aurora tours reviews

Fairbanks Aurora Tours

Review Highlights

“ My husband is pretty good with a camera, but learned from Aaron about taking pictures at night and of the aurora. ” in 8 reviews

“ We rented a professional camera from him, and he explained how to use it so I could get the best pictures possible. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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Fairbanks, AK 99709

Serving Fairbanks Area

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About the Business

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Fairbanks Aurora Tours specialize in taking visitors out at night to dark locations with optimal viewing conditions of the northern lights while helping guests take photos of the aurora. …

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Overall rating

We went out on April 3rd with Aaron of Fairbanks Aurora. It had been snowing all day in Fairbanks with lots of clouds. Nonetheless the 10 riders trusted Aaron. He did not disappoint. We ended up driving 100 miles south to Delta Junction. We were able to see beautiful colors of green and red. I rented a camera from him and he gave me tips to get the best pictures. I would recommend him!

Delta Junction Aurora Borealis

Delta Junction Northern Lights

Ed was our guide for the evening. Excellent and knowledgeable on all things Alaska. He followed up with more pictures of our evening. Very comfortable yurt to use as a "home base". Highly recomend.

Aaron did a fine job of getting us out, away from the lights of Fairbanks, to find the Aurora. Be prepared.. it'll be very cold (we were there in September) and late and will require patience. We were picked up at 9 pm and home by 4 am. The best time to see them? Between midnight and 2 am! Also, you won't see them on a cloudy night. I watched the clouds drop over the Lights like a curtain over a stage. Do some research before you choose your dates to go. There are no guarantees you'll see them. Best of all- he took professional-level photos of each group with the Lights in the background. Yes, he does know a lot and he does want to share, but we were successful. BTW, he skillfully handled a huge moose bounding up behind us and cutting in front of our van in those dark early hours. It could easily have turned out otherwise. Thanks, Aaron!

A magical viewing of the Lights! Thanks for the fantastic photo!!

Thanks, Aaron, for this fantastic photo!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!! Aaron is very knowledgeable and a very professional guide. He picked us up in his van which was very clean, warm enough and drove around to many optimal sites the entire night to see Aurora. Gave a lot of tips on how to set up camera for capturing Aurora, provided so much information on Auroras and clicked our pictures in his professional camera. He really is the BEST in the business.

The facilities was handy on keeping us warm until it got closer to the time to see the lights. The guides were funny and the use of dad jokes, despite them being pretty corny, still got us to laugh. Being that I freeze at 68°F, I was grateful for the fire they setup outside as we waited. I had hoped we got a lesson on how to set our cameras/phone cameras for the best pictures and felt their photography could have done a better job. Otherwise, we were happy with selecting this tour and at such an affordable price too. I would recommend this tour but also recommend that you research on your own on how to set your camera for the Northern Lights.

Aaron is great. He did everything in his power to get us to see the Aurora borealis. He's very knowledgeable. I had a blast and was a great trip. Highly recommend it. He constantly checked on us to make sure we were doing good.

It was most definitely a 5 star experience. The knowledge Aaron had to share about the Aurora throughout the trip was very informative. He took the time despite the extremely low temperatures to make sure that we had the perfect picture. The entire experience was perfection.

First off, this is *not* about whether or not we saw the aurora. NO one in any tour, or in Fairbanks and within a 60 mile radius saw the aurora last night. The price per person is half of the best known aurora tour in Fairbanks (but be forewarned, no drinks, snacks, and professional photos are extra). The pickup instructions were unclear- "in front of the liquor store at the other end of the parking lot". Thank goodness I texted him. We were in front of the liquor store which is at the end of the parking lot. But Aaron meant across from the liquor store way on the other side of the parking lot next to the street. He even said that it's been a problem before, clarifying where to meet Aaron is *extremely* knowledgeable, not only about the aurora, photography, but about Alaskan history, probably more than other aurora chasers. It is obvious he has an extremely high IQ. But because we had to drive a long ways, he talked on and on about the science of the aurora. My husband and I are scientists, so we were interested, and I was the only one among 10 who were asking questions. But the other people were falling asleep. There was no pause for interaction; I had to interrupt to ask questions. He didn't generate energy, or interest in this adventure. When he was going out to check on the aurora, most of us just wanted to stay inside (and it wasn't that cold) Then when we got to Eagle Summit, a van drove past and he said - "oh, that's the competition, Aurora Chasers. I recognize the van." I asked, "so are we going to continue on too? It's a good sign that they're going in the same direction". He said, "well, they speed and pass me when I'm speeding, and I'm interested in staying alive". And "they're going to get back at 8 am" but later admitted he was exaggerating. He also said, well, 5 am is my bedtime so it's not a good thing for me to be driving so late. Aaron didn't know that two women had gone with Aurora Chasers the night before and they said (when he was out of earshot) they do not drive recklessly. They told us that the Aurora chasers are so excited and get everyone all revved up, even when the aurora wasn't visible. There are videos to explain the aurora and photography instead of someone "droning on and on" (their words, not mine). The van was completely silent the entire time except for the lecture, and later, I started conversation with people because it was so awkward to be in the car for 7 hrs with no one talking to each other. Anyway, Aaron is very very knowledgeable about aurora, photography, Alaska, geology, earth, and I'm sure much much more. If the aurora was easily visible, his tour is total bargain (just bring your own snacks and drinks) and you'd learn a lot. If it's going to be a difficult chase and hunt, you should find someone more tenacious and energetic to make up for disappointment and to search harder.

