Best Northern Lights tours 2027

Few natural spectacles have the sense of occasion of the Northern Lights. Against the deep darkness of an Arctic winter sky, ribbons of green, pink and occasionally red can appear overhead, created when charged particles interact with gases high in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The world’s great aurora destinations are concentrated within and around the Arctic Circle, from northern Norway, Swedish and Finnish Lapland to Iceland, Greenland, Alaska and northern Canada. Here, long winter nights, vast open landscapes and minimal light pollution create some of the most promising conditions for seeing the Aurora Borealis.

There is, however, an element of chance involved. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and no tour operator can guarantee an appearance. Solar activity, darkness and clear skies all need to align, while cloud cover can obscure even a strong aurora display.

For that reason, the most rewarding Northern Lights vacations offer far more than an evening spent looking skywards. Think husky sledding across frozen wilderness, snowmobiling through Lapland, cross-country skiing, glaciers, wildlife encounters and extraordinary Arctic landscapes. The four trips below have been selected because the wider experience stands up in its own right, with an aurora sighting providing the ultimate finishing touch.

TL;DR

Best for memorable Arctic moments with fellow solo travelers: Flash Pack – Finland: Northern Lights & Snowmobiles

Best for an expedition into Greenland’s wild north: Regent Holidays – East Greenland Dog Sledding Expedition

Best for a complete Icelandic winter journey: Nordic Visitor – Northern Lights Circle Tour

Best for exploring Finland on cross-country skis: Responsible Travel – Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland’s eastern wilderness

Who this guide is for

This guide is designed for anyone who wants the Northern Lights to form part of a richer winter journey, with compelling experiences built into the itinerary regardless of what happens in the night sky.

The four options approach the Arctic in distinctly different ways. Flash Pack offers a sociable five-day escape in Finnish Lapland exclusively for solo travelers aged 30-49 and 50-65. Regent Holidays ventures into the remote landscapes of East Greenland by dog sled. Nordic Visitor combines aurora opportunities with an extensive circuit of Iceland, while Responsible Travel heads into Finland’s eastern wilderness on a demanding cross-country skiing adventure.

Together, they cover everything from a polished short break to a full Arctic expedition, with different group styles, activity levels and approaches to winter travel.

Where and when can you see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are most frequently visible at high northern latitudes beneath a region known as the Auroral Oval. Northern Finland, Norway and Sweden are established viewing destinations, alongside Iceland, Greenland, Alaska and northern Canada.

Darkness is essential, making fall through early spring the principal Northern Lights season. Aurora photographer Vincent Ledvina recommends considering the periods around the spring and autumn equinoxes, approximately August to October and February to April, when geomagnetic activity can be favorable. Spending several nights in the region also gives you more opportunities for clear skies between periods of cloud.

Where you stay can make a difference too. Traveling beyond the glow of towns and cities provides darker skies, while experienced local guides can monitor aurora forecasts, cloud conditions and other data to identify potentially promising locations.

Best Northern Lights tours compared

Best for: shared Arctic experiences for solo travelers

Flash Pack’s Finland: Northern Lights & Snowmobiles brings together a carefully curated collection of Arctic experiences across five days in Finnish Lapland. Created exclusively for solo travelers aged 30-49 and 50-65, it combines the thrill of aurora hunting with huskies, snowmobiles, snowshoeing, Sámi culture and memorable dining.

The relatively compact itinerary is part of Flash Pack’s wider collection of small-group adventures for solo guests, making it particularly well suited to those who want to experience Lapland in depth without committing to extended time off. There is plenty packed into the schedule, but the social side of the journey is just as integral as the activities themselves.

The Travel Experience

This is a polished, experience-led escape centred around Inari, deep in Finnish Lapland. Days move between snow-covered wilderness and carefully chosen cultural and culinary experiences, with opportunities to explore by husky sled, snowmobile and snowshoe.

The Northern Lights provide the headline possibility after dark, while the daytime program ensures the trip retains a strong sense of momentum. A five-course farewell dinner brings a more refined final note to an otherwise active Arctic itinerary.

The Group Experience

Flash Pack specializes in bringing together people traveling independently and places particular emphasis on the connections formed within the group. Trips have a maximum of 16 guests and are separated into the 30-49 and 50-65 age groups, creating a more age-aligned experience than many open-age group tours.

With 90% of Flash Pack customers traveling solo, participants arrive in broadly the same position. The small-group format is designed to make it easy for people to get to know one another naturally, whether that is around an Aurora Camp fire, learning to handle a team of huskies or sitting down together over dinner.

Trip Highlights

• Journey by snowmobile sleigh to an exclusive Aurora Camp, where you’ll gather around a blazing fire, toast marshmallows and watch the skies for the Northern Lights
• Strap on snowshoes to explore the deep snow around Inari, where dark skies and minimal light pollution create excellent conditions for aurora watching
• Learn how to drive your own husky team before setting off across the stillness of the snow-covered landscape
• Finish the adventure with an elegant five-course tasting menu at one of Finland’s acclaimed restaurants

Who Is This Best For?

Solo travellers aged 30-49 or 50-65 who want a short but immersive winter escape with a strong social dimension. It works particularly well for guests who enjoy active days, distinctive experiences and the chance to share standout moments with a group of people at a similar stage of life.

With snowmobiling, huskies, snowshoeing, cultural encounters and dining all fitted into five days, it is also an appealing option for anyone with limited annual leave who still wants their Finnish Lapland trip to feel substantial.

Best for: an expedition into Greenland's wild north

Regent Holidays’ East Greenland Dog Sledding Expedition takes the Northern Lights experience into altogether wilder territory. The 11-day journey travels deep into the frozen landscapes of Ammassalik island, combining time in East Greenland with a stay in Reykjavík.

Regent Holidays is known for trips to less conventional destinations, and this itinerary has the feel of a genuine Arctic expedition. Local mushers, sled dogs, mountain huts, isolated settlements and frozen fjords place guests remarkably close to the landscapes and communities of East Greenland.

The Travel Experience

The defining experience is traveling across East Greenland by dog sled alongside local mushers. The journey passes glaciers, mountains and frozen fjords, with snowshoeing and time in remote settlements providing further opportunities to experience the region at close quarters.

Accommodation becomes deliberately simple during the expedition, including shared sleeping arrangements in mountain huts and some outdoor facilities. That sense of remoteness is central to the appeal, placing participants in landscapes that few visitors experience in such depth.

The Group Experience

Departures operate with a minimum of two guests and a maximum group size of 18. The expedition format means group members spend significant time together in remote environments, from travelling behind sled teams to sharing accommodation in mountain huts.

The physical nature of the itinerary also shapes the atmosphere. Regent Holidays recommends arriving in good physical condition and being accustomed to regular activity, with guests expected to be comfortable in basic surroundings and Arctic conditions.

Trip Highlights

• Travel across glaciers, mountains and frozen fjords with local mushers and their Greenlandic sled dogs
• Visit a remote settlement and gain an insight into daily life in one of the world’s most isolated Arctic regions
• Snowshoe into the mountains for far-reaching views across the iceberg-filled Sermilik Ice Fjord
• Join a local Inuit guide to search for seals amid the dramatic landscapes of East Greenland

Who Is This Best For?

Adventurous guests with a fascination for animals, Arctic culture and genuinely remote landscapes. The combination of dog sledding, simple expedition accommodation and sustained time outdoors makes this an especially rewarding choice for active participants who want to experience Greenland beyond its more accessible settlements.

It also has considerable appeal for those seeking a Northern Lights holiday with a strong sense of place. Aurora sightings may be memorable, but the dogs, local communities and vast East Greenland wilderness are equally important parts of the journey.

Best for: a complete Icelandic winter journey

Nordic Visitor’s Northern Lights Circle Tour turns an aurora vacation into an eight-day exploration of Iceland’s Ring Road. Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches and geothermal scenery fill the days, while evenings offer opportunities to watch the skies for the Northern Lights.

As a specialist in Nordic travel, Nordic Visitor offers a wide collection of itineraries across Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Europe. This particular journey is the most comprehensive sightseeing option in this selection, covering a substantial sweep of Iceland within a relatively accessible itinerary.

The Travel Experience

Over eight days, guests travel through some of Iceland’s most celebrated winter landscapes, including the Golden Circle, Lake Mývatn, glacier country and the south coast. The route combines classic landmarks with the drama of Iceland in winter, when snow, ice and low seasonal light can completely transform familiar scenery.

Aurora watching is incorporated after dark when conditions allow, meaning the Northern Lights sit naturally alongside a full daytime program of sightseeing.

The Group Experience

Groups are limited to a maximum of 16 guests and travel on a structured itinerary accompanied by a local guide. Nordic Visitor gives the tour an easy activity rating of 1 out of 4, making it one of the more accessible choices in this comparison.

Its guided tours can also accommodate well-travelled, active children aged 12 and above when accompanied by adults, giving the trip broader appeal for families and mixed groups.

Trip Highlights

• Watch the winter skies for an opportunity to see the Northern Lights illuminating the Icelandic landscape
• Visit a spectacular glacier lagoon, where enormous pieces of ice drift slowly through the water
• Explore the striking volcanic and geothermal landscapes surrounding Lake Mývatn

Who Is This Best For?

Guests who want to see a broad sweep of Iceland during the same journey as their aurora search. With an easy activity rating and an itinerary covering many of the country’s defining landscapes, it is particularly well suited to travelers who enjoy guided sightseeing and want plenty to discover during daylight hours.

The Ring Road format also gives the trip considerable variety, moving between waterfalls, glaciers, beaches, geothermal landscapes and volcanic scenery over the course of eight days.

Best for: exploring Finland on cross-country skis

Responsible Travel’s cross-country skiing escape in Finland’s eastern wilderness ventures into a remote corner of northeast Finland on skis, offering an unusually active way to experience the country’s winter landscapes.

Responsible Travel brings together a broad international collection of group trips with an emphasis on responsible tourism, nature and local experiences. This seven-day itinerary is firmly focused on immersion in the wilderness, with long days spent skiing through forests, across frozen lakes and through snow-covered wetlands.

The Travel Experience

This fully guided cross-country skiing journey explores northeast Finland via established routes and specially tailored trails. Guests typically spend between five and seven hours skiing each day and cover approximately 20km, before returning to the warmth of comfortable guesthouses.

The landscape is the defining feature. Snow-laden forests, frozen lakes and quiet wildlife habitats provide the backdrop during the day, while clear winter skies can create opportunities to look for the Aurora Borealis after nightfall.

The Group Experience

Groups are capped at 12 skiers, keeping the experience relatively intimate as participants travel through the wilderness together. Solo guests are welcome, although standard departures require previous cross-country skiing experience.

The daily distances and time spent on skis give the trip an energetic, outdoors-focused character. Traveling through the landscape under your own power also creates a particularly immersive way to experience this quieter corner of Finland.

Trip Highlights

• Explore the remote wilderness of northeast Finland on cross-country skis, following a combination of established routes and specially selected trails
• Spend five to seven hours each day moving through snow-covered forests, across frozen lakes and past wildlife habitats, looking for signs of wolverine and elk along the way
• Step outside after dark to scan Finland’s clear winter skies for the Aurora Borealis

Who Is This Best For?

Fit, outdoors-focused guests with previous cross-country skiing experience who want an active journey through one of Finland’s quieter wilderness regions.

With approximately 20km covered on many days, the skiing is central to the experience. The Northern Lights add another layer of Arctic magic after dark, while the forests, frozen lakes, wildlife and sense of remoteness provide plenty of interest throughout the rest of the itinerary.

FAQs

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, occur when charged particles interact with gases in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. These interactions produce the luminous colors visible in the night sky, with green the most familiar shade and pink and red also possible under the right conditions.

Can a Northern Lights tour guarantee I’ll see the aurora?

No. The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon, so sightings can never be guaranteed. Solar and geomagnetic activity need to coincide with sufficiently dark and clear skies, while cloud cover can obscure the aurora even when activity is strong.

Joining a guided excursion can be useful because local experts are able to monitor forecasts and identify promising viewing locations, but there will always be an element of chance.

Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?

Many of the world’s best-known aurora destinations are situated around or within the Arctic Circle. Northern Finland, Norway and Sweden are particularly popular, alongside Iceland, Greenland, Alaska and northern Canada.

Wherever you travel, dark skies and minimal light pollution are important, as are clear weather conditions. More remote locations can offer especially atmospheric viewing experiences away from the glow of larger towns and cities.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?

Autumn through early spring is the principal Northern Lights season because high-latitude destinations experience the long periods of darkness needed to see the aurora.

The periods around the autumn and spring equinoxes can also coincide with increased geomagnetic activity. Even during peak season, however, there is no particular date or night on which a sighting can be guaranteed.

How many nights should I spend looking for the Northern Lights?

Giving yourself several nights in aurora territory increases the number of opportunities for clear skies and suitable activity to coincide.

If seeing the Northern Lights is a major priority, spending approximately a week in the region can provide several potential viewing evenings. Choosing an itinerary with a strong daytime program also means the journey remains rewarding whatever the weather brings.

Can you photograph the Northern Lights with a phone?

Yes. Modern smartphones can capture impressive Northern Lights photographs, particularly those equipped with a dedicated night mode. Keeping the phone as steady as possible is important, and a tripod can make a considerable difference. Avoid using flash.

With a dedicated camera, a wide aperture, relatively high ISO and sufficiently long exposure can help capture the aurora while retaining detail in the stars and surrounding landscape.

Are Northern Lights tours suitable for solo travelers?

Yes. Northern Lights trips can lend themselves particularly well to group travel because much of the experience comes from heading into the wilderness, waiting beneath the night sky and sharing the excitement if the aurora appears.

The group set-up varies between operators. Flash Pack’s Finland itinerary is exclusively for solo travelers, while the other trips in this guide welcome solo guests alongside other participants.

Are Northern Lights tours physically demanding?

They can be, but the level of activity varies significantly between itineraries. Nordic Visitor gives its Iceland tour an easy activity rating, while Responsible Travel’s Finland trip involves five to seven hours of cross-country skiing on many days. Regent Holidays’ East Greenland expedition also requires a good level of physical fitness.

It is worth looking closely at the full daytime itinerary when choosing a tour. Some Northern Lights holidays focus on guided sightseeing, while others use the aurora as one element within a much more active Arctic adventure.

How we chose the best Northern Lights tours

For this guide, we looked for trips that offer a compelling reason to travel north even if the Aurora Borealis remains elusive.

That meant considering the complete itinerary, including group size, age requirements, activity levels, destination, trip length and the quality and variety of experiences available during the day.

The final selection represents four distinct interpretations of a Northern Lights escape. Flash Pack combines Lapland experiences with an age-aligned group exclusively for solo travelers. Regent Holidays offers an expedition into the remote landscapes of East Greenland. Nordic Visitor uses the aurora as part of a comprehensive Icelandic winter circuit, while Responsible Travel explores Finland’s eastern wilderness through cross-country skiing.

In each case, seeing the Northern Lights has the potential to become an extraordinary highlight, but the wider journey has enough depth, character and sense of adventure to make the trip worthwhile in its own right.