Lapland · ROVANIEMI NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS

Rovaniemi Northern Lights Tours: The 15 Best Aurora Chases

141 tours  ·  from $57 a head

Seeing the aurora comes down to clear sky and patience. These 15 differ on how far the guide will drive to find a gap in the cloud, what happens if the sky stays shut, and whether there is a fire and something hot waiting while you look up.

Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Tour with Guaranteed Sightings - Chasing clear skies beyond Rovaniemi
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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Tour with Guaranteed Sightings

1.Northern Lights Tour with Guaranteed Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,836 reviews · 8 hours · from $164Our pick

From Rovaniemi, a certified guide takes a group of up to eight people in a heated 4x4 van to hunt for clear skies, sometimes across the Swedish or Norwegian border. The search can last 6 to 10 hours, with thermal overalls, hot drinks and DSLR photos included. Guides such as Matteo, Daria and Aneeq have been praised for their patience and photography.

“We got really lucky and don’t trust the forecast as they do drive for hours to try and find the northern lights. Very successful (see pics) and great experience, only suggestion for our time of year is to bring extra gloves / socks and hand warmers as it was numbing cold if taking photos for too long. The berry tea is also amazing in the region, which we had to warm us up.”

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Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage - Guides, explanations, and photos
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Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage

2.Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,321 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $228Top rated

Set out from Rovaniemi at 7 pm with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at eight. The aurora hunt can mean a long drive, sometimes beyond Finland, as guides check conditions and search for clearer skies. Winter gear and hotel pickup are included; guides such as Dylan, Aneeq, and Beata have also helped with aurora photos.

“The experience was great. Truly apprecite our guide Linas’s efforts to make our trip as enjoyable as possible! We took many photos of the magnificent aurora that night! The only comment we have is the vehicle - we were seated in the front with limited space. The seat cushion was a bit hard and it became uncomfortable in the later part of the 8-hour car journey. My companion (6 foot 2 in height) also reported not having enough legroom in the front middle seat. Perhaps could consider arranging a bigger vehicle in future trips?”

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Rovaniemi: Lapland Northern Lights Tour with BBQ - The wait is part of the Northern Lights hunt
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Rovaniemi: Lapland Northern Lights Tour with BBQ

3.Lapland Northern Lights Tour with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,569 reviews · 3 hours · from $81Best value

Head from central Rovaniemi into a dark forest or lakeside setting with an English-speaking guide, then wait for the Northern Lights beside a campfire. The three-hour outing includes winter overalls and boots, Lappish bread, pork sausages, salmon soup, and hot blueberry tea. Guides vary by departure; past guides have included Oscar, Esther, and Matthias.

“At first, I didn't expect that I can see the northern lights because of the cloudy and snowy weather, but when I arrived at the camp site, it became clear night and the northern lights and stars appeared. That was a wonderful experience. BBQ was also great. It was cozy and relaxing.”

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Rovaniemi: Small-Group Northern Lights Wilderness Tour - A small group makes the cold easier to manage
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Rovaniemi: Small-Group Northern Lights Wilderness Tour

4.Small-Group Northern Lights Wilderness Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,515 reviews · 4 hours · from $136

Leave Rovaniemi with an English-speaking aurora guide and up to seven other participants, checking as many as three spots for clear skies. Warm winter clothing, boots, a campfire snack and guide-shot camera photos are included. The four-hour outing costs $136 per person, but the lights themselves are never guaranteed.

“Must Do Activity with a very good Guide. Very nice moments shared in a so beatiful landscape. We would had appreciate a Private Group Option, even at higher price as an improvement”

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Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Snowmobile Safari with Campfire - Looking for lights, with no guarantee
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Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Snowmobile Safari with Campfire

5.Aurora Borealis Snowmobile Safari with Campfire

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,108 reviews · 4 hours · from $163

Set out from Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide for about two hours on a shared snowmobile, riding through dark forests and open winter country. You’ll get warm overalls, boots, gloves, a helmet and balaclava, then stop for hot juice and cookies by a fire. Guides such as Arto and Tamam have led outings, but the aurora depends on the weather.

