Northern Lights Small Group Tour: Around Kirkenes

Chase the aurora across the Arctic night with a guide who knows where to look.

A small-group minivan tour around Kirkenes that follows weather and cloud conditions through Sør-Varanger in search of the Northern Lights, led by a local guide in English or German. The tour runs three hours and includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and coffee or tea. Aurora sightings cannot be guaranteed due to weather and natural activity beyond the operator's control.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights minivan tour

• Set off on minivan adventure
• Travel through Sør-Varanger region
• Guide monitors weather and clouds
• Drive away from city lights
• Stop at promising viewing spots
• Experience Arctic night and Northern Lights

The experience

The tour departs in the evening and follows the night's weather patterns, moving away from city lights to spots where the aurora is most likely to appear. Your guide reads the conditions in real time and adjusts the route accordingly, so you're not locked into a fixed itinerary. The van goes where the sky looks most promising. Between viewing stops, the guide shares stories about Sør-Varanger's landscape, culture and history, turning the search itself into the experience rather than just the destination.

You'll spend roughly three hours in the minivan, moving between locations as conditions shift. The vehicle is heated and air-conditioned, and hot coffee or tea is provided during the tour. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point. Groups stay small enough that everyone gets a seat by a window and the guide can answer questions without shouting over a crowd.

Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon shaped by weather, cloud cover and solar activity: none of which anyone controls. The operator will only cancel if conditions become unsafe to drive. Otherwise the tour runs regardless of whether the aurora appears. This is worth knowing before you book: you're paying to search under expert guidance in the best conditions a given night allows, not to guarantee a sighting.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• three-hour minivan tour with an air-conditioned, heated vehicle.
• coffee and tea during the tour.
• live guide in English or German sharing stories about Sør-Varanger's nature, culture and history.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 21:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by kirkenes tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're spending an evening in Kirkenes and want to search for the Northern Lights with a small group and a guide who adjusts the route in real time based on weather and cloud cover. The minivan stays small so everyone has a window seat and the guide can answer questions without managing a large crowd.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What time does the Northern Lights tour depart from my hotel in Kirkenes?

The tour departs in the evening and runs for approximately three hours, with hotel pickup included in the booking. The exact departure time depends on the season and daylight hours. You'll receive the specific time when you confirm your reservation.

Is the minivan heated, and what should I wear for a three-hour tour in the Arctic?

The minivan is air-conditioned and heated, so you'll be comfortable inside the vehicle. For time spent outside at viewing stops, you'll want warm layers, a winter coat, hat and gloves: Arctic temperatures can drop well below freezing in the evening, even if you're only outside for short periods.

What happens if the Northern Lights don't appear on the night of my tour?

Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon controlled by weather, cloud cover and solar activity, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour will still run as scheduled, and your guide will take you to the best viewing spots available that night. The operator does not offer refunds if aurora activity or weather conditions are unfavourable.

Is this tour suitable for someone visiting Kirkenes for the first time with no experience watching the Northern Lights?

Yes, the tour is designed for all fitness levels and requires no prior experience. Your local guide will explain what you're looking for, how the aurora forms, and what conditions favour a sighting, so first-timers get the full context alongside the search.