Know Before You Go: Northern Lights Tours
What Else Will I See and Do on a Northern Lights Expedition?
A Nat Hab northern lights expedition is a full Arctic experience—by day, you’ll explore Churchill’s boreal wilderness and northern culture. By night, you’ll chase the aurora in comfort and seclusion.
Our expert guides lead you through snow-covered forests, frozen coastlines and Indigenous cultural programs. Days are active, varied and inspiring—so when the lights appear after dark, you’ve already connected deeply with the land and its people.
What Arctic activities can I do alongside aurora viewing?
Daytime in Churchill is filled with immersive Arctic adventures—from dogsledding and snowshoeing to wildlife tracking and cultural programs led by Indigenous hosts.
A northern lights trip is far more than nighttime skywatching. Nat Hab’s expeditions offer a full slate of activities that immerse travelers in the snowy wilderness and local culture. Explore boreal forest trails on snowshoes, ride with a dog musher through spruce-lined paths or visit a local museum to learn about Churchill’s history as a northern trading post. Guests can also engage in hands-on cultural exchanges with First Nations, Inuit and Métis hosts. These curated activities are designed to offer meaningful, off-the-beaten-path insight into life in the North.
Top Daytime Activities Include:
Dogsledding with a local musher
Snowshoeing through boreal forest trails
Cultural presentations from Indigenous community members
Museum visits on Churchill history and Arctic wildlife
Photography outings with expert guidance
What Wildlife Can I See on a Northern Lights Trip?
Churchill’s wild surroundings host hardy species that thrive in deep winter. While wildlife is less visible in the cold season, sharp eyes and expert guides may spot:
Sidebar: Wildlife Checklist
Arctic fox – White winter coat, often spotted along frozen creeks or forest edges
Snowy owl – Majestic and silent, perched on fenceposts or gliding low over the tundra
Willow ptarmigan – Well-camouflaged ground bird, often seen in flocks with feathered feet
Arctic hare – Large, white and fast-moving—look for tracks in fresh snow
Bring your binoculars and camera—you never know what might appear beyond the aurora!
What is a Typical Day Like on a Northern Lights Expedition?
Time of Day | Activity |
|---|---|
Morning | Guided snowshoe hike through boreal forest—look for Arctic fox tracks |
Late Morning | Visit to the Itsanitaq Museum—Inuit artifacts and Arctic natural history |
Lunch | Hearty hot meal at a local Churchill cafe |
Afternoon | Dogsledding adventure with a local musher—learn the history of Arctic travel |
Early Evening | Return to lodge for dinner and a warm-up with tea or cocoa |
Evening | Head to a private aurora-viewing site—watch the lights from a cozy heated dome |
Late Night | Stargazing and photography tips from your Expedition Leader |
Can I Go Dogsledding on a Northern Lights Trip?
Yes! Dogsledding is a guest favorite and a highlight of Nat Hab’s northern lights expeditions, offering both adventure and insight into a storied northern tradition.
Guests have the chance to meet a seasoned local musher and their enthusiastic team of sled dogs. After a demonstration, you’ll climb into a custom sled for a ride through snow-covered boreal forest. It’s a peaceful, thrilling experience as the dogs glide silently across the frozen landscape. You’ll also learn about the cultural significance of dogsledding in Canada’s North and the deep connection between mushers and their teams.
Dogsledding Experience Includes:
Intro to dog mushing and sled preparation
Guided sled ride through the forest
Meet-and-greet with sled dogs
Photo ops and storytelling with a local musher
What Cultural Experiences are Included on Nat Hab’s Northern Lights Adventures?
Nat Hab partners with local Indigenous hosts to share their cultural heritage through stories, traditional crafts and historical interpretation.
Our itineraries highlight the traditions of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities who have lived in the Churchill region for centuries. You might hear ancestral stories passed down through generations, watch demonstrations of traditional arts or explore the Hudson Bay history through an Indigenous lens. These experiences deepen your understanding of northern life beyond the lights.
Cultural Activities May Include:
Storytelling sessions with local elders
Traditional crafts and hands-on demonstrations
Guided museum tours with Indigenous interpretation
Insight into Arctic survival skills and food traditions
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 & Articles
Winter 2025 Will Bring The Best Northern Lights Display in 20 Years
—By Expedition Leader Katrina Rosen
This winter will be an incredible time to bear witness to the aurora borealis as we reach the peak of Solar Cycle 25. I’m excitedly anticipating guiding in the best place on Earth to see this aerial phenomenon!
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!
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...
An Expedition Leader’s Extraordinary Northern Lights Adventure in Churchill
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eddy Savage
Clear skies, stunning landscapes, fascinating people and the remarkable northern lights make an adventure here one for the books. Please enjoy my recap of my first 2023 expedition to Churchill!
Myths and Legends of the Northern Lights: An Interview with a Churchill Cree Elder
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Katrina Rosen
Georgina is a Cree elder and spent her childhood in the flats of Churchill, Manitoba. When Georgina was young, the lights would swirl above her family’s teepee, and her parents told her not to clap or whistle at them...
15 Traditional Tales About the Northern Lights
—By WWF
When you witness the lights streaking across the sky, reaching a height of up to 620 miles, it’s easy to understand how so many cultures came to develop mystical stories about them...
