Whether you want to go on a northern lights tour or just travel around the Arctic, there are plenty of great places to go. Some of these places are located in Scandinavian Lapland and Russia, while others are located in Alaska and Australia. There are even Arctic Circle cruises that take you to these destinations.
Arctic Circle cruises
Seeing the northern lights is a bucket list item for many travelers. Luckily, there are cruises that will give you an opportunity to see the Aurora. These cruises are designed to track lights above the Arctic Circle.
While there are some dedicated trips that are designed to hunt for the aurora, many cruises include a northern lights package as part of the itinerary. Many cruises are scheduled around the new moon, which increases the chances of seeing the northern lights.
One of the best Arctic Circle cruises is offered by Saga Cruises. This cruise includes a husky sledding ride, reindeer sledding, a remote fire-lit camp, and an overnight stay in Tromso.
Another Arctic Circle cruise is offered by Hurtigruten. The company offers the Northern Lights Promise, which is a 12-day scenic route. The route visits remote Arctic sites in Norway and Greenland. This cruise also includes stops in Tromso, Alta, and Bodo.
Other destinations include the Faroe Islands, which are located in the North Atlantic Ocean. These islands are volcanic archipelagos. The islands are known for their whale habitat and incredible natural features.
The best time for northern lights viewing is in the late autumn/early winter. This is also when most cruises depart, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to see the lights. Some cruises also offer Polar Nights, where the ship lights up to show travelers the northern lights.
Scandinavian Lapland
Seeing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia can be an amazing experience. These lights are caused by an interaction between solar winds and the Earth's magnetic field. The colours vary depending on the type of atoms involved. Some colours can be lilac, bluish green, or neon green. The colours also depend on the distance to the lights.
There are several places in Scandinavia where you can go to see the Northern Lights. The best place to see them is in the far north of Sweden, where the town of Kiruna sits. Other places include Norway's Finnmark and Lapland in Finland.
If you want to see the northern lights, you'll need to plan ahead. The best way to ensure you'll have an opportunity to see the aurora is to book a tour. Many hotels offer wake-up calls for the Northern lights. If you're not keen on a tour, you can stay in a wooden cottage for a reasonable price.
If you're more keen on winter activities, you can ski, go dog-sledding, or snowshoeing. The best time to see the northern lights is in November and March. The darker the nights, the better your chances.
There are a number of hotels in Sweden that offer wake-up calls for the Northern Lights. You can also catch an overnight train to the Arctic Circle, which takes two to three days. You can book a hotel in Stockholm, Helsinki, or Rovaniemi.
Tromso, Norway
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Tromso, Norway is a great place to see the northern lights. The city is located in the heart of the auroral zone, which is the region of Norway where the Aurora Borealis is most likely to appear. The best time to see the northern lights is during September or October, when the sun is low in the sky, making the skies dark and the conditions perfect for seeing them.
Tromso is also home to the Tromso Ice Domes, a hotel located in the Tamok Valley that offers nighttime snowshoe tours looking for the Northern Lights. At the Ice Domes, guests can enjoy a meal cooked over an open fire and a hot drink. It costs more than $1,000 a night.
Tromso is also a great place to see killer whales and humpback whales from November through January. Visitors can also enjoy ice fishing, skiing, and tobogganing. The city has more pubs per capita than anywhere else in Norway.
Although Norway has a reputation for being a winter wonderland, you can still visit the Arctic in the spring. In March, the days are longer and the nights are shorter, making it a good time to see the Aurora Borealis. The weather in the Arctic is unpredictable and can change in an instant, so you'll want to be prepared to spend at least six hours outdoors, in the elements.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Located just under the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks is the perfect place to experience the wonder of the northern lights. The city sits directly below the "Auroral Oval" - the atmospheric boundary around Earth's magnetic polar cap that produces the aurora.
Fairbanks is also home to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska. This institution provides a 27-day aurora forecast and a comprehensive aurora map. The map highlights optimal aurora viewing locations, scientific information on the phenomenon, and tips for photographing the aurora.
One of the best aurora viewing locations is Murphy Dome, an old air force base that was once the highest point in the Fairbanks area. The dome is nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, and offers great views of the night sky.
Another popular viewing spot is Cleary Summit, a relatively easy drive north of Fairbanks. The summit offers solid views of the horizon, and has good parking. The site also has virtually no light pollution.
There are also several day tours to Fairbanks, which will take you to the best viewing locations. Tours can include dinner and overnight accommodations, which is always a plus.
If you want to try your luck at a more remote location, consider visiting Coldfoot in Yukon Territory. The village experiences 67 days of darkness between Nov. 18 and Jan. 23.
For the ultimate aurora viewing experience, get away from light pollution and drive to a remote location.
St. Petersburg, Russia
Seeing the Northern Lights isn't the only way to experience Russia. The country boasts a rich culture, national parks, and capitals. It also offers exciting winter activities, from skiing to snowboarding.
The best place to see the aurora is in the Murmansk region. Murmansk is located on the Kola Peninsula, and is home to 300,000 people. The city is a popular destination for winter travelers. The town is a good place to see the aurora because it is on the banks of the Northern Dvina River.
Another good place to see the northern lights is in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The Okrug is an area of Russia stretching beyond the Arctic Circle. There is only one city in the Okrug, but it is a good place to see the northern lights.
Another good place to see the aurora is in the Karelia capital. The capital of Karelia is located close to the Finnish border. This area has a large tourist infrastructure and English-speaking tour guides. The capital is also close to Belomorsk and Nilmoguba, two cities that offer excellent opportunities to see the northern lights.
While you're in the area, don't miss out on a trip to Kirovsk, a skiing resort. If you're looking for a snowmobile trip, check out Kirovsk's snowmobile and dog sledding tours. You can also visit the Khibiny Mountains, where you can ski and take a dog sled ride.
Stewart Island, Australia
Besides being the last stop before Antarctica, Stewart Island, New Zealand is also one of the best places in the world to view the Aurora Australis. This rare celestial phenomenon is seen only in the southern hemisphere and occurs during the winter months.
Stewart Island is located on the southern part of New Zealand's South Island. It is part of the Southland District for local government purposes. It is also part of the Invercargill-Rakiura ward. It is considered as the southernmost populated island of New Zealand and is located at a latitude of 47 degrees south.
Stewart Island has a population of 408 people at the 2018 census. It had a total land area of approximately 1,746 square kilometres. The island is densely forested with trees that have been believed to have been planted since the last ice age.
The Stewart Island Experience Ferry departs from Bluff on the South Island and takes 60 minutes to reach Stewart Island. Stewart Island is a UNESCO Dark Sky Sanctuary, meaning that it has been protected from light pollution.
It is one of the few locations in the world where light pollution is completely controlled. Stewart Island can also receive radio and television services via satellite. The island is accessible by ferry and fixed-wing aircraft. It is also well-connected to major cities via coach connections.
Stewart Island is the ideal destination for aurora viewing, thanks to the absence of light pollution and a sparse population. Aside from seeing the aurora, there are plenty of outdoor activities for tourists to enjoy.