Northern Lights by Minivan

The Northern Lights season in Northern Norway begins in late August, when the nights gradually become darker again after the midnight sun. This marks the start of the aurora season, offering excellent chances to see the Northern Lights around Kirkenes already in autumn, combined with milder temperatures and snow-free landscapes.

Set out into the Arctic night on a Northern Lights minivan tour from Kirkenes, chasing clear skies and the best possible chances of witnessing the Aurora Borealis. Unlike large bus tours, this is a small-group experience with a maximum of 7 guests. We monitor real-time weather and aurora forecasts to choose the best direction for the evening — a fjord, a hilltop viewpoint, or a forest road in the Pasvik Valley. The region is sparsely populated with little artificial light. Nearby Øvre Pasvik National Park is Norway’s first certified Dark Sky Park, and the dark skies around it stretch across the wider area. Tours aren’t permitted inside the national park itself, so we take you to dark, remote areas nearby with the same kind of unspoiled night sky.

Depending on conditions, we often make a campfire and enjoy hot drinks while taking in the peaceful surroundings, the stars, and, hopefully, the Northern Lights. We also share stories about the Aurora and life in the borderland around Kirkenes. Even if the Northern Lights do not appear, you will still have a special and memorable evening in a remote part of Europe that few people have the chance to explore.