Snowshoeing to Secret Reindeer Forest in Levi — Afternoon Herder’s Day with Soup Kota Lunch, Warm Clothing Included
Why this is one of the most complete experiences in Levi
- Snowshoe hike entirely on private land — no public trails, no other visitors
- The Secret Reindeer Forest — Jussi’s privately owned old pine and birch forest
- Animal welfare first: no rides, no tricks — semi-wild reindeer on their own terms
- Maximum 10 people, two visits per day — genuinely small group
- Afternoon departure — includes the full Herder’s Day with soup kota lunch: vegetable soup with rieska, reindeer sausage, Finnish pancakes, hot drinks
- Warm winter clothing included — nothing to rent or arrange separately
- Lasso practice and personal Reindeer Herder’s Assistant diploma
Part 1 Snowshoeing Hike in the Private Wilderness
The tour begins in Levi village with snowshoe fitting, then a 10-minute transfer to the starting point. With the guide, the group walks a 2–4 km loop through snowy forests and frozen swampland. The route is chosen for its balance of gentle movement and scenery — several good spots for photographing Lapland’s winter landscape along the way.
The snowshoe trail lies entirely on private land. No public trails, no other visitors, no ski slope sounds in the background. Just the forest, the frost and the crunch of snowshoes on undisturbed snow.
Part 2 Reindeer Encounter in the Secret Reindeer Forest
After about an hour of snowshoeing, the trail arrives at an old pine and birch forest — privately owned by the reindeer herding family, completely secluded. This is what the program calls the Secret Reindeer Forest. No other visitors are assigned to this location. As the group steps in, curious reindeer begin to approach from the surrounding woodland, expecting food.
The herder greets the group and gives a short introduction to the family’s long tradition in Lappish reindeer husbandry. Jussi and his family have kept reindeer across generations on this privately owned land. Animal welfare is the foundation of how the program is run: no rides, no tricks, no tamed animals performing for visitors. The reindeer live freely in the wilderness for most of the year and are only brought into the forest during winter for feeding and care. The herd is on its own terms — the herder is present to guide the encounter, not to stage it.
Guests are handed buckets of feed — hay and specially prepared pellets — and move slowly through several natural spots in the forest, feeding the herd as it gathers. Some reindeer come close enough to touch; others keep their distance. That natural shyness is part of what makes the contact meaningful. Groups are kept small — maximum 10 people, two visits per day. This is what the program calls reindeer therapy: calm, unhurried, and genuinely unlike a staged animal encounter.
Traditional Lappish kota meal by the open fire
The kota is pre-heated and warmed in advance, ready for the guests. Our own kota chef serves a traditional Lappish kota meal.
After spending time with the reindeer, the group moves into the warm kota. Wooden benches covered with reindeer hides, open fire. The lunch starts with the Northern Light Veloute — our kota chef’s signature soup, made fresh over the open fire and served with rieska, local flatbread toasted on the flames. The wilderness Michelin star. No actual stars, no white tablecloths, just a quietly exceptional bowl of soup in a reindeer-skin kota deep in the Arctic forest. It always tastes better than it has any right to. Then reindeer sausage: guests can grill over the open fire with the chef’s guidance — locally made, ecologically sourced. Then our chef serves thin Finnish pancakes with arctic berry jam and whipped cream. Coffee brewed in a pot on the fire, berry juice, herbal tea. While the guests enjoy their meal, the host carries on — more stories about the reindeer, the arctic way of living, and whatever questions have built up over the last hour.
Lasso and diploma
Before the return, guests try lasso throwing outside the kota. Each receives a personal diploma of Reindeer Herder’s Assistant. The return hike is shorter — approximately 15 minutes back to the transfer point.
Vegetarian, vegan or chicken sausage alternatives available on request.
Who this is for
• Families with grown-up children aged 12 and above (recommended age — see Important remarks)
• Couples and small groups who want an authentic reindeer encounter combined with active snowshoeing
• Guests who want a full half-day experience with a proper meal and warm clothing provided
• Anyone looking for the Reindeer Herder’s Day experience reached on foot rather than by snowmobile sled
Private Option
The Secret Reindeer Forest is already exclusively yours on this tour — a private booking extends that exclusivity to the full snowshoe hike and the kota lunch. Your group, the herder, and the herd. Contact us to arrange.
