Women-Only Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife: Small Group by Jeep

Step outside at dark-sky stops and photograph the Northern Lights with a guide who tracks conditions all night.

A women-only Northern Lights tour from Yellowknife travels the Ingraham Trail in a heated white Jeep Wagoneer with a maximum of five guests, hotel pickup included, and a live English-speaking guide. You move between multiple viewing locations depending on cloud cover and aurora activity, with warm drinks, blankets, light snacks, and basic photography help throughout the night. The tour runs about four hours and suits all fitness levels; Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed, but every decision is made to maximize your chances.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights hunting tour

• Pickup from Yellowknife hotel
• Travel along Ingraham Trail
• Stop at first viewing location
• Enjoy warm drinks and snacks
• Photograph Northern Lights
• Move to alternate viewing spots if needed
• Return to hotel for drop-off

The Experience

The Jeep Wagoneer leaves your Yellowknife hotel and heads out on the Ingraham Trail, away from city light pollution toward darker skies. Depending on conditions, you may travel for up to an hour before reaching the first viewing spot. Once there, you step outside, adjust to the darkness, and wait beneath the northern sky with time to photograph and watch. The guide carries warm drinks, light snacks, and blankets to keep you comfortable between stops.

Aurora hunting requires patience and flexibility. If clouds move in or another location offers better visibility, the guide will change spots during the night, monitoring conditions and communicating with other local aurora watchers to find the clearest skies. With only five women in the vehicle, the pace stays unhurried and personal. The guide offers basic assistance with phone and camera settings so you can capture what you see without fumbling through settings in the cold.

The tour runs roughly four hours from pickup to drop-off. Northern Lights sightings cannot be guaranteed—the aurora depends on solar activity and weather—but every routing decision is built around giving the group the best opportunity to see them. The heated vehicle, included refreshments, and small group size mean you're not standing in the cold between sightings or competing for space and attention.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Yellowknife.
• heated white Jeep Wagoneer with a maximum of five guests.
• hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and hot water.
• light snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments.
• blankets.
• basic photography assistance with phone and camera settings.
• a live English-speaking guide who monitors conditions and selects viewing locations along the Ingraham Trail.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by NWT Charter Services

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Yellowknife without a car or prefer not to drive at night in winter conditions—hotel pickup means you step into the Jeep from your accommodation, and the small group size keeps the experience personal and unhurried while the guide handles all the routing and timing decisions.

Top questions

What happens if the Northern Lights don't show up on the night I book?

Northern Lights sightings depend on solar activity and cloud cover, so they cannot be guaranteed. The guide makes every routing decision to maximize your chances—moving between viewing spots, tracking conditions in real time, and communicating with other local aurora watchers—but the aurora itself is beyond anyone's control. Many operators offer rebooking options; check with the tour operator about their policy before you book.

How cold is it outside, and how long do I spend standing in the snow?

Yellowknife's winter temperatures typically drop well below freezing, so dress in heavy layers, insulated boots, and a warm coat. You step outside at multiple viewing stops throughout the night to photograph and watch the sky, but you're not standing continuously—the guide rotates between locations, and you can return to the heated Jeep to warm up between stops. Blankets and hot drinks are available to help you stay comfortable.

Do I need photography experience to get good pictures of the Northern Lights?

The guide provides basic assistance with phone and camera settings, so you don't need experience beforehand. A smartphone works for casual shots; if you bring a camera with manual settings, the guide can help you adjust it for low-light photography. The guide's help keeps the technical side simple so you can focus on watching the sky.

What's included in the warm drinks and light snacks?

Hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and hot water are available throughout the tour, along with light snacks that may vary depending on the season and the group's needs. Bottled water is also included. The refreshments are designed to keep you warm and comfortable between viewing stops.

Does the tour pick me up from my hotel, or do I need to arrange my own transport?

Hotel pickup and drop-off within Yellowknife are included, so you don't need to arrange a car or navigate to a meeting point. The Jeep collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the tour.

What's the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 19 years old. The tour is designed as a women-only experience, so all participants must be women aged 19 and up.