Northern Lights hunting in Sodankyla: small-group SISU tour

Chase the aurora on your own terms, guided through the quiet Arctic

The SISU Northern Lights Hunting tour is a 4-hour small-group experience in Sodankyla, Lapland, where you hunt the aurora with a local guide who knows the best dark-sky locations and shares stories about Arctic life and the Finnish concept of SISU. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with warm drinks and a personalized certificate marking your connection to the Arctic wilderness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights hunting in Lapland

• Pickup from hotel in Sodankyla
• Travel to remote wilderness location
• Receive winter gear if needed
• Listen to guide's Arctic stories
• Learn about Northern Lights and SISU
• Enjoy warm drinks by the fire
• Watch Northern Lights in the Arctic sky
• Receive personalized SISU Certificate
• Return to hotel in Sodankyla

The Experience

Sodankyla sits deep enough in Lapland that the Northern Lights appear regularly in winter, and this tour takes you away from the town's light pollution to the quiet places where the aurora shows itself best. Your guide — someone who lives and works in the region — picks you up from your hotel and drives to a location chosen for darkness and clear skies. The 4-hour hunt unfolds on the guide's knowledge of where conditions are clearest on any given night; you are not following a fixed route, but moving to wherever the Arctic is most likely to deliver.

While you wait for the lights, the guide explains how the aurora forms, shares stories about survival and life in the Far North, and talks about SISU — the Finnish concept of resilience and strength in harsh conditions that shapes how people here live. You gather around a fire with warm drinks and cookies, staying comfortable while watching the sky. Winter gear (thermal suit and boots) is available if you need it. The group stays small — maximum 8 guests — so the pace is calm and the guide can answer questions without rushing anyone through the night.

At the end, you receive a personalized SISU Certificate, a tangible reminder of the night and your connection to the Arctic. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sodankyla bookend the experience, so you do not arrange transport yourself.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sodankyla.
• warm drinks and cookies by the fire.
• winter gear (thermal suit and boots) if you need it.
• a personalized SISU Certificate as a souvenir of your Arctic night.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Arctic Sisu Experience

Is this one for you?Groups of up to 8 guests work best here — small enough that the guide can answer questions and adjust the pace without rushing, and large enough that you are not alone in the cold. Choose this tour if you want a calm, personal hunt for the aurora rather than a crowded outing, and if you value local knowledge and stories about Arctic life alongside the lights themselves.

Top questions

What are the chances of actually seeing the Northern Lights on this tour?

The Northern Lights appear regularly in Sodankyla during winter, and the guide chooses locations away from light pollution to maximize visibility. The aurora's appearance depends on solar activity and weather, which are never guaranteed, but the guide's local knowledge of the best dark-sky spots gives you the strongest odds the region offers.

How cold will it be, and what should I wear?

Lapland winters are well below freezing, and the 4-hour hunt means you are outside for the full duration. Thermal suits and boots are available from the tour if you need them; layered clothing underneath is essential. The fire and warm drinks help, but you should expect Arctic cold and dress accordingly.

Is this tour suitable if I have never seen the Northern Lights before?

Yes — the SISU Northern Lights Hunting tour is designed for all physical fitness levels and all experience levels. The guide explains how the aurora forms and shares Arctic stories throughout the night, so first-time viewers get context and knowledge alongside the hunt.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

The tour runs for the full 4 hours regardless of aurora activity. The guide will still take you to dark-sky locations, explain the science behind the lights, and share stories about Lapland and Arctic life. You receive the SISU Certificate at the end of the experience.

Does the tour include any food or drinks?

Warm drinks and cookies are included throughout the 4-hour tour. You gather around a fire while waiting for the aurora, and the guide provides hot beverages to keep you warm during the night.

How far from Sodankyla will we travel to find the Northern Lights?

The guide chooses locations based on darkness and clear skies on the night of your tour, so the distance varies. All locations are selected to be away from light pollution while remaining accessible from Sodankyla, where your hotel pickup and drop-off happen.