Northern Lights hunting in Rovaniemi: Open fire & Lappish cottage

Sit by an open fire in the forest, watch the sky, and listen to stories of Lapland

A three-hour Northern Lights hunt in Rovaniemi takes you from the city to a cottage in the forest with a panoramic northern view, where your guide builds an open fire, serves hot drinks and Lappish sausages, and shares facts and myths about Finnish life and the aurora. Your guide carries professional cameras to photograph the lights if they appear, and offers advice if you bring your own camera.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights viewing and stories

• Pick up by car from city
• Drive to remote viewing location
• Rest by open fire and cook sausages
• Listen to guide's stories and myths
• Watch Northern Lights video in warm cottage
• Receive aurora photography advice

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel and a drive out past the city lights to reach a location with a clear view of the northern sky. Your guide handles the route and timing, leaving you free to watch for the aurora as you travel. The cottage itself sits in the forest with a panoramic view facing north. The direction where the lights are most likely to appear.

Once you arrive, your guide prepares an open fire outdoors where you'll spend time in the crisp air. Hot drinks and Lappish sausages are served as you sit by the fire, and your guide shares interesting facts, myths and stories about Finnish life and life in the north, answering questions as they come up. If the Northern Lights appear, your guide's high-quality cameras capture the moment for you. If you've brought your own camera, the guide offers advice on how to photograph the aurora yourself.

Inside the warm cottage, you'll watch a video about the Northern Lights and hear more stories about Lapland. The whole experience runs three hours, and your guide speaks English throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

What’s included

• Hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• an English-speaking driver and guide.
• hot coffee and tea.
• Lappish sausages and snacks.
• an open fire prepared for you.
• a video about the Northern Lights shown in the warm cottage.
• professional photography of the aurora if it appears.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 20:00

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Helios tour

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to watch and listen from a stationary fire rather than actively search. Your guide handles the movement and timing while you stay warm by the flames.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

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

The tour operates in all weather conditions, and the guide will share stories, facts and video about the aurora whether or not it's visible that evening. If the lights don't show, no refund is issued for the activity itself, though you still get the fire, the drinks, the sausages and the full three hours at the cottage.

Can I take my own photos of the Northern Lights if they appear?

Yes. Your guide carries professional cameras and will photograph the aurora for you, but if you bring your own camera, the guide offers advice on how to capture the lights yourself. This is helpful if you want to use your own equipment or learn aurora photography technique.

What's included in the hot drinks and snacks mentioned?

Hot drinks include coffee and/or tea. Snacks and Lappish sausages are served while you sit by the open fire. If you require a vegetarian option, you can request it at the time of booking.