Spring Reindeer Calving – Sámi Life at Its Beginning
Par Samibooking AS
Disponible: May
Prix à partir de
Next available date: 04 mai 2026
Witness the fragile beginning of life during the Sámi reindeer calving season.
A rare, respectful day spent quietly with an active herding family in the Arctic spring landscape.
Every spring, the reindeer return to the same mountain valleys to give birth — as they have for generations. This short and sensitive period is one of the most important times in Sámi reindeer herding.
For a very limited window in May, a small number of guests are invited to join us in the mountains, traveling by snowmobile sled into a quiet calving area. The day is spent moving calmly among the herd, learning how Sámi families protect the reindeer during this fragile time and taking part in simple daily tasks when appropriate.
There are no performances, no guarantees and no staging. If a calf is born during the visit, it is witnessed from a respectful distance. If not, you are still present during a deeply meaningful moment in Sámi life.
A traditional outdoor meal is prepared by the fire, and stories — sometimes joik — are shared naturally, when the moment allows. This is slow life, on the reindeer’s terms.
- Experience the reindeer calving season firsthand with a Sámi family in a peaceful mountain setting
- Travel by snowmobile sled into the Arctic spring landscape and join the daily life of the herders
- Enjoy a traditional Sámi meal by the fire and capture rare photos with full respect for the animals
This experience takes place in a sensitive calving area. The day’s program depends on weather, reindeer movement and natural conditions. No guarantees can be made regarding births or animal behavior.
- • Sámi guide from an active reindeer-herding family
- • Snowmobile sled transport to and from the calving area
- • Warm reindeer hides for sled seating
- • Time spent with the reindeer herd during calving season
- • Participation in daily herding tasks (when appropriate)
- • Traditional outdoor meal and hot drinks by the fire
- • Warm outer clothing if needed
- You are eligible to receive a full refund of the booking amount if you cancel your reservation at least 7 Days before the scheduled start time.
Point de rencontre
Mikkel aslak iver sara
About Reindeer Island Hammerfest
Reindeer Island Hammerfest was founded by Mihkkal Aslat Ivvar Sara, a Sámi reindeer herder from Hammerfest in Northern Norway.
Mihkkal grew up on the islands and mountains around Hammerfest, where his family has lived with reindeer for generations. These coastal areas are traditional Sámi summer pastures, shaped by reindeer herding, seasonal movement, and close ties between people, animals, land, and sea.
Reindeer herding has always been a central part of family life. Knowledge was passed down through everyday work on the land, following the reindeer through changing seasons, weather, and landscapes. Today, Reindeer Island Hammerfest continues this tradition by sharing real Sámi life through guided experiences, storytelling, and close encounters with reindeer.
Our activities are based on lived experience and family heritage — not staged performances. Everything guests learn comes from real life, real stories, and genuine Sámi knowledge passed down through generations.
Through tourism, Reindeer Island Hammerfest creates a way to keep reindeer on the land, preserve cultural knowledge, and pass traditions on to the next generation. Our experiences are built on respect for reindeer, nature, and Sámi culture, offering guests an honest and meaningful connection to life in the Arctic.