The Best Northern Lights Organized Tours in Norway
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries
The northern lights are famous for their beauty and romance. If you're interested in seeing them and experiencing the excitement and winter activities of the northern regions of the world, then an organized tour is a great option. Many of the best tours allow you to experience not only the northern lights, but also the local culture, cuisine, and romantic destinations during the festive winter months. We have carefully analyzed all of the trip options to find the abolute best based on price, service, destinations, quality, and activities. So, here's our list of the best northern lights tours in Norway for your next trip.
The Best Northern Lights Tours through Norway
Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.
Why does Norway appeal to winter travelers?
Norway'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. Norway's accessibility and pristine environment make it a prime destination for aurora enthusiasts.
How much do northern lights tours in Norway cost?
The average daily price of Northern Lights Tours in Norway is $475 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Northern Lights Tours in Norway here.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Northern Lights Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer northern lights tours in Norway. 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.
Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, Great Britain, Austria, and France. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Insight Vacations
Contiki
Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.
Globus
Globus is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Great Britain, Italy, and Canada. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, snorkelling, and whale watching.
Nordiva Tours
Nordiva Tours offers local northern lights tours through Norway. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 9 days. Most of the tours provided by Nordiva Tours are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service. Several of their tours are designed to showcase the beauty of the northern lights to visitors.
See All Tours from Nordiva Tours
Northern Lights Destinations in Norway
Wondering where northern lights tours visit in Norway? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Tromso
Tromsø is a city in Northern Norway, within the Arctic Circle. Many visitors come to see the Northern Lights or experience and Arctic adventure such as dogsledding or exploring the fjords. There are also museums related to the Arctic environment and other outdoor adventures.
It's surrounding Arctic landscape includes fjords and snow-topped mountains.
Oslo
Oslo is the capital of Norway. It's a beautiful city that has many parks and green space, but it's also filled with museums and local culture. The city has a longtime shipping and maritime history which you can learn about at the Viking Ship Museum or the Norwegian Maritime Museum. The city also offers access to winter sports.
Flam
Flåm is a charming village that is surrounded by fjords and stunning natural beauty. Many people visit the town as a day trip so that they can enjoy the nearby hikes and the delicious local restaurants. There are also many viewpoints and waterfalls that you can hike to.
The area is all about the natural beauty with many breathtaking landscapes and beautiful hikes.
Bergen
Bergen is a coastal city in southwest Norway that serves as a gateway to the country's beautiful fjords. The surrounding landscape offers spectacular views from mountains and hilltops. The city is also by the country's deepest and longest fjord, Sognefjord. In the compact city center you'll find wooden houses and interesting sights.
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Other popular destinations for northern lights tours through Norway include Honningsvag, Alta, Hammerfest, Narvik, and Skibotn.
Northern Lights Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
- 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
- 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?
Are guided northern lights tours more expensive than independent travel? It depends. Tours typically bundle accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, guides, and activities into one price, while independent travel requires paying for these elements separately. To understand the cost difference, compare the total price of a tour with the estimated cost of handling all arrangements yourself. Personal preferences, like staying in budget accommodations or dining at upscale restaurants, could tip the balance either way. Always check what's covered in the tour to make an informed comparison.
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
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Norway, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Norway, The Best Historical Tours in Norway, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway, The Best 2-Week Tours in Norway, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Norway, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Norway, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, The Best Eco Tours in Norway, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in Norway, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Norway, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway, The Best Cultural Tours in Norway, The Best Music Tours in Norway, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Norway, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Norway, The Best Luxury Tours to Norway, The Best Budget Tours to Norway, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, or The Best Contiki Tours to Norway for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Oslo, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bergen, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tromso, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Trondheim, The Best 10-Day Tours from Oslo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Bergen, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Oslo for more package tour options.
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