“Snowmobiling was fun, we didn’t see the lights which we expected because it was cloudy, but part of the reason we booked this tour was so that we could still have fun on the snowmobiles which we did! Super fun and really enjoyed it”

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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Pro Guaranteed - Unlimited Distance - An evening that can stretch to dawn
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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Pro Guaranteed – Unlimited Distance

6.Northern Lights Pro Guaranteed – Unlimited Distance

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 754 reviews · 4 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $240

Join up to seven others and an aurora guide for a flexible hunt that can travel as far as 400 km from Rovaniemi, including into Sweden if conditions call for it. Pickup within 10 km of the city center, thermal clothing, hot drinks and professional photos are included. Expect a long, cold night, with the return time shaped by the sky.

“We had an amazing experience with our Northern lights guide, Ali. His knowledge and experience really showed and he knew exactly where and when to go for the best chances of seeing the lights. His great energy made the whole experience fun, relaxed and unforgettable. Highly recommended!”

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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Sledge Ride - Finding a dark sky, and accepting the clouds
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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Sledge Ride

7.Northern Lights Sledge Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 735 reviews · 3 hours · from $90

From Rovaniemi, join an English-speaking guide for a three-hour aurora outing that includes a two-hour sledge ride through the Arctic forest and stops at places with darker skies. Winter overalls, boots, gloves, a helmet, and a balaclava are provided. The lights are never guaranteed, but the quiet snowy ride is part of the reward.

“Excellent and amazing in every way! The organization, the hospitality, the dedication that this group had to ensuring we had a fabulous time was outstanding. Of course, the incredible Aurora Borealis didn’t hurt. 10/10. Thank you 😘🙌”

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Rovaniemi: Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis - Getting into the floating suit
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Rovaniemi: Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis

8.Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 614 reviews · from $142

Spend 2.5 hours on an English-guided outing from Rovaniemi, floating in an insulated survival suit on a winter lake. Your guide handles the safety briefing and can help with photos. Aurora sightings depend on the weather and solar activity, but the quiet float is worthwhile on its own. Hot drinks and gingerbread follow.

“Great service . No dramas was nice ro see my guide again today”

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Rovaniemi: Aurora Hunt - Free Photos, 100% Guaranteed Refund - What the viewing stops are like
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Rovaniemi: Aurora Hunt – Free Photos, 100% Guaranteed Refund

9.Aurora Hunt – Free Photos, 100% Guaranteed Refund

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 610 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $104

From Rovaniemi, guides such as Dennis, Anni, Matias, and others track cloud and aurora conditions, then drive to clearer skies, sometimes as far as Sweden. Expect a long, cold evening, hot drinks, professional photos delivered within three days, and a refund or free return tour if you see nothing.

“Excellent Northern Lights tour with an outstanding guide. When conditions in Finland weren’t ideal, he made the smart decision to take us into Sweden, which made all the difference. He was knowledgeable, professional, and well-organized, explaining the science behind the aurora while ensuring everyone felt comfortable. His passion truly enhanced the experience. Highly recommended.”

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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Group Tour - Guaranteed View - At the viewing spot: waiting, warmth and photos
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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Group Tour – Guaranteed View

10.Northern Lights Group Tour – Guaranteed View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $129

From central Rovaniemi, aurora guides use weather and solar data to choose stops, sometimes driving up to 400 km. Expect a 4 to 6 hour hunt, hot juice, cookies, thermal clothing and professional photos. Groups range from minivans of up to 8 to heated buses for larger parties. Guides vary; Ali, Luca and Julia have led tours.

“Great venture to experience the northern lights. Our guides Luca, Heikki, Jake were extremely patient and provided us with a spectacular viewing of the lights.”

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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Small Group Money-Back Guarantee - Two or three viewpoints, not a fixed itinerary
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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Small Group Money-Back Guarantee

11.Northern Lights Small Group Money-Back Guarantee

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 439 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $156

Travel from Rovaniemi in a van with a small group of up to eight, following cloud and solar forecasts to hunt for clear skies in Finnish or Swedish Lapland. Guides such as Emin, Han and Chevo drive to changing viewpoints and take aurora photos. Expect snacks, berry tea and a late return, but no guaranteed sighting.

