What are the best times to see the Northern Lights during Arctic tours?

If you want to see the Northern Lights, plan your trip between September and March when the Arctic nights are at their darkest. Most travelers spot them between 5pm and 2am, especially in places like Tromsø, Norway and Finnish Lapland. You'll have the best chance of seeing them at spots like the Wilderness Hotel in Inari, Finland or Aurora Camp in Whitehorse, where you can get away from city lights and have clear views of the sky.

What kind of weather conditions should I prepare for in the Arctic?

Winter temperatures in the Arctic typically range from -4°F to 32°F (-20°C to 0°C), and the weather can change quickly. I've seen this firsthand at places like Camp Tamok in Norway. While tour companies like Intrepid Travel will give you winter gear including suits, boots and gloves, you should pack good base layers. Even when it's freezing outside, you'll stay warm inside places like the Wilderness Hotel in Saariselkä.

What wildlife might I encounter during an Arctic tour?

You might see humpback and orca whales in Norwegian fjords during winter, plus Arctic foxes and reindeer herds near places like Inari, Finland. If you visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve in Canada, you'll likely spot moose, elk, caribou, mountain goats and lynx in their natural habitat. While polar bears do live in some Arctic areas, you probably won't see them on most regular tours.

What type of accommodation is available on Arctic tours?

You'll find everything from regular hotels to special wilderness lodges. At Muotka Wilderness Lodge in Finland, you can stay in Aurora glass cabins that have huge windows and private saunas. In Tromsø, Norway, you'll be in nice 3-4 star hotels like the Scandic Ishavshotel. If you go somewhere more remote like Basecamp Oulanka, you'll stay in cozy wooden lodges that have modern comforts like hot tubs and saunas.

What kind of cultural experiences are included in Arctic tours?

You'll get to learn about local culture, especially from the indigenous Sami people. In Tromsø, you can try traditional reindeer sledding, learn about Sami ways of life, and eat authentic meals in their traditional lavvu tents. If you visit the Siida Museum in Inari, Finland, you'll learn all about Sami culture. Throughout Greenland, you can also discover Inuit traditions and see what modern Arctic life is like.

What meals are typically included in Arctic tours?

Most tours include your breakfast every day and some dinners. At Basecamp Oulanka, you'll get to try Finnish food made with local ingredients like elk, salmon, berries and fish soup. When you visit Sami communities in Norway, you might have special meals like reindeer stew and traditional breads. Places like the Wilderness Hotel in Inari serve both local Arctic dishes and regular international food.

What is the best time to visit the Arctic region for optimal Northern Lights viewing?

You'll want to visit between September and March, when the nights are longest and clearest. Places like Svalbard and Finnish Lapland have the best aurora viewing during these months, with temperatures usually between -4°F to 14°F (-20°C to -10°C). The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort even has special glass igloos designed for watching the Northern Lights from October through March.

Arctic Tours & Trips

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Hiking & Trekking
Wonders of Greenland (from Iceland)
5.0 (8 traveler reviews)
"Very knowledgeable, experience and fun guides who were able to bring the the beauty and depth of Greenland alive."
Wing, traveled in August
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Qaqortoq, Narsaq
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Tasermiut
From
US$3,561per person
+$304 upfront costs
Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Summer in Lapland: A Family Adventure
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $2,199
US$1,759per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Iceland and Greenland Explorer
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Dynjandi, Grimsey, Akureyri
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
11% Off
From $12,631
US$11,195per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Arctic Villages
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Kulusuk, Kuummiit, Tiniteqilaaq, Tasiilaq
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Arctic Hiking and Expeditions.
11% Off
From
US$4,326per person
Price based on Shared Room
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$Nordic Discovery Sweden, Finnish Lapland & 5-Night Cruise of Norway\'s Coast (Stockholm to Bergen) Tour$
$Nordic Discovery Sweden, Finnish Lapland & 5-Night Cruise of Norway\'s Coast (Stockholm to Bergen) - 15 destinations$
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Explorer
Nordic Discovery Sweden, Finnish Lapland & 5-Night Cruise of Norway's Coast (Stockholm to Bergen)
Duration
17 days
Destinations
Sweden Finland Norway
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
3% Off
From $8,949
US$8,699per person
+$250 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Finnish Lapland Discovery
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $2,699
US$2,024per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Lapland: A Family Winter Adventure
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ranua, Korouoma
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From
US$2,499per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Best of Svalbard
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Nordaustlandet Island, Bråsvellbreen,Alkefjellet,Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park,Ny Aalesund+3 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
35% Off
From $10,195
US$6,627per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Tromso Arctic Experience - 6 days
2.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Tromso, Narvik, Svolvær, Lofoten, Harstad
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern NorwayLofoten Islands+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $2,910
US$2,474per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Arctic Saga: Spitsbergen, Faroes & Jan Mayen, Operated by Quark
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Scotland Faroe Islands Norway Svalbard
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
23% Off
From $14,090
US$10,816per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Aurora & Glass Igloo Explorer - 5 Days
4.5 (6 traveler reviews)
"The Glass Igloo was the absolute highlight—sleeping under the stars and the Aurora! is a must-do."
Minette, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $4,475
US$3,804per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
South Greenland Grand Adventure - 6 Days
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The scenery of the fjords, icebergs, glaciers and valleys carved out by the ice were amazing and from another world."
Chia, traveled in July
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Qaqortoq, Narsarsuaq, Narsaq
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
15% Off
From
US$4,070per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Beyond the Arctic Circle: Tromsø to Svalbard
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tromso, Svalbard, Longyearbyen
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
35% Off
From $7,099
US$4,614per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Aurora Borealis & Glass Igloo
4.7 (17 traveler reviews)
"We had a wonderful time. One of our favorite vacations."
Michelle, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Italian,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
7% Off
From $2,079
US$1,933per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Norway Fjords and Northern Lights
5.0 (23 traveler reviews)
"Riana had so much knowledge about the place and was so passionate as she passed on that knowledge."
Jessie, traveled in October
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Tromso, Skjervøy, Hammerfest, Honningsvag, Kirkenes
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern Norway+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
7% Off
From
US$1,571per person
+$150 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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