Northern Lights should not come down to luck. This tour is built for the hard nights, with two first-aid-trained guides splitting focus between the road and the sky, plus unlimited time and mileage so you are not cut off when conditions change.
I also like the human scale. You ride in a small group (max 7) and you get professional photos, so you can spend your attention on watching the aurora instead of fighting a camera in the dark.
One consideration is the commitment and the cost: you might be out 4 to 16 hours, and winter clothing is not included unless you add it on.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth knowing before you go
- The two-guide, zero-limits idea that actually helps
- Your ride: small group comfort in face-to-face van seating
- The itinerary in plain terms: Levi, Lapland, and back again
- Stop 1 in Levi: the quick start
- Stop 2 in Lapland: where the aurora time happens
- Stop 3 back in Levi: the ride home after the show
- What’s actually included (and why it matters at night)
- The price: what $685+ is really buying you
- Meet the style of guide who will work the hardest
- Best-fit for your trip: who should book, and who might not
- How to prepare so the night feels easier
- Should you book the Ultimate Aurora Chase?
- FAQ
- How many people are in the group?
- How long does the Northern Lights tour last?
- What time does the tour depart?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Are winter clothes included?
- What is included for food and drinks?
- Are professional photos included?
- Is there an aurora guarantee?
- What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?
- When should I cancel for a full refund?
Key highlights worth knowing before you go
- Two certified guides who can split duties: one drives while the other tracks the lights and the best viewing spot.
- Unlimited chase rules: no fixed time limit or mileage limit during the search.
- Guaranteed sighting or your money back: the tour is explicit about a full refund if auroras do not appear.
- Max 7 people: less crowding, more comfortable van time, and easier logistics at night.
- Pro photos included: someone else handles the heavy lifting on getting good images.
- Long-distance effort when weather is brutal: a guide named Barbara has driven about 600 km total and pushed toward clear skies, even when the plan had to change.
The two-guide, zero-limits idea that actually helps
Northern Lights watching is weird in the best way. One hour the sky is clear and glowing, and the next it’s just cloud cover and nothing but your own breath on the window. What I like about this setup is that it is designed for that reality.
With two first-aid-trained guides, the tour reduces one of the biggest problems on aurora hunts: multitasking. One guide can keep their full attention on the driving and safety, while the other is tracking the sky. That matters because good aurora chasing is part science, part timing, and part getting to the right place quickly.
The “zero limits” piece is also key. Many tours have an end time that forces you to leave even if the aurora might show up 20 minutes later. Here, you can stay out longer and move farther when the forecast and live tracking suggest there’s a better chance ahead. In aurora terms, it’s the difference between chasing the lights and just waiting politely.
And yes, the pitch includes a guaranteed sighting with a full refund if auroras do not appear. That does not remove the weather’s power. But it does shift the risk away from you, which is exactly where you want it during an expensive, night-only activity.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Levi.
Your ride: small group comfort in face-to-face van seating
You are not crammed with a crowd. The tour runs with a maximum of 7 people, and the van setup uses face-to-face seating. That’s a small detail, but it changes the vibe. You can talk without shouting over the noise, you can look out in different directions, and you get a more natural feel for who you’re sharing the night with.
Comfort matters because the whole point is staying awake and warm enough to keep watching. This tour includes winter gear, plus the day-to-day comforts that keep people from melting into misery: warm tea and bottled water, plus snacks. If you have ever done a northern winter night activity where you were cold, then suddenly got tired, then stopped paying attention—you know how quickly viewing quality drops.
Also, you should expect pickup offered from your lodging in the area. That removes one layer of stress. In snowy darkness, showing up on time is hard enough without adding a “get yourself there” puzzle.
The itinerary in plain terms: Levi, Lapland, and back again
This is a structured night with just enough rhythm to keep you comfortable, but flexible enough to chase the lights.
Stop 1 in Levi: the quick start
You begin in Levi, with a short initial stop. It’s about getting organized, settling in, and moving from base mode into hunt mode. The listed stop time is brief (about 10 minutes), so think of it as the moment your evening becomes real.
If you are the type who needs a few minutes to check gear, charge a phone, or double-check your layers, this is where you do it. Bring what you need for the extra cold moments later, because the real viewing part is further out.
Stop 2 in Lapland: where the aurora time happens
This is the main act. You head to a Lapland viewing spot chosen by your guide, and the planned time here is up to 8 hours. That’s a lot of time in one area, and it reflects how auroras often behave: they can arrive slowly, pause, intensify, and then fade, sometimes more than once in the same stretch of night.
Here’s the practical side. Your guide uses live data to select the best chance location. That is why this style of tour can outperform a fixed itinerary. If the sky is clear in one direction and clouded elsewhere, you want a team that can relocate intelligently.
In rough weather, you might do more than just stand and wait. One guide named Barbara has been described driving for long stretches and dealing with heavy snow conditions, including an early hike when the weather demanded a better vantage. You should be prepared for the possibility that the hunt includes short movement outside the vehicle to improve your view.
Stop 3 back in Levi: the ride home after the show
After the night’s chasing, you return toward your accommodation. The listed stop time is again brief (about 10 minutes), which fits the reality: once the lights are done, the goal is getting you back warm and safely.
Even if you feel like you’re done with aurora watching, give yourself a few minutes of buffer after arrival. The cold doesn’t always hit uniformly, and you’ll likely want to eat something and decompress before sleep.
