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)
"Lots of fun activities. Well organized program. Great for all ages."
Mary, traveled in December
Destinations
Whitehorse
Age Range
19 to 80 year olds
State
Yukon and Northwest Territories
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
Duration
7 days
From
NZ$3,889
$972 now + easy payments of $208
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 14 Mar 2026
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14 easy payments$208
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$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
18 to 80 year olds
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
18 to 80 year olds
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
Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Finland Svalbard Norway Iceland
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
Ship
Ultramarine
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
28% Off
Duration
13 days
From $20,790
NZ$15,050
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Polar
South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Toronto, Nuuk, Qassiarsuk, Tasermiut
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
27% Off
Duration
13 days
From $26,180
NZ$19,120
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Polar
Adventures in Northeast Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights , Operated by Quark
Destinations
Reykjavik, Ittoqqortoormiit
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
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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Polar
Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse in Depth (Ocean Explorer)
Destinations
Reykjavik, Northeast Greenland National Park,Scoresby Sound,Prins Christianssund,Ivittuut,Nuuk+4 more
Age Range
8 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
30% Off
Duration
17 days
From
NZ$45,370
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Polar
Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland
Destinations
Finland Svalbard Norway Iceland
Age Range
8 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
40% Off
Duration
13 days
From $19,805
NZ$11,883
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Explorer
Amazing Days in Ilulissat - 4 Days
Destinations
Keflavik, Ilulissat
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
40% Off
Duration
4 days
From
NZ$8,502
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Explorer
Arctic Winter Explorer | Ice Road to the Arctic Sea
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"All I hoped for to travel by road from Whitehorse to Inuvik and on to the Arctic Ocean."
PHYLLIS, traveled in February
Destinations
Whitehorse, Dawson City, Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk
Age Range
7 to 90 year olds
Regions
Yukon and Northwest TerritoriesDempster HighwayCanadian ShieldArctic / North Pole+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
40% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$5,827
$1,457 now + easy payments of $312
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Mar 2026
Pay today$1,457
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Mar 2026
Pay today$1,457
14 easy payments$312
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Explorer
Finnish Lapland in Winter
4.8 (12 traveler reviews)
"Lots of new things to see, very well organized, enough independent time, and lots of fun."
Deboraj, traveled in January
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi,Pallas - Yllastunturin kansallispuisto+1 more
Age Range
15 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
40% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$6,600
$400 now + easy payments of $431
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 14 Mar 2026
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15 easy payments$431
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15 easy payments$431
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Explorer
Northern Norway Explorer
4.0 (11 traveler reviews)
"Fantastic tour experience in Norway. Could do with more local guides and activities organised."
Emily, traveled in May
Destinations
Oslo, Trondheim, Bodo, Lofoten, Tromso
Age Range
15 to 99 year olds
Regions
Norwegian FjordsLofoten Islands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
30% Off
Duration
9 days
From $7,355
NZ$5,149
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Explorer
Finnish Wilderness Week
4.6 (145 traveler reviews)
"Perfect winterholiday, would recommend it to everyone. During the day of husky-sledding, warming up on a fire in the forest while it was snowing."
Stefanie, traveled in April
Destinations
Kuusamo, Oulanka National Park, Ruka
Age Range
16 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
30% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$5,060
$1,293 now + easy payments of $388
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Mar 2026
Pay today$1,293
10 easy payments$388
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Explorer
Aurora Borealis & Glass Igloo
4.8 (16 traveler reviews)
"Great accommodation location so close to shops and excursion operators. A good proportion arranged activities and free time."
Leanne, traveled in February
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
3 to 90 year olds
Operated in
English,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
30% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$3,358
$1,031 now + easy payments of $200
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Explorer
Cross-Country Skiing in Lapland
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Akaslompolo
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
30% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$2,750
$786 now + easy payments of $236
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Mar 2026
Pay today$786
10 easy payments$236
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Mar 2026
Pay today$786
10 easy payments$236
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