Northern Lights Tour Finland

This tour operates from December to April, with March being the optimal month. March offers the best balance of aurora frequency, comfortable temperatures (around -5°C to -10°C), reliable snow cover for winter activities, and longer daylight hours for exploring during the day. December and January are darker and colder, while February brings increasing daylight. April sees melting snow but still offers aurora viewing opportunities.

The base package includes 6 nights' accommodation (with one night in a glass cabin), private airport transfers, daily breakfast, five different Northern Lights hunting tours (photography tour, ice floating, snowmobile safari, reindeer safari, snowshoe tour), husky safari, English-speaking local guides, and 24/7 local support. The price does not include international flights, lunches and dinners (except where noted), travel insurance, tips, or winter clothing rental (available for an additional fee).

Yes, this itinerary is designed to be flexible and customizable. You can upgrade accommodations from 3-star to 4-star or 5-star options, add extra nights in any destination, include additional activities like ice fishing, extend your trip to Norway or Sweden, or adjust the departure dates. Contact us to discuss your preferences and receive a personalized quote.

Most activities on this tour are suitable for participants with moderate fitness levels. The Northern Lights tours involve standing or sitting outdoors in cold weather for 3-5 hours. Husky safaris require controlling a dog sled (shared between two people), snowmobile safaris require a valid driver's license, and snowshoeing involves walking on snow for 2-3 hours. Ice floating is low-impact, as you'll be wearing a rescue suit. Specific fitness requirements can be discussed when booking.

While we cannot control weather or aurora activity, our local guides actively monitor conditions and adjust tour routes each evening to maximize chances of clear skies. The tour visits three different regions, increasing the likelihood of favorable conditions on at least some nights. If aurora activity is low, guides will still provide engaging experiences with wilderness exploration, cultural insights, and photography opportunities. The natural beauty of Lapland's winter landscape is remarkable even without the lights.

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are a natural light phenomenon caused by charged solar particles colliding with gases in Earth's atmosphere near the magnetic poles. Finland's location within the Aurora Zone (65-72°N latitude) and above the Arctic Circle makes it one of the world's premier viewing destinations. Finnish Lapland experiences minimal light pollution and offers Aurora displays on approximately 4 out of 5 clear nights during peak season (December-March), according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The lights appear most commonly as green curtains or arcs, though purple, pink, and white variations can also occur depending on atmospheric composition and altitude of the particle collisions.

Finnish Lapland offers several advantages over alternative destinations: accessibility (excellent flight connections to Rovaniemi), diverse accommodation options (glass igloos, aurora cabins, hotels), reliable infrastructure, and a probability of seeing the Aurora on 75-90% of clear nights during winter. Compared to Iceland (more unpredictable weather patterns and coastal climate), Norway's Tromsø (higher costs and coastal weather variability), or Sweden's Abisko (excellent microclimate but more remote location), Finnish Lapland balances accessibility, viewing probability, and authentic Arctic experiences with activities like husky safaris, reindeer encounters, and Sámi cultural immersion. Additionally, Finland's position within the Aurora Oval provides consistent viewing opportunities throughout the winter season.

This tour includes a professional Northern Lights photography session on Day 1. To capture the Aurora, you'll need a camera with manual settings (DSLR or mirrorless), a sturdy tripod, wide-angle lens (14-24mm ideal), and spare batteries (cold drains power quickly). Recommended settings: ISO 1600-3200, aperture f/2.8 or wider, shutter speed 10-30 seconds, manual focus set to infinity. Our guides provide instruction and will photograph you under the lights as well, with images delivered via email.

This tour is suitable for most fitness levels, though temperatures can reach -15°C to -25°C during winter months. We recommend consulting your physician if you have cardiovascular concerns, as cold exposure and physical activities (snowmobiling, snowshoeing) require moderate exertion.  All activities include safety briefings, and our guides carry first aid equipment and emergency communication devices. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended for Arctic travel.