Do not plan a visit to Tromsø without this included!
Tromsø is a great location for several activities people often say “Oh, you´re so lucky, I`ve always wanted to do that” when you tell them what you´ve been up to, namely: Whale watching, Northern Lights and getting up close to a flock of reindeer. Now of the three, despite dying to do it, I was slightly worried the set bus tour to a reindeer herd would be “a bit touristy”. I´m all for independent travel, in my own time and as far as possible away from crowds and if I´m honest I thought the 1640 NOK per person for a 4 hour trip sounded a bit steep. I couldn´t have been more wrong!
I can honestly say that it surpassed expectations on all fronts. Following a short 25 min drive along the coastline we came to the reindeer camp. Here were assembled in a Sami lavvu (yurt) and were given a short introduction to Sami culture and instructions for the animal feeding by the lovely Irja, whose family have been herding reindeer for generations and whose obvious affection for both the animals and her culture was delightfully evident. Samis have not had it easy in Norway and she handled this with great tact and diplomacy.
From here the group was divided into those just feeding and those taking a sled tour around the area. The sleds were attached in convoy and this was the part that was openly touristy, but it gave you an extended view of the majestic coastal scenery and the waddling bum of a willing and relaxed reindeer.
Once that was over we grabbed feed buckets and wandered among the hungry animals. Although really quite shy of humans, they completely bowled us over by their characters, looks and habits – some starving, some picky – and the pregnant females (who will give birth in May) showed the males who was first in the pecking order!
I won´t go more details on what we learned about their lives but the herders were on hand to talk to and answer all questions. What is key is that these animals are not just gathered there for the tourists, they are there for climatic reasons for the winter so you are genuinely getting an authentic experience (albeit one tempered by the fact that these animals are well fed twice a day!).
For my part I could have just wandered among them the whole time but lunch was part of the deal as was another session in the lavvu with Irja telling us more about Sami culture, finishing off the session with a traditional joik, before the bus took us back to the city centre. The whole trip was incredibly well planned and I would just say to anyone who says we were so lucky to do this, check out the company´s website for forthcoming trips for the rest of this and next season and get your seats booked! I, for one, am going to save like mad. I want to do the whole thing all again.
Link to supplier website: https://bit.ly/3nYT4oB
Location: https://bit.ly/3KHEuM5
Wanderlust never fades 