Northern Lights Tour
Witness the magical dance of the Aurora Borealis on an unforgettable Arctic adventure. Expert guides, stunning photography, and warm hospitality await...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Longer nights, better chances
Northern Lights Tour
Best Time
Longer nights, better chances
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Witness the magical dance of the Aurora Borealis on an unforgettable Arctic adventure. Expert guides, stunning photography, and warm hospitality await.
"Julian is the best you see for sure, every night we saw lights all 4 days of our trip!"
Book Tours Early
Popular tours fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book in advance to secure your spot! :ticket:
Rent Winter Gear
Essential for staying warm! Many tours offer rentals of insulated suits and boots. :coat:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Aurora Borealis Dance
Arctic Sky
Witness the ethereal green, pink, and purple hues of the aurora painting the night sky. A truly magical spectacle.
Expert Aurora Chasing
Various Vantage Points
Guides expertly track the lights, driving to optimal viewing spots away from light pollution for the best show.
Professional Photography
During the Tour
Capture stunning, unfiltered photos of the aurora with professional photographers who provide digital copies.
Cozy Arctic Comforts
During the Tour
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies while waiting for the aurora, adding a warm touch to the cold night.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Gear Up for the Cold
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Tours Early
Popular tours fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book in advance to secure your spot! :ticket:
Rent Winter Gear
Essential for staying warm! Many tours offer rentals of insulated suits and boots. :coat:
Check Email for Pickups
Guides often email pickup times. Eat dinner early near your hotel lobby for timely departures. :iphone:
Be Patient & Flexible
The aurora is unpredictable. Tours may drive far to escape clouds for the best viewing. :compass:
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Tours Early
Popular tours fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book in advance to secure your spot! :ticket:
Rent Winter Gear
Essential for staying warm! Many tours offer rentals of insulated suits and boots. :coat:
Check Email for Pickups
Guides often email pickup times. Eat dinner early near your hotel lobby for timely departures. :iphone:
Be Patient & Flexible
The aurora is unpredictable. Tours may drive far to escape clouds for the best viewing. :compass:
Photography is Included!
Many tours offer free professional photos. Don't worry about your own camera skills! :camerawithflash:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the dedication of guides like Julian and his team for their relentless pursuit of the Northern Lights, ensuring sightings even with challenging forecasts. The inclusion of professional photography and warm hospitality with hot chocolate are frequently highlighted as exceptional perks. While the experience is overwhelmingly positive, some mention the need to be vigilant about pickup times to avoid missing the bus.
"One of our best experiences! we saw the best auOra Julian was amazing, he drive almost beyond. Just to show us the northern lights every night we saw lights every night all 4 days of our trip. He always messaged us the time early we booked rooms our winter rental , snowmobiling and dog sledding also with him he took great care all the time he also gave Amazing hot chocolate while. In search of northern lights also we got free photography also. Can’t forget this trip Definitely recommend. If you want to see northern lights Julian is best you see for sure 👍"
Divya D S
"Had an incredible time with Northern Lights Tour! For all 3 nights that I booked with them (April 2-4), I got to see the Aurora Borealis! Julian was fantastic at chasing and monitoring the Aurora that he will be determined to find the right location so that you’ll have a chance to see it! His team including Katy was wonderful at taking unlimited number of photos with their camera and you get to keep the original digital version of the photos. I heard some fellow tourists at my hotel were disappointed with other tour companies because they only ended up getting one photo that they had to pay extra for. The team here was generous at taking as many photos when they can, and also taking extra footage so you can remember the moments. I’ll definitely be back to Yellowknife and will book with this tour company again. Here’s photos over the 3 nights that I joined them and the photos are unfiltered…you can truly see all the colours and the vivid green in real life!"
Diana D
"Put a tour with these folks at the top of your list!!!
Julian is a knowledgeable guide and he is an expert in tracking the aurora. He knew exactly where to station us so we could see the most spectacular display of lights. The Aurora went right over us and was breathtaking!!
We learned a cloudy forecast for Yellowknife isn’t necessarily game over either - if it’s cloudy, the guides will drive far away to escape the cloud cover when possible.
Our guides were dedicated to giving us a memorable experience, from tracking down the lights to making sure everyone gets their picture taken with the Aurora in the background. Plus they make hot cocoa and serve it with cookies!
Don’t be like us and have to rush to the bus!! Each day of your tour, make sure you are checking your emails around 5:30-6:30pm to see when you need to be ready in your hotel lobby to catch the bus. Pickup was usually around 7:50-8:15pm for our February trip, so eat dinner early and/or close to your pickup point! The bus takes you outside Yellowknife to different vantage points to get the best chance of seeing the lights!
Get the gear rental, it’s well worth it!! The coats are big durable Canada goose ones with lots of pockets and the boots keep your feet warm even while standing on snow for hours. The guides delivered our gear to us at our hotel in the afternoon on the day of our first tour.
Thank you for a wonderful and memorable vacation!"
Liesl Helminiak
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Most Northern Lights tours depart from major hubs like Reykjavik, Rovaniemi, or Yellowknife. They typically provide transportation from your hotel or a designated meeting point to remote viewing locations outside the city to escape light pollution. Some tours even cross international borders, visiting multiple countries like Norway, Finland, and Sweden. 
