Kiruna: Northern Lights Tour with Sami BBQ Dinner

If you’re dreaming of witnessing the elusive dance of the aurora borealis in a setting that combines cultural richness with natural beauty, this tour from Kiruna might just be your best bet. It offers a cozy Sami-style experience, traditional reindeer-based cuisine, and the thrill of chasing the Northern Lights — all wrapped into a four-hour adventure that balances authentic storytelling with practical comfort.

What immediately stands out about this experience is the thoughtful blend of culture and outdoor excitement. We love how the tour starts with a warm welcome into a Sami-style lavvu, filled with stories and a hearty meal cooked over open flames. On the flip side, a potential consideration is that the Sami cultural aspect may be somewhat limited, depending on expectations, especially if you’re hoping for a deep dive into Sami traditions. This tour caters best to those who appreciate a genuine Northern Lights chase combined with a taste of local culture, without necessarily expecting an exhaustive cultural tour.

Who will love this? Travelers who enjoy cozy, story-driven experiences, food lovers curious about Sami cuisine, and those eager to chase the aurora with knowledgeable guides will find this tour particularly rewarding. Anyone looking for a well-rounded evening that balances cultural insights, excellent food, and natural beauty will come away satisfied.

Key Points

• Authentic Sami experience: Enjoy a traditional Sami dish, ‘souvas,’ made with reindeer, cooked over an open fire in a cozy lavvu.
• Cultural storytelling: Guides share stories about the Sami people and Lapland, adding context to the experience.
• Aurora chasing: Transportation in minibuses allows for flexible chasing, with stops timed perfectly to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
• Photo assistance: Guides help with camera settings to capture the aurora’s fleeting beauty.
• Comfort and warmth: The outdoor portions are planned with warmth in mind, but dressing appropriately is essential.
• Value for money: At $149 per person, considering the included dinner, guidance, transportation, and photo help, this offers decent value.

A Detailed Look at the Experience

The Welcome and Sami-Style Lavvu

Your evening kicks off with pickup from central locations in Kiruna, a small, charming town known as the gateway to Arctic adventures. The journey to Poikkijärvi, where the tour’s main activities unfold, is typically in a minibus, offering a chance to chat briefly with your guide or fellow travelers about what’s ahead.

Once you arrive at the Sami-style lavvu (a traditional tent), you’re greeted with a warm beverage — either tea or lingonberry syrup — which instantly sets a cozy tone. The setting is picturesque: a sturdy, traditional tent pitched beside a calm river, surrounded by pristine wilderness, and lit by soft firelight. This is where the experience truly begins to feel authentic.

The Sami Dinner Over Open Fire

One of the highlights here is the Sami-style dinner, which involves lightly smoked reindeer and moose meat cooked over an open fire. The guide, often someone knowledgeable like Daniel or Gregoire, explains the significance of the dish, blending Sami traditions with a bit of international flair. Watching the meal come together over the flames feels genuine, and the taste, as some reviews mention, is quite good, even if the Sami authenticity might be debated by purists.

While the meal is hearty and satisfying, some guests noted that the Sami dinner might not be as traditional or authentic as expected. One reviewer described the food as “good tasting but perhaps not very Sami.” Still, the atmosphere and the camaraderie around the fire make up for it.

Learning about the Sami Culture

The storytelling component is another core part of the experience. Guides share tales about the Sami people, Lapland’s history, and their way of life. But some guests found this part a bit limited; it’s more of an overview rather than an in-depth culture. If deep cultural knowledge is your priority, you might find this tour’s focus more on the natural spectacle and the food than extensive cultural lessons.

The Aurora Chase

After dinner, you’ll hop into minibuses for the main event: finding the perfect spot to view the Northern Lights. This is where the tour truly shines (pun intended). The flexibility of traveling in minibuses means guides can quickly adapt to weather conditions or aurora forecasts, increasing your chances of a good sighting.

