Planning an aurora-hunting trip to Canada in 2024-2025? Make your trip a success with one of these inspiring Northern Lights Canada tours, plus tips for what months, locations and tour features you should focus on to maximize your changes of seeing the lights.
Canada offers some of the most awe-inspiring northern light vacation tours available in the world. Thanks to its large landmass, situated well within the auroral oval, there are countless vantage points from which to view the elusive lights. Some of the best destinations within Canada include Yellowknife, Churchill, as well as Whitehorse.
In this article, we’ll help you select a northern lights tour in Canada for your needs and budget, with our tour recommendations and tips for what to look for in a well-organized aurora tour.
Considerations for Booking a Northern Lights Tour in Canada
Before you begin your Northern Lights tour in Canada, there are several factors that you must take into consideration when booking a tour package. It is important to remember that the wilderness in Canada is very expansive, and while there are countless destinations within the country to visit, only a few offer the best vantage points imaginable.
Book Early for Northern Lights Canada Tours
Always remember that when you are planning your Canada Northern Lights tour, you need to book well in advance. Most of these tours run during the peak viewing season, which spans from the end of August until the beginning of April. Although it is possible to view the aurora borealis later in the year, due to longer summer days, it can be much more difficult.
You also need to pay close attention to the destination, because locations like Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Churchill often see the largest influx of tourists during the peak season. If you are planning to visit some of the top destinations within the country, then make sure that you book in advance to ensure that you have available accommodations and excursions.
Choose the Right Timing
Best Months & Season for Northern Lights
The best time to view the northern lights is during the winter months, at the peak of the solar cycle. Since light pollution plays an important role in determining how well you can view the elusive lights, choosing to visit Canada during the winter months increases your odds of capturing a glimpse of the ghostly lights as they dance through the night sky.
During the peak winter months, there are only a few hours of sunlight, to obstruct the viewing experience, which is why they are the most popular months of the year to visit Canada.
While the Aurora tour season runs from Late August to Early April, for the best chances of seeing the northern lights in Canada, aim for Late September to Early March.
Best Years for Northern Lights (Solar Cycle Timing)
At the same time, choosing to hunt for the elusive lights when the sun cycle is at its peak, also increases your chances of capturing a glimpse of the auroras. The sun follows a natural 11-year cycle, and during the highest point of solar activity, the amount of solar radiation being ejected by the sun towards the earth is increased exponentially. The lights are a creation of the charged particles from the sun, passing over the earth’s magnetosphere. We have recently entered a solar cycle peak, so for 2024-2025, it’s accurate to say there is no better time than now for a northern lights Canada tour.
Check out our articles on choosing the best time to see Northern Lights in Canada and the best years for seeing Northern Lights for more timing tips.
Best Locations for Northern Lights Canada Tours
As always, the most important factor when it comes to viewing the northern lights in Canada is location, location, location. You want to make sure that you choose a destination that is well within the auroral oval. The closer you can get to the magnetic North Pole, the greater the chances of capturing a glimpse of the auroras. Making sure to select a destination that gives you an unobstructed view of the northern horizon, also improves your chances of viewing them.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Many aurora hunters have dubbed Yellowknife as the Aurora Capital of America. Due to its location well within the auroral oval, and consistently clear skies, the chances of capturing a glimpse of the northern lights in Yellowknife is greatly improved. This is why countless tour operators offer annual getaways to locations in and around Yellowknife.
Churchill, Manitoba
You will find the city of Churchill located along the shores of Hudson Bay. Due to the wide-open expanses of the Bay, you are provided with a clear vantage point to the north. Not only will you be able to hunt for the northern lights in Churchill, but you may also encounter polar bears, beluga whales, and many other Arctic wildlife.
Whitehorse, Yukon
Another popular destination is located within the rugged Yukon wilderness. Whitehorse is known as the gateway to the Yukon, and offers aurora hunters the perfect staging point for an amazing experience. From Whitehorse, you will be able to head out into the Canadian wilderness by dogsled, or even go on a fishing expedition. There is so much to see and do when you visit Whitehorse in the Yukon.
Embrace the Unpredictability of Nature
Remember, the ability to view the northern lights is a purely subject to the unpredictability of nature. It is common for last-minute weather conditions to change, affecting your ability to view of the elusive lights. As a result, it is important to be as flexible as possible, and be prepared to make changes to your itinerary as the local weather forecast and aurora alerts change throughout the day. Set aside multiple nights specifically for aurora hunting, in order to maximize your chances of viewing the natural phenomenon.
