The 11 Northern Lights Tours in Alta That Sell Out Earliest

1.Small-Group Guided Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 112 reviews · 4 hours · from $251Our pick

Join Alta Adventure AS for a four-hour Aurora hunt from Alta. Guides such as Steven, Diamela, Stephen, and Roger use cloud forecasts and solar activity to choose the best viewing spots. Expect a small group of up to 13, warm suits and boots, local stories, snacks, and a return to Alta just after midnight.

“The guided aurora hunt at Alta Adventure was really great. The team of the small family-run company really made every effort to get the best out of the tour, even if the weather didn't quite cooperate. Diamela was very welcoming, we were well looked after and she also gave us lots of information about the area around Alta and the polar lights. A company that you should definitely keep in mind and that we will gladly recommend from the bottom of our hearts. There were 5 of us and we were all satisfied. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)”

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2.Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 110 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $235

Travel from Alta in a black minibus with a guide such as Stig, Diamela, Steve, or Steven, following the clearest skies in search of the aurora. The four-hour outing includes local stories, possible warm suits and boots, hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, and a group of up to 13 people. The route changes with the weather, so expect a search rather than a fixed sightseeing circuit.

“Just got back to the ship feeling ripped off. In the lead up to our tour Alta experienced overcast conditions with some snow; conditions we were told not favourable to viewing the northern lights. To our surprise following a couple of hours driving around and stopping at locations with stars in the sky and receiving confidence building comments from our tour guide (oh and a waste of time photo stop at the Alta cathedral) no lights were seen. It was also announced by the driver (not the tour guide) that “this will be our last stop, we’ll be heading back to the ship as the driver had to start work…”

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3.Dog Sledding Trip under the Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 4 hours · from $391Top rated

From Alta, ride to Gargia for a small-group husky tour led in English or Norwegian. You will learn to drive your own sled, take turns if sharing, cross pine forest and Finnmarksvidda, then warm up with coffee, snacks, and local stories. Guides such as Adam, Linda, Raul, and John help with the dogs and equipment.

“Husky sledding through the winter forest while chasing Northern Lights. Can it get any better than this?! My guide Adam is amazing! He truly cares for every single husky in the facility; Always monitors their physical and mental health and is so knowledgeable and passionate about his job and duty to the dogs. Had an awesome time to say the least! Probably the most ethical animal experience I’ve ever had.”

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4.Northern Lights Adventure By Snowmobile

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $337

From Alta, you ride to Gargia Lodge, suit up in Arctic clothing, and share a snowmobile along the old postal road toward Beskades. You drive half the route if you hold a valid B class license. Guides such as Rodger, John, and Jakub have helped riders with safety, aurora viewing, and photography.

“The guide Rodger was great. Very professional. Unfortunately no lights, but that's nature I guess. Was one of the best experiences in my life. Highly recommend and would definitely do again”

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5.Evening Tour and Aurora Borealis Sightseeing in Norway by ATV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $257

Leave Alta by pickup vehicle and ride a two-person ATV from Kviby toward Leirbotn and the fjord. Finnmark Adventure provides fuel, helmets, boots, gloves, and warm overalls. Guides such as Oscar and Marius may stop at several dark viewpoints to watch the Aurora, though clear skies are never guaranteed.

“Very welcoming, no problem with the activity as a whole but the weather wasnt great, vey cold, very very windy, and no northen lights so disappointing night really. It was a big expense for not a great experience.”

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6.4hr Dog Sledding Tour under the Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $381

Meet in Alta and ride a minibus to Gargia, where guides outfit you in winter gear and teach you to drive a husky team. You’ll take turns steering through snowy pine forest, stop to watch for the Aurora Borealis, then meet the dogs and warm up with coffee or tea at the historic lodge. Groups are limited to eight.

“Amamos a experiência!! Estávamos sem sorte no que se refere a Aurora boreal, quando chegamos ao lodge, o céu estava cheio de nuvens, mas enquanto corríamos com os cães, o céu limpou e fomos agraciados com uma bela Aurora. Dirigir o trenó é mais fácil do que o esperado, foi super divertido e o tempo com os cães depois foi ótimo”

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7.Nighttime Northern Lights Spotting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 15 reviews · from $273

Meet your English-speaking guide at Æventyr Adventure Store in Alta, learn how the Northern Lights form, then ride a minibus to promising viewing spots. Warm overalls, boots, gloves, hot drinks, snacks, and a camera tripod are provided. The four-hour search may include fjord and mountain stops, with local guide Rose among the named guides.

“Great tour. Many thanks to Rose, everything worked out really well. The first stop at the fjord parking lot was a 100% hit. The second stop at the top of the mountain was a 33% hit to see the northern lights. The view was an experience both times though.”

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8.Northern Lights Minibus Chase Max 16 Person In Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $215Best value

Meet at 8:00 pm for a four-hour northern lights hunt from Alta. A driver-guide takes you by minibus toward darker skies, stopping for photos and aurora watching. You may warm up with hot drinks, pastries, or sausages. Pickup is available from your hotel, airport, port, or another stated address. Warm clothing is not supplied.

“Our guide did a fantastic job. He knew exactly where to go to get the best experience. Great tour for a fraction of the cost the Cruise Line charges. Highly recommend.”

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9.Aurora Hunt with Professional Photographer from Alta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · from $1,145

Meet Milvia and Mirko in Alta for a seven-hour Aurora chase limited to eight people. Your guides choose the night’s route according to weather, then set up a bonfire, thermal suits, hot drinks, food, and photo help. Bring your own winter hat and gloves, and be ready for a long, cold search if the Lights stay hidden.

“Mirko and Milvia were great. It was just me so I’m very appreciative that they didn’t cancel. A lot of scientific information was shared about the northern lights. We found a great spot outside Alta. We were very fortunate as the skies cleared up for us. The tomato soup and hot chocolate were just what I needed on a cold night. Highly recommend!”

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10.Private Aurora Hunting with Professional Photographer from Alta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $252

Join Andrea, Winua, or another professional guide for a private seven-hour Aurora hunt from Alta. Your team chooses the route according to the weather, then sets up a bonfire, thermal gear, hot drinks, plant-based food, and a night photography session when the Lights appear. Photos arrive by email within 48 hours.

“Weather didn't look so good however, our guides made the experience great and made sure to get us to a spot that we were able to see the lights even though activity looked low. Was a amazing trip all in all.”

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11.Northern Lights Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $222

Meet in central Alta at 7:00 pm for a three-hour aurora chase. Your guide begins with a short northern lights lesson, then uses current forecasts and local conditions to choose the best driving route. Thermal suits, gloves, coffee, and tea are included. The tour returns to the meeting point.

“Una serata indimenticabile :) Guida competente e simpatica. Aurora meravigliosa.”

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