The Prices of Northern Lights Tours to Canada
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For travelers seeking a truly magical experience, northern lights tours in Canada offer the chance to witness one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. The shimmering auroras, with their vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple, illuminate the night skies in remote, pristine destinations. Whether you're gazing up from a cozy glass igloo, standing in the vast Arctic wilderness, or exploring the local villages, northern lights tours provide a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring natural wonder. In this article, we'll explore the costs of northern lights tours around Canada, highlight some of the best options, and share the top destinations for catching this unforgettable light display.
To help you find the perfect northern lights adventure, we've carefully researched a wide variety of tours. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, viewing conditions, and included experiences, we've identified the best guided tour options in Canada for those eager to chase the auroras. Whether you're traveling with a guide to maximize your chances of seeing the lights or combining the experience with other winter activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling, these tours offer an extraordinary way to connect with the wonders of the natural world. So, bundle up, look to the skies, and prepare for a breathtaking journey under the northern lights.
Why does Canada appeal to winter travelers?
Canada's Arctic regions are among the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Activities like dog sledding and ice hotels enhance the winter experience. Canada's accessibility and pristine environment make it a prime destination for aurora enthusiasts.
How much do northern lights tours in Canada cost?
The average price per day for northern lights tours in Canada is $386, based on our analysis of 13 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $168 to $952 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $205 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $629 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in Canada
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable northern lights tours in Canada average $205 per day, with daily prices from $168 to $246. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Best Value Aurora Viewing | Basic here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical northern lights tours in Canada that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $337 per day. Daily prices range from $246 to $408. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Northern Lights and Gold Rush Glory from Calgary.
Luxury Tours
Luxury northern lights tours in Canada average around $337 per day, with daily costs ranging from $455 to $952. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Northern Lights Photo Adventure in Churchill Manitoba.
Which tour companies offer northern lights tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer northern lights tours in Canada. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Arctic Range Adventure
Arctic Range Adventure offers local northern lights tours through Canada. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 4 days to 8 days. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Many of their tours are centered around giving visitors a chance to see the northern lights.
See All Tours from Arctic Range Adventure
Frontiers North Adventures
Frontiers North Adventures is a smaller tour company that focuses on Canada. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. The tours offered by Frontiers North Adventures are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service. Their expertise is in wildlife viewing tours, so you can count on having a fun time.
See All Tours from Frontiers North Adventures
Discover Canada Tours
Discover Canada Tours is a smaller tour company that focuses on Canada. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Discover Canada Tours
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Northern Lights Destinations in Canada
Wondering where northern lights tours visit in Canada? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a popular Canadian city on the west coast. It has a spectacular setting between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. It's also a diverse city with a vibrant Asian population and many great restaurants. Visitors enjoy the cultural opportunities that the city offers, but also appreciate the opportunities to get out into nature in the surrounding areas.
It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.
Calgary
Calgary is a growing city that mixes modern skyscrapers with western culture. You'll find rodeos and local festivals that pay tribute to the city's agricultural past, but there are also science museums and a growing art scene. The city serves as a gateway to the Canadian Rockies, so many hikers and travelers pass through enroute.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. It runs along the North Saskatchewan River and it has grown into a cultural city with museums and other entertainment options. This is also one of the coldest cities in the world, but that doesn't slow down the people who live here.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba. It is filled with museums, restaurants, parks, and fun activities. Head to the Exchange District for art galleries or The Forks for history and culture. It's also a multicultural city that is a railway transportation hub.
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Other popular destinations for northern lights tours through Canada include Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Canmore, Banff National Park, and Peace River.
Northern Lights Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Trying to determine whether to book a guided tour or manage your own travel itinerary? Consider the advantages and trade-offs of both approaches.
Organized Tours
Pros- Guides take you to the best viewing locations based on real-time weather and aurora activity.
- A guided tour eliminates the stress of navigating remote areas in unfamiliar terrain.
- Experts provide insights about the science and folklore behind the Northern Lights.
- Tours often include specialized photography guidance for capturing the aurora.
- You’ll have access to equipment like warm gear, tripods, or heated shelters.
- Transportation is provided, ensuring safety on icy or unlit roads.
- Groups often create a shared sense of excitement during the experience.
- Tour operators handle permits and regulations for protected areas.
- You may not have flexibility to spend extra time at a promising viewing spot.
- There’s less control over the choice of locations or activities.
- Weather conditions can cause cancellations, and rescheduling isn’t always possible.
- Large groups can make it harder to enjoy the solitude of nature.
Independent Travel
Pros- You can choose your own viewing spots and stay as long as you like.
- Traveling independently allows for a quieter and more personal experience.
- You can design your itinerary to include other nearby attractions or activities.
- You have complete control over the pace and style of your trip.
- Finding the best viewing locations requires extensive research.
- Driving on icy roads in remote areas can be dangerous without experience.
- You need to monitor aurora activity and weather conditions yourself.
- Packing proper gear for cold weather and photography can be overwhelming.
- Viewing locations can be hard to access without local knowledge.
- The lack of a guide may result in missed opportunities or suboptimal spots.
- Travel delays or unpredictable weather may disrupt your plans.
- It can be challenging to photograph the aurora without professional guidance.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided northern lights tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, The Best 3-Day Tours from Algonquin Provincial Park, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Calgary, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Montreal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Halifax, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Toronto, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Whitehorse, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Winnipeg, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Quebec City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Calgary, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, The Best 10-Day Tours from Toronto, The Best 2-Week Tours from Vancouver, The Best 2-Week Tours from Toronto, The Best 2-Week Tours from Calgary, The Best 2-Week Tours from Halifax, The Best 2-Week Tours from Whitehorse, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Montreal for more package tour options.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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