“The tour started at 6:45pm. The van is very confortable and warm (very important). The driver/guide Emin hunted the Aurora until 5am, when we are able to see the ligths, and was amazing. He kept looking for the ligths until 7:30am. All the group could have professional photos with Aurora!”

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Rovaniemi Northern Lights Photography Small-Group Tour - Picking up gear and getting oriented
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Rovaniemi Northern Lights Photography Small-Group Tour

12.Rovaniemi Northern Lights Photography Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 409 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $175

Spend about six hours chasing the Aurora Borealis from Rovaniemi with Beyond Arctic, in a group of 2 to 8. Your guide checks weather and aurora forecasts, then chooses where to drive, sometimes well beyond town. Warm clothing, hot drinks, snacks, photography help, and edited photos are included. Guides such as Natasa, Juhani, and Leevi have led outings.

“Thank you so much Leevi. It was an amazing trip. We experienced the aurora lighting while travelling itself, like in first 10 mins. Our guide,Leevi, took us to final destination and voila we got to see the aurora dancing for hours, low n high, red n green. Photographs- more than us our guide was excited to get best clicks of us n aurora, which ai personally appreciate as I am not the one who likes to get photographed Fire n snacks- A-ma-Zingggg. Love the snacks n hot drinks. The way we all strangers got along to build fire was incredible. Had the most fun loving group from literally every continent.…”

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Rovaniemi: Guided Northern Lights Tour - Waiting beneath a northern sky
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Rovaniemi: Guided Northern Lights Tour

13.Guided Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 405 reviews · 2 hours · from $84

Head into the countryside outside Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide to look for the Northern Lights. The two-hour outing includes transport, winter overalls, boots and gloves, plus juice and cookies. Guides such as Rafael, Diana and Cecilia have led past tours, but the aurora is never guaranteed, and the route depends on conditions.

“Well in short it was an amazing experience with or without the Northern lights. We got packed in warm clothes from the company so that we survive the cold. Then we went to the location by the river with a full moon but covered with cloud above us. there were bonfires so we had hot berry juice, cookies and bbq marshmallows. The day had a very strong activity for the light show but then the sky was covered with snow. The company waited for the sky to clear more than the assigned time of the trip. More than half of the group left after few hours because of the cold.…”

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From Rovaniemi: Night Tour in Search of the Aurora with BBQ - The honest trade-off: aurora is never guaranteed
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From Rovaniemi: Night Tour in Search of the Aurora with BBQ

14.Night Tour in Search of the Aurora with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 337 reviews · from $85

Travel from Rovaniemi to three Arctic locations in search of the Northern Lights, with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and a campfire barbecue of sausages, Finnish pie, cookies, and marshmallows. Guides Daria and Anna have been praised for their help and friendly manner, and your guide may take photos for you. The aurora is never guaranteed.

“We had the most amazing experience and got to see the Aurora Borealis vividly in both spots! Our tour guide Daria was great! She took pictures of everyone with her iPhone and sent them to people individually! She was also very knowledgeable and friendly. A lovely BBQ wity sausages, pastries, cookies and marshmallows were also served around a campfire. I highly recommend this experience!”

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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Photography Tour & BBQ - A photographer’s help, not just a camera lesson
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Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Photography Tour & BBQ

15.Northern Lights Photography Tour & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 326 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $104

Meet in central Rovaniemi, then ride 10 to 60 miles into the forest with an English-speaking guide and Aurora photographer. Learn camera tips and local stories, pause for reindeer sausage, marshmallows, and hot blueberry juice, and receive your photos by email. Winter overalls and boots are included, but Northern Lights sightings depend on weather and solar activity.

“To be honest, it is quite disappointing regarding the service and organization. 1. I input the pick up address with No.29 house and the driver went to no.2, luckily we contacted the service team immediately and got picked up. 2. Then the driver dropped us at the office then he disappeared. We were confused and don’t know what to do, the spot is a chaos and people from different group followed the different guides. We have to contact the service team again and was told to just ask a random stuff in the office and they will tell us what to do. 3. The sausage and blueberry tea are fine,…”

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Beyond the town lights

Pick a sky, a sled or a frozen lake.