Popular cities for Northern Lights tours include Reykjavik (Iceland), Rovaniemi (Finland), Tromsø (Norway), and Yellowknife (Canada). These locations are known for their high latitude and frequent aurora sightings.
No, renting a car is generally not necessary for Northern Lights tours. The tour operators provide transportation to the viewing sites. In fact, driving yourself can be challenging in winter conditions and you might not know the best spots.
Tours often drive a significant distance, sometimes over an hour, away from city lights to find clear skies and optimal viewing conditions. This can involve traveling to remote wilderness areas or even across borders.
Yes, some specialized tours offer the chance to see the Northern Lights across multiple countries, such as Norway, Finland, and Sweden, maximizing your viewing opportunities.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tour prices vary widely depending on the duration, inclusions (like photography, gear rental, other activities), and whether it's a group or private tour. Expect prices to range from $50 to $200+ USD per person. Booking in advance is recommended.
It's best to book your Northern Lights tour tickets as early as possible, especially if you're traveling during peak season (winter months). Popular tours can sell out quickly.
Most tour tickets include transportation to viewing locations, a guide, and often hot drinks. Many also offer professional photography services and gear rentals for an additional fee or as part of a package.
While it's possible to see the Northern Lights on your own if skies are clear, guided tours significantly increase your chances. Guides know the best locations, monitor forecasts, and can drive to escape cloud cover.
Cancellation policies vary by tour operator. Some offer full refunds if a tour is canceled due to weather, while others may offer rescheduling options. It's crucial to check the specific terms and conditions before booking.
🎫 ✨ Onsite Experience
Dress in multiple warm layers. Essential items include thermal base layers, fleece or wool mid-layers, a heavy insulated outer jacket and pants, warm waterproof boots, thick socks, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Many tours offer gear rentals.
Tours usually last between 3 to 6 hours, depending on the location and the tour operator. They often start in the evening and conclude in the early morning hours.
While tours maximize your chances, seeing the Northern Lights is not guaranteed as it depends on natural conditions like solar activity and cloud cover. Many tours offer a 'second chance' or refund if you don't see them.
Yes, absolutely! Many tours include professional photography services where they take amazing shots for you. If you're using your own camera, a tripod and manual settings are highly recommended for capturing the aurora.
Good guides will try to drive to areas with clear skies, even if it means traveling further. Some tours offer a guarantee or a chance to rebook if the aurora is not visible due to weather.
📸 📸 Photography Tips
Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls. Set your aperture to the widest setting (lowest f-number), ISO between 800-3200, and shutter speed from 10-30 seconds. A sturdy tripod is essential.
A wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or wider) is ideal for capturing the vastness of the sky and the aurora. This allows you to gather more light in longer exposures.
Many tours offer professional photography services where they take incredible shots of you with the aurora and provide digital copies. This is a great option if you want stunning photos without the technical hassle.
Use a tripod and a longer exposure. You can either have your subjects stand still for the duration of the exposure or use a flash for a brief moment to illuminate them.
Modern smartphones with advanced camera features can capture decent aurora photos, especially with night mode or pro settings. However, for the best quality and control, a dedicated camera with manual settings and a tripod is superior.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Look for tours that offer gear rentals to ensure everyone stays warm and comfortable. Some tours might have shorter durations or offer daytime activities like dog sledding that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Consider booking a tour early in your trip so you have the option to reschedule if the weather isn't cooperative.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
If you plan to shoot yourself, bring a sturdy tripod, a camera with manual settings, and a wide-angle lens. Practice your settings beforehand, as conditions can be challenging. The ability to capture the aurora's vibrant colors and dynamic movement is incredibly rewarding.
💰 Budget Travelers
Some tours might offer fewer inclusions, so compare prices and what's offered. Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (early spring or late autumn) when prices might be lower. Also, check if your accommodation offers any local discounts or packages.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Aurora
While the most common color is green, the aurora can also appear in shades of pink, red, yellow, and blue, depending on the type of gas particles involved and the altitude of the collision. Seeing a strong display often requires patience and a bit of luck, as the lights can appear and disappear rapidly.
Key factors for aurora viewing include being in a location with low light pollution, clear skies, and being present during periods of high solar activity. Tour operators are experts at monitoring these conditions to maximize your chances of witnessing this spectacular phenomenon.
Choosing the Right Tour
Many tours offer additional activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, or ice fishing, which can be bundled into a package for a more comprehensive Arctic adventure. Some tours even focus on photography, providing guidance and equipment to help you capture the best shots.
When reviewing tour options, look for operators with a strong track record and positive reviews, especially regarding their success rate in finding the aurora and the quality of their guides. Companies that offer free photography services or gear rentals can add significant value to your trip.
What to Expect on a Tour
Once at the viewing site, your guide will help you set up and explain the best way to spot and photograph the aurora. They often provide hot beverages like hot chocolate and snacks to keep you warm and comfortable while you wait.
Guides are usually knowledgeable about the aurora and local folklore, sharing interesting facts and stories. The experience is often described as magical and unforgettable, with many visitors returning year after year.
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Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit