I originally booked the Aurora Chase with huskies, but due to a sudden weather change it had to be cancelled as it was too warm and slippery, and I really appreciate that animal welfare is a top priority in Finland. Huge respect for that! The company immediately offered me an Aurora photography tour instead, and I’m so glad I accepted.
From the moment I arrived at the office, the experience was smooth and welcoming. A small tip: be patient the reception team is small, but the ladies working there are incredibly kind and helpful. They also provide warm clothing free of charge, which is amazing when you’re heading out into the cold.
The tour itself was fantastic. I travelled in a warm, comfortable bus with two guides and a careful, friendly driver, while the photographers followed in a separate car with all their equipment. I was unbelievably lucky: the aurora was already waiting for me when we arrived! It appeared and disappeared throughout the evening, and my guide Gigi (and the rest of his lovely team forgive me, I’m terrible with names!) kept me informed, entertained, and well taken care of.
The bus driver was amazing safe, knowledgeable, and even shared beautiful stories about auroras from different parts of Finland and beyond. The Nordic team prepared a cosy little BBQ: reindeer sausage with Finnish bread and mustard, hot blueberry juice, and marshmallows roasted over the fire with biscuits for dessert. Such a perfect touch!
The photographers deserve a special shoutout. They worked in the freezing cold with bare hands to capture the best possible shots for everyone. Some people expected more from the lights, but nature isn’t predictable… and then the magic happened. On the way back, the aurora suddenly grew stronger. Without hesitation, the team pulled over in the middle of nowhere and we all jumped out to witness a full, dancing aurora across the cold night sky. Absolutely unforgettable.
The energy, the care, the friendliness of the whole team everything was beyond wonderful. I can’t recommend this tour enough! 🌌