An opportunity to slow down, connect with nature and learn from a community that values sustainability, respect and tradition
Exploring the Sami culture in the Nordics
@ Sami Experience
@ Sami Experience
@ All About Lapland
Reindeer Herding in Sweden and Finland
The Sami culture of Swedish and Finnish Lapland offers one of the most authentic and meaningful cultural experiences in the Arctic. As the Indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, the Sami have lived in harmony with this remote landscape for thousands of years, shaping a way of life that is deeply connected to nature, seasonal rhythms and community traditions. For travellers seeking more than just a winter escape, discovering Sami culture provides a rare opportunity to engage with living heritage in a respectful and immersive way.
Across the vast snow covered regions in Sweden and Finland, the Sami people continue to practise reindeer herding, storytelling, handicrafts and music that reflect their enduring relationship with the land. Reindeer are at the heart of Sami life, not only as a source of livelihood but as a symbol of cultural identity. Spending time with a Sami family offers insight into this bond, where every aspect of reindeer care is guided by knowledge passed down through generations.
@ Sami Nature Camp
Sami Culture
With thoughtfully designed itineraries from Off The Map Travel, visitors can experience Sami culture in a way that respects traditions while creating meaningful connections. These journeys are carefully curated in partnership with Sami hosts, ensuring that tourism supports local communities and preserves cultural integrity. Rather than observing from a distance, guests are welcomed into everyday life, where genuine interactions create lasting understanding.
One of the most memorable experiences is feeding the reindeer alongside Sami herders. Wrapped in warm clothing and surrounded by the Arctic wilderness, travellers can take part in this daily ritual while learning about migration patterns, seasonal changes and the importance of sustainable herding practices. This hands on encounter offers a deeper appreciation of how the Sami people live in balance with their environment. With natural grazing as the preferred way of feeding their herds, due to climate change and deforestation, they have had adapt to feeding the herds in the winter months to make sure they have enough to eat.
@ Arctic Retreat
Sami Traditions
Equally special is the opportunity to gather inside a traditional Sami tent, known as a lavvu. Here, guests can share in a communal meal prepared over an open fire, often featuring hearty stews made from local ingredients such as reindeer meat, root vegetables and wild herbs. The warmth of the fire contrasts with the crisp Arctic air outside, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and timeless. These moments highlight the importance of hospitality within Sami culture, where food and conversation bring people together.
Storytelling is a way of life for the Sami people, preserving the Sami heritage and creating a conversation to address topics and challenges that they are experiencing together. As guests sit around the fire, Sami hosts share tales that reflect their history, beliefs and connection to the natural world. These stories often carry lessons about respect for nature, resilience and community, offering a window into a worldview shaped by centuries of life in the Arctic. Listening to these narratives in an authentic setting creates a powerful sense of place that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
@ Sapmi Nature Camp
The Sami Community
Another unique cultural expression is joik, the traditional form of Sami song. Unlike conventional music, joik is deeply personal and often dedicated to a person, place or animal. Its melodic and rhythmic qualities evoke the spirit of its subject, creating an emotional and immersive experience for listeners. Hearing joik performed in its natural setting is both moving and memorable, adding a rich cultural dimension to any Arctic journey.
Off The Map Travel places great emphasis on responsible travel, ensuring that every Sami experience is conducted with sensitivity and respect. This means working directly with Sami communities, supporting local businesses and avoiding activities that exploit or misrepresent their culture. Travellers are encouraged to approach each experience with openness and awareness, recognising that they are guests in a living cultural landscape.
@ Sapmi Nature Camp
Exploring Sami culture
Exploring Sami culture in Sweden and Finland, is not just about activities, but about understanding a way of life that has endured despite modern challenges. It is an opportunity to slow down, connect with nature and learn from a community that values sustainability, respect and tradition. Each carefully curated itinerary from Off The Map Travel is designed to provide this deeper level of engagement, combining comfort and authenticity in equal measure.
For those seeking a truly unique Arctic experience, immersing yourself in Sami culture offers something far beyond the ordinary. From feeding reindeer to sharing meals in a lavvu, from listening to ancient stories to experiencing the haunting beauty of joik, these moments create a journey that is both enriching and unforgettable.
© Loggers Lodge
Arctic Escape: Body, Mind and Soul
Snowshoe, yoga, sauna, Sami healing & lakeside cabins under the Northern Lights—an Arctic wellness retreat to reset body, mind and soul.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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£10,995 - £16,495 pp*
Arctic Sweden Wellness and Reconnect Retreat
A peaceful Lapland wellness retreat with forest hikes, Arctic foraging, sauna yoga, treatments and Sámi fireside dining in Swedish Lapland.
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£5,170 - £8,055 pp*
@ Cahkal Boutique Hotel
Arctic Adventure in Finnish Lapland at Cahkal Boutique Hotel
Luxury Arctic adventure in Finnish Lapland with Sámi culture, Northern Lights hikes and boutique wilderness comfort.
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£7,330 - £10,995 pp*
@ Arctic Retreat
From Stockholm to Swedish Lapland
A luxury journey from Stockholm to Swedish Lapland combining Sámi culture, Arctic wilderness, Northern Lights and slow Nordic living.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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£10,395 - £15,593 pp*
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!
Sophie & Guy
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
Kelly
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles