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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Explorer
Arctic Winter Heartbeat | Active Winter Adventure
4.8 (5 traveler reviews)
"This is a wonderful way to give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights as well as doing unique winter activities for a very reasonable price."
William, traveled in March
Destinations
Whitehorse
Age Range
Ages 19+
State
Yukon and Northwest Territories
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
Duration
7 days
From
NZ$3,898
$974 now + easy payments of $243
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Mar 2026
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12 easy payments$243
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$Canada\'s Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage, Operated by Quark Tour$
$Canada\'s Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage, Operated by Quark - 3 destinations$
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Ocean Cruise
Canada's Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Toronto, Resolute, Calgary
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
4% Off
Duration
12 days
From $27,060
NZ$25,945
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Polar
West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Toronto, Kangerlussuaq, Disko Bay, Qeqqata
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
21% Off
Duration
10 days
From $18,040
NZ$14,190
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Polar
Adventures in Northeast Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights , Operated by Quark
Destinations
Reykjavik, Ittoqqortoormiit
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
30% Off
Duration
11 days
From $25,080
NZ$17,560
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Explorer
Tales of Lapland and Glass Igloo
4.4 (8 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Rovaniemi
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
30% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$4,413
$1,324 now + easy payments of $309
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Mar 2026
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10 easy payments$309
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Explorer
Lapland & the Arctic Circle - 5 Days
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The pick up locations were changed without notifying us of the changes."
Cegi, traveled in March
Destinations
Rovaniemi
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
25% Off
Duration
5 days
From $3,315
NZ$2,486
$600 now + easy payments of $157
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Explorer
Amazing Days in Ilulissat - 4 Days
Destinations
Keflavik, Ilulissat
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
25% Off
Duration
4 days
From
NZ$8,593
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Explorer
Tromso Arctic Experience - 6 days
2.0 (1 traveler review)
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
25% Off
Duration
6 days
From $5,035
NZ$3,776
$600 now + easy payments of $289
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 21 Mar 2026
Pay today$600
11 easy payments$289
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Explorer
Tromso and the Northern Lights - 5 days
Destinations
Tromso, Malangen
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern NorwayLofoten Islands+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
25% Off
Duration
5 days
From $5,845
NZ$4,384
$600 now + easy payments of $315
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Apr 2026
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Polar
Across the North Atlantic: Iceland, Greenland & Labrador
Destinations
Iceland Greenland Canada
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
Duration
16 days
From
NZ$13,699
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Explorer
Finnish Lapland in Winter
4.8 (12 traveler reviews)
"It was a fantastic trip, well organised and good pace with wonderful people."
Caitlin, traveled in January
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi,Pallas - Yllastunturin kansallispuisto+1 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$6,600
$400 now + easy payments of $587
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 14 Mar 2026
Pay today$400
11 easy payments$587
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11 easy payments$587
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Explorer
Northern Norway Explorer
4.1 (12 traveler reviews)
"I had a fantastic time. I feel very confident in recommending it in the future."
Lachlan, traveled in June
Destinations
Oslo, Trondheim, Bodo, Lofoten, Tromso
Age Range
Ages 15+
Regions
Norwegian FjordsLofoten Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$6,905
$400 now + easy payments of $336
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 25 Jul 2026
Pay today$400
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Explorer
Finnish Wilderness Week
4.6 (145 traveler reviews)
"The chance to try out a variety of winter skills in stunning scenery. Oh! And Northern Lights."
Alison, traveled in March
Destinations
Kuusamo, Oulanka National Park, Ruka
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
25% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$5,060
$1,320 now + easy payments of $440
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Explorer
Aurora Borealis & Glass Igloo
4.8 (16 traveler reviews)
"The tour was organized very well, and our experience went beautifully from start to finish."
Cynthia, traveled in February
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
25% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$3,395
$1,042 now + easy payments of $270
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 14 Mar 2026
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9 easy payments$270
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9 easy payments$270
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Explorer
Cross-Country Skiing in Lapland
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Akaslompolo
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
25% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$2,750
$748 now + easy payments of $249
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 06 Apr 2026
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