To gaze at the legendary northern lights is high on many travelers’ “bucket list,” but achieving that can be risky, as many have discovered.

However, there are several northern lights tours from Kiruna with expert guides that can take you to the right places to view this spectacular wonder.

Book a guided northern lights tour not only to enjoy the spectacle, but also to indulge in a delicious dinner to go with the occasion.

Here's all you need to know about Northern Lights tours, one of the most exhilarating activities in Kiruna.

What are the best northern lights tours from Kiruna?

Kiruna and Abisko northern lights tours

These northern lights tours will take you northwest of Kiruna to the Abisko National Park, one of the best sites to see the aurora borealis. Like many other Arctic Circle locations, Abisko also boasts the longest periods of clear nights.

You will meet your group and tour guide in Abisko and start your adventure with a deliciously cooked dinner or BBQ in a Sami tipi in a village.

You will travel in a minibus to the desired location to view the northern lights. Gathered around the campfire and admiring the lovely Lapland sky, you can enjoy a hot drink while listening to tales and legends of the region’s colorful history.

If the northern lights do appear, a professional photographer in the camp will capture numerous shots and videos of this unique phenomenon. At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Kiruna.

Northern lights tour at Mount Eatnamvárri with 360-degree views

Enjoy the sight of the northern lights from Mount Eatnamvárri on this evening tour, which includes riding a snowmobile and having a two-course dinner in a traditional Sami tipi.

You will then go to the beautiful Máttaráhkká Lodge in Kiruna, where you will be loaned warm clothes for the very cold conditions. The host will cook your dinner on a campfire and then serve it to you in a tipi just outside the lodge.

Once they removed the tipi to refrain from adding to light pollution, you can sometimes get great shots of the northern lights.

A highlight of the evening will be driving easy-to-ride snowmobiles, following your guide along off-the-map trails on Mount Eatnamvárri. On top of the mountain, you will have the benefit of 360-degree views.

Your guide will serve you coffee or tea while waiting for the appearance of the northern lights. You can also have your photos taken, along with others in the group, perhaps against the backdrop of the northern lights.

At the end of the tour, you will travel back to your hotel in Kiruna.

Dog sledding and northern lights tours from Kiruna

Going off into the wilderness on a dog sledding trip from Kiruna will greatly increase your chances of spotting the northern lights. At the dog kennel, you will loan warm gear and get instructions on how to stay on the sled safely.

You will then experience the unique sensation of traveling on a sled pulled by a pack of energetic huskies. After about 6 kilometers, the guide will stop in a great strategic spot to observe the aurora.

While waiting in the tipi, you will enjoy a coffee and cinnamon roll. With good luck, you can take some pictures of the northern lights before cruising back on the sled to the starting point.

Snowmobile ride and northern lights tours in Abisko

You can hop on a snowmobile during a guided northern lights tour in Kiruna, going off into the rugged Lapland wilderness around the Torne River.

You also have the choice between a snowmobile tour in the evening to observe the northern lights, or a day tour to catch sight of local wildlife.

Throughout the tour, you will have an experienced local guide and reliable, modern snowmobiles. Driving around Kiruna, you will pass by the small village of Jukkasjävi, a trading spot for Sami reindeer herders for more than four centuries.

It now boasts the well-known Icehotel, and you will also see the Jukkasjarvi Kyrka, a historic wooden church dating from 1607. At the end of your drive, you will be back to the starting point in Kiruna.

How much do northern lights tours from Kiruna cost?

The Kiruna and Abisko northern lights tours with BBQ dinner cost from €180 to €200 per person.

The northern lights excursion to Mount Eatnamvárri costs about €240 per person.

The dog sledding and northern lights tours from Kiruna cost from about €140 per person.

The snowmobile ride and northern lights tour in Abisko cost from about €210 per person.

What is included?

Northern lights tours from Kiruna usually include a tour guide and photographer, the use of winter clothing and snowsuit, roundtrip transportation, food and drinks. Your guide can also take your photos and videos for you.

Where does it start?

Northern lights tours usually start from Kiruna or Abisko and are extended from there. Abisko northern lights tour with dinner starts from Kalle Jons Way in Abisko.

The northern lights tour around Abisko with BBQ and the northern lights excursion to Mount Ednamvárri start from Kiruna after you have been picked up at your hotel in town.

How long does it last?

Northern lights tours from Kiruna usually last 6 hours, including dinner around Abisko. The northern lights excursion to Mount Ednamvárri lasts from 4 to 5 hours.

When is the best time for a northern lights tour from Kiruna?

The best time to observe the northern lights around Kiruna is from September to April, at a time when it is dark, and the weather is fairly clear. It is best to be at a location in the open, away from any artificial light.

Is it safe?

Northern lights tours from Kiruna are safe, but these are not recommended for people with serious medical conditions or back problems.

Are children allowed?

The northern lights tours with BBQ dinner from Kiruna are not suitable for children aged under 16, while the minimum age for the Mount Eatnamvárri excursion is 18.

Do I need a driving license?

For tours where you will be driving a snowmobile, you need to present your driver’s license for a car or motorcycle.

What happens in case of bad weather?

If your northern lights tour from Kiruna is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to reschedule or get a full refund.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Kiruna?

Travel tips

Book in advance your northern lights tour in Kiruna.
Always have your driver’s license at hand.
Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing.