From Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Hunting with Photos & Videos

The key here is the flexible hunting range. Instead of staying near Rovaniemi, photographer and Aurora expert Kun can drive across Finnish Lapland and, if conditions call for it, into Swedish Lapland. That gives the evening a real purpose: you are not simply parked at one viewing spot hoping the sky cooperates.

I like the small group of up to eight and the fact that professional photos and videos are included. You can watch the sky instead of worrying about camera settings, then receive the finished images the next day. The main consideration is timing. Pickup may happen anytime from 17:00 to midnight, and a long drive can stretch the outing from six hours to as much as nine.

Key points before you book

• Photographer-led search: Kun handles the route, sky data, and photography while explaining how the Aurora works.
• Finnish and Swedish Lapland: The driving range is not limited to Rovaniemi or one fixed viewing site.
• Photos and videos included: You receive unlimited high-quality files, shared the next day.
• Small group format: The vehicle is limited to eight participants, allowing more personal help with portraits and camera settings.
• Weather-dependent timing: Your exact pickup time is confirmed on the day between 16:00 and 20:00.
• Refund protection: If there is no chance to find the Aurora and the tour is cancelled, you receive a full refund.

Why this Rovaniemi Aurora hunt works differently

Many Northern Lights outings are really transport trips to a known viewing area. This one is built around the search itself. Kun uses solar wind data, weather information, a large regional database, and local knowledge to decide where the sky gives you the best chance.

That does not make the Aurora predictable. No tour can control clouds or solar activity. It does mean your evening is guided by current conditions rather than a fixed route chosen long before sunset.

The advertised success rate is nearly 100 percent over more than four years, but you should read that carefully. It is not a promise that every participant will see a strong green display on every date. The protection offered is that if conditions make an Aurora sighting impossible and the tour is cancelled, you receive a full refund.

The published price is $136 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend an evening around Rovaniemi, but it covers much more than a ride. You are paying for a professional photographer, a small group, a wide driving range, a photography lesson, hot berry juice, gingerbread cookies, and a large set of finished photos and videos.

For anyone who wants a good record of the night, the value improves. Hiring a photographer separately, arranging transport, and finding dark skies on your own could easily become more complicated and costly. If your main goal is simply to stand outside for a short time and hope for green light, a less expensive outing may be enough.

Pickup in Rovaniemi and a late start

Pickup and drop-off are free within 10 kilometers of Rovaniemi train station. That covers many central accommodations, but not every place in the wider area. If you are staying farther out, contact Nordies Tour before booking to confirm if pickup is possible and what extra charge may apply.

The exact pickup time is not fixed in advance. It can fall anywhere between 17:00 and midnight, depending on the season, cloud cover, and solar wind activity. You receive the confirmed time on the day of the tour, between 16:00 and 20:00.

This arrangement makes sense for Aurora hunting, since darkness arrives at different times through the Lapland year. Still, you need to keep your evening free. Do not schedule a restaurant reservation or another activity too close to the expected start.

Bring warm clothing and proper winter shoes. You can rent an adult winter jacket and trousers for €10, but this is only a third layer. Shoes, gloves, hats, and scarves are not supplied, so you need to bring those yourself.

The drive through Finnish and Swedish Lapland

Once you leave Rovaniemi, the tour becomes a moving search. The standard duration is about six hours, but it can reach nine hours when a longer route is needed. That extra time may be valuable if the best conditions are far from town, though it also means more sitting in a vehicle and a later return.

The route is not presented as a sightseeing loop with several planned attractions. Its purpose is to reach darker and clearer places. The driver and guide use changing conditions to choose the next stop, and the final location may be in Finland or across the border in Sweden.

That broad range is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. Rovaniemi can have cloud while another area is clear. A fixed viewing platform has no answer to that problem. A mobile group has at least some room to adjust.

The tradeoff is that you cannot know the exact route beforehand. The evening may feel wonderfully focused if the sky is active, or like a long cold-weather chase if conditions stay poor. Remote locations may not have public restrooms, which is important to consider before you set off.

Learning the Aurora before the camera comes out

Kun is not only driving you to a dark spot. The tour includes an explanation of the Aurora and a photography tutorial. That is useful even if you already own a good camera, since night photography requires different settings from ordinary holiday pictures.

You should expect practical help with photographing the sky and with positioning yourself for a portrait. The information provided does not promise a full technical workshop, so you should not book this as an advanced photography course. Think of it as a clear introduction built around the conditions of that particular night.

The guide speaks English and Korean. For a small group, that can make a real difference. With no more than eight participants, there is a better chance to ask a question, adjust your setup, or request help than there would be in a large coach group.

The strongest praise in the available feedback focuses on two things: Kun’s personal effort and the quality of the finished photos. That matches the design of the experience. The photography is not an extra add-on at the end. It is part of the central service.

