Info - Ivalo Experiences

The purpose of our company is to offer visitors responsibly produced authentic Lapland experiences based on local culture and lifestyle

Our story

Ivalo Experiences is a small family business located in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, run by Johanna and Niilo, a local couple. We are both from Ivalo, and Niilo has deep roots in reindeer herding, and he has worked as a reindeer herder all his life. We value nature and spend almost all our time in it. Every experience reflects our daily tasks: feeding the reindeer and checking fishing nets.

We founded our company because we want to offer responsible activities where customers can truly experience nature, going deeper into the forest and discovering something unique.

Sustainability

We aim to focus on the small things we can influence: we use as many eco-friendly and local products as possible, with an emphasis on items that can be reused. We offer homemade food and drinks: we pick the berries ourselves to make berry juice, and use our own reindeer meat and hand-picked wild mushrooms in our dishes. While we can’t do everything in an entirely eco-friendly way, we do our best to act responsibly.

Above all, we treat our animals with care: our reindeer activities are based on everyday reindeer herding, not tourism. We also ensure responsible fishing practices and strive to offer only authentic, tradition-based activities.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 28 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Laureen R 
 12 February 2026
 
 
 Verified Super expérience Magnifique expérience dans une ferme familiale à taille humaine. Notre hôte Johanna nous a réservé un super accueil et nous a appris énormément de choses sur les rennes et leur mode de vie. C’est sans aucun doute la meilleure expérience qu’on ait faite lors de notre séjour et on l’en remercie !
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Beata P 
 11 February 2026
 
 
 Verified We spent an unforgettable and magical day in the northern forests observing the life of reindeer herders. It was fantast We spent an unforgettable and magical day in the northern forests observing the life of reindeer herders. It was fantastic. We were dressed warmly and well looked after by very kind people. We saw a day in the life of reindeer and their keepers. We are very satisfied. We hope to return. I highly recommend Ivalo Experiences.Beata i Krzysztof from Poland
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Mathilde E 
 5 February 2026
 
 
 Verified Magical and authentic We had an absolutely unforgettable experience in Ivalo with Ivalo Experience during the activity “A Day in the Life of a Reindeer Herder.” A complete immersion in the heart of Lapland’s nature, an authentic encounter with the reindeer, and a passionate insight into the daily life of herders — everything was perfectly organized. Despite the freezing temperatures, the warm welcome and kindness of Johanna and Niilo made this day truly magical and timeless. We learned so much while experiencing deeply moving and awe-inspiring moments, surrounded by breathtaking snowy landscapes. This activity far exceeded our expectations and will remain one of the most precious memories of our trip to Lapland. A huge thank you to Johanna and Niilo for their professionalism, generosity, and attention throughout the day. We wholeheartedly recommend this experience! ❄️✨🦌
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    kaede 
 1 February 2026
 
 
 Verified Northern Lights and Gentle Experiences We were greeted by a bunch of reindeer at the ranch about 10 minutes from Ivarro. We waited for the Aurora Borealis to grow, lighting a bonfire in a tall tent with traditional shapes. It was a homely experience, very cold but heartwarming. And I met the Northern Lights in a place only she knows! And she took a lot of the best pictures. The drinks and sausages we received around the campfire were exceptional. I want to see her and her reindeer again.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Carlos B 
 26 January 2026
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience with reindeer!!! Amazing experience! First night of hunting in the Auroras, and we were with Johanna our guide, who was extremely friendly!! We saw and fed dozens of reindeer, ate in the typical carp and searched for auroras. Super recommended!! Johanna a 10!!!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    izan m 
 25 January 2026
 
 
 Verified Unforgettable Experience In Ivalo An amazing experience. Nillo and his friends took us to see the beautiful sunrise while crossing the frozen lake. They really cared about us. They always asked if we were cold throughout the activities to ensure our comfort and safety. Seeing Nillo calling the reindeers was a valuable experience. Having the opportunity to feed wild reindeer was more exciting than reindeer on a farm. Time spent with the reindeer was very satisfying. Nillo and his friends found a perfect location for a campfire after finishing the activity with the reindeer. We were able to warm up while being served with delicious salmon soup with coffee and hot chocolate. Due to the windy weather conditions we decided not to continue with the ice fishing activity. A bit disappointing but safety comes first and we also managed to catch a spike fish from the bait left in the hole in the lake. We cooked it ourselves at the resort and it was very delicious.Thank you Nillo and friends for giving us an unforgettable experience. If you have the chance to go to Ivalo, this activity is a must do.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    marennieee b 
 15 January 2026
 