What’s actually included (and why it matters at night)
Tour inclusions can be marketing fluff. Here, most of the included items connect directly to better viewing and a smoother night.
- Two expert guides, max 7 people
Smaller groups mean less jostling for sightlines and less chaos when the plan changes.
- Hotel pickup & winter gear
You’re not expected to show up in regular clothes and guess at the rest. Winter gear helps you stay outside longer, which is the whole point of chasing.
- Unlimited mileage and time
This is a big value driver. When you pay for aurora hunting, you’re really paying for the ability to go where conditions improve. Unlimited rules let the team keep working without a hard stop.
- Snacks, warm tea, and bottled water
This matters more than it sounds. If you have low energy, you miss subtle aurora shifts. If you get thirsty or hungry, you stop focusing.
- Professional photography
The aurora is not easy to photograph well, especially in a cold, fast-changing environment. With pro photos included, you can relax about the technical side and simply watch for the moments your guides know will be worth capturing.
One other practical item: a mobile ticket. That’s convenient in winter because it reduces paper handling and lets you quickly show what you need when you’re meeting your guides.
The price: what $685+ is really buying you
At $685.67 per person, this tour is not cheap. But it also is not selling you a simple, sit-and-stare walk. You’re paying for a system: two guides, live data tracking, a small group, warm support on the ground, and the ability to keep moving without an imposed “we’re done now” cutoff.
The “guaranteed sighting or full refund” part is also part of the value math. You’re paying for an experience with a defined outcome standard. In aurora season, that is a big deal. If the sky is truly blank, the tour says you get a full refund rather than a lesson in disappointment.
You should still know the practical reality: the tour runs in a weather-dependent window. The operator requires good weather to run, and if conditions are poor, you may be offered another date or a full refund. That is not unique to this company, but it affects how you plan your trip days.
If you are deciding between a cheaper aurora outing and this one, think about what you want more:
- More chances to relocate intelligently
- More time to wait if the aurora arrives late
- Less stress about photos and cold discomfort
If those priorities are high for you, the price starts to make sense.
Meet the style of guide who will work the hardest
One reason people talk well about this tour style is the intensity of the guide effort. A named guide from prior experiences, Barbara, has been described as driving about 600 km total and going as far as Sweden when weather conditions were not at their best. In another account, she drove for around 8 hours and worked through overcast skies until the sky cleared and the aurora showed itself.
Even if you never meet Barbara, those stories hint at what the guiding approach looks like:
- long-distance persistence
- willingness to adjust when the forecast shifts
- focus on finding a spot with actual viewing conditions, not just a scenic stop
This matters because aurora hunting is rarely linear. The best guides treat it like an active pursuit rather than a timed excursion.
Best-fit for your trip: who should book, and who might not
This works especially well if:
- You only have one or a few nights and want to maximize your odds.
- You get annoyed by rigid schedules that force you to leave even when the sky is warming up.
- You want the guides to handle tracking, positioning, and photography support.
- You value safety and clear roles in the vehicle (driving vs. skywatching).
It might not be your first pick if:
- You hate late nights or long van time. The tour duration can run from 4 to 16 hours.
- You want a low-cost activity where you can shrug and move on if nothing happens. The refund guarantee is protective, but you still need to show up and be prepared for variable conditions.
How to prepare so the night feels easier
You can’t control clouds. You can control your comfort and your mindset.
First, dress for real cold. Even with winter gear included, bring a plan for layers, because you will be outside during the viewing stretches and exposed to wind and snow. Winter clothing is not included as a guaranteed item unless you add it on, so if you only pack summer thermals, you’ll be sorry.
Second, set your expectations for time. The tour window runs between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM (Monday to Saturday during the operating season). That means your evening starts fairly late, and the total time out can stretch.
Third, stay flexible. If heavy snow, clouds, or visibility issues make the first spot worse, the guide will adapt. Be ready to move—maybe even walk a bit—to improve your viewing angle.
Finally, keep your brain in aurora mode. The lights can be subtle at first. If you are checking your phone every few minutes, you might miss the moments that matter.
Should you book the Ultimate Aurora Chase?
If you are serious about seeing the Northern Lights and you want a tour built around effort—two guides, live tracking, small group, unlimited chasing, and professional photos—this is a strong choice. The guaranteed sighting with a full refund shifts risk away from you, and the included comforts (tea, snacks, winter gear) make it easier to stay engaged through a long night.
Book it if you can handle being out late and you want your aurora hunt to feel like a mission, not a waiting room. Skip it if you want a short, low-commitment activity or if your schedule is so tight that 4 to 16 hours would cause real problems.
FAQ
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 7 travelers.
How long does the Northern Lights tour last?
The duration is listed as approximately 4 to 16 hours.
What time does the tour depart?
Operating hours are Monday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, during the season dates listed for the experience.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, hotel pickup is offered.
Are winter clothes included?
Winter gear is included, but winter clothing is not included and can be booked as an add-on.
What is included for food and drinks?
You get snacks, warm tea, and bottled water.
Are professional photos included?
Yes, professional photography and pictures are included.
Is there an aurora guarantee?
Yes. The tour is described as a guaranteed sighting, and if no auroras appear, you can receive a full refund.
What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
When should I cancel for a full refund?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Cancellation rules are based on local time.














