You must be at Kuukkeli Shopping Center (Saariseläntie 1, 99830 Inari) 15 minutes before the start of the activity.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No; the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed, though guides optimize route and timing to improve chances.

Is transport provided?

Yes, the tour includes pickup and return by comfortable minivan from the meeting point.

What languages do guides speak?

Live guides speak English and Finnish.

Is this a private tour?

No, this is a shared Northern Lights hunting activity and may include other guests.

Can I pet the reindeer?

Yes, guests visit a local reindeer farm and can meet and pet the reindeer under the guide’s supervision.

Under Arctic Skies: Aurora Hunting & Reindeer Wilderness Experience in Saariselkä

Drive out from Kuukkeli Shopping Center (Saariseläntie 1, 99830 Inari, Finland) into the wide Arctic night and you’ll feel the country open up. This three-hour Aurora Hunting & Reindeer Wilderness Experience based in Saariselkä, Lappi, puts you beneath skies that regularly flare with green and purple aurora over low fells, birch taiga and lichen-carpeted tundra. The combination of northern lights, firelit hut and close reindeer encounters makes for an evening that’s both cinematic and quietly observant. The adventure begins with a pickup in a comfortable minivan; English- and Finnish-speaking guides tailor each route to cloud cover and geomagnetic activity, seeking clear horizons and dark-sky pockets. Guides shuttle guests between popular vantage points and lesser-known clearings, explaining how weather, moon phase and solar activity affect aurora visibility as they go. At a secret spot the group gathers inside a small grill hut around an open fire. Roast sausages over the embers, sip steaming berry juice and trade stories while the sky stages its show. The hut is a chance to warm up, dry out, and photograph the aurora reflected on snow or frozen ponds—an instant Alaska-meets-Finland scene without the travel time. A visit to a local reindeer farm follows. Meet friendly reindeer up close, learn about herding traditions of the region, and try a gentle pet—an intimate cultural touchpoint that situates the aurora hunt in the wider life of Lapland. The farm visit adds a tactile, animal-centered moment that differentiates this trip from a simple night drive. Before returning to the Kuukkeli Shopping Center the guide makes one more sweep of high-probability viewing areas, maximizing chances to catch the lights. Note that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed; this is a shared, social experience rather than a private charter, which makes it ideal for solo travelers and small groups seeking connection. Why book it? The itinerary stitches together three distinct Arctic experiences—aurora hunting, communal grill-hut warmth, and reindeer contact—into a compact evening that’s easy to add onto a Saariselkä stay. It’s especially well suited for first-time aurora chasers, photographers wanting structured access to dark skies, and families looking for a gentle, authentic Lapland night. Practical notes: be at Kuukkeli Shopping Center 15 minutes before the start time; dress for subzero conditions; bring a camera and tripod if you want long exposures. Guides speak English and Finnish, transport is provided, and small-group dynamics keep the outing social and safe. Plan evening layers, chemical hand warmers, and spare batteries—extreme cold drains power quickly; consider booking early in the season when geomagnetic activity peaks around equinox months and check local aurora forecasts for the best chance to see vivid curtains of light, and arrive with curiosity and patient expectations.

Difficulty

moderate.

Duration

3 hours.

Fitness level

Light physical demands; participants should be able to stand and walk short distances in cold conditions and tolerate outdoor waits.

Wildlife

Reindeer
Ptarmigan

History

The Inari region is part of traditional Sámi territory, where reindeer herding remains a living cultural practice.

Conservation

Follow Leave No Trace principles, avoid using bright lights that disturb wildlife, and respect reindeer and farm boundaries to minimize impact.

Lapponia Tours is a Saariselkä-based activity operator in Lappi offering a wide range of Arctic experiences across Lapland. The company operates guided reindeer farm visits where guests can feed and learn about reindeer, and offers reindeer sleigh driving and aurora hunting tours by minibus. Lapponia Tours runs snowmobile safaris from short sightseeing rides to full-day endurance trips, plus snowmobile-led ice fishing excursions and trips to hideaway cottages. Husky safaris, husky safaris with lunch and e‑fat bike tours are available for varied outdoor tastes. For dining, guests can choose authentic Lappish meals: 3-course dinners in wooden log huts by open fire and candlelit Lappish huts without electricity, or lunches included in selected safaris. Winter-focused activities include cross-country skiing tuition, snowshoe walks, ice karting training, and snowmobile northern light safaris. Practical offerings include winter overalls rental and equipment provision for ski and snow activities. Tours use minibuses for transfers to aurora camps and wilderness lakes, and guides teach ice fishing techniques and local traditions. Lapponia Tours presents experiences suitable for families, adults-only options, and beginner-friendly snowmobile and skiing sessions. All trip descriptions note duration and main inclusions to help plan visits in Saariselkä. Booking details, availability, meeting points, and age or driving requirements are listed with each trip to help guests select the right experience. Maps, gear notes, and estimated fitness levels are included where relevant for planning.

Base locationInari, Lappi

Tours offered26+

Specialtywildlife-nature

StewardshipLeave No Trace