Hunting the Northern Lights

🗓️ 6 day

📍6 station

💰 Very expensive

🌎General route

☁️ Cold season

👣 Approximately 12.000 steps

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We have created a route where you can see the northern lights most clearly. If you happen to visit any point on this route, you will have entered a very small percentage of people and will have seen the northern lights. I have compiled the most valuable points of this experience for you.

🚗 Day 1 - 1 stop

1. Tromsø

Located in an active solar area, at the centre of the Northern Light’s oval, Tromsø in Norway is a popular destination for aurora chasers for good reason. The city, which is above the Arctic Circle, has one of the highest probabilities of spotting the lights in the world. From September to mid-April, the chances of seeing the lights are quite high as both light pollution and cloud cover is minimal. The best bet to see the dancing lights here is to join a Northern Lights tour where expert aurora chasers follow the latest reports of solar flares in a bid to spot them — some operators even offer a second tour free if the lights were too shy to show up on the first try.

How to do it: Norwegian Travel offers a variety of Northern Lights experiences, from bus tours and overnight packages in ice domes to rail adventures and cruises. Prices start from 1,000 NOK (£75) per person.

🚗 Day 2 - 1 stop

1. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Iceland

For those chasing dramatic photos of the Northern Lights, this Icelandic glacial lagoon makes for a breathtaking backdrop. Set on the south coast of Iceland with close to no light pollution and towering icebergs dotted around the water, the lagoon has an otherworldly feel to it. While the lights can be spotted from October to March, the best chance of seeing them is in December, when the daylight hours are limited and the night sky darker. Those heading out on an aurora hunt by themselves should try the hello aurora app for precise forecasts and user-reported sightings.

How to do it: Troll Expedition’s two-day Jökulsárlón tour leaving from Reykjavík runs from October to April. From 89,900 ISK (£529) per person, including transport, accommodation, breakfast and glacier hiking gear.

🚗 Day 1 - 1 stop

1. Ilulissat - Greenland

Set in the aptly named Disko Bugt, or Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Although the elusive light show can be seen here as early as September, it’s recommended to visit closer to the New Year festivities for an even more special experience. In Ilulissat, locals get to celebrate the stroke of midnight twice — once at 8pm for Denmark, of which it’s part of, and again at midnight local time. If you're lucky, you might get to ring in the New Year with Northern Lights dancing above.

How to do it: Greenland Travel offers a four-night New Year’s Eve package for those wishing to experience polar activity like a local. From €2,550 (£2,205) per person, including flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast, welcome dinner and New Year’s Eve dinner.

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