The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are undoubtedly a spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors a year to the Arctic Circle – but it’s also important to ensure you have booked a holiday or package that makes the absolute most of your time in Lapland and the far north Polar region, soaking in the sights, sounds and culture and seeing as much as possible.
As a leading provider of inclusive and customisable Northern Lights travel itineraries, the Baltic Travel Company has helped create this guide to ensure your holiday encompasses the magic of the Northern Lights while making every second count.
How Long Should a Northern Lights Trip Be?
Each traveller or family may have varied preferences, but most opt for either a short break of roughly four days and three nights or an extended week-long trip of up to seven or eight days. A lot depends on how much you'd like to see and do, especially since the Northern Lights are visible during the evening and night, giving you the daytime to explore.
There are also lots of ways to see the lights:
- If you choose a city break or tour, you can book a Northern Lights hunt with a guide who will organise transportation, usually into an area as far away from light pollution as possible.
- Northern Lights boat tours are a great experience, where you can attend an evening or nighttime cruise to see the lights over the water.
- Wilderness experiences are incredibly popular, with accommodation ranging from heated glass igloos to yurts, an ice hotel or lodges in the rural snowy countryside.
Tours themselves usually take at least four hours, depending on where you set off from and the distance you're travelling. Guides often recommend Northern Lights safaris, hunting for the lights by boat, or a snowmobile trip.
While each package varies, the norm is to expect to leave your hotel at around 6 p.m. and return by midnight. If you're staying in a wilderness lodge or glass igloo, you can simply sit back and relax while waiting for the night to set in.
Where Are the Best Destinations to See the Northern Lights?
Over the winter months, the Northern Lights are commonly visible across the far north of Europe, around Lapland and the Arctic Circle. Although not an exhaustive list, some of the options you might wish to consider include:
- Tromso in Norway, a central city within the Norwegian Arctic Aurora zone and just a three-and-a-half-hour flight from London, including recent routes added from Heathrow. Svalbard is more remote, as part of the archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, just 650 miles from the North Pole.
- Kiruna in Swedish Lapland is nestled in the wilderness and a great place for husky sledding, camping, ice fishing and other winter activities.
- Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, is a modern, vibrant city and often the starting point for a tour to Hofdabrekka to see the lights. The culture, cuisine, and nightlife are all excellent, and the local geothermal pools are perfect for relaxation.
- Ilulissat, Greenland, is a relatively large city for this remote part of the world. Daytime activities include caving and dog sledding, and due to its location right in the middle of the Aurora belt, it offers some of the best viewing conditions overnight.
- Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland is the ‘home of Christmas,' with memorable visits from Santa Claus and festive activities such as snowman building and snowmobile safaris with the Northern Lights as an evening backdrop.
Each of these locations has numerous fantastic attractions, landmarks, and experiences throughout the winter, so it's well worth seeing what's on offer and which excursions most appeal to you. You can also pick a destination based on the activities you'd most like to try, aside from watching the Aurora.
For example, if you’d love to explore the mountain landscapes with high-energy excursions, we’d suggest our Extreme Adventure Week tour along the Swedish and Norwegian borders in Kilpisjärvi Mountain Village. This package is ideal for active travellers, with wilderness safaris and lakeside saunas between journeys where you'll learn to handle your own sled and team of huskies over two days.
Where Can I Find Festive Excursions and Family Trips Alongside the Aurora Borealis?
Christmas and New Year are wonderful times to visit the Arctic Circle, with a huge array of celebrations, festivities and activities to enjoy, whether you’d love to try carol singing, ice skating, sample local seasonal delicacies or take your children to a Santa Claus village for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Arctic Wilderness New Year package is a four-night trip with private transfers and accommodation in Tromso and the Norwegian wilderness in your choice of chalet or cabin. You’ll experience a unique Northern Lights tour on New Year's Eve itself, with a delicious dinner included.
A great option for those with kids is to consider a tour like the Arctic Christmas trip to Finland. The Hotel Kalevala in Kajaani is a perfect spot to stay, surrounded by pristine snowy landscapes, with cookie tasting, a personal visit from Santa, a Christmas tree search and traditional carolling.
Christmas in Swedish Lapland is equally magical, based at Camp Ripan with numerous activities from spa treatments to tree decorating, a torchlit procession to attend Christmas Mass, snowmobiling, horseback riding, dog sledding, skiing and skating and snowshoeing out to see the lights overhead.
How Many Days Should I Plan to Spend Hunting the Northern Lights?
The lights are most visible during clear weather without cloud cover and far from light pollution, which can dampen the effect. One of the thrills of hunting the Aurora is that the natural phenomenon is impossible to programme or control, so even the most experienced guides cannot guarantee when it will appear.
Most travellers either choose a tour or lodge in the countryside where they’ll have the chance to see the lights on most evenings. If the lights aren’t visible, or the guide knows that viewing conditions will be poor, they may suggest switching to an alternative day, with forecasts able to predict Aurora viewing up to three days in advance.
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About Baltic Travel Company:
We specialise in crafting unique, tailor-made travel experiences that showcase the diverse wonders of Europe and the Baltic region. With over 15 years of experience, our dedicated travel experts are committed to providing exceptional service and unparalleled expertise to ensure your Baltic adventure exceeds your expectations. From cultural city breaks to the inspiring northern lights and breathtaking natural landscapes, our carefully curated itineraries highlight the very best of the Nordic Region, Scandinavia, The Baltic Region, Poland, Slovakia and more. Whether you're a solo traveller, couple, or group, embark on a journey of discovery with Baltic Travel Company – your ultimate travel partner in exploring the hidden gems of the Baltics.
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Source Company: https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/
Published by: Steve OBrien