Chasing Northern Lights: Exceptional Arctic Expeditions
Above the Arctic Circle
Travelling above the Arctic Circle comes with exceptional perks: chasing Northern Lights & immersing yourself in a unique culture each year from September to April. There is no way to travel North without experiencing Reindeer & Husky sledding, an Aurora hunt, or have many other experiences!
To explore the Arctic at its finest, consider travelling to one of the largest cities above the Arctic Circle - Tromsø in Northern Norway 🇳🇴, also regarded as "the Arctic Capital".
Here you'll find the most thrilling adventures in the region & connect to the Arctic livelihood!
Aurora Borealis
Known also as Northern Lights, Auroras are a natural display of light that occurs in the polar regions of the Earth. The phenomenon is caused by the interaction between charged particles from the sun and the Earth's magnetic field.
Although there are frightening tales about Auroras in Arctic folklore, the light display is one of the most fascinating phenomenons on Earth & its beauty is worth witnessing at least once in your lifetime!
Tips for Aurora Hunts
- monitor aurora forecasts and space weather predictions
- stay in remote areas with minimal light pollution
- plan your trip around the equinoxes (March & September)
- dress warmly in layers to withstand the cold Arctic temperatures
- be patient, seeing Auroras may require several nights of observation
- consider a guided tour with experienced Aurora guides who know prime viewing spots
More practical tips about ways to plan adventures in the Arctic & enhancing chances of seeing Northern Lights, here:
Top Experiences in the North
Advice: If you plan a trip in the Arctic, especially Tromsø, book the following activities in advance as the seats sell very fast here!
The presented recommendations are top & memorable experiences selected given reviews & itinerary considerations in the Arctic region.
Disclaimer: I would me immensely grateful if you consider booking these experiences through the provided links in this guide. Doing so, you can recompense my work through the small commission I can earn from your purchase without any extra cost to you. Thank you!
🦌 Reindeer Sledding
Most likely, you heard about Santa's Reindeers inhabiting the North. Home to the largest population of reindeers in Europe, Norway, is the perfect destination to become aquatinted with these animals and their connection to the Arctic livelihood.
Don't miss out on discovering Sami traditions around reindeer herding as this is part of their culture and heritage. Sami is the indigenous group of Norway, Sweden, Finland & Russia.
Some of the most popular experiences in the Arctic revolve around Reindeer Sledding.
The following tour is one of the most recommended and among the most unique reindeer experiences as you can discover plenty about the Nordic cultural diversity while simultaneously relaxing & petting reindeers! What can be better than this?
If you wish to chase Northern Lights, as you should while in the Arctic, consider merging your reindeer enthusiasm with Aurora hunting by booking this amazing day trip!
🛷 Husky Dog Sledding
Another fantastic opportunity for Arctic enthusiasts is dog sledding. Don't miss this while in Tromsø as it's one of the few places in the world where you can experience this, even under Northern Lights!
Consider embarking in the following adventure when you're in the North.
You can even go Husky Sledding while immersing in the Arctic culture!
🐋 Whale & Wildlife Sightseeing
Bet people didn't expect that you could have a unique whale sightseeing experience in the Arctic. This is one of my favourite experiences up North. There are such tours leaving the Tromsø Harbour almost daily.
Arctic wildlife sightseeing is very popular as this is the only region in Europe where you can encounter this type of fauna. Many cruises are organised around this particularity of the Arctic & you can have exemplary experiences during the sightseeing on the Norwegian fjords. These are some examples:
Combine whale & bird sightseeing through this tour:
Amongst the most best reviewed tours for whale sightseeing is the following. It does not only include a guided watching tour, but also lunch on the boat!
🌌 Northern Lights
Of course these experiences are the most searched for when travelling to Northern Norway. There are plenty of options for Aurora Hunts!
Chase the Northern Lights with tours & buses:
Alternatively, you can embark on more photography-niched Aurora tours.
Why not watch the Northern Lights on a cruise over the Norwegian fjords?
Or while petting reindeers?
🏔 Fjord Tours & Cruises
Apart from all the other unique experiences, Norway has an incredible geography. The renowned fjords are long, narrow inlets of the sea that are flanked by steep cliffs, typically formed by erosion due to glacial activity.
The most beautiful fjords in the world are in Norway and the Troms Fjord is no exception.
To observe this side of the Arctic landscape, consider taking a cruise across the fjord, a bus tour around it & why not, even, chase the Auroras while at sea!
Dive even deeper into Norwegian culture through fishing traditions while on the fjord!
✈️ Tromsø Panorama Top
A core experience in Tromsø is the Cable Car to the top of the Sorsteinen Mountain. Taking this you'll reached one of Norway's most photographed panoramas. With some luck you can even catch Northern Lights while you're at the top!
Opt to chase Auroras during an unique hike, with snacks included:
❄️ Winter Treaure
An exciting activity to include in your Arctic adventure, specific to the winter time, is exploring an Ice Hotel.
Tromsø Ice Domes is built every winter, 1h away from the city. It's definitely an epic and unique experience to have in the Arctic and can be introduced as a day-trip, as many travellers choose to!
➡️ More!
Looking for other experiences in the Arctic? For additional experiences, consult this link & search 'Tromsø'!
Guide to the Arctic Capital
For a complete guide to Tromsø & practical tips about travelling & trip planning in the Arctic to maximise your chances to see Aurora Borealis, check:
Travel Planning in the Arctic
✈️ Trip Planning Advice
More tips for Arctic Adventures ➡️ "Tromsø: Guide to the Arctic Capital" in my travel shop. This includes Tromsø recommendations & to-knows when planning journeys in the Arctic.
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Enjoy your Arctic Adventure!
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