What are the best months to see the Northern Lights on these tours?

For the best chance of seeing the lights, plan your trip between November and March in Norway and Finland when nights are longest and darkest. In Iceland, you can start watching for them as early as late August through April. If you're heading to Whitehorse in Canada, the viewing season runs from August through March. Travelers often get great views right from their hotels - places like the Scandic Alta in Norway or the Black Spruce cabins in Whitehorse are perfectly positioned for nighttime viewing.

What type of accommodation can I expect on a Northern Lights tour?

You'll find places to stay that are specifically set up for watching the lights. In Norway, you can sleep under the stars in glass-roofed cabins at Aurora Village or stay at the Scandic Bryggen Hotel in Honningsvag. If you're going to Canada's Yukon, the Black Spruce eco cabins just outside Whitehorse give you a real wilderness feel. One traveler told us: "The lodge was perfectly situated away from city lights, with heated viewing areas and outdoor platforms for optimal Northern Lights viewing."

How many nights of Northern Lights viewing are included?

Most tours give you 2-3 nights dedicated to watching for the lights. Take the Aurora Borealis Adventure from Vancouver - you get three guided viewing nights at special spots around Whitehorse. If you're heading to Scandinavia, tours there take you to several prime viewing locations across Finland and Norway. As one traveler mentioned: "While we had 3 scheduled viewing nights, our guide would alert us anytime the lights appeared, even on 'off' nights."

What other activities are included on Northern Lights tours?

While you're waiting for nightfall, there's plenty to keep you busy. In Norway, you can visit husky farms and spend time with Sami reindeer herders. Finland offers ice fishing and snowmobile rides. If you're in the Yukon, you can spot local wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve near Whitehorse. One happy traveler told us: "Beyond the lights, our highlights included dog sledding in Alta, visiting the ice hotel, and learning about Sami culture firsthand."

How likely am I to see the Northern Lights during my tour?

While nature doesn't make guarantees, these tours are designed to give you the best possible chance. You'll have multiple nights to try, and guides choose spots far from city lights. In Whitehorse, for example, people see the lights about 80% of the time during peak season. Here's what one traveler experienced at Aurora Village in Ivalo: "We saw spectacular displays on 2 out of 3 nights thanks to our guide's expertise in choosing optimal viewing locations."

What types of places do I stay in on a Northern Lights tour?

You'll find everything from regular hotels to unique spots like glass igloos. In Finland, Santa's Tunturi Hotel in Saariselkä offers normal rooms plus special areas for watching the lights. In Iceland, Hotel Klettur gives you modern comfort and easy access to viewing spots. Some tours let you sleep in glass igloos - at Santa's Glass Igloos, you can watch for the lights while staying cozy in bed.

How long should I stay to have a good chance of seeing the lights?

Going for 5-9 days gives you the best shot at seeing the lights. The 9-day Iceland Complete tour includes six evenings of light hunting, while the 5-day Land of Northern Lights tour takes you out three times. Since weather and aurora activity change night to night, staying longer ups your chances of catching a good show.

