Aurora Crystal Lavvo Overnight Tromsø: Sleep under Northern Lights

Spend the night hunting aurora from inside a glass room with a wood fire

An overnight stay in a Crystal Lavvo, a heated glass-ceiling shelter, in Lyngen's remote basecamp, with a guided 60–90 minute snowmobile ride through Montinus terrain, dinner, breakfast, and roundtrip transport from Tromsø. You drive your own snowmobile (or ride as a passenger) and tend the wood-burning fireplace while watching the sky all night from the warmth of your bed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Snowmobile trip and overnight stay

• Travel from Tromsø to Basecamp
• Gear up and receive snowmobile instructions
• Snowmobile ride through Lyngen terrain
• Dinner and Northern Lights forecast
• Heat and settle in Crystal Lavvo
• Search for Northern Lights overnight

Day 2: Breakfast and return to Tromsø

• Enjoy traditional Norwegian breakfast
• Return trip to Tromsø city center

The experience

The day starts with a scenic drive from Tromsø that includes a short ferry crossing, then a snowmobile briefing and ride through the diverse terrain of Montinus. You'll gear up in an insulated suit, boots and helmet, and either drive your own machine or ride as a passenger: groups switch places during the ride so everyone gets a turn at the controls if they hold a valid license. The guide leads you through the landscape for roughly an hour to 90 minutes, then you return to the basecamp for dinner.

After dark, a guide walks you to your lavvo and shows you how to keep the wood fire going through the night. The whole point is having hours ahead of you to watch for the northern lights without leaving your bed. The glass ceiling means you can scan the sky while staying warm. If conditions align, you might catch multiple aurora displays in a single night. The basecamp sits far enough from Tromsø's light pollution that the odds are genuinely better here than in the city.

Breakfast is a traditional Norwegian spread the next morning, then the return journey to Tromsø city center, arriving around 11:00 a.m. The experience runs roughly 23 and a half hours door to door. Fiber internet is available at the basecamp if you need to stay connected, and you can borrow cross-country skis or snowshoes to explore on foot during downtime.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transport from Tromsø to the basecamp.
• guided snowmobile excursion through Montinus terrain lasting 60–90 minutes.
• insulated snowsuit, winter boots, and helmet.
• Crystal Lavvo with comfortable beds and glass ceiling.
• wood-burning fireplace (you maintain it).
• dinner and traditional Norwegian breakfast.
• coffee and tea.
• safety briefing and snowmobile instruction.
• tripods for aurora photography.
• free use of cross-country skis or snowshoes.
• fiber internet connection.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 2 Jan 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Aurora Wonderland Basecmp

Is this one for you?Small groups or families booking together stay in their own lavvo without mixing with strangers, so you have privacy and control over your night. If you're traveling solo or as a pair, you may share a lavvo with other guests (up to four per unit), which spreads the cost and creates a shared experience of the hunt.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

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.

Do I need a driver's license to go on the snowmobile ride?

Only if you want to drive. Snowmobiles operate in pairs (one driver and one passenger per machine), so you can ride as a passenger without a license. If you do drive, you must be at least 16 years old and carry a valid car, motorcycle, or moped license (the physical card or official digital version in your country's app, screenshots don't count). Groups can mix drivers and passengers, and you'll have chances to switch places during the ride.

What happens if the northern lights don't show up?

The basecamp's location in Lyngen gives you the whole night to search, which improves your chances, but aurora is never guaranteed. You'll still have the snowmobile ride, the lavvo experience, meals, and the chance to explore the basecamp or rest. The tour operates year-round, so timing and weather both play a role in visibility.

How does the wood-burning fireplace work in the lavvo?

Your guide shows you how to maintain the fire when you arrive at your lavvo. You'll need to add wood yourself throughout the night to keep it heated, so it's not a set-it-and-forget-it setup, but that's part of the authentic Arctic experience. Firewood is provided.

What should I pack beyond the gear you provide?

Bring warm layers to wear under the insulated snowsuit: thermal underwear, wool socks, and a warm hat. You'll also need to bring your own gloves or mittens, and something to cover your face and neck like a balaclava, neck warmer, or scarf. Pack one suitcase and one medium bag or backpack per person due to transport space limits. There's no store nearby, so bring anything else you might need.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

The basecamp can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-free meals, but not combinations of these (for example, gluten-free and vegan together). Add your dietary needs to your booking notes so the team knows in advance.