A friend and I made plans to travel to Tromso to see the Northern Lights. We looked around for daytime activities to fill some of our days as well, and this quickly shot up our wishlist. I knew nothing about the Sami culture prior to this trip, and had never seen reindeer in person before. This tour was charming, enriching, pleasureable and every turn, and something I highly recommend.
My apologies if I spell any names wrong here. Our guide, Ellie, kept us well informed about our surroundings and gave us an insightful and in-depth history of the Sami people and how they adapted to life through the geopolitical difficulties of the twentieth and twenty first centuries. She guided our driver, Hans, to stops along the way at scenic points made more challenging by the weather, but they were beautiful. When we reached the reindeer herd, our host, Islo, was extremely welcoming and informative. Getting to actually feed the reindeer is one of the most delightful things I have ever gotten to do. They are truly beautiful creatures. After a while, Islo and Ellie invited us into a traditional tent, whose name I have forgotten, to enjoy some beverages, and they performed some traditional joiks for us. I wish joiking would catch on in more cultures.
After that, we started to make our way back, stopping at a restaurant for a delicious buffet lunch. It was a very snowy day, but Hans was professional at every turn. All in all, this was an experience I highly recommend.
