Our family booked an afternoon visit to Petri's reindeer farm in mid-March. It's a little over an hour's drive from Ivalo airport on the E75 to Inari and then on the 955. Our SIXT rental car GPS showed a slightly different location from Google Maps so we decided to trust Google which turned out to be the right decision. With everything blanketed in white snow, it was not easy to look for the turn-off to Petri's house - we missed the turn and had to double-back. Good thing traffic was very light on the 955 and we managed to get to Petri's house where he was waiting outside for us.

Petri welcomed us into his house where he provided us winter overalls, boots, gloves, balaclavas and helmets before getting into his wooden sled towed behind his snowmobile. A half hour ride 10km across a frozen lake and pine forests and we were greeted with the sight of more than a hundred reindeer which had gathered in an opening in the forest near a frozen lake waiting for the hay and food supplements Petri had brought. The reindeer forage for lichen naturally in the forest but depending on winter conditions, food and nutrition can be scarce especially if the ground is frozen hard, making it difficult for the reindeer to dig through the ice and snow to get to the lichen growing underneath. As a Sami reindeer herder, Petri brings bales of hay and food pellets to supplement their meagre food sources. Salt or mineral licks have also been set up in the area to provide mineral nutrition.

While we mingled and took photos with the reindeer, Petri set up a fire and made hot coffee. The sled was converted into a sitting bench where we munched on homemade cinnamon buns and enjoyed the hot coffee in the cold forest while listening to Petri's informative explanations about reindeer and reindeer herding. After spending about 2 hours with the reindeer, the sun had begun to set and the forest was getting cold so we returned to Petri's house where we met his wife and lovely children. There, we learned more about Sami culture and life in northern Lapland. Our visit ended with a lasso demonstration by Petri and a chance to try our lasso skills.

It's not often that city folks like us get to experience what I call a Natgeo moment, something we only read about and see on National Geographic. While we were blessed to see the aurora borealis on our first 2 nights in northern Lapland, Petri's reindeer experience was one of the best and most memorable events of our visit to Finland. While there are many reindeer safaris in Lapland, most are very touristy and consumer-oriented. Petri & his family's hospitality and the very private nature of the visit (it was just our family of 4) made it feel more like we were visiting a family friend and having a private tour of his 'farm'. The natural setting of the forest and the large number of reindeer made this extra special. Despite the fact these reindeer are more domesticated than wild, it's about the closest one can get to a natural and wild reindeer experience in northern Lapland. Highly recommended, unless you hate reindeers!

It's privilege for city people to get to know real raindeer farmers and ther way of life. Petri is amazing man following his forefathers tradition of farming in the harsh conditions of Lappland. I enjoyed every minute of the tour so inspiring and truly something very unique and special. Everything done with true passion and kindness this is something not to be missed if you are in the area

2 of us visited Petri's reindeer farm in Decemeber 2016. It is awesome experience for us who are living in Hong Kong. We are very lucky to have a chance joining this small group visiting. I was cheated by my husband that it is a tough visiting which I need to work and feed the reindeers. haha! It is the best activities ever in lapland which you can try both handmade sleigh with snowmobile and keep closely with reindeers. We safaried with reindeers and knew more about the autarkic daily life in lapland, such as taking care the business and reindeers, fishing in summer and hunting, no need buying foods from supermarket. Petri and his family enjoy their life so much. Petri got well-prepared, with tea or coffee which it is unexpected !!! How attentive he is!!! I felt sorry that this visiting idea come from Hong Kong people. but it is true that it is unforgettable for us and totally different with our life in HK! Keep up and all the best! I highly recommend this visit!!