Venture into rural Swedish Lapland to get to know about the culture of the Sámi people, who are indigenous to this remote region. In a small group led by a local guide, you’ll spend a morning visiting a Sámi village not far from your hotel, meeting some of the residents to find out more about their traditions and way of life.
You’ll meet reindeer herders and their herds as they explain how the animals are integral to their survival. You’ll also see and try for yourself some of the specific skills that have helped the Sámi thrive in the Arctic landscape, including lassoing and driving a sled.
Afterwards, you can warm up with a Swedish coffee and traditional foods inside a heated lávvu (a conical Sámi tent) as your guide shares stories tied to the customs of the Sámi people.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kiruna for the short journey to the village — one of just a handful of Sámi communities in this area. The Sámi people have lived in these parts of Sweden for centuries, carving out a way of life that’s closely meshed with the natural world. Traditions have been passed down through generations, and while the Sámi have lived alongside an ever-changing modern world, many parts of their culture have remained unchanged.
Your guide will introduce you to some of the village residents, including reindeer herders, who’ll show you their animals and explain how they’re an integral part of the way of life here. They’ll also demonstrate some of the skills required for their role, which you can try for yourself, including lassoing and feeding the animals and driving a sled along a designated track.
With the cold temperatures in this region, you’ll want to warm up after your activity, so you’ll be invited to sit inside a heated lávvu (conical Sámi tent). Beside the warmth of an open fire, you can sip Swedish coffee and try some traditional foods, such as reindeer meat and fresh breads, as your guide shares stories that the Sámi have been retelling for generations. You’ll then be returned to your hotel.