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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Explorer Family Arctic Ski, Snowboard & Snow Christmas & New Year +2
Lapland & Husky Highlights - 5 Days
5.0 (1 traveler 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
Destinations
Rovaniemi
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
Duration
5 days
From $4,785
NZ$3,828
$600 now + easy payments of $231
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$600
14 easy payments$231
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$600
14 easy payments$231
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Explorer Family Arctic Northern Lights Christmas & New Year +2
Arctic Winter Heartbeat | Active Winter Adventure
4.8 (5 traveler reviews)
"It was one of the best vacations in my life. I would go there again at anytime."
Sabrina, traveled in February
Destinations
Whitehorse
Age Range
19 to 80 year olds
State
Yukon and Northwest Territories
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
20% Off
Duration
7 days
From
NZ$3,883
$971 now + easy payments of $194
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$971
15 easy payments$194
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
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15 easy payments$194
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$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 Polar Arctic
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
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 09 Sep 2025
Pay today$6,486
0 easy payments$
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0 easy payments$
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Explorer Family Arctic Northern Lights Christmas & New Year +2
Under the Northern Lights: Arctic Dreams Norway
4.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"You get it all - the Northern lights, the wildlife, the people and the culture all in one pack."
Maryia, traveled in December
Destinations
Tromso, Lyngseidet
Age Range
6 to 80 year olds
Country Region
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern Norway+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Nordiva Tours
4% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$5,548
+$860 upfront costs
$1,282 now + easy payments of $342
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,282
15 easy payments$342
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Pay today$1,282
15 easy payments$342
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer Arctic Ski, Snowboard & Snow Christmas & New Year +2
Cross-Country Skiing in Lapland
Destinations
Akaslompolo
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
4% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$2,730
$869 now + easy payments of $237
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
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11 easy payments$237
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11 easy payments$237
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Polar Arctic Ocean Cruise
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 Arctic Northern Lights Ocean Cruise +1
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
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Sep 2025
Pay today$4,390
0 easy payments$
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Sep 2025
Pay today$4,390
0 easy payments$
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Polar Active Arctic
Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Finland Svalbard Norway
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
25% Off
Duration
7 days
From $13,860
NZ$10,365
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Polar Arctic Ocean Cruise
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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Explorer Family Arctic
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
Dempster HighwayCanadian ShieldArctic / North PoleYukon and Northwest Territories+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
21% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$5,818
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Explorer Family Arctic Northern Lights Ski, Snowboard & Snow +2
Aurora Borealis & Glass Igloo
4.8 (16 traveler reviews)
"Excellent trip, had a wonderful time. Could not fault one thing."
Anne, 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
21% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$3,348
$1,027 now + easy payments of $200
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,027
12 easy payments$200
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12 easy payments$200
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Explorer Arctic Ski, Snowboard & Snow Christmas & New Year +2
Finnish Wilderness Week
4.6 (139 traveler reviews)
"An absolutely amazing week with a great bunch of people. The staff were fantastic and enthusiastic."
Hannah, traveled in February
Destinations
Kuusamo, Oulanka National Park, Ruka
Age Range
16 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
21% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$5,060
$1,293 now + easy payments of $388
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 25 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,293
10 easy payments$388
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10 easy payments$388
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Explorer Arctic Northern Lights Christmas & New Year +1
Norway Fjords and Northern Lights (From November 2025)
5.0 (23 traveler reviews)
"Riana had so much knowledge about the place and was so passionate as she passed on that knowledge."
Jessie, traveled in October
Destinations
Tromso, Oslo, Honningsvag, Kirkenes
Age Range
18 to 35 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleNorthern Norway+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
20% Off
Duration
7 days
From $3,684
NZ$2,947
+$531 upfront costs
$200 now + easy payments of $196
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 25 Jan 2026
Pay today$200
14 easy payments$196
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14 easy payments$196
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Polar Arctic Northern Lights
Swedish Lapland: The Northern Lights
5.0 (19 traveler reviews)
"I had a wonderful time on my trip to Sweden and really enjoyed all the activities!"
Lisa, traveled in February
Destinations
Stockholm, Abisko National Park
Age Range
18 to 35 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Yes-Trips
20% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$1,337
$669 now + easy payments of $42
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Jan 2026
Pay today$669
16 easy payments$42
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16 easy payments$42
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Explorer Arctic Northern Lights Ski, Snowboard & Snow Christmas & New Year +2
Rovaniemi Winter Experience
4.3 (7 traveler reviews)
"We had a fantastic time as there was plenty of fun experiences as well as time to rest and relax."
Adrianna, traveled in March
Destinations
Rovaniemi
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
20% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$2,401
$720 now + easy payments of $140
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$720
12 easy payments$140
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$720
12 easy payments$140
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