Best Trips to See the Northern Lights

The aurora borealis, or the northern lights, are truly a spectacle. We’ve all seen those stunning photos of green, pink, purple, blue, and indigo curtains dancing through the sky. It’s something many of us dream of seeing in our lifetime, and we’re here to tell you that 2024 is the year to see them.

Why Is 2024 the Best Year to See the Northern Lights?  

Before we dive into why 2024 is the best year to see the northern lights, let’s discuss why the northern lights occur. They result from particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field.

In the simplest terms, the more solar activity there is, the higher the likelihood of witnessing this spectacular event.

Like any astronomical occurrence, there are cycles in which viewing this phenomenon is better than others. In 2024, scientists predict we’re heading into a solar maximum. This means there will be increased solar activity, hopefully leading to more opportunities to see the aurora borealis.

Where Are the Best Places to See the Northern Lights?  

While the northern lights may be visible further south this year than usual, there’s no guarantee that they will appear!

Every year, our guests join us on trips to Finland, Sweden, and Iceland to see the northern lights. This year, we’re hopeful that the opportunities to see the lights dance will be better than ever! Here’s what you can expect on these trips:

Finland Northern Lights Walking & Hiking Tour

Starting and ending in Helsinki, this tour is one of the best ways to see the northern lights. After a few days of trekking through boreal forests, experiencing mountain gorges, and seeing some reindeer, we stay at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, a unique accommodation that boasts panoramic glass walls for our aurora viewing pleasure.

Finland & Sweden Northern Lights Multi-Adventure Tour

When you’re not playing with reindeer on our multi-adventure tour, you’ll find yourself dividing time between snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding through Finnish and Swedish Lapland. Participate in local favorite activities like cold-plunging and then warming up with a well-earned sauna session. And the coolest part? Try your luck at seeing the northern lights through the ceiling of your hotel for the night - a glass igloo!

Iceland Northern Lights Multi-Adventure Tour

Travel from Reykjavik to Thingvellir to Bruarfoss and beyond! This tour encapsulates all the exciting aspects of Iceland that you expect in any Icelandic adventure: volcanoes, glaciers, ice fields, waterfalls, geothermal wonders, and of course, that beautiful arctic sky. The Land of Fire and Ice will leave you with a sense of wonder, no matter our northern-light luck.

Seeing the aurora borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the likelihood of seeing them in 2024 is the highest it’s been in over a decade! Join us on one of these epic northern adventures today!