See the Northern Lights

Northern Lights, camera, action...

No other natural phenomenon in history has captured the imagination of the world quite like the Northern Lights. Every year tens of thousands of tourists travel to Lapland in the hope of catching even a glimpse of the mystical and incomparable Aurora Borealis. And with our expert guidance, you can witness the captivating Northern Lights on a trek deep within the magnificent Arctic Circle, giving you a front row seat to nature’s most impressive magic trick. 

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Northern Lights are a stunning display of swirling, dancing otherworldly lights. And so it’s no surprise that witnessing this spectacle features right at the top of many travellers’ wish lists – and those who get to enjoy the legendary visual display most certainly treasure the memories forever. The incredible hues of blues and greens mixing across the night sky make you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet (although, to be clear: transfers to other planets are not included in our packages). 

Most keen Aurora Borealis hunters head for Finnish or Swedish Lapland, steering clear of large towns or cities (the more light pollution there is, the harder it is to see them because the Northern Lights don’t like having to fight for a spotlight, nor should they have to)! Essentially, the closer you are to the magnetic North Pole, the greater the chance you have of the famous lights blessing you with a performance. (No need to tip.)

Transun, working alongside our local experts, have selected destinations in the region’s far north with little or no light pollution to ensure your chances of spotting the Aurora Borealis are almost as high as the lights themselves. Sightings are never guaranteed, however you can time your trip to coincide with monthly cycles and clear weather periods to give yourself the greatest chance of success. We have years of experience arranging trips to see the Northern Lights and use our expert knowledge to book a tour to suit you – while also sharing lots of fascinating information about the unique event. 

Our three- or four-night Northern Lights tour is incredibly popular, but we also offer three- or four-night Festive Lights tours in December and week-long Aurora Hunter holidays in March.

Enjoy this experience as part of these tours

The science behind the magic

A natural phenomenon that has left us mere mortals stunned for centuries, the Northern Lights are a wonder both to observe and understand. Here’s the science behind them: the colours swaying across the sky are caused by solar particles colliding with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. The sun’s flares generate these particles. The result is a collage of red, green, yellow and purple shades dancing in the night. Pale green and pink are the most commonly seen colours. Different types of gas particles colliding cause the range of colours. (You won’t be tested on this later, don’t worry.)

The pale green colours, for example, are caused by oxygen molecules around 60 miles above the Earth’s surface. All-red auroras, however, are a result of high-altitude oxygen floating up to 200 miles high. Activity peaks every 11 years (often referred to as the solar maximum). However, they are visible annually above the Arctic Circle from November through to March.

A group of adventurers on snowmobile admiring the Northern Lights

An ideal location to see the Northern Lights

Dr Stuart Clark explains why seeing the Northern Lights from the magnificent Arctic landscape of Karesuando only amplifies their beauty. This Lapland village is home to just 300 people, straddling the border between Finland and Sweden. The frozen river that cuts the village serves as the border between the two countries, so you can hop between both, and the settlement is surrounded by a rolling landscape of frozen lakes and plains that provide excellent sites from which to view the Northern Lights.

A magnificent display of the Northern Lights

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