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7 days | Independent tour | Sep-Oct | Ivalo to Kirkenes
Most people assume the Northern l=Lights demand deep winter cold. September and October in Finnish and Norwegian Lapland tell a different story: long dark nights, skies that clear fast, and temperatures that, while crisp, are a world away from the depths of an Arctic winter. The forests are at their most vivid, birch and rowan burning gold and amber before the first snows arrive. It is, by any measure, one of the finest times of year to be this far north.
This 7-day journey begins at Aurora Village, a family-run glass cabin resort set alone in the birch forest near Ivalo. Days are spent hiking, visiting the Sámi museum Siida, riding with the husky teams and gathering around campfire sites. Evenings are for the aurora, from your glass-roofed cabin or on a guided search by car.
The journey then crosses into Norway to Kirkenes, an Arctic frontier town on the Barents Sea, where two nights in the Gamme log cabins and a king crab safari round out the trip.
Northern Lights money-back guarantee
We are so confident about your chances of seeing the northern lights that if they fail to appear during your stay in Ivalo, we will refund a set amount of your accommodation costs. Aurora Village monitors the sky throughout the night using cameras, and if no lights are recorded during your stay the refund becomes valid. An Aurora Alert is included: request the code at check-in, install the app, and you will be notified the moment the aurora appears. The one condition: if you are alerted and choose not to look, the guarantee does not apply.
This journey is available at two price points. The standard rate covers the full itinerary as described. The northern lights guarantee is available at a slightly higher price. Contact us for details.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Local transfers from airport
Flights, meals other than specified, items of personal nature, beverages, and additional activities.
There is no porterage included to your cabins - you use a sled to drag your bags to your cabin.
Fly to Ivalo and transfer to Aurora Village. Upon arrival, you will receive your program schedule before dinner. Depending on your arrival time, cold weather gear is given to you either upon arrival or the next day.
After breakfast, join your guide for a cultural day. Drive along the beautiful landscapes formed by several small lakes and the great Lake Inari. Your guide will tell you stories about Lapland as you approach the Lapp museum Siida where you’ll see a DVD of the Northern Lights. The guide will walk with you through the museum and will be there for you in case of questions. You can have also your own time in the museum of many international awards. The museum displays the original way of living of Sámi people and the Lappish wilderness with its eight seasons of the year. This is an exciting morning to see and hear about the Lappish way of living.
Return for lunch and free time before your evening Northern Lights search by car. After some research on the weather forecast, with a professional Aurora Hunter, you will drive it to places where the sky is most clear and the probability of seeing the Northern Lights is highest.
A hot drink and snack is included. You can get access to the photographs taken during the trip.
This morning, meet your husky musher at the reception and then be taken to the husky farm nearby. You will get to greet the dogs and you’ll get to know details of the life of Alaskan Husky dogs. A team of huskies will take you on a 20-minute ride on a customized summer wagon. You’ll be served coffee in a traditional wooden Kota-building at the husky farm.
After lunch, enjoy a 2-3 fat bike tour through the forest, brilliant in autumn colours or take part in an Arctic Stargazing tour with the use of a 9.25” powerful telescope guided by an experienced astronomy guide.
This morning, drive to Saariselkä by minibus. Together with a guide, hike up to the fell region of Urho Kekkonen National Park. It is Finland’s second largest national park, comprising the fell regions of Saariselkä, as well as the forest regions of the northern sections of the municipalities of Savukoski and Salla. This area named Koilliskaira is one of the last wilderness regions of Western Europe. The task of the National Park is the preservation of the native forest, bog and fell countryside. Good outdoor clothes and sturdy footwear are recommended.
Return to Aurora village and relax with a private sauna booking. Watch for Northern Lights from the jacuzzi or panoramic sauna. Perfect for your last night in Finland.
Activities can be changed if needed.
