Autumn & Winter Small Group Tours

Some of the most rewarding ways to experience the Nordic region come in the quieter, darker months, when the landscapes change and the Northern Lights become possible. Our autumn and winter small group tours travel above the Arctic Circle in search of the aurora, with genuinely small groups, a 50 Degrees North tour leader throughout, and time built in for the north to reveal itself at its own pace. Browse the departures below, and read on beneath them for how the tours work, when to travel and what to expect.

What makes your small group tours different?

Three things, mainly. Our groups are small, generally capped at 18 on most tours and smaller on some, so there are no long queues, rushed stops or crowded coaches. Every tour is led by a 50 Degrees North tour leader from start to finish, backed by knowledgeable local guides, rather than handed between operators. And because we design the tours in-house as Nordic specialists, they reach quieter corners of the north that larger international operators tend to miss. For a closer look at how our departures compare, read our guide to the best Northern Lights group tours in Norway, Finland and Iceland.

When is the best time to travel?

The aurora season runs from roughly late September to late March, and the two ends of it feel quite different. Autumn departures pair the Northern Lights with the last of the autumn colour and milder conditions. Deep-winter departures, from December through March, bring full snow landscapes, the widest range of winter activities and the longest dark-sky viewing windows. Both sit under the auroral zone; the choice is really about the setting and conditions you prefer.

Can you see the Northern Lights on these tours?

That's the reason they're built the way they are. Every autumn and winter departure spends multiple nights above the Arctic Circle, away from artificial light, which is what gives the aurora its best chance to appear. Sightings are never guaranteed, since the lights depend on both solar activity and clear skies, so no tour can promise them. What our itineraries do is stack the odds in your favour: several nights in the aurora zone, local guides who track conditions each evening, and the flexibility to move to clearer skies. To understand the science and the timing, see our guide to where to see the Northern Lights.

Where do you stay?

Accommodation is part of the experience on these tours, not just a place to sleep. Expect handpicked boutique hotels, glass-roofed cabins and domes for watching the sky from your bed, locally owned Arctic lodges, and on some journeys the original ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland. Most stays are in the 3 to 4-star range, chosen for character and location rather than size.

What's included?

The tours are designed so the cost is clear upfront. Most meals, the key seasonal activities and all transport are included, along with your 50 Degrees North tour leader and 24-hour in-destination emergency support. On winter departures, cold-weather gear is typically provided too. The aim is a trip with few surprises, so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.

What are the activities like?

Beyond aurora watching, the tours are built around the winter north: husky sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, Arctic food tastings and local storytelling, chosen to suit each season and place. The pace is unhurried by design, with genuine, unrushed experiences in places that reward the effort of getting there, rather than a checklist of stops.

How cold is it, and how fit do I need to be?

Arctic winter temperatures often sit well below freezing, which is why warm gear and layering matter, and why we include or advise on the right clothing. That said, most activities are accessible to anyone in reasonable health; they're graded easy to moderate rather than demanding. If you have any concerns about a particular departure, our specialists can talk you through what each one involves.