What the photo session is like

The tour uses specialized equipment for astrophotography and nighttime video. You receive unlimited high-quality photos and videos, shared digitally the next day. The files are intended to be sharp and polished, not merely quick snapshots taken on a phone.

This matters because the Aurora can be difficult to photograph. In person, you may see movement and color that a basic camera fails to capture. A professional setup also makes it easier to include people in the frame while keeping the night sky visible.

The exact number and style of images are not specified, so do not assume a set number of individual portraits or a personal album. The promise is unlimited finished photos and videos from the session. If you have a particular photo in mind, such as a group portrait or a solo shot, ask Kun in advance.

You should also remember that photography requires patience. The group may need to wait for the sky, change position, or repeat a pose. The upside is a stronger record of the night. The downside is that you may spend less time simply standing around and watching without a camera plan.

Snacks, warmth, and the practical limits

Gingerbread cookies and hot berry juice are included. These are small touches, but they matter during a long night outdoors. A warm drink can make a cold stop more comfortable, while the cookie gives you something simple to eat between photo sessions.

Do not treat those refreshments as a full meal. The tour lasts about six hours and may run longer, so eat beforehand and consider bringing any food you need. Since the route can reach remote areas, restroom access is not guaranteed.

The cold is a serious part of the experience. Rovaniemi winters can make standing still feel much colder than walking, especially during a long exposure or while waiting for activity in the sky. Wear warm layers, insulated shoes, and covered hands. The €10 clothing rental is useful if you lack a proper winter jacket and trousers, but it does not solve every clothing need.

The activity is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with a cold, or wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for pets. These limits relate to the long drive, cold outdoor waiting, remote stops, and uneven access at viewing points.

Small group value at $136

A group capped at eight gives this outing a more personal feel than a large bus excursion. You are sharing the vehicle and the guide’s attention, but you are not one person among dozens. That is especially helpful when the guide is also taking individual or group photographs.

The price also includes transport within the free pickup zone, the full search area, instruction, snacks, and digital photos and videos. The included media may be the biggest financial advantage for people who do not own a camera suited to night skies.

Still, the value depends on what you want. If you need a guaranteed show, no Aurora tour can provide that. If you dislike long drives or uncertain start times, the flexible hunting style may feel tiring. If you care about getting memorable images and prefer not to manage the technical work yourself, the price is easier to justify.

The current published rating is 5 out of 5 from eight ratings. The most specific praise is aimed at the guide’s care and the quality of the photos. That is useful evidence about the service, but it is a small sample, so I would still base your decision on the weather policy, timing, and long-night format.

Who should choose this experience

I would choose this tour if you have only one or two nights in Rovaniemi and want to make a serious attempt at seeing the Aurora. The wide driving range gives you more flexibility than a fixed-location outing, and the refund rule offers some protection if the tour is cancelled because there is no real chance.

It also suits couples, friends, and solo participants who want professional images without carrying a complicated camera setup. The small group is a good match for anyone who values direct help and a quieter vehicle.

Families with very young children should choose something else. The late timing, possible nine-hour duration, cold, and lack of guaranteed restroom access make this a poor fit for children under six. People with mobility or health concerns should also avoid it.

If you are deciding between this and a cheaper Aurora bus ride, ask yourself one question: do you want transportation to a viewing place, or do you want an active search with a photographer? At $136, this tour makes the most sense for the second goal.

Should you book the Nordies Tour Aurora hunt?

Book it if professional images, a small group, and the freedom to travel across Finnish and Swedish Lapland matter to you. Kun’s role as both Aurora guide and photographer gives the evening a clear focus, and the next-day delivery of photos and videos is a real benefit.

Before booking, be ready for a late and changeable pickup, a long drive, cold outdoor stops, and possible restroom limitations. Bring proper shoes, gloves, a hat, and a scarf, and keep the following day flexible enough to collect your files.

If those conditions suit you, this is a strong choice for turning an uncertain natural event into a well-organized night with something tangible to take home.

FAQ

How much does the Aurora Borealis tour cost?

The tour costs $136 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The usual duration is about six hours. If a longer drive is needed, the tour may last up to nine hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time can be anytime between 17:00 and 00:00. Your exact pickup time is provided on the day between 16:00 and 20:00.

Where does pickup take place?

Free pickup and drop-off are available within 10 kilometers of Rovaniemi train station. Service from farther locations may be possible for an extra fee, so contact the provider to confirm.

Can the tour travel into Sweden?

Yes. The hunting range covers Finnish and Swedish Lapland, and the route may enter Sweden if conditions make that useful.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to eight participants. Private tours can also be arranged for an additional fee.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Unlimited high-quality Aurora photos and videos are included and are shared digitally the next day.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and warm shoes. You should also bring your own gloves, hat, and scarf. An adult winter jacket and trousers can be rented for €10 per set, but shoes and accessories are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the provider cancels because there is no chance to find the Aurora, you also receive a full refund.