Northern Lights Photography in Abisko: Three Ways to Chase Aurora

Three methods to find and photograph the northern lights, depending on what the sky and forecast decide

This is a four-hour northern lights photography activity in Abisko National Park where you photograph the aurora borealis with a provided DSLR camera, tripod and preset settings, guided by a professional who adjusts the hunt method (on foot near a teepee, by 4×4 van, or by snowmobile sleigh) based on the weather and aurora forecast. Groups stay at eight guests maximum. Pickup from your hotel is included, and you get warm overalls, a headlamp, hot lingonberry juice and snacks. Arctic boots are available to rent if you need them. Memory cards for the camera can be purchased on-site.

The experience

You arrive at the meeting point and get outfitted with a DSLR camera and lens already preset to capture the northern lights, a tripod, warm overalls, a headlamp and a backpack. Your guide walks you through the basic skills you need to find and photograph the aurora: no prior camera experience required. Then the hunt begins. Abisko sits in a pocket of the Arctic where clear skies are common enough that it ranks among the world's best places to see the northern lights, and your guide reads the forecast and conditions in real time to decide which method gives you the strongest chance that night: a walk to a nearby teepee, a chase across the landscape in a modern 4×4 van, or a ride on a cozy sleigh pulled behind a snowmobile out to a wilderness camp.

The group stays under eight people, which means your guide can watch your camera settings, help you frame shots and move you to the best vantage points without the chaos of a larger crowd. Since your transportation is included and there's no fixed return time, you can stay out as long as the lights keep dancing and the forecast holds: longer than outfitters bound to a set schedule. Between aurora watches you learn about Lapland's culture and natural history. Hot lingonberry juice and snacks keep you warm during the waits.

Pickup from your hotel is included in the price. The activity runs four hours. Children from age ten are welcome. If you don't have arctic boots, you can rent heavy-duty ones on the day. Memory cards for the camera come with a minimum of 4 GB of storage space. If you need more, you can buy additional cards there.

What’s included

• DSLR camera and lens preset for aurora photography.
• tripod.
• warm overalls and headlamp.
• backpack.
• hot lingonberry juice and snacks.
• professional guide.
• hotel pickup.
• and the flexibility to stay out as long as the lights are active, since your transportation is included and there's no fixed return time.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:10

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Lights Over Lapland

Is this one for you?You're doing the photography yourself with the guide's help and real-time adjustments to the hunt method, which suits anyone who wants to learn camera skills and come home with their own shots rather than just watch someone else photograph the lights. The group size of eight means your guide can give you personal attention without the chaos of a larger tour, and the three different methods (on foot, by van, or by sleigh) mean you're not locked into one approach if conditions change.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 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.

What's the difference between the three ways you hunt for the northern lights?

On foot near a teepee, you stay in one location and watch the sky; by 4×4 van, you chase the lights across the landscape if they move; by snowmobile sleigh, you ride to a remote wilderness camp. Your guide picks the method based on the weather and aurora forecast for that night, so you get the best odds of seeing them.

Do I need to know how to use a camera to photograph the aurora?

No. Your guide will preset the DSLR camera and lens to capture the northern lights and walk you through the basic skills you need to find and photograph them during the evening.

Why does Abisko have such good chances of seeing the northern lights?

Abisko sits in a geographic pocket where clear skies are common, which is why it ranks among the world's greatest places to see the aurora borealis. The forecast and conditions change night to night, but the location itself gives you better odds than most other spots in the Arctic.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel is included, and since transportation is part of the package, there is no set return time. Your guide can keep you out as long as the lights are active and conditions allow.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear warm layers. The activity provides warm overalls, a headlamp, a backpack and snacks. If you don't have arctic boots, you can rent heavy-duty ones on the day. The guide will advise you on other layers based on the forecast.