We had a great Experience with Aaron, and Fairbanks Aurora Tours. We did our research and knew that going to see the Aurora would be hit or miss depending on the weather. Aaron was knowledgeable about the Aurora and also Alaskan history. He did his research the day of the tour in order to find us the best locations to get out of the city lights, and clouds. We rented a professional camera from him, and he explained how to use it so I could get the best pictures possible. I would definitely recommend Fairbanks Aurora Tours.

I came from SF to enjoy the Aurora and Fairbanks Aurora Tours had really nice pictures of what we could possibly see. Aaron was nice enough to squeeze us in and came on time and picked us up from our hotel. It was a total let down. Just to be clear if you go with his tour you have to bring a high tech camera to see any Aurora which isn't advertised at all on his website. We had no idea. If you think you will see anything like on his pictures you will be fooled. He said it himself " I only put the best pictures on my website ". He has a lot of knowledge about how the Aurora works and has a high tech laser pointer. I asked him the next day if we could be reasonable and possibly give me a partial refund since we didn't see anything but black and grey clouds he augured with me about him seeing them and dug his heels into the ground and didn't give me anything back and hung up on me. Last night he keeps saying " There's Aurora everywhere! " and all you can do at 3am in the morning in the freezing cold is think " Is this guy nuts ? " Or is he just stealing my money. He stole my money. $460 gone. Thanks Aaron.

2 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Collections Including Fairbanks Aurora Tours

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Aurora Borealis Tours

• Facilities 1.5
• Atmosphere 5.0

The aurora borealis – commonly called the northern lights – are one of the most popular attractions in Fairbanks. The region is situated under the "aurora oval," and from late September to early April, visitors flock to the region to view the spectacular light show. The city lights of Fairbanks tend to wash out the northern lights, so most tours head north on the Dalton Highway into the countryside for optimal viewing .  

A number of tour companies , including Ben Boyd's Alaskan Northern Lights Tour and Northern Alaska Tour Company , offer a variety of experiences, from an eight-hour evening viewing tour to a flightseeing and driving tour package that heads to the Arctic Circle. Those who prefer to plan their own trip can drive north to the Aurora Borealis Lodge to take a self-guided driving tour or even book a room for several nights of viewing.

Many recent winter visitors raved about Ben Boyd's Alaska Northern Lights Tour, complimenting his patience for aurora hunting. Many guests enjoyed Boyd's stories and cultural activities like hoop dancing as much as they loved seeing the stunning light show. Other recent Fairbanks visitors took the Arctic Circle fly/drive tour with the Northern Alaska Tour Company and praised the flight experience, as well as the return educational bus trip back to Fairbanks.

Although tours are available beginning in late August, it's best to wait until mid-September or later for optimal viewing conditions. Most tour companies will pick up guests from any Fairbanks hotel or accommodation as part of the package price. Evening tours run from 9 p.m. to about 4 a.m. and average $75 to $85 per person, while more extensive tours like the Northern Alaska fly/drive Arctic Circle viewing tour begins at $269 per person. Self-guided driving tours at the Aurora Borealis Lodge cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids 6 to 15, while the premier guided tour starts at $75 per person, including pick-up and return from area lodging. For additional information on viewing the northern lights or local tour companies, visit the Explore Fairbanks' Aurora Viewing page .

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More Best Things To Do in Fairbanks

#1 Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center is a great first stop to pick up maps and information on things to do in Fairbanks. In addition to exhibits on the natural history of the region and the cultural history of Alaska natives, the center offers a free film on Alaska's history and nature. What's more, on the first Friday of every month, the center hosts a free reception featuring the work of an Alaskan artist from the interior region. This is also where you'll find the city's famous Antler Arch, a piece constructed with more than 100 moose and caribou antlers collected from all over interior Alaska.

Most recent visitors said this free museum was an ideal first stop for learning about Alaskan life, with a good mix of history and culture. Many found the central downtown location convenient, and families particularly enjoyed the interactive displays for kids. Some visitors were disappointed that the informative movie only runs once per day, but all travelers complimented the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

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7 Day Northern Lights Tours & Trips

See the best 7 day northern lights tours. There are 63 adventures, in as many as 7 different destinations, including Iceland and Kenya.

7 Day northern lights tours with 1,963 reviews

• Northern Lights
• Christmas & New Year

Aurora Borealis Adventure from Vancouver

Great tour. Enjoyed our time in the Yukon and had fun on nights even with no Aurora. Great guides and very helpful

Tailor-Made Private Norway Trip to Chase the Northern Lights

Jann was a fantastic guide / driver who was kind and considerate and wanted the best experience possible for his guests!! Jann was friendly and educated/answered all questions even with personal stories! We were very lucky and had a great viewing night and Jann had prepared us for the post that we would not see anything, would highly suggest the Jann experience to everyone!

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Yukon Northern Lights Holiday Premium Tour

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Tailor-Made Aurora Safari & Icehotel Trip

Best of Northern Norway Classic - 71° North Cape ( Private Tour)

Very exciting and perfectly organised Tour. Very friendly Team. We really recommend this tour!

4-Day Ol Pejeta, Aberdare,& Solio Ranch Safari on 4x4 Jeep

Finland - Northern Light Adventure

Hiking, Wildlife, Hot Springs and Northern Lights in the Yukon with Air from Vancouver

Magic of Finland & Arctic Adventure with Northern Lights & Glass Igloo

Northern Lights Escape

Wonderful leader Stefan Johansson. Food was great, fellow travelers fun and interesting van was very comfortable. And we saw the Northern Lights!

Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle

Best tour & guide ever! I truly appreciate all the support he gave during the tour. The weather was sunny with a clear sky, the itinerary included all the breathtaking landscapes. And our guide, Hodei, is exceptional. He is very knowledgeable, helpful and patient. Thanks to his guide, I had a wonderful time in Iceland and will definitely go back to explore more.

5 Day - Snaefellsnes, South Coast and Northern Lights

Nice tour. Highly recommend it! One of the 5 days we had a very nice toyr guide, Sindri Gunnarsson! Was the best day of the tour. He explained to the group history of Iceland, fun facts, taught us a master class in finance and banking of Iceland, but also about the music and entertainment. A complete day! Iceland is a beautiful country and definitely not overrated. Accommodations quite nice. Only improvement would be breakfasts that were included into the price. Quite poor selection in my opinion.

Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days

The tour was not run by On the go, which was a bit of a surprise. We had a guide/driver who provided information and drove us to the sights. He was relaxed and funny so it was a nice vibe. We saw everything we came for and it was enjoyable. My only feedback would be to have a WhatsApp group or a poster for us to photograph - this would make meeting times, breakfast and leaving times clearer. I loved Iceland and this was a very affordable tour.

• Wildlife & Nature Photography

Best Value Aurora Viewing | Wildlife & Hot Springs

Was fortunate to see the northern lights our first night - they were excellent. Really enjoyed the hot springs experience - city tour was good - wildlife tour was average. Booked dog sled tour -and highly recommend this - it was amazing.

4 Day - Northern Lights, Snæfellsnes & Glacier Lagoon

Excellent tour though I did not see the Northern Lights. Will recommend.

Reviews of 7 day Northern Lights Tours

The guides and the experience were great!

Travel Styles

Private Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour

Book This Adventure

Embark on our Private Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph the stunning aurora borealis in and around the greater Fairbanks area. We pride ourselves on offering intimate, small-group trip experiences and this fully-private tour will be an experience you and your group will remember for life!

The aurora borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth and we invite you to join us to view and photograph the northern lights in and around the greater Fairbanks area.

We use innovative technology to forecast aurora viewing conditions, choosing each night’s tour location based on weather forecasts, predicted aurora strength, and estimated driving distance from Fairbanks. Our local team of experts will get you to the most strategic location possible to see the phenomenon of the northern lights.

This tour is designed for anyone visiting the Fairbanks area with an interest in viewing the northern lights, and include web-quality aurora portraits and basic photography instruction.

We use our fleet of comfortable tour vehicles as traveling base camps. Tours generally depart between 8 and 11 p.m. and return between 3 and 6 a.m., depending on the season and forecasted conditions.

Season:  2023/24 – November 2nd through April 14th. 2024/25 – August 28 – April 14th.

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we are no longer providing single-use plastic water bottles. Please bring a reusable water bottle, and we’ll refill it throughout the tour.

Book This Adventure  

Book direct. Best price guarantee!*

Trip Highlights

• Private experience (maximum of 12 adventurers)
• Experience the star-filled beauty of Alaska winter nights away from city lights
• Create lasting memories with portraits and photos
• Personalized forecast service. Know before you go!
• Suitable for all ages

What's Included

• Services of a professional local guide
• Aurora forecasting service
• Web quality photographs and portraits
• Transportation in a clean and comfortable tour vehicle
• Snacks and hot drinks
• $1995 total per confirmed tour night, group size 1-8.
• $100 for each additional person up to 12 people
• Groups larger than 12 please contact our office at 907-980-8179

Departure Time

• Departure Time: 8-11 p.m.
• Duration: 8 Hours

Gratuities for Guides (Recommend $200 per group)

Best Viewing Conditions

The aurora can be visible anytime we have adequate darkness between late August and mid-April.  The main obstacles to finding auroras are cloud cover and light pollution. We will drive up to 3 hours outside Fairbanks to find clear, dark skies.

Understanding the Moon’s phases and chasing aurora

A common question among interested aurora viewers relates to the Moon and its many phases each month. Lunar cycles may affect one’s ability to view the northern lights, but not necessarily in a negative way. Greatland Adventures aurora guides are experts at positioning guests in the optimum location for the best chance of viewing the lights, and the Moon can provide a stunning backdrop for shadows and wintery nighttime photography!

Below is a breakdown of the Moon’s lunar phases, what they mean, and how they may affect your aurora viewing experience:

New Moon – The new moon phase lasts for 10 days when the Moon is positioned directly between Earth and the Sun. Illumination of the Moon is less than 20% during this time and as such there is minimal light cast on Earth’s landscapes, making aurora and stargazing excellent when forecasts are positive for clear skies and solar storms. However, landscape photography and videography are generally more difficult during this phase due to the diminished lighting of the moon.

Mid-Moon – A mid-moon phase is the period of the moon cycle when the Moon’s illumination is between 20-80%. During this 10-day phase, the moon has minimal effect on aurora viewing or stargazing.

Full Moon – A full moon happens over 10 days when the Moon’s illumination is 80-100%. During this phase, the Moon lights up a night landscape and mild auroral activity will be difficult to see. However, when auroral displays are strong, a full moon phase allows our eyes to more easily perceive the true colors of the aurora, especially the greens and pinks. Additionally, landscape photography and videography are enhanced during this phase due to the extra ambient light from the Moon.