Northern Lights Tours & Trips

10 best Northern Lights tour packages

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Northern Lights
8-Day Yellowknife Northern Lights & Canadian Rockies Autumn Tour | Explore Aurora, Banff & Jasper National Parks
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Yellowknife, Great Slave Lake, Calgary,Banff National Park,Sulphur Mountain,Johnston Canyon,Banff,Jasper National Park,Jasper,Maligne Canyon,Lake Louise,Yoho National Park,Emerald Lake+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Canadian RockiesWest Coast CanadaAlbertaThe PrairiesIcefields Parkway+4 more
Operated in
English, Chinese
Operator
Tourland
From
US$2,439per person
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Northern Lights
5 Day - Northern Lights, Golden Circle, South Coast, Jökulsárlón & Ice Cave
4.6 (5 reviews)
"The Icelandic weather played with our emotions when it came to seeing the norther lights but thankfully we got to see them on our last night there."
Janice, traveled in November
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Vik,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Skaftafell,Fjadrargljufur,Reynisfjara,Reynisdrangar Cliffs,Skogafoss,Eyjafjallajokull+10 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Adventures
From
US$1,657per person
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Northern Lights
Iceland Northern Lights
4.7 (14 reviews)
"Iceland proved to be a very interesting and beautiful country. Walking on the glacier was the most inspirational moment."
Dian, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Seljaland, Eyjafjallajokull, Skogafoss,Reynisdrangar Cliffs,Reynisfjara,Myrdalsjokull,Jokulsarlon,Hvolsvollur,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon,Keflavik+10 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
10% Off
From $2,923
US$2,640per person
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Northern Lights
Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle
4.9 (70 reviews)
"Absolutely fantastic. 5 Stars all the way"
Amanda, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Dover, Gullfoss,Solheimajokull,Skogafoss,Seljaland+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $2,139
US$1,711per person
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Northern Lights
4 Day - Snæfellsnes, South Coast & Glacier Lagoon
4.5 (12 reviews)
"Great tour, short but hit all the places that were on the initinery and the pick up from the hotel was very swift and easy."
Shoko, traveled in February
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Reykholt, Djupalonssandur, Kirkjufell Mountain,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Jokulsarlon+4 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Adventures
20% Off
From
US$1,408per person
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
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Northern Lights
8 Days Northern Lights Exploration – Small Group
5.0 (4 reviews)
"GJ tours provided an excellent itinerary and tour director. Overall, GJ is very organized and took us to some spectacular places."
Douglas, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Borgarfjörður,Grábrók Volcano,Snæfellsnes,Grundarfjordur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Arnarstapi,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Eyjafjallajokull,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell,Vik,Seljaland,Blue Lagoon+19 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
20% Off
From
US$3,741per person
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Northern Lights
USA – Alaska Northern Lights Winter Wonderland
5.0 (3 reviews)
"The Alaska Northern Lights Winter Wonderland tour was amazing. Highly recommend."
Krystle, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Fairbanks, North Pole, Chena Hot Springs,Denali National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Regions
Western USA Alaska
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
20% Off
From
US$2,690per person
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Northern Lights
Yukon Northern Lights & Rockies Christmas Premium Tour
5.0 (1 review)
"The itineraries for both legs of the tour (Yukon, Rockies) were great with a lot to see and do."
Stuart, traveled in November
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Whitehorse, Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff,Emerald Lake,Glacier National Park of Canada,Craigellachie,Salmon Arm+4 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Regions
Canadian RockiesWest Coast CanadaAlbertaThe Prairies+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Discover Canada Tours
20% Off
From
US$3,723per person
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$Iceland\'s Fairy Tale: Aurora Borealis, Geysers and Waterfalls Tour$
$Iceland\'s Fairy Tale: Aurora Borealis, Geysers and Waterfalls - 10 destinations$
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Northern Lights
Iceland's Fairy Tale: Aurora Borealis, Geysers and Waterfalls
5.0 (1 review)
"Everything went exactly according to the itinerary."
Veronika, traveled in April
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Selfoss, Skogafoss, Kerid Volcano, Gullfoss,Haukadalur,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Hraunfossar,Reykjavik+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
Worldee
20% Off
From
US$761per person
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Northern Lights
8 Days Guided Iceland Circle & Northern Lights
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Grábrók Volcano, Akureyri,Godafoss,Myvatn,Skutustadagigar,Hverfjall Volcano,Dimmuborgir,Mount Namaskard,Egilsstadir,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Skogar,Hella,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+15 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
20% Off
From
US$3,135per person
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Northern Lights
5 Days Land of Northern Lights
4.5 (176 reviews)
"Be prepared for food !!! First day is fast food options… but from there take the lamb soup adventure!!"
Jennifer, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull,Seljaland,Skogar,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+9 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
5% Off
From $1,305
US$1,240per person
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Northern Lights
5-Day Small Group Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour
4.8 (31 reviews)
"Even with the wet and windy weather we were able to see everything planned and it was all stunning."
Ferdinand, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Vik,Fludir,Geysir,Skaftafell,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Selfoss,Blue Lagoon,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Seljaland+10 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Snaeland Travel
10% Off
From $1,119
US$1,007per person
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Northern Lights
8 Days Northern Lights Exploration
4.7 (102 reviews)
"There were so many tours to choose from, so pleased I went with GJ Tours… the smaller group, itinerary, and exceptional tour guide/drive, Thor."
Erin, traveled in November
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Grábrók Volcano, Hraunfossar, Reykholt,Borgarnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Grundarfjordur,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Hella,Eyjafjallajokull,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Skaftafell,Vik,Seljaland,Blue Lagoon+16 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
10% Off
From
US$2,855per person
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Northern Lights
3-Day Small Group Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour
4.9 (11 reviews)
"Great tour! The fantastic experience made the tour truly memorable."
Kristófer, traveled in November
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Vik,Skaftafell,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Blue Lagoon+8 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Snaeland Travel
10% Off
From $875
US$788per person
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Northern Lights
Northern Lights Escape
4.6 (51 reviews)
"Highlights were the glacier, ice caves and Northern Lights. Scenery along the journey was spectacular."
Judith, traveled in March
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Hvolsvollur,Skogafoss,Reynisdrangar Cliffs,Reynisfjara,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Vik,Seljaland,Blue Lagoon+9 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From $3,225
US$2,580per person
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