This morning, travel by bus to Kirkenes, Norway’s easternmost town, located on the shores of the Barents Sea near the borders of Finland and Russia. Known for its rich fishing heritage, Arctic landscapes, and unique cultural influences, Kirkenes serves as the gateway to some of Northern Norway’s most authentic coastal experiences.
When arrived, set out on a memorable King Crab Safari in the Arctic fjords surrounding Kirkenes. After meeting your guide and gearing up for the adventure, board a RIB boat and cruise across the scenic fjord, passing historic WWII sites while learning about the region’s fishing traditions. Watch as king crab pots are hauled from the Barents Sea and discover how one of Norway’s most prized seafood delicacies is sustainably harvested. Back on shore, enjoy a freshly prepared king crab feast served Northern Norwegian style with bread, butter, mayonnaise, and lemon. After this authentic taste of the Arctic, return to Kirkenes with a deeper appreciation for the region’s coastal culture and spectacular natural surroundings.
Experience the Arctic summer at the Snow Resort in Sandnesdalen. Meet reindeer and feed them tundra lichen, then visit a husky farm with 180 friendly huskies and playful puppies. The adventure begins with a hotel pickup in Kirkenes (Scandic or Thon Hotel) and a short drive to the Snow Resort. After choosing a husky companion, set off on a guided mountain hike above the Snow Resort camp. The terrain is gentle and suitable for all, with the huskies eager to lend a helping pull if needed.
At the mountain plateau, enjoy a break by a WWII plane wreck, where reindeer sausages are grilled over a fire, Northern Norwegian style. Take in stunning views before descending back to the Snow Resort, followed by a return transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast take the shuttle back to the airport to conclude your trip.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
The order of activities may change. The daily itinerary with times will be given to you at Aurora Village on arrival day. Minimum age is 12 years.
EXTEND YOUR JOURNEY:
Add a night or two in Helsinki before flying north to Ivalo, a natural gateway to Finnish Lapland. After Kirkenes, board a Havila coastal voyage southbound along Norway's dramatic coastline, arriving in Bergen after five nights at sea. From Bergen, continue to Oslo by train on the Bergen Line, with an optional detour on the Flåm Railway down to the fjords, or fly if time is short.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:
Your glass igloo hosts in Ivalo were the first accommodation in Northern Lapland to receive the Green Key award, the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. This prestigious eco-label represents a commitment by businesses that their premises adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Some examples of how they carry this out include offering recycling facilities in all cabins and no longer offering plastic bottles in accommodations, along with protecting the diversity of the surrounding nature, i.e., bird house and insect hotels. Hiking, biking, and skiing tracks are direct from the hotel and as such they encourage low carbon activities such as snowshoeing and toboggans.
ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY:
At 50 Degrees North, animal welfare is a top priority during all our tours and packages. We carefully select suppliers who adhere to strict animal welfare standards, ensuring that wildlife interactions are respectful and comply with local, national, and international regulations. We avoid offering excursions that involve captive wildlife, except where they are properly regulated, and all activities are designed to minimise disturbance to natural ecosystems. Our travellers are educated on responsible, including responsible animal interactions, through our 'Responsible Travel Tips' for travellers, and our guides are trained to lead by example, promoting ethical conduct towards both wild and domesticated animals. By prioritising animal welfare in every aspect of our tours, we ensure that your travel experience is both enjoyable and ethically sound. Read our article on Animal Welfare to learn more.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions, will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Explore the art of slow travel amidst autumn tranquillity with our curated tours. Immerse yourself in serene landscapes, local cultures, and unforgettable experiences designed for meaningful connections and rejuvenation.
If you don’t fancy the sub-zero temperatures associated with Northern Scandinavia in winter, consider an autumn tour.
Experience the quiet magic of ruska season in Lapland - glowing autumn forests, crisp Arctic air, and the chance to see the Northern Lights — through a curated selection of immersive wilderness, culture and aurora-focused journeys across Finland and Norway.
