NORTHERN LIGHTS · IVALO NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 6 Ivalo northern lights tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before the card comes out.
From Ivalo, Tina and Tapio's small family company takes you by minibus to Koppelo, then by covered snowmobile sleigh to a private island on Lake Inari. Meet and feed reindeer, warm up in a traditional cottage or teepee, and eat homemade fish, reindeer, or vegetarian food by the fire while watching for the Northern Lights.
Spend four hours chasing clear skies around Inari and Ivalo with local guides such as Samuel, Juha, and Jukkis. Your driver adjusts the route using cloud and aurora forecasts, making repeated stops when needed. Warm drinks, a light snack, and a short lesson on photographing the lights are included.
“Our guide Samuel was very determined to get us to see the aurora lights, which we did thanks to his profesionalism! He warmed us up after being outside for a time, offering us also a delicious drink and snack. He helped us take great photos, and after our activity he kindly took us to our accommodation. We really recommend to everyone searching for an aurora hunt tour, to book this one!!!”
Travel from Saariselkä to Koppelo, change into thermal gear, and ride a reindeer-hide-covered sleigh across the frozen wilderness. Hosts Tina and Tapio offer an authentic island visit, reindeer feeding, and a campfire meal of local fish or reindeer. Aurora sightings depend on clear skies.
“Het was een zeer leuke activiteit. Zeer goede gids waar we veel informatie gekregen hebben van de lokale bevolking. Het noorderlicht hebben we maar heel lichtjes gezien want het was een bewolkte dag. Ter compensatie hebben we wel een gat gemaakt in het ijs. Het eten was super lekker van smaak. Zeer tof als je van kampvuur houd en van avontuur. Aanrader!”
Meet at Xwander Basecamp in Ivalo for a four-hour Aurora workshop and night drive. Guides such as Anne and Quentin explain the science, Sámi cultural connections, forecasts, and camera settings, then search the Inari area for clear skies. Transfers, snacks, hot drinks, and guide photos are included.
“This activity was amazing! The guide was very nice and friendly, and she told us many interesting things about the Northern Lights, the area, and its people. I would recommend this experience to everyone!”
At Ilonka Farm near Ivalo, you harness a friendly husky to a special walking belt and follow it through the Lappish forest for 60 to 90 minutes. The small group, capped at six, pauses for aurora watching, stars, or moonlight before returning for a warm drink and snack. English and Finnish guidance is available.
“Superaardige gids en de honden zijn zo sociaal en lief! Heerlijke knuffels, goede leiders. En we hadden het geluk om het noorderlicht te zien. Prachtige excursie!”
You’ll spend three hours hunting the aurora by minivan with English-speaking guides such as Johanna and Niilo. The route links possible viewing spots around Ivalo, Inari, and Saariselkä, with about two hours on the road and one hour by an open fire for sausages, tea, hot chocolate, or homemade berry juice. A reindeer-farm stop may add a memorable local touch.
“We had an amazing experience. The guide, Johanna, was very friendly and spoke English well. We were picked up from the hotel in Inari and then drove to several viewpoints to search for the Northern Lights. In between, we visited her reindeer while enjoying a warm drink and a snack, where we also met her friendly reindeer calf, Unto. When the Northern Lights became more visible, we drove to the final viewpoint in Ivalo, where the Northern Lights were incredibly beautiful. Beautiful photos were taken as well. All in all, an amazing experience and definitely highly recommended!”
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