Northern Lights Tours

Book your Northern Lights tour to witness nature’s dazzling light show!

The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is a natural phenomenon that appears in the sky at higher latitudes, such as the Arctic Circle. Visitors come from all over the world to witness its celestial glow—and we can’t blame them.

For all of its mystery and beauty, crossing the polar lights off your bucket lists involves planning, patience, and a bit of expert knowledge. One of the most thrilling ways to experience this breathtaking wonder is through guided tours in the Arctic region.

Browse the best Northern Lights vacation packages and tours in Iceland, Scandinavia, and Canada!

Super Jeep Northern Lights Hunt

Northern Lights Explorer / Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour

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Magical Auroras - Northern Lights Tour with minibus

Magical Auroras - Northern lights in a minibus

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Northern Lights by Boat from Reykjavik

Northern Lights by Boat

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5-Day Northern Lights Holiday Package

5 Day - Northern Lights, Golden Circle, South Coast, Jökulsárlón & Ice Cave

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Unlock the secrets of the Northern Lights

Learn when, where, and how to see them.

Best Destinations for Northern Lights Tours

Your Northern Lights vacation planning is not complete without considering a trip to Iceland. As a top tour destination, the Land of Ice and Fire offers stunning views, especially near Reykjavík and the more remote Westfjords. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of being guided by local experts. And why not maximize your time by combining aurora viewing with majestic waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes? With Iceland, you can’t lose.

Canada also has its fair share of popular spots to immerse yourself in the glow of the night sky. We recommend living the Yukon adventure by catching the aurora during that magical window of dark skies and timing. Alternatively, you can get closer to that million-dollar shot in the Northwest Territories and Alberta. Another option? Enjoy winter activities like dog-sledding and ice fishing alongside your aurora tour.

If you’re into trekking and hiking to go along with your celestial wonders, Sweden’s Abisko National Park is one of the world’s most reliable locations for aurora sightings. The area’s unique climate keeps skies clear—cold, crisp, and delicate. Snowshoeing, morning hikes, ice climbing: pair any of these with a trip to see the Northern Lights.

Want to head home with epic photos? Tromso, Norway, is one of the best places in the north to chase the skies. If possible, we recommend planning your trip around the new moon; dark skies are essential. Another alternative is to visit Lapland in Finland, starting with Santa Claus Village. Between constellations, activities like snowmobiling, and swirls, this country sits in the middle of the Northern Light belt—and it shows.

What Are the Northern Lights?

While the Northern Lights feature prominently in mythology, scientists understand them to be caused by solar winds interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field—especially visible around the magnetic poles. Beginning in the 17th century, the worldview started to bend toward logic, with Italian astronomer Galileo giving them their scientific name, Aurora Borealis.

Although green light curtains may be the most common, the color you see depends on the kind of atom that the electrically charged solar particles dance with. Oxygen particles cause more green auroras, while nitrogen causes blue, red, and purple auroras. Other elements will lead to blue, pink, or yellow ribbons.

But while science helps us to understand, the real wonder and mystery come when seeing the lights in person. Even if you end up speechless by the intermingling of science and magic, you’ll be led to the best viewing spots along the Arctic.

Northern lights by boat Special tours 24

Best Time to Visit Each Country for Northern Lights

Iceland: September to April

The auroral season in Iceland offers around 7 to 8 months of viewing, extending into parts of fall and spring near the equinoxes. Because this snowy isle is rich in wide-open landscapes, the long nights of winter provide the best opportunities to witness neon-lit skies. Be mindful of harsher mid-winter weather conditions, and check cloud cover forecasts. Your chances are high!

Canada: Late August to April

With a whopping 8 months of glowy skies, Canada has spectacular viewing options—especially if you stay close to the north. December, January, and February may have you bundling up, but we think the trade-off is worth the extra blankets. When seeking out dark skies and the perfect photo op, remember that Canadian Northern Lights can be capricious, so your best bet is a guided tour.

A team of six husky sled dogs running on a snowy wilderness road in the Canadian north under the aurora borealis and moonlight.

Colorful polar arctic Northern lights Aurora Borealis activity in snow winter forest in Finland

Sweden: September to March

Sweden is a fine host of nature’s illuminative phenomena. Much like Canada, you’ll find the brightest lights in northern Sweden, with its darker nights and snow-white surroundings. While Swedish Lapland is the optimal region for viewing, we recommend staying available from 8 AM to 3 PM between September and March.

Norway: September to March

For six months out of the year, you may be fortunate enough to view the polar lights in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Due to its dry weather, sparse cloud coverage, and proximity to the Arctic Circle, we recommend Tromsø if you’re itching to chase the wispy trails. Looking for a small-group experience? We’re eager to guide you into the night.

Northern lights and snow covered mountains in Lofoten islands, Norway. Aurora borealis. Starry sky with polar lights and snowy rocks reflected in water. Night winter landscape with aurora, sea. Nature

Finland: Late August to April

Eight months out of the year, Finland sparkles with ethereal lights in Lapland. Did you know Finnish folklore expresses the aurora as a fiery fox racing across the sky? The Finns believe that as the fox’s tail touches the ground, it sparks and glows, creating magnificent lights once it leaps into the sky. We recommend you enjoy the show with reindeer barbeque, blueberry tea, and cozy blankets.

Northern lights above the lake in Lapland

Chase the Aurora Borealis Across the Arctic

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Tips for a Successful Northern Lights Trip

Let’s set the proper expectations if you’re considering heading out on a Northern Lights trip. You may need a dollop of patience and persistence to contend with the Arctic’s weather-related mood swings. While clear skies are essential for viewing, we recommend venturing off the beaten path to a spot with little to no light pollution.

Another tip? Dress warmly to fully appreciate the beauty—and not the chill. Layer up with a thermal base and winter gear like a windproof and waterproof jacket. If there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes, make sure you dress for success and comfort. Your fingers and toes will thank you! And importantly, bring a camera along to capture the aurora spectacle and look at it later in awe.

FAQ

The best months to see the Northern Lights in Canada, Scandinavia, and Iceland are closer to wintertime: November through February. Depending on the country, you may be able to see them in late August or early April, but you’ll get the furthest with clear skies and robust auroral activity. Consider a city like Tromsø, Norway, for a glimpse at the celestial swirls—or head further out into the great unknown.

If you’re wondering how to see the Northern Lights, the best place is wherever the skies are dark and clear—typically along the Arctic Circle. Abisko National Park in Sweden is one of the world’s most reliable and majestic spaces to view the polar aurora. In Canada, we recommend pairing it with a dog-sledding adventure or ice fishing to truly capture the warmth of Canucks.

Aurora hunters will sometimes plan their trips around equinoxes, but dark nights are a must no matter the month. We recommend using a forecaster with up-to-date predictions, knowing they are just that: predictions. Come with a dose of patience and a spoonful of adaptability, and you’ll likely see a heavenly display.

The Northern Lights show on their own schedule; they’re best viewable during periods of high auroral activity with clear, darker skies. Science may be involved, but catching the lights comes down to luck and effort. Even if conditions seem optimal, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them—but we’re here to help you get there.