 
 Verified Lovely 💙🤍🇫🇮🫶🏻 We found this to be a truly lovely experience with the reindeer and Niilo. It was fascinating to hear everything our host shared about the reindeer and his family, a family business that has been passed down for 300 years. The reindeer are wonderfully curious, coming into the hut and even lying down beside you, which made the experience feel very special and personal. It felt ethical, educational, and meaningful. A unique and valuable experience. Thank you! 🦌✨
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    benedictegillet 
 12 January 2026
 
 
 Verified A unforgettable expirence ! We had a wonderful time with Johanna and Niilo.We loved evreything about this activity : the snowmobile ride, the calling and feeding of the reindeers, the grilled sausage by the fire afterwards (which were super tasty!!) and of course the mesmerising nature around us. It was trully magical.Johanna and Niilo are both very kind and passionate people and we absolutely envoyed learning more about their culture. I can assure you will have an amazing time with both of them, this is a must if you are in the lake Inari region !
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    nidhintk 
 4 January 2026
 
 
 Verified The best part in our Lapland trip The best part of our Lapland Trip was the hunt for the Northern Lights with Ivalo Experiences. Johanna and Niilo took our party chasing the Northern Lights and with their expertise we were able to witness the Northern Lights. The whole experience is etched in our memory and was truly unforgettable. This was then followed by a visit to their reindeer farm where we met their reindeers and had some delicious snacks/drinks around a fireplace midst of the forest. The whole three hour experience was just so calming and we would highly recommend Ivalo Experiences for anyone wanting to experience Northern Lights.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Mnaomic 
 3 January 2026
 
 
 Verified Best tour in Finland!!! Wonderful!Everything was perfect!Johanna and Niilo were very concerned about making us feel comfortable and safe (it was -30°C that night).They know the best places to see the Northern Lights, as they are locals.And we saw the most beautiful Aurora ever!After the Aurora hunt, we even had a campfire with reindeer visiting us, hot chocolate, and sausages!Truly, the best experience we had in Finland!We had other tours with other companies, but nothing compares with what Johanna and Niilo offered us.

Q&A

How can I get to your activities?

All activities are located in the Ivalo area. Transportation for maximum of eight people from Ivalo, such as a hotel, is included in the price. Transportation can be arranged from Saariselkä or Inari for additional fee €45 per direction. If you need transportation from Saariselkä or Inari, please contact us in advance.

What are the group sizes?

Activities can only be arranged when there are enough participants. The minimum is at least two participants and maximum group size is eight to twenty people, depending on the activity. All activities can also be booked as private visit, for example for couples, when there is one price and no minimum group size. You’ll find group sizes in the activities tab. For larger groups, contact us by email in advance.

Are the activities difficult?

The activities are not difficult and do not involve walking long distances, except the Nightless night fishing trip. The recommended age limit is four years because the terrain and long period outdoors can be challenging. If you require accessibility assistance, please contact us in advance.

Can I get cold? What clothes I need?

The weather limits for the activities range from -20°C to -25°C, depending on the activity. There are no weather limits for summer activities.

Warm clothing and equipment are required to participate in the winter activities. It is possible to rent clothes through us by contacting in advance. The rental price for insulated safari suit and warm snow shoes is €25 / person. The rent is only for the duration of the activity we organize.

Are meals included in the activities? How do you accommodate special dietary requirements?

All of our activities include a meal or roasting sausages on an open fire, along with fresh cold water and homemade hot berry juice. The activities Aurora Hunting with Reindeer and A Day with Reindeer Herders includes a homemade creamy reindeer meat soup, prepared with meat from our own reindeer and served with fresh cold water and homemade hot berry juice. A vegan alternative, wild mushroom soup, is also available. The Reindeer Fence Visit, Aurora Hunting by Minivan, and Wilderness Adventure by Snowmobile Sleigh include sausages, with a vegan option available.

All meals are automatically lactose-free and gluten-free. Please let us know in advance if you would like to choose a vegan option or if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies by emailing info@ivaloexperiences.com at least one day before the booking date.

How can I pay?

You can pay for the activities directly through the booking system. The payment methods accepted by our provider include bank transfers, mobile payment methods, and card payments. You can also pay for the reservation on-site with a card (for quick bookings), via MobilePay, or through PayPal.

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