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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10 best Arctic tour packages

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City & Culture
Top of Scandinavia with Arctic Circle
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Karasjok, Honningsvag,Alta,Tromso+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
From
US$3,671per person
+$228 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Top of Scandinavia with Arctic Circle with Coastal Cruise
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Luosto, Ivalo, Karasjok,Honningsvag,Alta,Tromso,Lofoten,Bodo,Ørnes,Sandnessjoen,Bronnoysund,Rørvik,Trondheim,Kristiansund,Molde,Floro,Bergen+14 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
From
US$6,399per person
+$228 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Nature & Wildlife
Lapland: A Family Winter Adventure
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ranua, Korouoma
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $2,599
US$2,079per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Rovaniemi Winter Experience - Christmas Edition
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English, Italian,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
20% Off
From
US$1,868per person
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Polar
Lapland & Husky Highlights - 5 Days
5.0 (1 review)
"Going to Lapland in winter was always a dream. This did not disappoint. Loved the day trips we did and the accommodation was amazing."
Claire, 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 $2,595
US$2,206per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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$Nordic Discovery Sweden, Finnish Lapland & 5-Night Cruise of Norway\'s Coast (Stockholm to Bergen, 2026) Tour$
$Nordic Discovery Sweden, Finnish Lapland & 5-Night Cruise of Norway\'s Coast (Stockholm to Bergen, 2026) - 16 destinations$
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City & Culture
Nordic Discovery Sweden, Finnish Lapland & 5-Night Cruise of Norway's Coast (Stockholm to Bergen, 2026)
Duration
17 days
Destinations
Sweden Finland Norway
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
15% Off
From
US$9,199per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Lapland & the Arctic Circle - 5 Days
4.0 (2 reviews)
"The pick up locations were changed without notifying us of the changes."
Cegi, traveled in March
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 $2,115
US$1,798per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Finland Wilderness Discovery - 5 Days
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Vaattunki
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $1,605
US$1,364per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Tales of Lapland and Glass Igloo
4.5 (10 reviews)
"Communication via email was fast with replies to questions I had."
Sue, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
15% Off
From
US$2,615per person
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Nature & Wildlife
Finland Wilderness Express - 4 Days
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Vaattunki
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $1,325
US$1,126per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Northern Lights
Norway Fjords and Northern Lights
5.0 (22 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
15% Off
From
US$1,850per person
+$150 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Helsinki to Kirkenes - Beyond the Arctic Circle
4.5 (2 reviews)
"The itinerary for the tour was great and utilized the 10 days for maximum activity experience."
Jessica, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Inari, Kirkenes
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Carisa Travel Group
15% Off
From
US$5,008per person
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Polar
Rovaniemi Winter Experience
4.5 (10 reviews)
"The program and activities were well planned. A great experience."
Alex, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English, Italian,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
15% Off
From
US$1,284per person
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Polar
Beyond the Arctic Circle: Tromsø to Svalbard
5.0 (1 review)
"Enjoyed with knowledgeable and professional staff."
Hersh, traveled in June
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tromso, Svalbard, Longyearbyen
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
15% Off
From
US$6,999per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Arctic Winter Explorer | Ice Road to the Arctic Sea
5.0 (3 reviews)
"All I hoped for to travel by road from Whitehorse to Inuvik and on to the Arctic Ocean."
PHYLLIS, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Whitehorse, Dawson City, Tombstone Territorial Park,Eagle Plains,Inuvik,Tuktoyaktuk,Aklavik+4 more
Age Range
Ages 7+
Regions
Dempster HighwayYukon and Northwest Territories+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
15% Off
From
US$3,870per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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