Vacations to Alaska don’t always fall on the calendar’s “perfect” time for spotting aurora, but rest assured that our local guides take into account the lunar phases and will make every effort to find the best viewing locations to maximize your aurora adventure.

Best Price Guarantee

*Book direct with confidence. We guarantee you will receive the best price when booking directly on our website or we will refund the difference + $10! Must show proof of a lower price found elsewhere for the same product and the same departure. Offer valid for tours operated by Greatland Adventures only. Offer not valid for 3rd party products.

#greatlandadventures

• Bev As a solo traveler I usually veer towards group tours and make my decisions based on ratings. Greatland Adventures definitely lived up to their high ratings and awesome reviews. I have booked several tours with them. From the beginning it was a pleasurable experience with Steve and Rochelle who have excellent communication with their clients and ensure you are fully accommodated for your tour. I did the northern lights tour with Mike who is an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and he captured some excellent photos of me! I completed the glacier tour with Bill who is also very knowledgeable and ensured we had a great experience at the glacier by getting us there before others arrived and allowing us to safe explore all the accessible crevasses. I absolutely recommend this tour company they are amazing!
• Jane I want to sincerely applaud the members of Greatland Adventures! They made me and my friend's trip to Anchorage one of the most amazing experiences ever in our lives... We were all well educated about the lights before we got there and even had a chance to have a pitstop at a gas station to use the toilet and grab a coffee. We even saw the lights that night TWICE! Thank you, Steve! The memories we made will last a lifetime and we are so happy we chose Greatland Adventures. I am telling any and everyone that plans to visit Anchorage to book through them. No question!

Related Trips

6 Best Northern Lights Tours in Abisko You Should Do

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: September 21, 2023

Planning a trip to Abisko to see the Aurora? Here are the best Northern Lights tours in Abisko.

Seeing the Northern Lights will never get boring because it is different each time. Just like you keep taking pictures of a beautiful sunset, the aurora will surprise you each time you see it.

Find out what tours there are at Abisko to see this magical spectacle by reading this article now.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

When Can I see The Northern Lights in Abisko

One of the main conditions to see the Northern Lights is that it needs to be as dark as possible.

Abisko is second to none when it comes to light pollution.

Still, if you’re here in late spring, summer, or early autumn the nights are short and you will need to stay up late, or do an all-nighter, to see the aurora.

Oktober and November, together with February and March are the best months.

These months offer a good balance of daylight and dark hours.

At night you can chase the aurora and the daylight hours offer the opportunity to do some of the other great outdoor activities that Swedish Lapland is famous for .

See this detailed Northern Lights post for a detailed breakdown of what to except during the different months .

Best Abisko Northern Lights tour

Here we share an overview of the best Northern Lights tours.

The Longest Northern Lights Tour in Abisko with Dinner and the Abisko Northern Lights Photography tour that we describe below, we did ourselves.

Wondering if a Northern Lights Tour is worth it? Read our opinion here.

The Longest Northern Lights Tour in Abisko with Dinner: our review

This is a 6-hour tour that starts with a traditional meal followed by a Northern Lights tour.

Here’s our review.

At the appointed time, the Lights of Viking’s van, drove up the driveway of the hotel to pick us up. It was just a short drive to the Abisko Guesthouse where the dinner would take place.

The Sami tent is set up in their parking lot. It was already nice and warm when we entered.

Dinner was good, the meal was not something that I was expecting when I read that it was a BBQ dinner. It was tasty nonetheless. There was also more than enough and everybody could get a second and maybe even a third portion.

The guide, or should I say the chef on duty, told us various stories about the Sámi and their reindeer-herding activities.

The Sámi are the only people allowed to do this professionally so each time that you eat reindeer you can be sure that it is coming from them.

About 1.5 hours later, when everybody had eaten enough, we went to the guesthouse to get dressed for the excursion.

That was also the time for a last toilet stop before we set off.

The toilets are inside the guesthouse. There were only a few toilets and you had to take your shoes off at the entrance. This caused some extra delay.

The clothes hang in a separate building next to the guesthouse. There are more than enough clothes but much of the material has seen better days.

Some boots required separate warmers, while others didn’t.

It also seemed as if not everything was neatly arranged. The whole getting-dressed step was a little chaotic and took longer than expected.

It was well past 8 PM when our van set course for our Northern Lights spotting location.

This turned out to be a cabin near a frozen lake not too far from the E10.

2 tour guides joined us on this trip.

One guide set up his camera and indicated where you could set up your camera in case the Northern Lights would appear.

I, and a few others who were also equipped with a camera and tripod, got set up as well.

The second guide went to the cabin to heat it and stayed there to take care of the snacks and drinks. It didn’t take long before we all got cold and went to the cabin.

Drinks and snacks were provided in the cabin. There was a lot of smoke inside, and your eyes pecked, but it was warm and better than waiting outside.

It was a pity that no information was given during the wait so all participants killed the time by talking to each other about their other trips and destinations.

Around 11 PM we wrapped up the tour and headed back to the guesthouse. We took off the snowsuits and boots and around midnight we were back in our hotel.

We got an email the next day that we could book another tour with them for free because we didn’t see the Northern Lights. That’s a kind gesture, I don’t know if this is something they do all the time or if it was related to the fact that we expressed our discontent about our silent guide.

To put it in context, you must know that tours are almost always fully booked for the coming days. So you should not expect to use your voucher in the near future. I don’t know what they would do if you have booked multiple tours with them and ask if you can use the voucher towards one of the future tours you had already booked, it may be worth giving that a shot.

• The traditional BBQ meal with reindeer meat
• Opportunity to see the Northern Lights
• Pick-up from your hotel in Abisko
• Warm clothing including snowsuits and boots, unfortunately, the boots were definitely past their prime. Other tour operators offered more recent and more qualitative clothing.

• The tour includes a reindeer meal, if you don’t have the chance to taste reindeer meat anywhere else this is a good opportunity

• The clothes, particularly the boots, are definitely past their prime
• Our guide that joined us on the northern lights tour was not really chatty. It’s not his fault that there were no Northern Lights that night but we would have enjoyed the 4-hour wait much more if he would have at least tried to entertain us a little
• The tour is almost never canceled, not even when the odds of seeing the aurora are minimal (this is the same for all tours).

It is of course a pity that we did not see the northern lights during this tour, but it’s obvious that the organization cannot do anything about it.

However, they could have made the 3 hours we waited hopefully for something in the sky to appear, a little more informative and entertaining.

If you see the Northern Lights your experience will probably be very different and you may care less about what the tour guide contributes to the tour.

Because we just sat there and waited, we felt that the guides could have done more.

That was our main criticism of the tour.

Looking at the reviews it seems that often another team of tour guides organizes this tour.

Other guests give the tour 5-star reviews and their experience is very different from ours.

I suppose we had some bad luck with the team and the weather which made for a subpar experience on our end.

Check prices and availability: The Longest Northern Lights Tour in Abisko

Kiruna Northern Lights Tour With BBQ Dinner

Abisko is a tiny village with only a handful of accommodations.

If you don’t book your hotel far in advance you will likely need to stay in Kiruna.

That’s why there are also Northern Lights tours in Abisko that provide pick-up and drop-off in Kiruna.

This tour is exactly the same as the one mentioned above.

The only difference is that it includes transport from and to Kiruna.

• Pick-up from several locations in Kiruna
• Transport from Kiruna to Abisko and back
• Transport from Kiruna to Abisko and back is included
• The tour is almost never canceled, not even when the odds of seeing the aurora are minimal (this is applicable to all tours).

Hotels and guesthouses in Abisko are often fully booked one year in advance. We understand that not everybody can plan that long in advance.

That’s where this tour comes to the rescue. Thanks to this tour you can hopefully still see the Northern Lights in Abisko without having to drive yourself in the dark.

We did this tour ourselves, albeit from Abisko. You can read our full review above.

Check prices and availability: The longest Northern Lights Tour in Kiruna with Dinner

If you are staying in Kiruna, check out our overview of the best Northern Lights tours in Kiruna.

Aurora Borealis Tour Kiruna – Abisko with local street food

This is a small-group tour that leaves from Kiruna. The meeting point is at Stejk Street Food at 8 PM, pick-up is not included.

The tour starts with dinner in the Tipi tent of Stejk street food .

We went there ourselves one evening and can absolutely recommend the place. The owners are cheerful and turn a smile on your face from the moment you arrive.

Their reindeer and moose sandwiches are yummy!

From there you will board a van and your guide will set course towards the Abisko National Park in a quest to find the Northern Lights.

The full tour, including dinner, lasts 5 to 6 hours approximately.

• A juicy meal at Stejk Street Food
• The opportunity to see the Northern Lights
• Dinner at Stejk Street Food
• We went to Stejk once ourselves and absolutely liked it
• A small-group tour with a maximum of 6 participants
• No warm clothing included

Stejk Street Food is an excellent choice for a quick meal.

However, it is a pity that the organizer expects you to come here yourself and does not provide a pick-up.

Check prices and availability: Northern Lights Tour With Street Food

Abisko Northern Lights Photography Tour: Our Review

This tour is for people who don’t have a “real” camera because they use the camera functionality of their mobile phone.

A mobile phone cannot take pictures of the Northern Lights as you see them on the internet.

To do that, you need a camera whose aperture, shutter speed, and ISO can be set.

That’s just a bit too much for a phone, even when you use it in PRO mode.

To take the pictures with your camera you will need to be comfortable using it in manual mode.

This is the second tour we have done ourselves.

Again, we didn’t get to see the Northern Lights… you would start to doubt if the blue hole is not just a myth… but still, thousands of others preceded us and saw them.

Apparently, we were just unlucky when we were here.

The tour itself was a very different experience from the other one we did.

We were, of course, a bit disappointed that we again didn’t see the northern lights, but here the guide was very enthusiastic and has been telling us stories non-stop.

We left knowing a lot more about the Sámi, the Northern Lights, the national park, and its wildlife.

The tour started with a pick-up at our hotel at a quarter to 8 and a short drive to the Abisko.net hostel.

There we got our snowsuit and boots, they were of a remarkable better quality than the ones we got during the other tour.

Next, our guide told us how to use the camera equipment.

Everybody gets a camera and tripod during this tour.

The cameras are preset to the correct settings, but based on her explanation, you can fine-tune them to your personal preferences.

Or, if you have your own gear, you can use her advice to set it up correctly in anticipation of the Northern Lights.

Then she briefly explained how to set up the tripod and how to attach it to the backpack with the camera.

