Experts at Off the Map Travel have created an exclusive new luxury travel opportunity for guests to drive off-road across Lapland in the same off-road Arctic Explorer trucks designed and built for the filming of the Top Gear Polar Special TV show.
With guests taking the wheel and led by a private guide this new experience allows guest to both adventure deep into the Arctic Wilderness, but also experience the luxury and comfort that can be found at some of the region’s best accommodation. Jonny Cooper, Arctic travel expert and founder of Off the Map Travel, said; “Adventure no longer needs to mean hardship and this new experience gives guests the best equipment, vehicles, activities and accommodation to take adventure to a new height of luxury.”
The expedition starts off on the coast of Norway where a short drive from Tromso, guests will gather at the Camp Tamok wilderness center to stock the trucks, get kitted out head-to-toe in their Arctic clothing and get the first taste of off road driving across pristine snow and ice covered Arctic wilderness. From here guests jump behind the wheel once more and head into the wilderness with nothing but the guides directions, the hum of the 4×4’s engine and seemingly endless Arctic tundra ahead. Although an adventure, guests will be staying overnight in some of the Arctic’s most iconic and spectacular hotels including an Art Suite at the original ICEHOTEL, an Aurora Dome tent in the heart of the wilderness, and the luxury Lyngen Experience Lodge.
As guests cross Scandinavia off-road through Norway and Sweden to Finland and back again – they will also swap the off-road Arctic Explorer 4×4 for a snowmobile, dogsled and RIB boat all adding to fully immersive Arctic adventure. Add to this hunting for the Northern Lights, a private tour of the world’s northernmost distillery, traditional saunas, and some of the Arctic’s most celebrated gourmet dining – and this is an Arctic adventure that also celebrates the best of Lapland.
“This spectacular new winter adventure is available from December to March perfectly timed for chasing the Northern Lights across the Arctic sky,” added Off the Map Travel’s Jonny Cooper. “From the comfort of a state-of-the-art off-road vehicle, our exclusive new itinerary will give guests a new way to explore all three countries of Arctic Europe – whilst experiencing a taste of the adventure undertaken by the Top Gear team during their own expedition back in 2006.”
As with any itinerary from Off the Map Travel, every adventure can be tailor-made to fit the wishes and requirements of any guest. As an example, the 4-day, 3-night Arctic Circle Expedition itinerary exclusive to Off the Map Travel, costs from £6999 per person, not including flights. This all-inclusive trip includes all transfers, accommodation in some of the Arctic’s iconic venues, snowmobiling, dogsledding, Northern Lights hunts, and Aurora Distillery tour activities, meals, drinks, private guide, Arctic clothing and boots, use of the Arctic Explorer 4×4 trucks and all the expedition equipment required for the off-road adventure.
For more information on tailor-made travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Depart from Tromso early this morning and drive in pairs in your incredible off-road Arctic Trucks to the wilderness centre of Camp Tamok. On arrival, you will receive your warm winter clothes and boots, and all necessary equipment. After lunch in a traditional lavvu you will head in the direction of Sweden and head to the infamous ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjarvi. Just one of the many photo stops along the way will be at the Norway-Sweden border giving you the perfect opportunity to see how the landscape changes. Arrive at the Jukkasjarvi ICEHOTEL in the evening. Enjoy a guided tour around the hotel and dinner in the Ice Restaurant or you could choose to upgrade to the new and exclusive Chef’s Table on the Veranda. Check in to your Art Suite and spend the night in your individually carved room.
Day 2
Awake to a hot lingonberry juice this morning and a warm sauna to warm you through. This morning it’s time to go dog sledding before heading to Finland! The energetic and eager huskies will pull you through the Swedish wilderness on a wooden sledge in this drive-your-own experience. Then it’s time to really test your driving skills! Head into the wilderness in your Arctic Truck and drive off-road for miles. These incredible machines are built for this terrain and it will be a thrilling way to explore this magical landscape as you feel like a true adventurer! End the day with an authentic Finnish sauna before spending another night in a very unique dome tent!
Day 3
This morning you will receive instructions and a safety briefing before driving your own snowmobile. Once finished you will cross the international border back to Norway then park the Arctic Trucks and speed across the scenic Lyngen fjord in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). You will arrive at the world’s northernmost distillery, Aurora Spirit, where you will go on a guided tour, have a private tasting, enjoy a delicious dinner then drive to a beautiful lodge for your final night whilst searching for the Aurora,
Day 4
After breakfast you will head back to Tromso where you will say goodbye to your personal guide. This trip is perfect for couples or families that want to feel a real sense of adventure. The memories will last a lifetime!
Have a look at these amazing Lapland hotels.