The aurora belt · CANADA
Yellowknife and Whitehorse sit deep inside the oval on cold, dry nights, and the local answer to waiting is a heated tipi. These 15 compare the camps, the drives and the photography nights, priced and clear about how long you are out.
You’ll ride with North Star Adventures for about four hours, following weather and aurora conditions instead of a fixed route. Guides such as Joe and Brendan share local knowledge while the group searches remote viewing spots. Pickup is included from selected Yellowknife hotels and B&Bs, with a maximum of 12 people.
“We were lucky enough to spot them , Brendon is an amazing hunter really sweet clicked photos of us ( honeymoon) trip. This was surreal”
You’ll leave Yellowknife around 9:30 p.m. with a guide such as Wilson, Rosa, Pei, or Teresa, stopping at three dark-sky locations to seek the aurora. Hotel and B&B pickup, free professional photos, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and cookies are included. Airport pickup is not available.
“We had a successful night chasing lights. The lights were out early. Wilson was very pleasant. Its important to put on all your warm layers. Because we were in and out of the van, I thought I had enough on. But the night is cold and very quickly it felt very cold (was -39 or 40 with windchill). Cycling in and out of the van is a factor too. Lights typically come out between 11 and 2.. ours were out early (9:30) and so by 1am - the evening felt long and a bit tedious.”
Join The Aurora Borealis Experience in Yellowknife for a 4 to 6 hour evening hunt by mini coach. Guides such as Julian and Sheldon chase clearer skies, stop at several viewing spots, serve hot drinks and cookies, and take professional photos of you under the aurora. Dress very warmly.
“Worst tour we've ever had! It was a very cold night with super clear sky and high chance to see the northern lights. 20 minutes before scheduled trip the tour company send a big bus, instead of a mini coach as it promised online, to pickup us, spending more than 30 minutes and stopped many times to pick up other people before the trip started. The driver driven around without any explanations or information and finally stopped at a dark and cold place by a lake. When we asked how long we'd stay there the tour guide rudly said "what's the problem with you guys! If you want to leave…”
Tracy and Sim host a small-group evening at a private boreal-forest cabin near Yellowknife. Expect hotel or airport pickup, fish chowder, fresh bannock, hot drinks, Indigenous clothing for photos, local stories, and a chance to see the aurora from a warm rustic base.
“The cozy cabin aurora viewing was so very enjoyable! Our hostess prepared a delicious fish chowder and bannon and a special treat in the hot chocolate! Her fur coat collection is unmatched all available to wear for photos! Mother Nature’s light show was hindered by the clouds - but the entire experience was just what we wanted to celebrate Christmas - intimate where hospitality is a habit!”
Ride from your Yellowknife accommodation along the Ingraham Trail with an English or Chinese-speaking guide. Stop at several dark-sky locations, warm up with cocoa and cookies, and get free aurora portraits from the onboard photographer. Guides such as Wilson, Pei, and Ahmed are praised for patient photo help.
“We are quite happy to have a chance to see northern lights. The view we had on the second night was amazing and breathtaking. Sean was very considerate, knowledgable and taking care of everything we needed. Sean, thank you so much. We would like to join this tour again if possible．”
Ride from Yellowknife to Prelude, Prosperous, and Yellowknife River territorial parks while guides such as Janet, Angus, Floris, and Iris search for clear skies. Expect a warm bus, snacks, hot drinks, camera help, and shared aurora photos, with an English tour and Mandarin support reported on some departures.
“Guide Iris and driver Ben were so accommodating and enthusiastic. We had an awesome time and saw a lot. They also helped us with the photos. We were very happy to have booked this tour!!”
Spend about four hours at Madeline Lake Lodge near Yellowknife, stepping outside for northern lights views and warming up indoors between sightings. Guides such as Mo, Tina, Peter, and Leon help with timing and photography. If clouds move in, a heated bus heads to another territorial park.
“This tour is very different from the typical aurora chase. Instead of spending most of the night driving between locations, we stayed primarily at the lodge, which made the experience calm and comfortable. We could step outside when the lights appeared and then return indoors to warm up, have hot chocolate, and relax. The lodge setup works especially well for groups, as people can sit together, chat, and wait for the aurora in a cozy setting rather than standing in the cold. It felt unhurried and well thought out, and is a great option for anyone who prefers a more laid back and social Northern Lights experience.”