To take home your own pictures of the aurora you will need to bring a standard size SD-card. If you don’t have one of your own you can buy one from them (They charge 200SEK, I think you should be able to find them cheaper yourself).

The guide told me that SD adapters sometimes do not work in their camera but I didn’t have any problems using a micro-SD card with an adapter for Sylvia’s camera.

After we all were dressed and ready with the camera gear we hopped on the sled that was waiting outside.

Our guide jumped on the snowmobile and so we drove to the lookout point.

Once we arrived she helped everyone set up the tripod and camera and started the stove in the tent.

The tent was very tempting because of the cold and the thick flakes of snow that fell from the sky.

It didn’t take long before we all hid there.

The mode of transport depends on where you are going. It is therefore also possible that you will go to another location in a minibus.

Luckily our guide kept the conversation going the whole time.

She started by giving more background information about the aurora and from there the conversation continued about the Sámi, the park, and its wildlife.

Cookies and lingonberry juice were going around the whole time.

Every once in a while she peeked outside but the weather did not improve.

Close to 11 PM, when it was clear that this would not be our night, our guide decided to do some photography tricks so that we would at least be able to leave with some fun memories about our tour. She helped everyone with some light writing tricks.

What do you think of me with my angel wings below?

We were back in our hotel around midnight.

Because we didn’t see the northern lights, it was the guide who made the difference.

Thanks to her interesting stories about the Sámi and the national park it didn’t feel like 3 completely wasted hours.

We left knowing more about the area and with some tips about other activities we could do in the coming days.

• Pick-up from all over Abisko
• Use of camera, tripod, backpack, and a headlamp
• Warm clothing including snowsuits and boots
• Qualitative gear, both the clothes, boots as well as the camera and tripod
• A good guide who was very informative and well versed in photography.
• A small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants
• No pictures of the Northern Lights but at least some fun light writing shots
• The tour is almost never canceled, not even when the odds of seeing the aurora are minimal (it was snowing on our night).

This tour is highly recommended, especially if you don’t have a camera and still like to take pictures of the northern lights yourself.

The fact that you get a camera and tripod during this tour is a real plus.

We also loved our guide who was clearly passionate about the region and the aurora.

Check prices and availability: Northern Lights Photography Tour

Guided Aurora Chasing By Car in Abisko

If you’re looking for a plain and simple Aurora tour, this may be the one for you.

The tour lasts a little over 3 hours and pick-up from your location in Abisko is included.

Warm snowsuits, as well as boots, are available for rent. They’re not included in the tour. Wear your own warm clothes if you have them. We know from experience that it can be very cold at night when you stand still outside waiting for the Northern Lights to appear. If you are unsure whether your clothes will be warm enough, it is better to spend some extra money to rent an extra layer.

You will then go in search of the Northern Lights in a mini-bus. Depending on the time of year this can be a regular minibus or a larger bus with a capacity of 30 people.

The driver will take you to a spot from where he expects to see the Northern Lights. This can be Lake Tornetraäsk, somewhere in the mountains near Brörkliden, or even further close to the border with Norway.

This is a no-frills tour, its only highlight is the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Not that that is a problem, it is the reason you do the tour in the first place.

• Warm clothing (snowsuits and boots) available to rent
• A no-frills tour
• There is a maximum of 30 participants, this is a large group
• Warm clothing is not included
• The tour is almost never canceled, not even when the odds of seeing the aurora are minimal (this is true for all tours).

A no-frills tour to see the Northern Lights. A good option if you don’t have a car or you don’t want to drive yourself at night.

Check prices and availability: Aurora Chasing Tour With Car

Northern Lights Snowmobile Trip

An aurora tour can’t go wrong once the northern lights show up in the sky.

But why not make it even more epic by doing the tour on a snowmobile ? This would for sure make it an experience of a lifetime.

And it has the added benefit that, even if the sky remains black (or grey), you still did this cool snowmobile excursion that you can brag about to your friends.

You do not need to have experience driving a snowmobile but if you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself you can join the tour in a sled pulled by a snowmobile.

Chase the Northern Lights atop a snowmobile. You can opt to drive yourself or you can share a sled with your friend or loved one and take turns driving.

• Pick-up from various locations in Abisko & Björkliden
• Warm clothing including snowsuits, helmets, balaclava, gloves, and boots
• Hot drinks and snacks
• A small-group tour of max 8 participants
• Visit places that you can’t reach with a car
• Opportunity to see wildlife

Combine 2 fun things and the result will be even more fun.

Driving your own roaring snowmobile is an item that is high on many people’s bucket lists, so why not do it here on your quest to spot the aurora?

Check prices and availability: Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour

Is An Abisko Northern Light Tour Worth It?

A tour is not a must but it can certainly be worth it, it can improve the experience of your Northern Lights adventure, as long as you pick the tour that suits you.

A no-frills tour , where you’re driven in a van to one or more vantage points, may not be worth it if you have a car and don’t mind driving yourself after dark.

In that case, you can also drive to a quiet place to enjoy the aurora yourself.

However, after dark, do not stop at the side of the E10. There are heavy trucks that might not notice you or only when it’s too late.

A photography tour is ideal if you don’t have a traditional camera or if you don’t feel comfortable using it in manual mode.

Seeing the Northern Lights can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and with the tips of the photographer/guide, you can capture your own images of this unique experience.

Lastly, there are the snowmobile tours . What we love about these is that they combine 2 exciting activities.

