A visit to a reindeer farm was a must for us during our trip around Finland. We considered various options, but eventually we chose Jaakkola Reindeer Farm located near Luosto. We opted for this farm because of different reasons. First of all, it is run by a Sámi family, whose culture we’re interested in. This is the third generation of the family who take care of the animals and do their best to show their culture to the tourists. The farm is situated in a forest, which is more preferable than when a reindeer ride is offered in a city. If you need a pick-up, they’ll arrange it for you, and will bring you back to the hotel after the tour is done. In addition, we wanted to have a traditional lunch in a Lappish-style kota hut. The sauteered reindeer with mashed potato was delicious. If you’re thinking about visiting a reindeer farm, this place is an excellent option.

It was freezing cold when we arrived at Jaakola but we were warmed by Anu's hospitality and her passion for reindeer herding! The reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy forest was great. It was quite amusing to see how stubborn and strong headed the reindeers are. On the way out, the leader stopped and refused to move continuously and our guide had to get off and pull him along as he walked. This was another story altogether on our way back. The reindeers barely stopped! We were told that they know that they're heading home and can't wait to get back. Haha. We stopped in a wilderness cottage to warm up after the first leg of our sleigh ride. Anu shared stories about her Sami heritage and how excited she was when she got her first reindeer who took her to school when she couldn't start her snowmobile. Really loved all the cute, heartwarming stories she told us about reindeer herding! She also taught us how to grill sausages in the fire on a tree branch after sharpening it with a knife!

Anu and Jenna provided an amazing experience. It was so much more than just seeing and feeding reindeer, we got to learn about the local people, their tie to the reindeer and land, and enjoy delicious soups and treats. It felt like a true cultural experience, I would highly recommend!