A Luxury Lapland Winter Escape, curated by Off the Map Travel, offers an elevated holiday experience shaped by the beauty, culture, and serenity of the Arctic. This five-day itinerary brings travelers across two Nordic countries and blends refined hospitality with moments that feel untouched by time. Arrivals are scheduled for 23 December with departures on 27 December, and as with all Off the Map Travel experiences, the journey can be tailored to accommodate individual preferences. The result is a Christmas celebration that is both luxurious and deeply personal, crafted with care by specialists who create remarkable journeys throughout the Nordics.
Day 1: Arrival at the Icehotel
Guests fly into Stockholm and then take the 90-minute flight from Stockholm Arlanda to Kiruna Airport. The journey begins at the world-renowned Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, where the frozen waters of the Torne River are transformed into sculpted suites, corridors, and artwork. Guests stay in a Cold Suite, an immersive work of ice art supported by access to warm rooms for comfort. Dinner is served as a five-course ice menu presented on plates crafted from pure river ice, a culinary experience that highlights both regional ingredients and creative Arctic gastronomy. Evenings unfold in the Ice Bar, where cocktails are poured into carved ice glasses and guests settle under reindeer hides while watching the sky for the first appearance of the Northern Lights.
Day 2: Christmas Eve at Cahkal Hotel
A private transfer leads guests into Finland and onward to the Cahkal Hotel in Kilpisjärvi, a boutique property set deep within the Arctic Circle. Travelers are greeted with hand-selected gifts and local delicacies before relaxing in a Cahkal View Room that frames the snowy horizon. Festive traditions fill the afternoon as guests bake Christmas cookies, decorate a real tree, and create ornaments to take home as keepsakes of their Finnish holiday. As night falls, Aika restaurant serves a refined four-course Christmas Eve dinner illuminated by candlelight, followed by a magical visit from Santa and his reindeer who arrive outside the restaurant windows for an unforgettable holiday moment.
Day 3: Christmas Day Adventures
Christmas morning begins with a generous breakfast before a private dog sledding excursion through Lapland’s quiet forests. After meeting the husky team and learning to mush, guests glide across white valleys and ascend into the mountains where sweeping Arctic views define the day. Time in the panoramic sauna offers warmth and serenity in the afternoon, followed by a cosy dinner prepared with seasonal ingredients. That evening, a guided snowmobile sleigh journey leads deep into the silent wilderness, providing ideal conditions for viewing the Northern Lights beneath an expansive winter sky.
Day 4: Boxing Day Exploration
Boxing Day invites guests to discover more of the Kilpisjärvi region during a snowmobiling adventure to the Three Country border, a striking point where Finland, Sweden, and Norway meet. The cuisine throughout the day pays homage to all three nations with menus inspired by their distinctive culinary traditions. Later, a visit to a local reindeer farm provides insight into the Saami way of life as guests meet a herder who shares stories of reindeer husbandry and the role this tradition plays in Arctic culture. Feeding the reindeer creates an intimate and meaningful connection to Lapland’s heritage.
Day 5: Departure
The final morning offers time to savor breakfast and the last peaceful views of snow-covered landscapes before departure. A private transfer returns guests to either Tromsø or Kittilä airport during a three-hour drive that allows for quiet reflection on the holiday just experienced. This final stretch through untouched wilderness serves as a fitting conclusion to a Christmas designed around comfort, culture, and natural wonder. Every element of the journey is organised by Off the Map Travel to ensure that the experience is effortless, allowing guests to fully embrace the magic of Christmas in Lapland.
The Luxury Lapland Winter Escape is available from £5,743 per person for four nights, excluding airfare. There are limited spots available. For more information, visit offthemap.travel.