The 11 Northern Lights Tours in Alta That Earn Their Price

1.Small-Group Guided Northern Lights Tour

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

Join a small group of up to 13 people for a four-hour Aurora hunt from Alta. Guides such as Roger, Diamela, Steven, and Stephen have led past trips, driving to clear skies, helping with photos, and sharing stories of Sami culture, reindeer herding, wartime Alta, and life in Finnmark. Warm suits, boots, snacks, and pickup are included.

“This tour was first rate from beginning to end. Jorn took us to a place where we were most likely to see the Northern Lights...even on a snowy evening. And we did when the clouds moved away. We all got our picture taken with the lights in the background, and we were treated to a restful relaxing campfire after viewing the lights. Jorn also suggested visiting the House of Salmon in Alta, which we did the following morning. Excellent. Do not miss it if you are in Alta. Wonderful and very informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

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

Travel by black minibus from Alta or Alta Harbour with a small group of up to 13 people. Your guide checks the night’s conditions and drives toward clearer skies, sharing local history along the way. Expect a four-hour search, warm clothing when available, hot chocolate, snacks, and the possibility of a campfire stop.

“We did not find Northern Lights! Long trip into the mountains of Norway in the dark. Staff of two were very kind - sorry that they could not find the northern lights .”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Dog Sledding Trip under the Northern Lights

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

From Alta, a minibus takes you to Gargia for a four-hour Arctic evening. Guides such as Adam, Linda, Raul, and John teach you to drive your own husky team, then lead you through pine forest and onto Finnmarksvidda. Warm suits, boots, gloves, coffee, local stories, and time with the dogs are included. The northern lights are possible, not promised.

“The activity was absolutely amazing. Although the lights weren’t out for us that night I would do this 100x over. The guide Adam was amazing and the driver Enrico for transfer too. The dogs were friendly and both sitting and driving were thoroughly enjoyable. Couldn’t recommend this more. I (22) went with my grandad (70) and my mum (50) and all three of us had the best time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Northern Lights Adventure By Snowmobile

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

Leave Alta for Gargia Valley, gear up at Gargia Lodge, and drive a snowmobile along the old postal road toward Beskades. You share a snowmobile and swap drivers halfway, while guides such as Rodger, John, Jakub, and Marion handle safety, route stops, and aurora watching. A valid B class license is required to drive.

“We have Thomas to ourselves the night we booked our snowmobile adventure! He is very detail oriented on the safety and operation of the snowmobile! We follow him on the ride. He will stop at every challenging point and tells us what to do! Even we didn’t see any Northern Lights but the ride was so wonderful and fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

From Alta, you’ll drive about 30 minutes to Kviby, near Leirbotn, for an evening ATV ride through fjord country and open Arctic terrain. Finnmark Adventure provides the ATV, fuel, helmet, boots, gloves, and warm outerwear. Guides such as Oscar, Marius, and Marreck are known for patient coaching and persistent Aurora hunting. A valid driver’s licence is required.

“My grandad and I did this experience and it was fantastic. Ended up just being us in the group and our guide went all out for us. Saw the lights immediately after getting to our first stop.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.4hr Dog Sledding Tour under the Northern Lights

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

From Alta, a minibus takes you to Gargia for a four-hour husky adventure. You receive winter gear, learn to drive your own sled, and take turns with another participant. Guides such as Anouk and Linda explain the dogs and route, followed by hot drinks at the mountain lodge and, if skies cooperate, Northern Lights.

“Picked up and dropped off at the agreed point. It decided to snow, so no Northern lights, but driving through the snow was an experience in itself at night, rushing through the forest, past and over a couple of bridges, over the small rivers. The lady leading us, gave us a safety briefing and tips at the start, and made sure we were ok. She answered questions at the end, when putting away the dogs, and later having a hot drink. We had about 1 and a quarter hours of actual driving the dog sled (a long time it feels like), swapping half way (if you wanted to), and covering…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Nighttime Northern Lights Spotting Tour

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Æventyr Adventure Store in central Alta for a short Aurora lesson, then ride by minibus to promising viewing spots. Warm overalls, boots, gloves, hot drinks, snacks, and a camera tripod are included. Guide Rose once found strong views at a fjord stop, followed by a mountain lookout.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Northern Lights Minibus Chase Max 16 Person In Group

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

Leave Alta at 8:00 pm for roughly four hours of northern-lights hunting in a minibus with up to 15 people. Your driver-guide may adjust the route for weather and clear skies, stopping for photos and aurora viewing. Hot drinks, pastries, and sausages are included, but you must bring your own warm clothing.

“1-we had NO GUIDE, only driver 2-Very rude driver, we were talking to him and suddenly I asked a question regarding where else could we maybe look for the Lights and he responded very RUDELY “That is a very stupid question” and so on That response was totally out of line!!! We were 7 people in that tour and NO ONE THOUGHT it was stupid anyway but that is besides the point, even if it had been, he totally disrespected me, à woman and an elder. It is not Viator’s fault obviously but you should be more aware of the providers you hire and their services and people skills I…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Aurora Hunt with Professional Photographer from Alta

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

Meet Mirko and Milvia in Alta for a seven-hour Aurora chase limited to eight people. Your guides choose the route according to the weather, then set up a bonfire, thermal gear, hot drinks, snacks, and a warm meal. Mirko helps you photograph the Lights with your own camera, while professional photos may also be available.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Private Aurora Hunting with Professional Photographer from Alta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $252

Spend about seven hours chasing the Aurora from Alta with guides Andrea and Winua, who use weather knowledge and photography skills to find clear skies. You’ll travel privately, warm up beside a bonfire, learn night photography, enjoy hot drinks and plant-based food, and receive professional photos 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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Northern Lights Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $222

Start in central Alta at 7:00 pm with an aurora lesson, then follow real-time forecasts to several possible viewing areas. Your guide chooses the route for the best chance of clear skies. Thermal clothing, gloves, coffee or tea, and optional cruise-harbor pickup are included. The tour lasts about three hours.

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

Check availability →Read our full review