The 15 Tours in Kuusamo That Earn Their Price

1.Reindeer Sleigh Ride and Farm Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 155 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $97Our pick

At Kujala Reindeer Farm, you will take a 1.5 km sleigh ride along the riverside, visit an old reindeer corral, feed hundreds of animals with lichen, and hear about herding life from a Finnish or English-speaking guide. Guides such as Arthur and Andru have been praised for making the visit lively and family-friendly.

“Had a fantastic time. Our guide spoke very good English and passed on a wealth of knowledge about reindeer. The slay ride and farm tour was well worth the money spent. Highly Recommend this”

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2.Morning Feeding of Hundreds of Reindeer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 115 reviews · 1 hour · from $31Best value

Start your day at Kujala Reindeer Farm, one of Kuusamo’s oldest and biggest, as hundreds of reindeer gather for breakfast. With a guide such as Elena or Vesku, you’ll feed them lichen in the old corral, hear about farm life, and take photos afterward. The one-hour visit is offered in English or Finnish.

“siamo stati bene è stato bello scoprire la fattoria e dare da mangiare alle renne.”

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3.Reindeer Farm Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 82 reviews · 1 hour · from $31

Visit Kujala Reindeer Farm, one of Kuusamo’s oldest and biggest, with a local English or Finnish-speaking guide. Walk around the ancient corral, feed reindeer their favorite lichen, take photos, and browse the handicrafts workshop and boutique. The one-hour visit offers a direct look at reindeer farming and Finnish northern culture.

“Schön so viele Rentiere zu sehen und durch die Fütterung so nah zu erleben. Sehr zu empfehlen.”

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4.Starlight sledging to search for Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 51 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Ride in a sledge pulled by a snowmobile into the forests around Ruka on a three-hour evening search for the Northern Lights. Your English- or Finnish-speaking guide leads the way, with warm gear, forest and frozen-lake views, and a fire stop for coffee, tea, sausages, and cinnamon rolls. Pickup from Ruka stops is included.

“Great trip, made even better with the stop for tea and cooked sausages in the hut. Tour guides very informative. We were lucky enough to see the northern lights on this excursions, highly recommend.”

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5.Bear watching evening

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 43 reviews · 4 hours · from $176

Spend four evening hours in Kuusamo’s natural taiga watching brown bears from a safe, spacious hide. A professional nature photographer guides you, helps with camera settings, and explains local wildlife. Coffee, tea, Wi-Fi, loaner binoculars, and camera supports are included. The bear guarantee means you may return free if none appear.

“Belofte om beren te zien volledig waargemaakt en van heel dichtbij. Veel wetenswaardigheden gehoord van de gids.”

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6.River Floating

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 3 hours · from $127

Ruka Safaris takes you into a cold northern river wearing a fully insulated dry suit, life vest, and helmet. After a 45-minute safety briefing, you float the route twice with an English or Finnish-speaking guide, then warm up with hot drinks. Guide Marko has led the activity, and pickup is available around Ruka.

“We booked the activity for family, we had a great and unique experience with Marko as our guide. The kids had really fun and the arctic scenery was breath taking. Thank you!”

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7.Searching for the northern lights with snowshoes

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 27 reviews · 3 hours · from $102

Head into Ruka’s dark winter forest on snowshoes for a 2 to 5 km search for the northern lights. Your guide points out animal tracks, explains Arctic nature, and serves a hot drink with cookies by a fire. The lights are never guaranteed, but the forest walk works as a worthwhile winter outing on its own.

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8.Snowshoeing in Oulanka National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 5 hours · from $140Top rated

Join a guide from Ruka Safaris for a five-hour snowshoe hike from Ruka to Juuma and Oulanka National Park. Follow the Little Bear Trail beside the Kitka River, visit Myllykoski old mill, watch for dippers and otters, and stop for coffee and sandwiches by the fire. Guides may include Mika, Venla, or Ninka.

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9.Ice fishing trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 3 hours · from $111

Join a guide from Ruka Safaris for three hours of Finnish pilkki on a frozen lake near Ruka. Walk in snowshoes, drill your own fishing hole, and try for perch, whitefish, roach, pike, or grayling. The outing includes Ruka-area pickup, an open-fire break, coffee, tea, and a snack.

“Nous avons passé un super moment, mon conjoint a réussi à pêché le seul poisson du groupe que nous avons remis à l’eau (il était trop petit). Le point de prise en charge dans le centre est malheureusement très mal indiqué, notre GPS nous indiquait pas du tout le même lieu où notre guide nous attendait. Au bout de 30 min de recherche nous l’avons enfin retrouvé. Petite collation du matin auprès d’un feu de quand, avec un petit café et une petite brioche très appréciable. Couvrez vous bien les mains !”

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10.SaunaTour – Finnish Sauna experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $104

Spend 2.5 hours at Iisakki Village’s lakeside sauna, guided in English or Finnish by a local sauna host. Learn Finnish sauna customs, relax in an outdoor jacuzzi, and try an ice-hole dip if you wish. Swimwear is worn, towels and toiletries are supplied, and transfers from the Ruka area are available.

“Fantastic tour! Wonderful and funny guide and a very refreshing experience. Would highly recommend!”

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11.Riisitunturi National Park with lunch.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $170

Join Alfredo and Tuulia for a six-hour trip from Ruka or Kuusamo to Riisitunturi National Park near Posio. You’ll walk through Lapland scenery, hear about Finnish life, pause for mindfulness, and enjoy a sandwich and chocolate. The small group, capped at 10 people, is led in English, Finnish, or Italian.

“Tuulia and Alfredo are very friendly and know the Riisitunturi park well. They showed us around with lots of comments! I highly recommend!”

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12.Snowshoeing in Riisitunturi National park

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 6 reviews · 6 hours · from $174

Join a small group from Ruka for a 5 to 6 hour snowshoe hike in Riisitunturi National Park. Your guide chooses a 3 to 6 kilometer route based on snow and group ability. Winter clothing, snowshoes, snacks, and a fire-side coffee break are included. Guide Latezia is praised for balancing patient help with time to explore at your own pace.

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13.Guided fatbike safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $102

Join a guide from Ruka Safaris for a 2 to 3 hour fatbike ride through Ruka’s snowy forest trails. You’ll cover about 4 to 5 kilometers, pause by a fire to grill sausages, and ride in a group limited to eight. Guide Mickael has been praised for being kind and clear.

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14.Cross-country skiing

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $90

Learn the basics of Finnish cross-country skiing in Ruka during a relaxed 1.5 to 2-hour beginner session. Your English or Finnish-speaking guide provides skis, boots, and poles, then coaches you through the main techniques before taking you onto an official maintained track. Pickup from several Ruka stops is available.

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15.Rent Winter Clothing Sets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $52

Collect a winter clothing set at Winterent’s Helsinki store or arrange delivery to your accommodation. Adult sets include a jacket, trousers, boots, mittens, and tube scarf. Children receive an overall, boots, mittens, and scarf. Rentals run from 1 to 7 days, with free size exchanges at the store.

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