See the Northern Lights

In the previous two years I have looked at where to see the Northern Lights in Europe and different ways to enjoy them. In this post I will look at further places to go to see the Northern Lights. As the Auroral Oval circles the planet in the northern latitudes this post will not be limited to one area. We start our round up in North America. There are a great deal of remote locations where the Northern Lights are visible but the logistics of getting there make it hugely expensive. Fortunately there are also places that are much more accessible where you can still see the spectacular display of the Northern Lights.

The Great Lakes, USA

Seeing the Northern Lights reflected in water is a great way of getting two shows for the price of one. The Great Lakes of Northern USA cover an area the size of Europe and are a great place to go aurora hunting.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula extends out into Lake Superior. It is a popular place to see the Northern Lights as sightings are very common especially in the spring and autumn months. Further north along the Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior is another great place to see the greatest light show on earth reflected in the water. Minnesota’s Superior National Forest is a fantastic backdrop for the Northern Lights. Take a tip from the locals and head up Oberg Mountain to have the best views of the Aurora casting its glow over the forests and Lake Superior. Vacations to America will tailor-make a Northern Lights holiday to the Great Lakes Region (just click on the “tailor-made” button)

Alaska, USA

Alaska, being so much further north than the rest of the United States offers great opportunity for seeing the Northern Lights. Fairbanks has over 200 aurora spectacles a year between autumn and spring so the chances are high that a visit will coincide with at least one show if not more. Aurora viewing can be combined with other activities including skiing, dog mushing, snowmobiling and soaking in the Chean Hot Springs. Discover the World, Artisan Travel and Ski Safari all offer holidays to Alaska which include aurora viewing

Lofoten Islands, Norway

The Lofoten Islands off the coast of Norway are pretty much under the Auroral Oval and offer a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights. There is plenty of water around so the display is reflected in the sea making it even more spectacular. The scenery by day is pretty special too and there is a good chance of seeing whales and other cetacea. Hattvika Lodge offers a three night package with 2 “aurora hunts” staying in traditional fishermen’s cottages.

Iceland

Iceland is probably the most convenient and affordable place to see the Northern Lights. Several budget airlines fly to Reykjavik with very reasonable prices. From Reykjavik it is easy to get away from the city lights into the remote lava landscape that covers much of Iceland. The surreal landscape and the aurora make for light show that is difficult to create anywhere else. By day you can explore volcanoes, lava fields, geothermal phenomena and glaciers. Then when night falls you can take in the light show. Discover the World have 30 years of experience of organising Northern Lights holidays and have a selection of Iceland trips

Swedish Lapland

Swedish Lapland is well with in the Aurora Zone and is a good place to see the Northern Lights while also experiencing the wilderness areas of Sweden. It is also a great place to photograph the aurora as the trees make good foreground interest as they are silhouetted against the greens and pinks of the dancing lights. Årrenjärka is a small village on the historic migration routes the Sami people took with their herds of reindeer. With Simply Sweden you can base yourself here and experience Europe’s last great wilderness and see the Northern Lights as the ancient peoples of the area would have done.

Greenland

I first experience the Northern Lights on the edge of the capital Nuuk. Standing on the shore I watched as the lights rippled across the night sky; reflecting on the waters of the Arctic Ocean. I have never forgotten that experience.

Greenland is a prime location to watch the Northern Lights. Apart from the capital Nuuk there are other settlements where you can view the dancing lights with stunning backdrops of icebergs, mountains or the glacial ice shelf. Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sisimuit in the west and Kulusuk and Tasiilaq in the east are the best spots. Greenland is an adventurers paradise and aurora hunting can be combined with dog sledging, kayaking and snowmobiling. A night out on the ice under the lights is another option. Aurora Zone have a selection of holidays to Greenland that combine adventure with aurora watching.

Russia

Russia is not the first place that comes to mind when thinking of a Northern Lights trip. Much of the north of the country is in the aurora zone making it one of the best places to visit and see the lights despite vast areas being inaccessible. To the Russian Saami people, who also in habit northern Scandinavia, the aurora hold special significance. One of the best places to see the light show is the Kola Peninsula jutting out into the Arctic Ocean. It is easily accessible from the northern city of Murmansk where several companies running excursions are based. Alternatively the northern city of Severodvinsk, which reputedly has the brightest, most colourful display of the Northern Lights, is worth visiting. Combine a little luxury with the Northern Lights viewing by taking a luxury train from St Petersburg to Moscow via Northern Norway and Murmansk. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains have departures in 2015 and 2016

Tip

All the above might be great locations to view the Northern Lights and there are far more than this post allows but it must be remembered that the aurora are a natural phenomena and as such are unpredictable. It is always a good idea to combine a Northern Lights holiday with some other activity. For those wanting to know more: There are a number of books and DVDs about the Northern Lights. You can discover some of them in the Travel Unpacked Shop (£)