15 Northern Lights Tours in Saariselkä Worth the Cold

1.Aurora Hunting Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 325 reviews · 3 hours · from $163Our pick

You’ll ride from Saariselkä with an English-speaking guide such as Mikke, Eugene, Ivan, or Pavel, checking weather and sky conditions as you hunt for clear views. The 3-hour tour includes hotel pickup within 15 km, warm drinks, snacks, and professional camera photos. Expect cold outdoor stops and a flexible route rather than one fixed viewing site.

“Best aurora hunt ever! We were amazed by the light show in the sky. Gabri was an excellent guide who had great instincts on where to find the lights. He was knowledgeable, great photographer and had snacks for everyone. Highly recommend this tour to everyone!”

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2.Northern Lights Hunt Snowmobile Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 5 hours · from $199

Drive a snowmobile through Inari’s dark winter forests to a forest hut, where your guide lights a fire and serves hot drinks, sausages, and snacks. You’ll learn on special tracks before heading into the wilderness. Guides such as David, Sam, Marco, and Markus are praised for safety and warmth, but auroras remain weather-dependent.

“all ok. big group so little unorganised at start. but guide was good stopped fir 3 northen light spots”

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3.Auroras Northern Lights in Saariselka

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 176 reviews · 5 hours · from $175

Spend five hours hunting the aurora around Saariselkä and Ivalo with an English-speaking guide such as Christina, Linda, or Franzi. You’ll ride to dark, partly private viewing sites, warm up in a tepee or hut, cook barbecue snacks over a fire, hear local stories, and get help with night photography. Pickup from major hotels is included.

“The Aurora was spectacular on the day we did the tour. I will never forget in my life. Our guide Franzi was very knowledgeable in observing northern lights and stars as well as in making fire with woods. We did great barbecue sausages panckakes etc. It was a great experience.”

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4.Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 140 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $222

From Saariselkä, you’ll travel to a reindeer farm for a quiet sleigh ride through the forest, a campfire drink, and time feeding the animals. Guides such as Visa, Ansee, Nilla, and Eemeli add local stories and humor. Thermal clothing is provided, but Aurora sightings depend on weather and luck.

“It was a truly magical and unforgettable experience! I was with my kids, aged 10 and 6, and they absolutely loved it. The sledge riding was so much fun, and seeing the northern lights was incredible. Our guide, Visa, was extremely friendly and made the trip even more special. I highly recommend it—an adventure of a lifetime!”

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5.Aurora Photo Tour by Car with Transfer & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 116 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

You’ll leave Saariselkä by car with an English-speaking guide, tracking clear skies and aurora activity around northern Lapland. Warm clothing, hot drinks, gingerbread, hotel transfers, photography advice, and an online photo link are included. The lights are never guaranteed, and the quality of the search can vary with weather and the chosen stopping points.

“Unfortunately, the tour was disappointing. We did see the aurora; however, the driver didn’t show much enthusiasm, only driving for a while and stopping in a lay-by next to the road. There was some aurora activity, but the high tension cables above spoiled the occasion (as they would interfere with the view and -of course- with the pictures). The driver commented that “we don’t need to go elsewhere: we’ll see the same lights” (i’m paraphrasing, but that was the message). We knew that, but a search for a picturesque scenario (eg, the frozen lake Ukonjarvi ) would have made for a much better experience than stopping at the side of…”

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6.Lake Inari Northern Lights Tour w/ Reindeer & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $194

From Ivalo, Tina and Tapio’s family-run tour takes you by van and snowmobile-pulled sleigh to a quiet island on Lake Inari. Warm clothing, a fireside three-course dinner, reindeer feeding, and a chance to see the Northern Lights are included. The English-speaking group is limited to 12 people.

“Zonder noorderlicht (wat natuurlijk nooit te garanderen is) is deze tocht wat magertjes. Het is vooral een (koude) tocht over het meer in een slee achter een sneeuwscooter gevolgd door een tussenstop in een tipi tent met vuur waarop worstje/soep/brood worden klaargemaakt en waar je de gelegenheid krijgt 2 rendieren te voeren. Daarna nog paar minuten terug met de slee naar de auto die ons terugbracht naar de beginlocatie waar we onze dikke geleende pakken konden inleveren en daarna teruggebracht werden naar ons hotel. Als totaalpakket niet slecht als aanbod, maar in de praktijk zonder noorderlicht heeft het weinig om het lijf.”

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7.Aurora Photography Tour 3 HOURS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $167Top rated

Spend about three hours hunting the Northern Lights around Saariselkä and Inari. Your English-speaking guide follows changing cloud and aurora forecasts, drives to at least three dark-sky locations, and serves hot drinks. Guides such as Ivan, Walter, Centti, Karoliina, and Nico are praised for persistence and helpful photography tips.

“First of all, they came to the meeting place on time. Then we got in the car and moved in the direction of Aurora. They found the aurora and moved quickly, and the process was fun. In the end, although it was faint, I was able to see the Aurora! Additionally, the berry juice and ginger cookies were very delicious. Also they were very friendly and enthusiastic.”

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8.Northern lights tour to Lake Inari from Ivalo, Reindeers & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $191

From Ivalo, you’ll receive thermal clothing before riding a snowmobile-pulled sleigh to a quiet Lake Inari island. Local guides, including Maksim, Tina, and her family, serve berry juice, reindeer or salmon soup, sausage, and blueberry dessert in a teepee. You may feed reindeer and watch for the aurora, but sightings depend on clear skies.

“A lovely family company of locals of Inari lake. Very professional organization, I highly recommande this activity..”

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9.Saariselkä,Kakslauttanen: Aurora Hunting & Photography Tour.

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 58 reviews · from $154

Join ArcticTours for a three to three-and-a-half-hour Northern Lights hunt from Saariselkä, Kakslauttanen, or Kiilopää. Your English- or Finnish-speaking guide drives beyond cloudy skies and village lights, stopping at darker photo locations when conditions allow. Guides including Henry and Jen have been praised for friendly service, timely pickups, and patient help with photos.

“Professional and friendly Guide, on time pick up, very knowledgeable guide and Jen loves what he is doing. I thank him for making this once in a life time experience memorable for us. Highly recommend. Thank you.”

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10.Auroras in Saariselkä – Northern Lights Photo Tour by Car and on Foot

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 51 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $157

Spend about five hours hunting the aurora around Saariselkä by car and on foot. Lapland Welcome provides winter gear, transport, snacks, hot drinks, local legends, and photos taken by the guide. You may warm up beside a fire in a teepee before heading outside for better views. English guides include Linda, Maurice, and Jukka.

“Disappointing as to cloudy to see Northern lights but guide was on time pleasant and spoke good English Advice - don't book until you can see weather forecast .”

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11.Northern lights tour to Lake Inari, incl. dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 40 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $214

From Saariselkä, you travel by minibus to Ivalo Safaris, collect thermal clothing, then ride a covered snowmobile sleigh across frozen Lake Inari. At a small family island, you can feed reindeer, hear local stories, and eat reindeer or salmon soup in a heated Lappish teepee while watching for auroras. Groups are limited to 10.

“Though we didn’t get to see the lights, the entire trip was memorable! Our guide Ansi was wonderful! We recommend it full!”

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12.Northern Lights Hunting Snowshoe Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 26 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $111Best value

You’ll leave Saariselkä with an English-speaking guide, collect warm clothing and snowshoes, then walk into the dark, snow-covered forest for 2.5 hours. Your guide teaches the basics, adjusts the outing to your ability, points out animal tracks, and serves hot drinks. The aurora is possible but never guaranteed.

“Belle activité, le guide s’est adapté à nos conditions physiques et nos envies de randonnée donc c’etait parfait.”

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13.Hunting Northern Lights by Snowmobiles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $202

Drive a snowmobile through Saariselkä’s dark forests and fells with a guide, then stop at a tepee or hut for a fire, hot drinks, barbecue snacks, and Aurora stories. The guide points out the Big Bear and Polar Star while you watch the northern sky. The group is limited to 10, and guide Paul has earned warm praise for his friendly help.

“Trip was canceled at the last moment. We were informed when we called they didn’t bother to inform us. Spoiled 1 day of trip because of this we didn’t get any other safari at the last moment. Another one is cancelled as well by same operator. Disappointed”

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14.Husky Safari with Aurora Borealis Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11 reviews · 3 hours · from $306

From Saariselkä, you’ll collect thermal overalls, boots, and gloves before a short ride to the Wilderness Center. An English-speaking guide teaches two adults to share and drive an 8-kilometer husky sled. Afterward, warm up in a tipi by the fire and scan the sky for the aurora. The tour suits fit adults and children 11 and older.

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15.Aurora Hunting with Reindeer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $144

Spend about two hours at a reindeer fence near Ivalo with the Ivalo Experiences team, including Johanna and Niilo. Meet the animals, hear about herding traditions, try suopunki lasso throwing, roast reindeer sausage, and warm up with hot berry juice while watching the sky for the aurora. Pickup is available.

“Expérienbce authentique a IVALO , très bien, sympathique, bon contact avec les rennes notamment des jeunes rennes. Très bonne soupe. Bonnes explications.”

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