Tailor-make your Northern Lights Holiday

Putting together and booking your very own specially tailored northern lights holiday is easier than you think.

- It can also save you hundreds of pounds compared to package tours.

Read more about northern lights package holidays.

Read our guide to northern lights trips and tours to find out what suits your needs best.

If you have any questions, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will do my best to help.

Follow our 5 simple steps to creating your own northern lights adventure:

Step 1) Find out when you want to go

The northern lights season runs from October to March in Arctic Norway. The rest of the year it is simply too light to see any Aurora.

Hence, a trip to Tromso in June is a bad idea if you want to see the northern lights – however – the midnight sun is likely to seduce you just as much.

As the northern lights is notoriously unreliable, it is a good idea to spare more than one night in the region. You can read our guide on when to see the northern lights and also our top 10 tips for seeing the northern lights to increase your chances.

Step 2) Find your preferred destination and book your flight

In Northern Norway, the most popular destination for northern lights holidays is the small city of Tromso. It offers a range of exciting activities, a good range of hotels, direct flights from London and a buzzing nightlife. Read more about Tromso.

The direct flights from London Gatwick to Tromso currently departs twice a week, on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Another popular destination is the Lofoten islands and the ice hotel in Alta. To get to both of these places you will need to change flights in Oslo or Tromso, so bear that in mind when booking.

Compare flights:

Our flight search compares prices from 100s of airlines, including budget ones (not Ryanair)

Step 3) Find out how you want to stay, and book your hotel or cabin

Many people want to stay in traditional fishermen’s huts or cabins during their stay in Northern Norway. In Tromso there are several good options available, but bear in mind most of them are self catering and located out of town, so you will need to think about transport too. See a list of available huts and cabins in Tromso.

In Alta, most people would want to stay in the Snorrisniva Igloo Ice Hotel, just like Joanna Lumley did. But, before you pen yourself into a week’s stay – one night usually does the job!

The easiest and most convenient option for most is however a regular hotel. In Tromso there are many good ones, and nearly all are located in the town centre.

Search hotels:

Our hotel search lets you compare deals from all the large providers, including Expedia, hotels.com and eBookers. No need to go anywhere else!

Step 4) Consider car hire

Norway is a long country, and so distances are of a somewhat different magnitude to what we are used to in the UK.

That said, driving in Norway is both safe and easy (just remember they drive on the right!), and the nature is stunning. Read more about driving in Norway.

If you’re staying in a cabin or fishermen’s hut, a rental car will make your stay much better. Not only will you be able to get around, into town and to the shop, but you don’t have to book airport pickup which can sometimes be quite extortionate.

Even if you are staying in a hotel in the town centre, a rental car will be a great way to get off the beaten track. For example, in Tromso, the hour long drive out to Sommaroy is truly spectacular.

Compare car hire in the box below. Our search will show you available deals from all the large providers available.

Step 5) Plan and book your activities

There’s a range of activities on offer throughout the region, from snowmobile excursions to ice fishing and reindeer sleigh rides.

Combining northern lights hunting with a fun activity is the best tip out there, as the disappointment will be far less should the tricky lady fail to show up.

Read our guide to northern lights activities..

Booking and enquiring about the activities on offer is easy. Most Norwegians have excellent English skills and the northerners are known for being open and friendly to strangers.

Should you have any questions, or would like help in booking any of the activities listed below, send me an email.

Suggested Activities in the Tromso area

• Husky dog sledding – Tromso Villmarkssenter: Phone +47 77 69 60 02
• Reindeer sledding - Tromso Friluftsenter: Phone: +47. 90 01 78 81
• Cross country ski and snowshoe hire – Tromso Natur og Fritid: Phone +47 77 65 66 79
• Northern Lights Hunting (Joanna Lumley’s guide) - Kjetil Skogli, Aurora Photo: Phone: +47 90 73 75 52
• Dog sledding tours - Arctic Adventure Tours: Phone +47 77 66 66 75
• Ice fishing and snowmobile excursions - Ramfjord Camping; post@ramfjordcamping.no: Phone +47 77 69 21 30
• Arctic sea fishing - Arctic Fishing Adventures: Phone: +47 94 86 09 41
• Local cuisine and northern lights hunting - Guide Gunnar: Phone +47 934 43 443
• Traditional horse drawn sleigh rides - Holmeslet Farm: Phone +47 77 61 99 74
• Aurora adventures, hunting, fishing and ice fishing - Kaafjord Tursenter: Phone +47 46 89 95 69
• Excursions by reindeer, dog sledge, and snowmobile – Lyngsfjord Adventure: Phone +47 77 71 55 88
• Northern Lights tours, ski tours, ice fishing and wilderness - Natur i Nord: Phone +47 77 66 73 66

Please remember to mention you found them through iGlobeTrotter.com when booking.

Now that you have put together the northern lights tour of your dreams, all that remains is to read up on all the guides and tips available to increase your chances of experiencing the magical northern lights show.

Here is a good place tor start:

• Myths and Beliefs surrounding the northern lights
• Top 10 tips for seeing the northern lights
• What are the northern lights?
• Check the northern lights forecast
• Northern lights in Tromso
• Watch some northern lights videos in our video gallery

I wish you a great trip and good luck with the "tricky lady"!

Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or comments.