Due to its nature, this activity has extremely limited availability from May 4–20 only, with a limited number of spots. This is where we go to be with our animals. A quiet mountain valley, snow-covered and still, where the herd gathers to calve. The reindeer know this place. And they know us. Every spring, new life begins here. And while we live it every day, this moment is rarely shared. For a short window in May, we open the door to a handful of guests — not to watch from a distance, but to be there. Among the herd. Feeding them. Moving through the same landscape we do. If the timing is right, you may witness a newborn calf take its first breath. You'll travel with us by snowmobile sled, seated on warm hides. The reindeer will come close — not because they're tame, but because they trust us. And when you're with us, they'll trust you too. A Meal from the Land We sit together around the fire and share a meal made from what the land has given us — based on the season. Wild, real, and cooked the old Sámi way. You won't find this in any restaurant. These are ancestral preparations, made to be eaten right here in the wild, with the reindeer close and the mountain around us. The Joik In the quiet, with the herd nearby and the fire burning, the moment often calls for a joik. Not planned, not performed — just part of the moment. Like the reindeer. Like the snow. Like you being there. Why This Moment Is Rare Calving season is the most intimate and vulnerable time of the year for a reindeer herding family. Guests are not taken here as a commercial transaction — they are brought in as people who are ready to receive something real. The group is kept very small, the dates are fixed by nature, and nothing about this experience is repeatable. What you witness in those few hours belongs to one specific spring, one specific herd, one specific moment in time. Practical Information The activity runs from approximately May 4–20, depending on the herd's movement and the season's conditions. Flexible pickup is available from Alta, Storslett, or nearby areas. Duration is 7–8 hours. Not recommended for guests with back problems or those who are pregnant.
Alta Cruise Harbor
Havneveien 24, 9515 Alta
Holmen Husky
Holmen 100, 9516 Alta
Sorrisniva
Sorrisniva 20, 9518 Alta, Norway
Trasti & Trine
Gargiaveien 29, 9518 Alta, Norway
Gargia Lodge
Gargiaveien 96, 9518 Alta
Map coming soon
Discover the magic of this unique experience.

Witness New Life Being Born!

Walk Among the Reindeer Herd!

Experience the Rarest Moment in Sámi Life!
Watch our video to see what awaits you.
Want a more personalized experience? Request a private Spring Reindeer Calving Experience trip for your group or family.
94% satisfaction across recent stays, based on verified GuestRevu reviews imported automatically from GetYourGuide, Tripadvisor, and Google.
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We stayed at the Gargia Lodge in Dec '25. Despite some bad weather and clouds (even with projected Kp values as low as 1) we got multiple nights of lovely northern lights viewing, right outside our cabin doors. In fact we could check the sky through the window - and just step out when it was clear &...
We spent some days there in January to watch aurora borealis (aka northern lights). The lodge is really a good place, far out in the country side, not much light pollution. The team is so helpful and they really take care to make it a good stay, very personal and considering. Like visiting friends y...
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Germany
Great place, we come back again
Emplacement et confort
Habitación + desayuno + personal excelente
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France
(Translated by Google) In the middle of the woods. For peace seekers and walkers / cyclists. (Original) Midden in de bossen. Voor rustzoeker en wandelaar / fietser.
(Translated by Google) A nice place, we had a great room, very nice staff and good service, great food, definitely a place to visit 🤗 (Original) En fin plass , vi hadde et flott rom , meget hyggelig betjening og god service, knall god mat , absolutt en plass og besøke 🤗
I didn't stay at the place, only had a delicious soup before hiking to the waterfall. It tasted absolutely amazing and the staffwas very friendly, very cozy place.😋
My daughter and I did the dog sledding tour and it was absolutely amazing! I highly recommendend it and the whole team is very friendly. Last but not least: the dogs are so wonderful and full of power. Thanks a lot for a great experience!
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Die Lage der Gargia Loge ist außergewöhnlich schön. Das Personal ist super freundlich. Das Essen hat sehr gut geschmeckt. Die Touren der Loge haben sehr viel Spaß gemacht.