Meaningful encounters with Sámi herders and their reindeer, providing insight into one of Europe’s oldest indigenous cultures.
Sámi Nature and Cultural Experiences in the Nordics
@ Sami Experience
@ Sami Experience
Meeting Sámi Herders and Reindeer
Reindeer herding is central to Sámi culture and identity. For generations, Sámi families have followed seasonal migration routes across vast Arctic landscapes, guided by the needs of their herds and the changing environment.
Off The Map Travel works with Sámi hosts who welcome guests onto their land and into their daily lives. Meeting a Sámi herder offers a rare opportunity to hear personal stories, learn about traditional knowledge and understand how reindeer herding continues in the modern world. These encounters take place in natural settings, from snowy forests in winter to open tundra and grazing land in other seasons.
Guests often take part in feeding the reindeer, a calm and memorable experience that allows close interaction with these iconic Arctic animals while learning about their behaviour and role within Sámi society.
@ Arctic Lodge
Exclusive Use Arctic Lodge Escape in Swedish Lapland
An exclusive Swedish Lapland journey featuring private lodge living, ICEHOTEL art suites, Treehotel design, Arctic Bath spa, and wilderness adventure.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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£25,555 - £38,335 pp*
@ Tanveer Badal Photography
Amy's Dream Swedish Itinerary
Luxury meets adventure on this Arctic journey. Northern Lights, huskies, reindeer, and spa nights in Sweden’s snow-covered wilderness.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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£15,995 - £23,995 pp*
@ Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Alta Experience
Stay in an ice-sculpted suite at Alta’s Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel with dog-sledding, Sami visits and Northern Lights in the evenings.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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£3,890 - £5,750 pp*
@ Michael Mead Photography
The Ultimate Arctic Aurora Journey
From Lofoten’s fjords to forest spas in Swedish Lapland, this luxury Arctic escape blends wild landscapes with warmth and wonder.
Customers normally spend between (excl. flights)
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£12,530 - £18,795 pp*
Reindeer Sleigh Rides Through Arctic Landscapes
Reindeer sleigh rides offer a gentle and atmospheric way to travel through the Arctic environment. Seated in a traditional wooden sled, you glide quietly across snow covered ground, guided by a herder and their reindeer.
These journeys are not about speed but about presence and stillness. The soft sound of hooves on snow and the surrounding silence create a deeply peaceful experience. Reindeer sleigh rides are particularly well suited to winter travel and are often combined with storytelling about Sámi history, beliefs and daily life.
Off The Map Travel ensures these experiences are conducted with care for animal welfare and cultural authenticity, prioritising small groups and ethical practices.
Traditional Meals in a Lavvu Tent
Sharing a meal is an important part of Sámi hospitality. After time spent outdoors, guests are often welcomed into a lavvu, the traditional Sámi tent, where warmth, food and conversation bring people together.
Inside the lavvu, meals are prepared using traditional ingredients such as reindeer, fish, root vegetables and wild berries. Cooking is often done over an open fire, filling the space with warmth and aroma. As you eat, Sámi hosts share stories, songs and insights into their cultural heritage, creating a setting that feels both intimate and timeless.
These shared meals provide more than nourishment. They offer understanding, connection and a sense of belonging, even for a short time.
@ Nikkaluokta Mountain Cabin
Seasonal Sámi Experiences
Sámi nature experiences change with the seasons. Winter focuses on reindeer, snow covered landscapes and traditional winter transport such as sleds. Autumn offers insight into migration patterns and preparation for colder months. Summer brings long daylight, open landscapes and different aspects of herding life.
Off The Map Travel plans each experience in line with seasonal rhythms, ensuring that activities reflect authentic Sámi practices rather than staged performances.
@ Björn Wanhatalo
Respectful and Responsible Cultural Travel
Engaging with Sámi culture requires sensitivity, openness and respect. Off The Map Travel is committed to responsible cultural tourism, working directly with Sámi hosts who choose to share their traditions and stories.
Experiences are designed to support local communities and preserve cultural integrity. Guests are encouraged to listen, ask questions thoughtfully and approach each encounter with curiosity and humility.
Why Choose a Sámi Experience with Off The Map Travel
Sámi nature experiences offer a rare opportunity to connect with living traditions that have endured for centuries in some of Europe’s most challenging environments. These journeys are about people as much as place, offering insight into resilience, sustainability and harmony with nature.
With Off The Map Travel, Sámi experiences are woven into carefully curated itineraries that balance cultural learning with comfort and time in nature. From feeding reindeer and travelling by sleigh to sharing meals in a lavvu, these experiences create deep and lasting memories grounded in authenticity and respect.
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex
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
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
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
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
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Emily
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
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Tori
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
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
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
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!
Doreen