The aurora belt · YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife sits under the oval on some of the coldest, driest nights anywhere, and the local answer is a heated tipi to wait in. These 15 compare camps and drives on price, on transfer time and on how long they keep you 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.”
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 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”
This four-hour Yellowknife aurora outing begins around 9 pm with pickup from your Airbnb, hotel, or airport. Guides such as Jimmy, Jim, Momo, Mike, Bill, and Wendy may use a campsite or move between viewing spots. Hot drinks, snacks, washrooms, and photo help are included.
“We saw the Aurora !!! It was really great !! I’d recently spent over two weeks in Whitehorse and this evening was ten times brighter, and more active then anything Whitehorse had Aurora wise. I’d def. Recommend going with these guys. Jimmy and his colleague was were supper knowledgeable and friendly. Jimmy the owner and guide has been in Yellowknife for 35 years. Thanks again can’t wait for my other nights out with you guys.”
Spend three nights in Yellowknife with hotel accommodation, nightly aurora viewing, warm lodge breaks, cloud-chasing drives, free aurora photos, and a city tour. Guides such as Penny, Cindi, Tony, Amanda, and Robin have been praised for friendly service, but English communication can be limited in this Mandarin-focused group.
“Although most on the tour as well as the guides were Asians, all the guides went out of their way to make up feel included and aware of what was going on. They took as many pictures as we wanted and were extremely friendly!”
You’ll leave Yellowknife at 9:00 pm with a local guide such as Lovingson or Mr. Robinson, following weather and aurora conditions to dark-sky viewing spots. Expect a private 4.5-hour ride, warm drinks, snacks, sky stories, and flexible stops, but no guarantee of seeing the lights.
“It was a great time! Our guide was friendly, knowledgable and optimistic. While waiting for the Aurora to start, he pointed out different things to look for in the sky and told us about life in NWT. We laughed, got lots of photos, and it was very memorable. Would highly recommend this experience!”
Kevin Fowler’s four-hour Yellowknife aurora outing uses two possible private viewing sites: a remote island cabin or Prosperous Lake. Pickup is usually between 9 and 10 pm, with snacks, hot drinks, bottled water, and private transportation included. If the lights do not appear, the group may relocate.
“Awful. Awful. Awful. I have used Viator for years by booking solo and group tours in England, France, and Turkey — as examples. I have recommended this company to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Thru my latest booking with Read more”
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