The guides are skilled at spotting the best locations and are eager to help with photography. Several reviewers appreciated the guides’ efforts: “Gregoire was just great! He first cooked a very good meal in a beautiful camp and then drove us around to find the best spots…” The stops are often away from city lights, offering clear, dark skies perfect for aurora viewing.

Watching and Photographing the Aurora

When the lights start dancing, the guides are ready to assist with camera settings, helping travelers capture those fleeting moments. Guests have reported seeing impressive displays, with some lucky enough to catch the aurora right at the camp itself. Patience is key here; the Northern Lights are notoriously unpredictable, but with the guides’ expertise, your odds are better.

Returning and Review Highlights

The return trip is straightforward, dropping you back at your original meeting point, with hearts full, bellies warm, and memories to cherish. Several reviews mention guides like Daniel and Gregoire making the experience fun, informative, and personable, adding a layer of connection that elevates the evening beyond just a standard tour.

Practical Details and Value

At $149 per person, this tour offers a balanced mix of cultural experience, outdoor adventure, and comfort. The inclusion of a traditional Sami dinner, transportation, storytelling, and photo support makes it a solid value compared to more expensive, purely chase-focused excursions.

The tour lasts approximately four hours, which is enough time to enjoy the meal, listen to stories, and have several chances to see the aurora without feeling rushed. The tour also caters to dietary preferences with vegetarian, vegan, and fish options, ensuring everyone can enjoy the meal.

Dressing warmly is crucial because, despite the cozy setup, outdoor viewing can be chilly. The guides’ efforts to pick good spots are appreciated, but patience remains essential—Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings can never be guaranteed.

Final Thoughts

This tour from Kiruna provides an engaging mix of cultural insight, outdoor adventure, and natural spectacle. The Sami dinner and storytelling add a meaningful layer, making it more than just a chase, though some might wish for a deeper dive into Sami traditions. The guides’ friendliness, especially figures like Daniel, makes the experience memorable, while the flexible aurora chase maximizes your chances of witnessing the Lights.

The value proposition is strong, particularly given the included dinner, transportation, and camera help. It’s perfect for travelers who want a taste of Sami culture alongside their Northern Lights adventure, but also for those who prioritize comfortable, guided outdoor pursuits over in-depth culture.

Finally, this experience suits those who enjoy a cozy, story-driven atmosphere and are prepared to wait patiently under the night sky. If you’re looking for an authentic, well-rounded Arctic adventure that balances cultural elements with natural beauty, this tour deserves serious consideration.

FAQ

What is included in the tour?
The tour includes a traditional Sami dinner, guided storytelling about the Sami people and Lapland, transportation in minibuses for aurora chasing, and assistance with photography during the Northern Lights viewing.

How long does the tour last?
The entire experience takes approximately 4 hours, from pickup to return, including dinner, storytelling, and aurora hunting.

Is the Sami dinner authentic?
The dinner features reindeer and moose meat cooked over an open fire, which is traditional Sami fare. However, some reviews suggest it might have an international twist and may not fully meet expectations for traditional Sami cuisine.

What should I wear?
Dressing warmly is essential, especially for the outdoor viewing. Layers, thermal wear, hats, gloves, and sturdy boots are recommended to stay comfortable during the outdoor portion.

Will I see the Northern Lights?
While guides do their best to find the best spots and optimize viewing conditions, sightings depend on weather and aurora activity. Patience is key, but many guests have been lucky.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes, vegetarian, vegan, and fish options are available, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the Sami-style meal.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, as long as children are dressed warmly and are comfortable in outdoor environments, this tour can be enjoyable for families.

To sum it up

This Kiruna Northern Lights tour balances the magic of Arctic nature with cultural storytelling and hearty Sami cuisine. It’s a great choice for travelers who want to experience the aurora with a warm, guided environment and learn a little about Sami traditions along the way. The guides’ friendliness, combined with the beautiful scenery and potential for a stunning aurora display, makes it a memorable Arctic adventure that offers genuine value. While it may not satisfy those looking for an in-depth culture, it’s an authentic and well-organized experience that caters to most travelers seeking a balanced, comfortable, and scenic Northern Lights outing.