Northern Lights in Norway Tour - Best Arctic Review

Northern Lights in Norway Tour! We were so excited to go on our first northern lights tour, we couldn’t wait to (hopefully) see the northern lights in the sky above us. This is our review of our Best Arctic Northern Lights Tour.

Meeting husky puppies on our northern lights on our Best Arctic tour Tromso

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Table of Contents

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights are an astronomical phenomenon in which lights appear at the north and south poles at certain times of the year. Their scientific names are aurora borealis for the northern lights, the southern lights are called aurora australis.

NASA gives this explanation on their education site:

“When a solar storm comes toward us, some of the energy and small particles can travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into Earth’s atmosphere. There, the particles interact with gases in our atmosphere resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky. Oxygen gives off green and red light.”

Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?

We chose to visit Norway specifically as we had read that it had great chances of seeing the northern lights. We researched so heavily before planning our trip that we felt confident going there to see them.

Why we chose Best Arctic Northern Lights Tour.

We decided on the Best Arctic Northern Lights tour as it was so well organised and thorough. The company is local and has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the area. We felt like we would be in great hands. They do run loads of different tours all year round but we were looking for something that would be comfortable and simple. We decided on the Aurora Safari Camp.

What was the Best Arctic Northern Lights Tour like?

Check in

The tour begins with the check in at the Radisson Blu Hotel. The Best Arctic tour desk is located in their lobby. Check in was easy, showing our booking on our phone. We were given a wristband and told to wait in the comfortable and warm foyer area.

Waiting for our Best Arctic tour in the lobby of the Raddison Blu Tromso

Time to get on the bus!

Our excitement mounted as we met our tour guide and were led out to the bus. While it was a large and spacious bus we were a small group of 10 people so there was more than enough room for everyone.

We found our seats and the tour guide gave us a run through of what the northern lights were and how best to experience them. We were given a history of the town and area, the guide had a great sense of humour and was very engaging. Before we knew it we were pulling in to the camp.

Boarding the bus to the Northern lights Best Arctic tour

the lobby of our camp on the Northern lights Best Arctic tour Tromso

What does the tour include?

The Best Arctic Northern Lights Aurora Safari Camp includes:

Dinner
Snack
Suitable for families and groups
Photo included
Warm clothes
Coffee/tea

This was fantastic as they really provide everything we needed! We used the warm snow suits to sit outside and look for the aurora!

At the Safari Camp

Best Arctic has a few camps and they decide which is best depending on the weather and where the best chance to see the aurora is. We were lucky enough to go to a wonderful camp with excellent hosts. They were so inviting and kind. We were immediately shown the facilities including a sitting area which was warm and comfortable and clean toilets. Outside was a campfire with seating around to watch for the aurora.

We were immediately offered coffee and tea as well as a traditional Norway cake. Mike had to eat mine as it contained gluten which he was happy about.

tea coffee and snacks on our best arctic tour tromso

Dinner

A little later we were served dinner, a traditional Norway stew, made of reindeer. It was delicious and gluten free so I could enjoy it as well. We all tucked into this and relished every bite. The staff were so lovely and ready with a chat. They presented information on life in the Arctic Circle, traditions and customs. We were also told they raised husky dogs and may see them later on.

Waiting for the northern lights

Seeing the northern lights is not guaranteed. It can’t be as it so depends on a natural phenomenon. In saying this, they do recommend you are sitting outside ready just in case it pops out. It could last moments or hours.

We donned the warm snow suits and sat around the fire. It was lovely, we were out under the Norway skies, surrounded by snow. Chatting to the other guests we all agreed that this was a nice and comfortable way to look for the lights!

Cosy camp room at the Best Arctic Tromso Northern Lights Tour

Meeting huskies!

While we were waiting the hosts decided to bring out their little husky dogs. They were gorgeous! So playful and inquisitive, I loved spending time with them. Eventually the hosts brought out the new-born baby huskies and they were incredible! So snuggly and tiny, it was such a special experience. I lost track of time playing with them until suddenly Mike appeared and said the aurora was out.

Seeing the aurora

Racing outside I saw the aurora in the sky above. It was for a few moments but visible. We were so happy that it had come out as it wasn’t looking like it earlier. We were all so happy that it had come out and it felt like a perfect ending to the tour. Our guide took some photos of us out in the snow and we boarded the bus to head back to Tromso.

The tour details:

The Aurora Safari Tour takes about 5-7 hours (returning to Tromsø between 23:30 pm and 1:30 am). The minimum age to take part is 4 years old. Transport is included to the site and photos that the guide takes are available on their website for download. If you don’t see the northern lights you will receive a 25% discount if you rebook the tour.

Who is this tour for?

This tour is best for those who want a comfortable and easy northern lights experience. All aspects of the tour were comfortable and low impact. The bus was spacious, warm and comfortable as was the safari camp. The snow suits were warm and adjustable to fit most people, I could tighten the arms and legs to make it fit. If you are looking for a comfortable and easy northern lights experience where you are well looked after then this is the tour for you.

Discount code for Best Arctic Northern Lights Tour!

We also have a discount code to use for your booking! Use the promocode 10%AURORACAMPS to book the same tour as we did, the Aurora Safari Camp tour. It is valid for bookings until 31s December 2023, get booking your Best Arctic Tour now!