13 Winter Aurora Activities in the World to Build a Night Around

1.Tromso Aurora Hunt with Bonfire, Soup, Winter Gear & Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,290 reviews · 5 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $226Our pick

Join an English-speaking guide from central Tromsø for a 5 to 8 hour Aurora chase by minibus. Thermal suits, boots, soup, bonfire, photography tips, souvenir photos, and set drop-offs are included. The route may reach Finland, so bring your passport.

“Had a great time. Magda was extremely knowledgeable and knew a great private backup spot when the first place we went was too crowded. The lights were amazing.”

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2.Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Anchorage to Fairbanks One Way

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $259

Travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks by Alaska Railroad, leaving at 8:30 am and arriving around 8:00 pm. Expect big windows, snowy backcountry, Denali and Alaska Range views, optional dining, and useful commentary from onboard staff such as Andy and Laura.

“What a wonderful experience. Nice staff that narrated the entire trip (knowledgeable local info, plus wildlife spotting and alerting passengers where to look). Great food and service in the dining car; snacks available the entire trip. No worry travel with the granddaughter who loved the train.”

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3.Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Fairbanks to Anchorage One Way

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $259

Spend about 12 hours aboard the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage. You get reserved seating, baggage service, large picture windows, onboard commentary, and optional dining. Watch for Denali, the Nenana and Susitna rivers, remote cabins, wildlife, and the 296-foot bridge over Hurricane Gulch.

“My sister and I caught the train from Fairbanks to Anchorage as a more scenic way to head south. It was very seamless booking and then transacting with our voucher - no issues at all! The train was clean, the food served (not included) as pretty good and you can't beat the scenery! There was intermittent commentary which was perfect - not too much, but tidbits along the way... Whilst this was a long trip (12 hours), I'm really glad we did it! So much more scenic than a flight!”

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4.Yellowknife Winter 5 Days 4 Nights: Aurora and Day Activities

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $960

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”

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5.Northern Lights Hunting Snowshoe Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 26 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $111

Join Safartica for a 2.5-hour evening snowshoe walk near Saariselkä. Your English-speaking guide teaches snowshoe basics, leads you into dark snowy nature, provides warm clothing and hot drinks, and watches for the northern lights. Guide Teemo has also shared animal tracks and prepared hot chocolate outdoors.

“Belle activité, le guide s’est adapté à nos conditions physiques et nos envies de randonnée donc c’etait parfait.”

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6.Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $198

Spend about three hours seeking whales from Reykjavik, then return for a two-hour evening aurora cruise. An English-speaking guide explains local wildlife and the Northern Lights. Warm overalls, blankets, crew photos, and a free return option are included, while food, drinks, and hotel transfers cost extra.

“It was a bit cold and rainy when we went, but I love the water so it was nice to be out. The whale watcher was very knowledgeable, and shared a few facts that I will remember. While I did not get to see any whales, watching the dolphins were nice. I wouldn’t recommend unless you just needed to fill time. Also, the ladies at the front desk were not clear with what would happen to my tour since weather cancelled the northern lights portion of the tour, and I missed the first boat going out. I was rebooked for 4 hours later, but I would’ve preferred a refund.”

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7.Snowshoe Trek with Aurora Hunt and Warm Beverage

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 3 hours · from $143

Meet Kiruna Guidetur near Scandic Hotel, gear up in insulated overalls, boots, snowshoes, and poles, then follow an English-speaking guide into the snowy forest. Guides such as Jonna, Ronja, Kevin, and Carsten add nature and wilderness insight, with a hot drink, sandwich, and possible fire stop along the way.

“Everything on this tour. Ronja is an excellent and most motivated guide. She knows a lot about culture, about the survival in the wilderness, about nature and so many things more. It was a very pleasant trip and we enjoyed every minute of it! Mother nature was on our side and we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the nothern light! Thank you for leading us so well 😍👏🏼”

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8.Aurora Snowshoe Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 4 hours · from $183

Join a small group of up to eight for a three-hour guided snowshoe hike near Ersfjordbotn. Guides such as Truls, Eirik, and Fabian lead the outing in English or Norwegian, with snowshoes, poles, transport, a snack, and a hot drink included.

“Truls was great! We did an amazing hike, learned a bunch, and saw some fabulous auroras. He took some great photos and taught us how to take decent ones on our phones as well. 6 stars all around!!”

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9.Rovaniemi Winter Activities & Northern Lights!

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $45Best value

Spend an evening at Northern Lights Park, 30 minutes from Rovaniemi, with reindeer, kick-sleds, snowshoes, toboggans, a frozen lake, and tepee fires. Hosts Mer and Anti create a relaxed family-run setting, with optional snowmobiles, ice fishing, sauna, and ice swimming.

“Amazing ! the staff are so lovely, we really enjoyed your stay there 🥰 we managed to see the northenlights. we definitely recommand them”

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10.Sälen: Northern Lights Snowshoe Adventure with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $165

Meet your guide at your Sälen hotel, ride to the foot of Köarskärsfjället, and walk into the snow with poles and snowshoes. Guides such as Johanna and Andreas add local insight and photo help. Expect a small group, hot drinks, a Swedish wrap, and a real chance of clouds or no aurora.

“Hyggelig tur med mulighed for at se nordlys. Husk at moder natur ikke kan udstikke en garanti for at man kan se det. Det er KOLDT, så klæd dig godt på. Vores guide, Johanna, var enormt god, og da hun er fotograf til hverdag, kunne hun også hjælpe lidt med fotografering. Vi fik ikke rigtigt set nordlyset, men det er ikke hverken guiden eller selskabets skyld. Det er et sats man må tage. Det var rigtigt hyggeligt omkring bålet med varm kakao, kanelbullar og ristede skumfiduser.”

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11.Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 days · from $350

Spend two days with guide Sigi exploring Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Grjótagjá, Hverarönd, Dimmuborgir, and Skútustaðagígar, then hunt for the Northern Lights outside Akureyri. An EasyJet airport shuttle is included, while the Nature Baths cost extra.

“Excellent in all aspects. Pick up easy and straightforward. Northern lights evening and Myvatn trips lead by Sigi who kept us informed and entertained. Great lights show and the lake trip was excellent with lots of interesting stops never feeling rushed and plenty of time to explore. The baths were closed for refurbishment so drive 45 mins for an alternative we opted to not do this as been in the forest lagoon the evening prior, but sigi dropped us in a local town to explore whilst others visited the baths.”

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12.Northern Lights Snowshoe Hike in Levi with Latvian Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $116

Leave Levi’s lights behind for a three-hour snowshoe walk with a small group of up to eight. Guide Mikus has led this outing with hot tea, homemade treats, and helpful Northern Lights photography. The pace stays relaxed, but the lights are never guaranteed.

“We had a great time in the woods at a freezing night out to search for the northern lights (which luckily appeared on a starry night sky with an almost full moon) with Mikus who is a fantastic guide and brought hot tea and brownies with selfmade honey! He also did great photographs of us once the lights where out.”

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13.Northern Lights Electric Snow-Scooter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $158

From Rovaniemi, you’ll change into warm gear before riding an Electric Reindeer through snowy woodland to an Aurora Cabin. English-speaking guides lead this small-group outing for up to eight people, with reindeer, hot glögi, Finnish snacks, and a chance to see the northern lights.

“Great experience! Very very good guidance and service. Thank you so much.”

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