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.
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
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
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles
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
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
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
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
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
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
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
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