Hello everyone, I am Isabella from Germany and during my internship at Wild About Lapland in Rovaniemi, I had the opportunity to join and observe many Northern Lights tours. Two of the most popular evening experiences are the Guaranteed Northern Lights Hunting Adventure in Lapland and the Northern Lights Wilderness Tour with Professional Camera.
Both tours focus on giving guests the best possible Aurora experience, but the atmosphere and structure are quite different. Below is my personal evaluation of both products.
Guaranteed Northern Lights Hunting Adventure in Lapland
This tour is clearly designed for one main goal – seeing the Northern Lights with the highest possible success rate. It is a 7-hour adventure where the guide actively chases clear skies and strong Aurora forecasts.
Instead of staying in one fixed location, the group drives to wherever the weather conditions are best. Sometimes that can mean spending several hours in the car, but in my opinion, this flexibility is exactly what makes the tour so powerful.
The guide constantly checks cloud maps and solar activity to find the clearest skies. Guests do not need to worry about anything – they can relax, enjoy hot drinks like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and trust the guide’s expertise.
I personally like that the entire experience is focused purely on the Aurora. There is no waiting at a campfire for hours hoping something might appear. The strategy is proactive, not passive.
Another strong advantage is having the professional camera on tour. The guide takes photos of both the Northern Lights and the guests, which adds great value to the experience. Capturing Aurora in good quality with a phone is sometimes difficult, so these photos often become the highlight memory for visitors.
What I appreciate most is the confidence behind the product. The 50% refund guarantee if no Northern Lights are seen shows how strongly we believe in the success of this concept.
From my experience, the success rate is extremely high, and because we are constantly moving toward clearer skies, guests also have a better chance of witnessing stronger “exploding” Auroras rather than faint lights.
In my opinion, this tour is perfect for guests who have limited time in Lapland and want to maximize their chances. It is dynamic, goal-oriented, and highly professional.
Northern Lights Wilderness Tour with Professional Camera
Compared to Guaranteed Northern Lights Hunting Adventure, this tour has a softer and more atmospheric character. It lasts around 4 hours and combines Aurora hunting with a traditional wilderness experience.
The guide still drives to locations with clear skies and good Aurora probability, so the main objective – seeing the Northern Lights – remains important.
However, this tour offers more flexibility in terms of atmosphere. Guests can decide during the evening whether they would like to stop and make a campfire or continue searching for stronger lights.
There are specific official fire spots in the wilderness where it is safe and allowed to make a fire. The guide knows these locations well and chooses them carefully depending on conditions.
The campfire creates a very special harmony within the group. Guests talk more, share stories, and enjoy the quiet Arctic surroundings. Snacks such as sausages and bread are served, along with hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Especially in cold winter temperatures, being able to warm up by the fire adds significant comfort to the experience.
Just like with Guaranteed Northern Lights Hunting Adventure, the guide uses a professional camera to capture the Northern Lights and portraits of the guests. Photos taken with the fire in the foreground and the Aurora above create a very authentic Lapland feeling.
In my opinion, this tour is ideal for guests who want not only to see the Northern Lights but also to experience the peaceful wilderness atmosphere of Lapland. It feels more intimate and cozy, while still maintaining good Aurora-hunting strategy.
Final Thoughts
Both tours are strong products, but they serve slightly different guest expectations. Guaranteed Northern Lights Hunting Adventure is more strategic and success-driven, focusing entirely on maximizing Aurora visibility. Northern Lights Wilderness Tour adds emotional warmth and social interaction through the campfire experience.
From my perspective, it is very valuable that Wild About Lapland offers both options. This allows us to match different personalities and travel styles with the right product.
Guests who want the highest possible chance and don’t mind long driving hours will love Guaranteed Northern Lights Hunting Adventure. Guests who prefer a balanced mix of Aurora hunting and cozy Arctic atmosphere will appreciate the Northern Lights Wilderness Tour.
Both experiences represent the core of what makes Northern Lights tours in Lapland unforgettable. On top of that we offer more Northern Lights tours that are addressing different needs of travellers – family-friendly adventures, snowmobile tours or active evening experiences!
Discover More Arctic Adventures
At Wild About Lapland, there are plenty of unforgettable ways to dive deeper into the winter magic.
Our tours can easily be booked directly through our website, but feel free to get in touch with our friendly Sales team at sales@wildaboutlapland.com
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