside a lavvo for a delicious bowl of bidos, a delightful soup made from reindeer meat. My favourite part was hearing of Sami life from Ole and the reindeer owner - it was very special. After feeding the Troms reindeer, you will head for a traditional meal that has been stewed over an open fire. reindeer in Tromso. Here, some 300 reindeer were waiting hungrily for their food; as soon as the first unsuspecting tourists entered with a bucket, they pounced. However archaeological research is consistently pushing the date of domestication of reindeer and the development of reindeer herding further back in time.(Source). He shared a lot with us, more than he had to, including stories of the prejudice that he and other Sami experience for wearing their traditional clothes or speaking their language. Visit our small herd of reindeer. Top Activities and Tours in Troms: Visiting Troms independently? For a better user experience please enable localStorage or use a different browser. Its the result of their resilience and passion for preserving their identity and way of life. The eyes of Arctic reindeer change color through the seasons from gold to blue, adapting to extreme changes in light levels in their environment and helping detect predators. Norwegian Holidays low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Dont forget to plan ahead when, Venture out to a traditional Sami camp and enjoy a delicious meal around a fireplace. Smiland, more commonly known by its North Smi name Spmi, is the core region inhabited by the Smi, extending across vast areas in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Pick up is at the Scandic Ishavshotel (address: Fredrik Langes gate 2). What to expect from a Reindeer Farm Visit? We love Lofoten, but in 2022 we spent six months living in Troms, where I (Radka) worked for a travel agency as a trip planner. We hope this article has given you a better idea of what to expect when visiting a reindeer farm in Troms and has helped you understand more about the Sami people and their culture. CHECK PRICES HERE. Check reviews from verified guests, look at photos, and book your room here! Originally used for transport and food, theyre now a fundamental part of Sami culture and identity. If youre looking for a reindeer sledding Northern lights tour, this is the one I would pick its a longer tour and its further out from Tromso so your lights chances are a little better. Females are a little smaller than males. Although, modern life has moved in with snowmobiles revolutionizing the way they travel and has made communication much easier these days. It was really interesting hearing about their life, customs and traditions first-hand, and we enjoyed the joiking (singing). We were offered warm, thermal suits to keep us warm in the bracing Arctic wind, and were taken to the reindeer enclosure. She holds a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. Head out to one of Tromss magical reindeer camps. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more! So weve established that the Sami people have herded and domesticated reindeer for at least 1,200 years perhaps even as many as 7,000 years long enough to say that these reindeer have been fairly thoroughly domesticated. They are beautifully displayed inside the domes with special light effects creating magical scenes. The tourism industry in Scandinavia has been criticized for turning Smi culture into a marketing tool to attract tourists. Number of participants: 2 - 48. We maintain a temperature of minus 5 C inside Troms Ice Domes: we advise dressing warm and in layers. Getting to see them up close and personal is delightful! An authentic experience in Tromso learning of Sami culture and interacting with wild reindeer up close! Book your Aurora Alps Reindeer Sledding tour here! The original inhabitants of Northern Norway, the Sami people, have been herding reindeer for centuries. Your welcoming hosts will also perform traditional joik songs that have been passed down through the generations. , This blog uses affiliate links and cookies, 14 Norwegian Gifts (That You Can Order Online), What to Know About Whale Watching in Troms, Norway . They have delicious daily specials including a really affordable lunch special option. So make sure to tick this activity off if youre visiting Norway in the winter! As an Airbnb Associate, we earn when you book through our links. Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Stories, Armenia travel blog | Virginia travel blog | Hawaii travel blog, Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more! Many companies resell reindeer feeding & sledding tours, but no matter with whom you book, the tour is provided by Troms Arctic Reindeer. Reindeer are an integral part of Sami culture, and being in the Arctic, Troms boasts a plethora of opportunities to see them up close. We are a traditional Reindeer herding family offering authentic Sami Reindeer experience with over 300 Reindeer at the camp within a 30-minute drive from Troms. Really great tour. More Tromso Topics. Duration: 5 hours 15 minutes. Plenty of people know about Tromso's most popular museums, like the Polar Museum and Tromso Museum, but more unique spots like the Perspectives Museum often get overlooked. Confession: I love Thon Hotels because I love their breakfast buffet. Join the guided tour through the domes and get to see the incredible ice sculptures and snow carvings. Wondering Reindeer AS is a Sami reindeer experience company started by Ole Mathis Htta (39) 5. tours at our camp in Troms: reindeer sledding, reindeer feeding, Northern lights and Smi culture Our Tours Season 2023 - 2024 Season 2023 - 2024: day and evening tours every day from 1.11.2023 until 7.4.2024. Reindeer are often used for transportation, including pulling sleds or carts and are also a source of food, clothing, and other resources. If your trip to Tromso is primarily to see the Northern lights, then I would suggest doing a minibus tour where you chase the lights at least once or twice during your stay. Reindeer and caribou are the same animal (Rangifer tarandus) and are a member of the deer family. See All Tromso Conversations. As of literally four days ago when updating this article, the Norwegian government announced that all restrictions of entering into Norway have been lifted! How To Choose The Best Northern Lights Tour in Troms, What To Pack For a Winter Trip to Northern Norway, How To Get From Troms To Lofoten By Car, Bus, Plane & Boar. Spmi is a region that most tourists would know as Lappland. Samuel Arnesens gate 7. I didnt get the chance to try this tour on my trip to Tromso, but it seems rather similar to the tour by Tromso Arctic Reindeer in terms of itinerary and activities. The change in the climate has meant that many of the reindeers traditional food sources have dried up, and the Sami reindeer herders have had to supplement their diet, which was previously all provided by the land. While spending time outside, keep an eye out for magical displays of the northern lights that, if you are lucky, will come out and play. The experience will involve bus trip, lavvo (Sami tent) hundreds of reindeers, bonfire, and knowledge about Sami culture and traditions. Per told us that one of his most-asked questions from tourists is can I be a reindeer herder too?. The region which the Sami people inhabit and have tended for thousands of years is called Spmi in the most widely-spoken dialect of the Sami language, Northern Sami. I can be a reindeer herder because my grandparents were, Per told us. 40. from $135.73. It is a unique and beautiful art form worth exploring and experiencing. While you are not required to show vaccination cards to enter Norway, arriving vaccinated (and boosted, if available to you) is the kind, safe thing to do to keep yourself and the people of the country you are visiting healthy! CHECK PRICES HERE. The word joik comes from the Sami language and refers to the traditional way of singing and chanting that is used to express a wide range of emotions and experiences, from joy and celebration to sorrow and longing. ), St. Thomas Itinerary: Making the Most of 7 Days (+ Tips! Allison Green is a former educator turned travel blogger. Treat yourself to a guided tour from downtown Troms to the magical winter wonderland of Troms Ice Domes, where you can top up your cultural experience with Reindeer sledding & Sami Culture. You will spend time with the reindeer- giving them food and learning how they are taken care of. Reindeer have been an important part of the culture of this part of the world for a long time. The views are beautiful though: fjords, snow, and mountains everywhere you look. I do think kids would really love it though, but for adults, its a bit boring. You can book the tour here. The initial purpose of the reindeer farm was toprotect the animals from the perils of climate change. The reindeer had different personalities some were cheeky, others were shy, and some fought each other for food or just for fun. Short Reindeer Sledding, Feeding & Sami Culture, Long Reindeer Sledding, Feeding & Sami Culture, Night Reindeer Sledding & Reindeer Camp Dinner with a Chance of Northern Lights, Reindeer Camp Dinner, Feeding & Sami Culture with a Chance of Northern Lights. Highly recommend. The fanciest hotel in town is the Clarion Hotel The Edge, which is right on the water and home to Troms's only skybar. Norway has lifted mask restrictions and social distancing requirements, and all restaurants, bars, and museums are back to normal operations. They have lost land to farmers and industries, been subjugated to racial biology, and have had their religion, culture, and language suppressed. However, Lapp is a derogatory word used by Scandinavian colonizers about the Smi people. Luxury: There are three Clarion Collection hotels in Tromso, but the nicest of the three seems to beClarion Collection Hotel Aurora.
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