Meet at the Sternwheeler Hotel for a 270-minute late-night Aurora Borealis outing. A bilingual English and Spanish guide drives you to a private viewing site with a warm cabin, restrooms, snacks, hot drinks, and photography help.
Leave Whitehorse at 11:20 pm for a four-and-a-half-hour aurora hunt at Arctic Range Adventure’s dark-sky viewing center. Expect hotel pickup, warm cabins, hot drinks, snacks, fireside time, guide support, and possible camera help from staff such as Eli, Akino, Kei, or Jessica.
“It's awesome but all dependent on the weather so pick the evening carefully. We were very fortunate to see what we had seen. The photos were taken by the guides so have many taken and pick that perfect photo which is well worth buying. Tripods were available for time lapse photography to capture the light so bring a real camera if you have one. :earn to take time lapse photos before going. It's very very cold out so make sure you dress for it. Many thanks to Pascal for taking that perfect photo of us.”
Tracy and Derrick take you by warm coach from Yellowknife to a cozy bush cabin about 15 to 20 minutes away. You can watch for the Aurora from a large yard, warm up indoors with fish chowder and bannock, borrow northern clothing, and receive free night-sky photos.
“This tour is an absolute must. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but we were beyond thrilled with the overall experience. Our tour guide/Owner, was such an absolute gem, and her cooking skills are par none. From stories of growing up around Canada, to having the northern lights show her Herself, it was more than we could’ve expected. We will absolutely be back. if I could give more than five stars, I would.”
Spend four days in Whitehorse with three evening aurora outings, a city tour, three hotel nights, airport transfers, and free time for dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or ice fishing. Guides provide warm shelters, fires, drinks, snacks, chairs, and camera help.
“Don’t go to Whitehorse for Northern Lights, trust me as an Aurora Chaser who does this all over the world . Gorgeous Mountain View’s but terrible for Northern lights. I could go on and on about why but just trust me . It’s located to far south, mountains /landscape brings a lot of clouds/cloudy nights can’t see Aurora really through clouds. I was there for three weeks out all night every night 90% of the time all you get is a faint green arch low on horizon , not the shapes and movement that we all see on the gram and want to see. Go to Yellowknife is is so…”
Spend four hours chasing the northern lights near Yellowknife with guide Mo or another English or Chinese-speaking guide. Wait in a warm Madeline Lake lodge with hot drinks, games, Wi-Fi, proper washrooms, and free digital photos.
“Guide crew were great lodge was warm and cozy. Great trip jan 26 2026”
Join Luke, Tina, or another Aurora Bus Tours guide for a 4 to 5 hour hunt across Yellowknife’s dark lakes and parks. Shared hotel pickup, snacks, wilderness first-aid-trained guides, and professional photos are included, with groups capped at 24.
“This was the second night of aurora hunting for our family. Our operator proved his skill the first night, but it can be hit or miss. Our prayers were answered because the second night was excellent. We stayed out until about 1:30, and he saved the best for last. It was a really awesome experience, and I’ll let the pictures say the rest.”
You will spend five days in Yellowknife with airport transfers, three aurora outings, ice fishing with a fish-fry lunch, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and a city tour. Guides including Leon, Mimi, Mo, Peter, and Willie may assist. Winter clothing is free when booked 45 days early.
“It is an excellent tour, the activities are very well planned and the tour leaders are very well prepared. I thank Leon, Mo and Willie for their attention. A highly recommended package.Auto-translated”
You’ll ride from Banff or Canmore into Banff National Park with guides such as Pam and Denise, stopping at dark-sky sites for stars, planets, and possible Aurora. Blankets, loungers, hot drinks, headlamps, cleats, and a telescope are provided.
“This was a wonderful experience despite the mostly cloudy conditions. The guides shared their knowledge and identified certain visible constellations, set up a scope for us to get a closer view, warmed us up with hot chocolate and spiced tea. Then a surprise activity that we were able to capture on our smart phone cameras. But I will not provide the details so that others can experience the activity firsthand.”
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