Rovaniemi: Best & Original Aurora Experience with Pro Photos

If you’ve ever dreamed of catching the Northern Lights in Finland, this tour offers a highly professional way to do it. While we haven’t personally been on this exact trip, the reviews and details paint a compelling picture of an experience built for those wanting more than just a fleeting glimpse. It’s a carefully curated adventure that combines expert planning, intimate group sizes, and high-quality photography.

Two things we love about this experience are the focus on personalized, private locations—far from the crowds—and the professional photos you receive afterward. These two features mean you’re not just chasing a natural phenomenon; you’re creating tangible memories with the help of seasoned guides. One possible downside? Because it’s a photography-heavy tour, it’s best suited for those over 10 years old and comfortable with some cold outdoor conditions. This isn’t a laid-back sightseeing trip but a true hunt for the Northern Lights, perfect for travelers who want an active, immersive experience.

This tour is ideal if you’re serious about seeing the aurora under optimal conditions, capturing stunning images, and enjoying a small, relaxed group. If you’re after a professional, well-planned adventure with high success rates, this one might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Key Points

• Expert Planning: Over a decade of experience means they analyze weather, solar activity, and forecasts from early morning to craft the best route.
• Private Locations: Access to over 20 exclusive spots ensures minimal light pollution and better chances of seeing the aurora.
• Small Groups: Cap limited to 8 guests, providing personalized attention and flexible decision-making.
• Professional Photos: Guests receive high-quality, edited photos after the tour—no need to fuss with your camera in the cold.
• Multiple Stops: Usually 2-3 carefully chosen locations, sometimes traveling up to 100 km away to find clear skies.
• Weather and Aurora Focus: The team actively monitors conditions, adjusting plans for the best chance of a sighting.

You can check availability for your dates here:

The Experience in Detail

Starting Point and Pickup

The adventure begins in Rovaniemi, with pickup from your accommodation within about 10 km of the Beyond Arctic office. The comfort of this arrangement is a real plus—no stress about transport logistics, especially after a day of exploring.

The Morning of Planning

Unlike many tours that react to weather on the fly, this experience starts with early-morning planning. The team uses weather forecasts and solar activity data to formulate a route that maximizes your chances, sometimes venturing far into the Arctic wilderness. This level of preparation makes a difference—reviews highlight how guides drive around, seeking those elusive clear skies, even on cloudy nights.

The Stops and Locations

Expect 2-3 locations, each selected based on real-time updates. These aren’t random stops but well-chosen spots with minimal light pollution and optimal conditions. One review described a guide: “He knows exactly where to go to see the lights,” emphasizing the value of local expertise. Sometimes, if conditions are promising far away, they’ll travel up to 100 km from Rovaniemi, showing their dedication.

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Campfire, Snacks, and Atmosphere

A common highlight is the campfire experience. Guides often set up fires or BBQ spots where guests can warm up, roast sausages, and enjoy hot drinks. This creates a cozy, memorable atmosphere, even in the cold. One reviewer mentioned huddling in a teepee close to the fire, feeling like they had stepped into an Arctic postcard.

The Night Photography

This tour is designed with photography in mind, meaning you’ll get guidance on camera settings and composition. Guests without cameras aren’t left out—they receive professional, edited images afterward. Several reviews praised guides like Finn, Ville, and Markus for their patience and expertise with photography, ensuring everyone walks away with stunning shots—some even see the Northern Lights “more than once” thanks to the guide’s skill.

The Unpredictability of Aurora

It’s important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. While the team does everything possible to maximize your chances, heavy clouds or snow can obscure the sighting. However, during cloudy nights, the focus shifts to night photography in the Arctic landscape—an experience in itself. Several reviews mentioned that even when the lights didn’t appear, the guides still made the night enjoyable with stories, photos, and a warm campfire.

Duration and Group Size

The tour lasts around 5.5 hours, starting in the evening. With only 8 participants, the experience remains intimate. This limited size means guides can give personalized tips and ensure everyone feels well taken care of.

Staffing and Guides

From reviews, guides like Leevi, Aleksi, and Oren stand out for their passion, knowledge, and dedication. They go beyond just driving around; they actively communicate with aurora scientists, monitor weather, and take efforts to find the clearest skies. Guests consistently mention how these guides make a difference with their enthusiasm and expertise.

The Value of This Tour

At first glance, this trip might seem pricier than some mass-market options. But when you consider that it includes private locations, professional photos, expert guides, and personalized attention, the cost reflects a high-quality experience. Knowing you’re being driven to the best spots, often far from light pollution, significantly boosts your chances of witnessing the aurora—something many travelers find priceless.

The included photos are another big bonus. They’re high-quality, edited, and free—saving you hours of trying to capture the perfect shot yourself, often in challenging conditions. Several reviews rave about the images they received, describing them as “incredible” and “memorable.”

The Itinerary Breakdown

Pickup in Rovaniemi: A stress-free start, with collection from your hotel. The guides are friendly and eager to share knowledge from the get-go.

Secret stop #1: Usually a quick walk or photo stop lasting about 45 minutes. This could be a scenic spot or a place for initial photography practice, setting the tone for the night.

Secret stop #2: A longer break—about 1.5 hours—at a private location. Here, guests might enjoy camp activities, roast sausages, or simply take in the starry Arctic sky, all while waiting for the aurora to dance.

Final Return: After several stops, the group heads back to Rovaniemi around midnight, with plenty of photos and memories to cherish.

What We Think You’ll Love

The personalized approach makes this tour stand out. You’re not just a number but a guest whose experience is tailored by the guides’ local knowledge and technical skill. The private spots mean you’re far from the crowds, increasing your chances of true, unobstructed aurora sightings.

The professional photography aspect is another highlight. Guests consistently mention how guides like Ville or Markus go above and beyond to capture incredible images—then share them afterward—so you leave with tangible memories of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The genuine passion of guides shines through in reviews, with many describing them as kind, knowledgeable, and dedicated. This makes the experience all the more special, especially on long, cold nights where motivation can wane.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

If you want to maximize your chance of seeing the Aurora with expert guidance, this is a great choice. It’s especially suited for those who appreciate night photography or want professional-quality photos of their trip.

Travelers who prefer small, intimate groups and personalized attention will find this experience well worth the investment. If you’re traveling with kids over 10 who are comfortable in cold weather and keen on photography, they could enjoy it too, but it’s primarily aimed at adults and teens.

FAQs

Is this tour suitable for children under 10?
No, the minimum age is 10 because the tour is photography-focused and involves outdoor cold conditions.

What happens if we don’t see the Northern Lights?
If Aurora activity is low due to clouds or snow, guides will focus on night photography in the Arctic landscape. Several reviews mention that even without visible aurora, the experience remains enjoyable thanks to the environment and guide efforts.

How many locations do we visit?
Typically 2-3 private spots are visited during the tour, sometimes traveling up to 100 km away to find clear skies and optimal viewing conditions.

Are the photos really free?
Yes, professional, edited photos are shared after the tour at no extra charge. Guests love the quality and the memories they get.

What’s included in the tour?
Pickup from your accommodation, transportation, guided stops, campfire with snacks, and photos. The tour lasts about 5.5 hours and is led by an English-speaking guide.

Is the tour weather-dependent?
Yes, Aurora sightings depend on weather conditions, but guides do their best to find clear skies and will adapt plans accordingly.

Can I book and pay later?
Absolutely. You can reserve your spot now and pay nothing until closer to the date, offering flexibility in your travel plans.

Final Thoughts

This Northern Lights tour in Rovaniemi stands out because of its careful planning, private locations, and professional photography. It’s a solid choice for travelers who want higher chances of witnessing the aurora in a relaxed, personalized setting, with the added bonus of professionally edited photos as souvenirs.

While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the focus on quality, local expertise, and memorable moments makes it well worth considering. For those eager to turn a fleeting natural phenomenon into a lasting memory, this tour offers a truly tailored and rewarding experience.

In the end, if you’re after a genuine, well-organized Arctic adventure with a good shot at seeing the Northern Lights—especially if capturing those moments on camera matters—you’ll find this experience hard to beat.

You can check availability for your dates here: