Northern Lights Tours in Canada

Come and see the awe-inspiring Northern Lights in Canada on one of our exclusive tours in the Great White North. The Aurora Borealis is truly one of nature’s most breathtakingly beautiful wonders. They illuminate the northern night sky with supernatural shades of green, yellow and red every winter.

Planet Earth is full of awe-inspiring natural phenomena such as ice caves, hot springs, volcanoes, and, of course, the Northern Lights. The Aurora is only found in the Arctic region and tops almost every reputable bucket list. The Northern Lights' elusiveness only adds to their charm allowing us to experience the thrill of the chase. However, the combination of science and experience our guides have will lead us in the right direction and maximize our chances of a successful Northern Lights hunt.

The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are caused by electrically charged particles from the Sun colliding with gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere. The color of the Aurora depends on the type of gas in the particles and how high up in the atmosphere the collision takes place. The most common auroras are fluorescent green and yellow and are caused by oxygen particles colliding 60 mi (96 km) above Earth. Some of the less common colors in auroras are flaming red, violet, and occasionally vivid blue. These are caused by nitrogen molecules and gaseous Earth’s particles colliding.

The name Aurora Borealis has both Roman and Greek origins. In Roman mythology, Aurora was the goddess of the dawn, while Boreas was the god of the north wind in Greek mythology. This phrase, “the dawn of the North,” was coined in the 17th century by either French philosopher Petrus Gassendus or the famous Galileo. There are a number of myths and legends associated with the Northern Lights: in medieval times, Auroras were considered a messenger of famine or war, while Maoris and Europeans believed that the lights were reflections of fires and torches.

The Inuits of Alaska believed that the Auroras were the spirits of the animals they had killed. The wealth of stories, legends, and myths that surround these magical phenomena only proves that they are some of the oldest and most outstanding natural wonders on Earth.

While Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, dependant on many unpredictable factors, there is a way to increase your chances of seeing the greatest natural light show on earth, especially if you travel in the company of our experienced wilderness guides. We recommend considering the time of the year, location, and clear skies as you plan your adventure.

Time of the year: In order to get the best out of your Aurora watching tour in Canada, plan your trip during the autumn, winter or early spring. The sun only appears for a few hours during the winter months - so you’re sure to have plenty of time to spot the Northern Lights.

Location: The location of your adventure is probably the most important element. Unfortunately for those living outside of the Canadian Arctic, Northern Lights are not visible, however, almost anywhere at 55 degrees of latitude the Auroras are a common phenomenon. The best places to see the Northern Lights in Canada are Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Clear Skies: If you want to see the Northern Lights dance across the sky, you have to be in a place where the sky is clear during the autumn, winter or spring. Hunting Auroras outside of the city will increase your chances of success. However, you should watch out for precipitation, which may diminish visibility. Check your local weather forecast before you go.

If you’ve done your research about the Aurora, then you probably already know that one of the best places to view this natural wonder is northern Canada, with Yukon and the Northwest Territories as the best places to see them. Our Northern Lights hunting tours cover these regions, providing you with a high chances of ticking the Northern Lights off of your bucket list.

If you’re looking to combine the Northern Lights experience with a city break, then our aurora tours from Whitehorse Yukon are perfect for you. From late August to mid-April, Yukon’s capital Whitehorse transforms into a magical place. Here you can enjoy the Canadian winter without having to compromise on modern-day comforts, though you will need to travel away from the city lights to see the Aurora.

Each evening you will escape the city and view the Northern Lights from a lake-side wilderness cabin or wall tent outside of Whitehorse. Here, you’ll soon forget the cold winter temperatures next to the cozy fireplace and the lack of daylight in the Arctic winter will be compensated by a celestial light show at night. The lights begin with an eerie green sheen in the dark skies, and slowly grow, arching across the sky, ebbing and flowing with sudden bursts of light.  It is a magical experience.

Our Aurora viewing tours in the Northwest Territories will treat you to unforgettable aurora hunting experiences outside of Yellowknife and in the late winter you can fly into an exclusive wilderness lodge far away from any civilization. These tours are perfect for anyone who wants to escape the chaos of the city and spend a few days in nature hunting the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights are almost guaranteed to appear at least once if you visit between late August to mid-October, or mid-December to mid-April. During the day you can explore the Yellowknife area on your own or join guided tours and even hop on a dogsled. The lodge based trips offer cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing or you can join a guided snowmobile excursion. Then spend your nights enjoying the spectacle of the Northern Lights from one of the observation decks or the heated gazebo.