10 Awe-Inspiring Northern Lights Canada Tours
Aurora Borealis Adventure from Vancouver
Operator: Landsby
Days: 3 nights
From: $946
Tour Style: City Tour
Destination: Vancouver to Whitehorse
Tour Website: https://landsby.ca/tours/aurora-borealis-adventure-from-vancouver/
Enjoy an amazing aurora borealis adventure over 4 days and 3 nights as you venture out into the Yukon, hunting for the elusive lights. You will start your adventure in Vancouver, and make your way to Whitehorse before returning to Vancouver all with the help of an expert guide.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation
- Flight from Whitehorse
- Expert Tour Guide
- Transportation throughout the Day
Northern Lights and Gold Rush Glory
Operator: Landsby
Days: 5 nights
From: $1153
Tour Style: Guided Tour
Destination: Whitehorse to Dawson City
Tour Website: https://landsby.ca/tours/northern-lights-and-gold-rush-glory/
Visit Whitehorse and see the northern lights like they were meant to be viewed. When you are in the Yukon, not only will you have countless opportunities to view the elusive lights, but you will also be able to experience life like it was back in the gold rush era, as you make your way to Dawson City.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 5 Nights’ Accommodation
- Expert Tour Guide
- Added Services
- Transportation to and from the Hotel
Yukon Ultimate Adventure Tour
Operator: West Trek Tours
Days: 2 nights
From: $1285
Tour Style: Guided Tour
Destination: Vancouver to Whitehorse
Tour Website: https://www.westtrek.com/tours/yukon-ultimate-adventure/
See all that the Yukon has to offer when you go hunting for the northern lights and Whitehorse. You will begin your journey and Vancouver, before making your way up to the Yukon to hunt for the elusive lights on this wonderful guided tour.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 2 Nights’ Accommodation
- Flight from Whitehorse
- Expert Tour Guide
- Many Meals
Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights
Operator: Intrepid Travel
Days: 10 nights
From: $4450
Tour Style: Guided and City Tour
Destination: Edmonton to Calgary
Tour Website: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/canada/canadian-rockies-northern-lights-144879
If you are looking for an adventure, then make your way from Edmonton to Calgary on this 10-night adventure. While you are visiting the Canadian Rockies, you will have countless opportunities to view the elusive lights as you stop at 6 different destinations within the country along the way.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 10 Nights’ Accommodation
- Expert Tour Guide
- Meals Included
- Add-On Services
- Transportation to and from the Hotel
Arctic Tundra & Dawson City | Naturally Wild
Operator: Arctic Range Adventures
Days: 5 nights
From: $2529
Tour Style: Guided Tour
Destination: Whitehorse to Dawson City
Tour Website: https://www.arcticrange.com/en/tour/arctic-tundra-dawson-city-naturally-wild.html
Start your adventure in Canada in Whitehorse, and then make your way to Dawson City where you will have 6 amazing days to view the Canadian countryside. As you enjoy your trip to the Yukon, you will be provided with ample opportunities to view the elusive lights as they dance through the night skies.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 5 Nights’ Accommodation
- In Country Flights
- Expert Tour Guide
- Add-On Services
Yukon Winter Dream | Active Winter Adventure
Operator: Arctic Range Adventures
Days: 4 nights
From: $1651
Tour Style: Cruise
Destination: Whitehorse
Tour Website: https://www.arcticrange.com/en/tour/yukon-winter-dream-active-winter-adventure.html
Head out into the Yukon, where you will have 5 days to travel through Whitehorse and view the amazing sites. Experience what it was like to live back in the gold rush days, as you make your way through the Canadian countryside, hunting for the aurora borealis.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation
- Tour Guide
- Some Meals Included
- Transportation to and from Hotel
- Additional Services
Northern Lights Nights in Canada
Operator: LocalAdventures
Days: 4 nights
From: $1405
Tour Style: Guided Tour
Destination: Whitehorse
Tour Website: https://localadventures.travel/tours/northern-lights-in-canada-1757638
Experience the northern lights like you’ve never done before, as you spend 5 days traveling through the Canadian Yukon. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes accommodations as well as expert tour guides, amazing meals, and transportation everywhere.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation
- Expert Tour Guide
- Scrumptious Meals
- Transportation
- Add-On Services
Aurora Hunting Tour
Operator: LocalAdventures
Days: 4 nights
From: $1128
Tour Style: Guided Tour
Destination: Yellowknife
Tour Website: https://localadventures.travel/tours/aurora-hunting-tour-9919171
Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience, as you hunt for the northern lights in Yellowknife. You’ll have plenty of things to see and do over your 5 day stay in Yellowknife, which will be supported by an expert guide, comfortable accommodations, and transportation to and from the hotel and the many excursions.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation
- Expert Tour Guide
- Some Meals Included
- Transportation
- Add-On Services
Northern Lights and Winter Nights
Operator: Frontiers North Adventure
Days: 7 nights
From: $5319
Tour Style: Guided Tour
Destination: Winnipeg to Churchill
Tour Website: https://frontiersnorth.com/adventures/winter/northern-lights-and-winter-nights
If you are looking for the perfect adventure to take you out into the Alaskan wilderness to hunt for and photograph the elusive lights, then look no further. Throughout your 8-day stay in Canada, you will visit Winnipeg, Church Hill, and many other amazing destinations. Your travel will include flights, hotel, expert tour guide, meals and so much more.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 7 Nights’ Accommodation
- In Country Flights
- Expert Tour Guides
- Meals Included
- Some Transportation Offered
- Additional Services
Rockies and Northern Lights Winter Wonderland
Operator: Travel Marvel
Days: 9 nights
From: $4398
Tour Style: Guided and City Tour
Destination: Calgary to Vancouver
Tour Website: https://www.travelmarvel.com.au/trips/canada-alaska-usa/urwnl11/dec2024-mar2025
When it comes to a long adventure in the Canadian Rockies, look no further than this perfect 11-day vacation that starts in Calgary and takes you to four different destinations before reaching Vancouver.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 9 Nights’ Accommodation
- In Country Flights
- Additional Services
- Transportation to and from
- Meals Included
Conclusion
This brings our article on northern lights Canada tours to a close. While a tour is not necessary for spotting the lights, there are many benefits to booking into a tour rather than going it alone. These reasons include a professionally organized tour route and timing with expert aurora borealis guides, who will do whatever they can to help you see the lights, as well as the obvious conveniences of having all your accommodation and meals laid out for you. For this service, they do come with a price tag.
If you’re looking for cheaper ways to see the aurora borealis, and you have a bit of a wild streak, an adventurous alternative is going on a northern lights camping adventure which we discuss in detail in that article, including specific camp spots to check out throughout North America. Another cheaper alternative is to book into a hotel in Canada renowned for its aurora borealis services plus a short one-night tour (or two) to take you out into the wilderness for some aurora-spotting.
For more tips on seeing the northern lights in Canada and planning an aurora-hunting trip, make sure to check out all our Northern Lights Canada articles here.
Happy aurora hunting!
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