Know Before You Go: Northern Lights Tours
What Are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of the most spectacular natural wonders on Earth. These glowing ribbons of green, pink, violet, and white light occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere. The result is a dazzling natural light show that shimmers, pulses, and dances across Arctic skies.
For centuries, cultures across the North have been inspired by the aurora, weaving stories, legends, and spiritual meaning into its glowing arcs. Today, seeing the northern lights is a bucket-list goal for nature travelers, photographers and adventurers around the world.
Aurora Quick Facts
Caused by solar storms interacting with Earth’s magnetic field
Usually green, but can also appear pink, purple, red, or white
Visible mainly in the auroral oval near the Arctic Circle
Appear as arcs, curtains, or spirals that seem to move and dance
Best seen on long, dark, clear nights away from city lights
Why Choose Nat Hab for a Northern Lights Tour?
View the northern lights from a selection of six heated, private venues and spend days dog sledding, riding a snowcoach through boreal forest and learning about Indigeneous culture.
On Nat Hab’s Churchill Northern Lights adventures, small groups translate into prime viewing, hands-on learning with experts and a truly exclusive way to see the aurora.
Our private, heated venues—including the Aurora Tower, custom Aurora Pod®, geodesic Aurora Sphere and Aurora Domes—are far from town lights with unobstructed viewing.
Our Expedition Leaders are naturalist experts who explain how solar winds spark the aurora, adding insights into Arctic ecology and culture that bring each night sky to life.
Through our WWF partnership, Nat Hab journeys protect communities, wildlife and habitats—advancing global conservation via sustainable, life-affirming adventures.
Northern Lights Tour Guide
Where Should I Go on a Northern Lights Tour?
Churchill is one of the best places on the planet to see the northern lights, sitting directly beneath the aurora oval on frozen Hudson Bay, where clear nights deliver some of the world’s most dazzling displays.
When is the Best Time to See Northern Lights?
The best time to see the northern lights is January–March, when clear, dark nights and peak auroral activity create magical displays of the aurora borealis across Churchill's winter skies.
How to See Northern Lights
Private heated vantage points in remote dark-sky locations, far from town lights, provide unparalleled comfort and exclusivity—offering travelers premium northern lights viewing experiences.
Other Activities on Northern Lights Tours
Additional Arctic activities in Churchill include dogsledding, snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, museum visits and Indigenous cultural programs—daytime adventures that enhance exclusive northern lights viewing.
Viewing Northern Lights
Where Can I See the Northern Lights?
The best places to see the Northern Lights are in Canada, Alaska, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Sweden. From September to March (depending on the location), look for dark, clear skies beneath the aurora oval—top spots include Canada’s Churchill, Fairbanks, Tromso and Lapland.
What are the Best Places in the World to See the Northern Lights?
Destination | Why It's Great | Best Viewing Season |
|---|---|---|
Churchill, Canada | Directly beneath the auroral oval with 300+ nights of activity each year | Jan–Mar |
Lapland, Finland | Snowy landscapes, glass-roofed lodges, Indigenous Sámi culture | Dec–Mar |
Iceland | Easy access, geothermal hot springs, dramatic volcanic scenery | Sept–Apr |
Norway & Sweden | Fjords, mountains, and remote Arctic villages | Sept–Mar |
Greenland & Alaska | Wild, remote, and far from light pollution | Sept–Mar |
With 300 nights of auroral activity each year Churchill, Manitoba, is one of the most reliable places on Earth to view the aurora borealis.
How Do I Get to Churchill, Manitoba?
Getting to Churchill, Manitoba is easy with Natural Habitat Adventures. Although remote, our trips include roundtrip charter flights from Winnipeg, so you avoid long layovers. Every trip begins and ends in Winnipeg, which connects to major U.S. hubs, making travel smooth and straightforward.
When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?
Midwinter offers the best chance to see the northern lights, thanks to long, dark nights and cold, clear skies. In Churchill, Nat Hab’s aurora trips run from January through March, when solar activity is strong and cloud cover is minimal. The colder it is, the better your odds—just bundle up and look up! Learn more about when to see the aurora.
Churchill Northern Lights by Month
January
Daylight Hours
Very limited
Aurora Chances
Excellent
Notes
Coldest temps, longest nights
February
Daylight Hours
9 hrs
Aurora Chances
Excellent
Notes
Peak aurora + stable weather
March
Daylight Hours
11 hrs
Aurora Chances
Very good
Notes
Slightly warmer, clear skies
Why Travel with Nat Hab for Northern Lights Tours?
We combine location, timing, expertise and exclusive access for the best odds of seeing the aurora.
Nat Hab’s Northern Lights trips are scheduled in peak viewing season, far from light pollution, and led by expert naturalist guides. You’ll visit a variety of private heated viewing sites, chosen each night based on cloud cover and aurora forecasts. Our roundtrip chartered flights to Churchill give you more time in nature—and more chances to se
Private heated viewing sites, far from light pollution
Custom-built structures like our Aurora Pod® and Aurora Sphere
Expert naturalist guides trained in aurora science and Arctic ecology
Small group size with personalized attention
Authentic cultural encounters with Indigenous communities
Loaner Arctic gear provided—no shopping required!
Backed by our partnership with WWF, supporting conservation in the North
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for a northern lights trip?
Bring moisture-wicking base layers, warm socks, indoor clothes for lodges, pajamas, and personal items. Nat Hab provides all heavy Arctic gear—parka, boots, mittens, and snow pants—so you don’t need to buy specialized clothing. Even in midwinter, traveling to see the northern lights in Churchill can be cozy and comfortable with the right gear.
Are the northern lights visible every night in Churchill?
Churchill is one of the most reliable places in the world for aurora viewing, but sightings depend on solar activity, weather, and darkness. Trips are timed for the best odds, but nature offers no guarantees.
Factors that influence visibility:
Solar flare activity (aurora needs energetic particles)
Clear skies (no clouds blocking the view)
Darkness (no daylight or artificial light)
Viewing location (Nat Hab’s sites are well away from town)
Can I photograph the northern lights with my phone?
Yes! Modern smartphones with Night Mode or long-exposure apps can capture aurora photos. For best results:
Use a tripod or stable surface
Activate Night Mode or manual settings
Use a timer to prevent blurring
Bring spare batteries (cold drains power fast)
How cold is it during northern lights season in Churchill?
Expect -20°F to -40°F at night. Nat Hab’s Arctic gear keeps you safe and warm, and heated viewing structures allow cozy sky-watching between outdoor photography sessions.
Churchill’s subarctic climate means bitterly cold but stable conditions in late winter—perfect for aurora viewing. You’ll spend time in heated lodges, warm vehicles and cozy viewing structures like Nat Hab’s Aurora Pod® and Aurora Sphere, stepping outside only when conditions are ideal.
What happens if I don’t see the northern lights?
Even without aurora, Churchill offers once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adventures:
Dog sledding with real mushers
Snowcoach exploration of the boreal forest
Cultural encounters with Indigenous elders and artists
Wildlife tracking and Arctic ecology learning
Nat Hab's Northern Lights Tours
Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration
Churchill, Manitoba is arguably the best place on Earth to view the aurora borealis—see it in comfort from secluded, private viewing locations, including our exclusive glass Aurora Pod with a 360° view on the sky.
Northern Lights Photo Expedition
You'll find no better location for aurora photography than Churchill—and no better approach than this one, led by expert photographer guides, featuring remote and atmospheric private settings for stunning images.
Travel Stories
An Expedition Leader’s Extraordinary Northern Lights Adventure in Churchill
—By Eddy Savage
As a year-round Expedition Leader with Natural Habitat Adventures, part of my annual circuit of trips has me leading groups on the most extraordinary of winter adventures...
The Sounds of the Northern Lights
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eddy Savage
Crackling, popping, whooshing. These are the sounds described as being produced by nature’s most beautiful phenomena. But where might they come from?
Northern Lights, Sun Dogs and Fire Rainbows: 5 Optical Phenomena and Where to See Them
—By Ruksana Hussain
Count yourself lucky if you’ve been an audience to some of these performances by Mother Nature, including the northern lights, sun dogs, fire rainbows, light pillars and the rare Brocken spectre. Keep your eyes on the skies to check these five off your list!
Preparing for Photographing the Northern Lights
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eddy Savage
I have several key preparations in my Northern Lights Photography Kit that make my life easier and the rush of photographing the aurora borealis a lot of fun...
NASA Has Sent Two Rockets into the Northern Lights
—By Samantha Miller
A new NASA mission has recently sent two rockets through an active aurora to study how the aurora borealis impacts the energy exchange in Earth’s atmosphere up close.
7 Northern Lights Photography Tips (That Aren’t Camera Settings)
—By Megan Koelemay
Equip yourself with the right gear and an imaginative spirit, and you’ll have a delightful experience photographing the northern lights!
Women in the Light—An Account of Our First Ever Women-Only Adventure
—By Ben Bressler
If my mother were still alive she would have understood the power of women joining together to explore the world and discover themselves. And she would have signed up for this trip in a heartbeat (if only to get away from my brother and me).
Natural Habitat Adventures Announces Northern Lights Encounter Exclusively for Women
—By Nat Hab
The first-ever departure will focus on the Arctic through a female lens via outdoor adventures, Indigenous storytelling and learning about powerful women leading lives as entrepreneurs, scientists and trailblazers in Canada’s North.
Video: The “Scientific” Beauty of the Northern Lights
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
While you may think that describing the process that creates the aurora in such detail takes away from their magic and beauty, there’s an even greater magnificence, I think, in understanding the science behind one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena.
15 Native Tales About the Northern Lights
—By Marsea Nelson
We know today that the aurora borealis, commonly called the “northern lights” occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun zoom into Earth’s...