Seeing the Northern Lights is already so much fun, imagine what it’s like to see them from your own snowmobile.

Still, it’s never certain that you will actually see the aurora.

By doing one of these tours you can be sure that you had a great evening even if you don’t see the Northern Lights.

Do You Need To Book A Northern Lights Tour In Advance?

Not many tours are organized in Abisko, so it is best to book them in advance.

The unfortunate thing is that you don’t know what the weather will be like at the time of your tour.

However, if you wait until a few days in advance, there is a good chance that you will no longer find a tour.

To increase your chances, you can book tours on multiple days.

Remember the saying that there is an 80% chance of seeing the Northern Lights if you stay on watch for 3 days.

As you can see, there are many options for spotting the Northern Lights in Abisko. Here we have listed the main ones.

Make sure to also read our other tips for more amazing winter activities in Abisko . Abisko is known for the Northern Lights but you will be surprised by all the other experiences that await you.

Have a great winter adventure!

Aurora tours

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Small group Hunting for the Northern Lights in Reykjavík eng\rus

Golden Circle of Iceland, small group, Russian-speaking guide

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AURORA TOURS (Reykjavik) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

The 5 Best Yellowknife Northern Lights Tours [2024 Reviews]

There are few natural phenomena in the world as spectacular as the Northern Lights. Part of the draw to them is the fact that it’s pretty much impossible to predict when or even if they’re going to appear.

Sure, there are certain times in the year that are best for hunting the lights (from January to March), but if you really want to get the most impressive results, we highly recommend taking up a Northern Lights tour.

While there’s never a 100% guarantee that you’re going to see them, going with a group of experts on one of these top Yellowknife Northern Lights tours is sure to be a smart choice. Let’s get started to make sure you have a memorable experience!

Best Northern Lights Tours in Yellowknife

Quick answer: the 5 best rated yellowknife northern lights tours for 2024.

• Deluxe Coach Aurora Viewing tour
• 4-Day Yellowknife Northern Lights Viewing Tour W/ 3-Nights Accommodation
• Yellowknife Aurora Hunting Tours
• Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List
• Yellowknife Aurora Tour

Yellowknife Northern Lights Tour Reviews

1. deluxe coach aurora viewing tour.

• Duration: 4 hours
• Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
• Departure Time: 10:00 pm
• Includes:  Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks

Seeing the Northern Lights isn’t just “seeing the Northern Lights” – it’s a full experience that incorporates literally all of the senses if you do it right. Sip on some hot coffee or hot chocolate while watching a rainbow of colors swirl overhead as the wind howls around you.

If that sounds like fun to you, the Deluxe Coach Aurora Viewing Tour is right up your alley! Your tour starts out by being picked up at your hotel by a climate-controlled, luxury bus with plenty of space to move around and relax.

Along the way, the tour guide did a fantastic job of teaching everyone about the Northern Lights and Yellowknife, specifically. You’ll learn about how they’ve inspired native people for hundreds (if not longer) of years, forming an important part of many legends and gaining significant cultural importance.

You’ll be taken to the ideal location around the lake, depending on where and how the Northern Lights are predicted to appear throughout the sky. Once your group finds the best place to soak in the views, you’ll be served some tasty, hot beverages and some biscuits while sitting back and taking it all in.

We also loved how friendly the staff was, as they were more than happy to take photos of all of the guests with the Northern Lights in the background – they turned out amazing, too!

While plans could change a bit due to weather conditions (not unheard of in the coldest capital in Canada), you can expect to be back to the city around 1:30 to 2:00 am with a new perspective on Mother Nature.

It’s an amazing way to see at least 2 or 3 different locations and ways to see the Aurora Borealis, with some incredible mementos to take with you!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. 4-day yellowknife northern lights viewing tour with 3-nights accommodation.

• Duration: 4 days
• Departure Time: 4:00 pm
• Includes:  3 nights accommodation, 3 Nights Aurora Hunting Tours, complimentary hot beverages and snacks on Aurora Hunting tours, airport, hotel transfer, and Aurora tours transportation

The beauty of Canada’s legendary Northwest Territories lies beyond the bright lights of the cities, and this next tour is one of the most comprehensive ways of seeing it.

It’s perfect for spending some quality, romantic time with a significant other or just explore this wild and rugged area in a way most tourists aren’t able to. If you have a few days to dedicate to the occasion, check out the Yellowknife Northern Lights Viewing Tour including 3-Nights Accommodation !

We absolutely loved this tour because of the way it’s structured: you will partake in certain set activities like a 3-course dinner at Aurora Village and a city tour of Yellowknife.

However, you have the option of adding on many other activities, like fishing, various wildlife tours, dog-sledding, snowmobiling, hiking, and more. You get to choose those that catch your interest the most, and leave the rest to the side.

You can choose for the guide to pick you up straight from the airport, or from your hotel to bring you to hotel accommodation included in the tour. Once the sun sets, you’ll all head out into the pure, dark wilderness while you spend 4 hours hunting down the phenomenal Aurora Borealis.

The second day was the most fun for us, as it’s complete leisure time where you can explore the town on your own or choose one of the aforementioned cultural or outdoor activities. Regardless, this tour is a fantastic way of seeing the Northern Territories in a more authentic and educational way.

3. Yellowknife Aurora Hunting Tours

• Departure Time: 9:00pm – 10:00pm
• Includes: Snacks, goods and services tax

Would you like to see the Northern Lights with professional and friendly guides to lead the way? Perhaps that sounds like a blast, but you’re on a budget and still want to have a good time. In that case, the Aurora Hunting Tours are exactly what you’re looking for, creating a seamless experience for everyone!

If you want an unforgettable experience with meticulous organization, you’ll love this one! Get picked up right from your hotel lobby and head out into the wilderness on a cozy but luxurious bus.

It’s important to note that the tour company is Indigenous-owned, offering insight into their culture and the importance the Northern Lights have within it. They’ll tell you all kinds of interesting stories and educational background to make your time there even richer.

You could see a different location each night, as it all depends on the weather conditions, other tour companies, and the Aurora, itself. Once your guides find the perfect spot based on their expertise, you’ll arrive and relax while enjoying some hot beverages and snacks to tide you over.

While you should obviously dress for cold weather, we appreciated how they were thoughtful enough to bring blankets for us to keep warm with, too.

While this is a more authentic experience, that also means that you’ll be outside and likely do some walking or hiking in order to get the best view. Because of this, we probably wouldn’t recommend the tour for kids under the age of 5 or 6. If you’re worried about it being too cold, you could also opt for a day tour instead of a night one!

4.  Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List

• Departure:  4825 49th Ave, Yellowknife
• Departure Time: 9:30pm
• Includes: Snacks

We cannot say enough good things about our next tour. The Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List tour   really  should be on your bucket list if you’re looking for maximum fun and adventure!

While all of these tours are remarkable, there is just something special about this one in a way that makes you feel like you’ve become family with the other members of your party.

You’ll either be picked up by luxury van right from your hotel lobby or from the Yellowknife Airport – whatever works best for you. Each member of this world-class operation was so nice, friendly, and knowledgeable and they really went all out making sure everyone had a fantastic time.

Rather than spend your time watching the Aurora in your bus or from right outside, you’ll be hanging out in a cozy cabin complete with heating and plenty of seating.

They even serve you up a local fish chowder complete with the traditional Bannock bread that you get to enjoy while listening to stories and historical accounts by your guides who are also locals!

Plenty of teas and coffee are also provided if you need that extra energy to stay awake (though we’re sure that won’t be a problem!). We thought it was such a cool detail that they even provided costumes to partake in fun photoshoots while you wait for the Aurora Borealis to make an appearance!

If you really want to get to know about the Indigenous culture here, this tour simply cannot be beaten. It’s a tour as unique as the culture surrounding it!

5. Yellowknife Aurora Tour

• Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Departure Time: 9:30 pm
• Includes:  Cookies, Driver / Guide / Host, Professional Photography, Unlimited Photographs, Coffee and/or Tea, Guaranteed Departure of this tour

Last but certainly not least, we have the most budget-friendly tour of the bunch, which still manages to rank as one of the best in our eyes. The Yellowknife Aurora Tour  is shockingly affordable when you realize all that they offer.

In these 4 to 5 hours, you’ll get to see at least 3 different locations where you’ll get to see some of the best perspectives of the Northern Lights!

After being picked up straight from your hotel, you’ll head out into the wild and learn about how Yellowknife became a hub of northern sports like cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, and more.

The beautiful landscape of Yellowknife is perfect for all these activities because it is so far north and lacking the mountains and hills that could obstruct the view of the Northern Lights. However, this also means that you’ll fully get to enjoy the expansiveness of the rich colors as they paint throughout the dark sky.

The guides have apps to track the Aurora location and will move the van around to ensure you get a prime view – unlike many other tours that seem to just stay in once spot.

Once you arrive at your first location which will be along the Ingraham Trail, you’ll get to start out with some hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and cookies to make sure you’re nice and comfortable.

Not only that, but the tour guides are great at taking photos of guests if you’d like to get off of the coach for a while, offering a great way to remember your time there.

Yellowknife Northern Lights Viewing Tips

• When to go: The best time to see the northern lights in Yellowknife is from mid-August to mid-April.  This is when the nights are long and dark enough to give you the best visibility. The absolute peak time is from December to March when the air is clearest.
• Take a tour : There are many tour operators that will take you to see the northern lights in Yellowknife. The Deluxe Coach Aurora Viewing tour is a good choice. They will pick you up and take you to the best viewing areas in remote locations far from light pollution.
• Take a multi-day tour : You can also book a multi-day tour for 3-4 nights. You will be picked up from your hotel or Airbnb and taken to one or more viewing locations to give you the best chance of seeing them. Some locations have teepees, tents or even cabins where you can enjoy the view and warm up.
• Check the Aurora forecast : To better your odds of seeing the northern lights it’s a good idea to check the aurora forecast before leaving. There are several websites such as Aurora Watch that provide real time information on the chances of aurora activity and how visible they will be.
• Dress warm : This kind of goes without saying but you should also dress in warm winter gear and wear layers of clothing. You will need gloves, hats and winter boots. If you don’t have appropriate gear, many tour operators will rent you proper winter clothing.
• Be patient : To have the best experience, you need be flexible and patient. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that you have no control over! Visibility depends on factors such as solar activity and weather conditions. They do not always appear or they may be faint. You may get lucky and they are bright, colorful and last for hours. You need to be prepared for both scenarios!

Tour Guides

The Deluxe Coach Aurora Viewing tour is our Editors Choice for the best Yellowknife northern lights tour

Robert Baker

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Aurora Service Tours

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Aurora Service Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)