From Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Hunting with Photos & Videos

The best part of this Aurora Borealis hunt is that the search is not tied to one fixed viewing spot. Professional photographer Kun uses solar wind data, weather conditions, regional knowledge, and a large location database to decide where to go, even crossing into Swedish Lapland when needed.

I like the small group of up to eight and the promise of unlimited, high-quality photos and videos. I also like the practical touches: free pickup within 10 kilometers of Rovaniemi train station, hot berry juice, gingerbread cookies, and a photography lesson. The main consideration is that the tour can run up to nine hours when the drive is long, and there may be no public restroom during the hunt.

Key points at a glance

• Up to eight people: A small group gives Kun more time to help with individual camera settings and portraits.
• Finnish and Swedish Lapland: The vehicle can travel beyond Rovaniemi when weather and cloud cover make another area more promising.
• Professional night photography: You receive unlimited photos and videos in high quality, shared the next day.
• Flexible evening departure: Pickup may happen anytime from 17:00 to 00:00, with the final time confirmed on the day.
• Nearly four years of strong results: The operator reports an almost 100 percent success rate over more than four years, though nature can never be fully controlled.
• Simple winter comforts: Hot berry juice and gingerbread cookies help during long waits outdoors.

Why this Rovaniemi Aurora hunt takes the search seriously

Many Northern Lights outings drive to a nearby field, wait for a while, and return to town. This one treats the night more like a moving search operation. Kun checks solar wind activity, cloud conditions, weather, and past observations before choosing the direction.

That approach matters in Lapland. The Aurora can be strong above one area and hidden by clouds a short drive away. An unlimited hunting range gives the tour more options than a fixed viewing point, although it also means you may spend several hours in the vehicle if the best conditions are far from Rovaniemi.

The advertised success rate is nearly 100 percent over more than four years. That is an impressive operating record, but it should not be confused with a guaranteed natural display on every departure. If conditions give the team no chance to find the Aurora and the tour is cancelled, you receive a full refund. If the tour runs, the sky remains the sky.

The experience is organized by Kun, a professional photographer who also guides the tour. His social media portfolio is listed under @kunbelievable, while the tour account appears as @nordiestour. If your main goal is to return home with usable images rather than a few blurry green marks, the photographer-led format is a major reason to consider it.

Pickup in Rovaniemi and an evening without a fixed clock

Pickup and drop-off are included within a 10-kilometer radius of Rovaniemi train station. This covers many central accommodations, but you should check your address before booking. If you are staying farther out, pickup may be possible for an extra fee, but you need to contact the operator first.

There is no single daily departure hour. Pickup can take place anytime between 17:00 and 00:00, depending on the season, weather, and solar wind activity. You receive the exact pickup time on the day of the tour, sometime between 16:00 and 20:00.

This flexibility is useful because Aurora conditions do not follow a sightseeing timetable. It can also make your evening harder to plan. Keep the night open, and do not schedule a late dinner, show, or other activity that depends on a precise return time.

The normal duration is about six hours. If the best viewing area requires a longer drive, the outing may last as long as nine hours. That is a fair trade for a better chance under clear skies, but you should be ready for a long night in winter clothing and a vehicle.

Crossing Finnish and Swedish Lapland for clearer skies

The first part of the route is Rovaniemi pickup. From there, the actual search takes place across Finnish Lapland and, when necessary, Swedish Lapland. The important point is not sightseeing along a set road. The route is chosen to improve the odds of finding dark skies and suitable cloud conditions.

You may spend part of the evening driving, then stop for an outdoor viewing and photography session. If clouds or poor conditions make the first area unhelpful, Kun can continue the search rather than simply ending the night at the nearest designated lookout.

Crossing into Sweden is a useful option, but it also explains why the duration can stretch. You should bring travel documents suitable for crossing the border, although no further border details are provided for this activity. The operator describes the range as unlimited, so the final route depends on the night rather than a printed sightseeing schedule.

Remote stops have one clear drawback: public restrooms may not be available. Use a restroom before pickup, and keep your evening meal sensible. This is basic advice, but it becomes important during a late six-to-nine-hour outing.

What the photography session is really worth

The photography package is the strongest practical feature here. The tour uses high-end camera equipment designed for astrophotography and nighttime video. You receive unlimited photos and videos, shared in high quality on the next day.

That next-day delivery is useful for two reasons. First, you do not have to spend the entire night trying to create a perfect image yourself. Second, you can enjoy the Aurora with your own eyes while Kun handles the difficult exposure, focus, and low-light work.

Aurora photography is not simple. A phone may capture a faint green glow, but sharp stars, defined curtains of light, and a properly exposed person in the foreground require specialized equipment and careful settings. The included photography tutorial gives you a chance to understand the basics and try your own camera.

The small group size helps here. With no more than eight people, Kun can give more personal attention than a large coach tour allows. You should still expect shared time rather than a private photo session. If you want the entire evening built around your own schedule, private tours are available for an additional fee.

The professional photos also solve the classic Northern Lights problem: your memory is spectacular, but your camera records a dark field with a vague blur. Since the operator promises both photos and videos, you get more than a single souvenir image. The exact number of files and the delivery method are not specified, so ask if those details matter to you.

Staying warm during a long northern night

You need proper winter clothing. Warm clothes and warm shoes are listed as essential, and the tour warns that shoes, gloves, hats, and scarves are not included.

Adults can rent a third-layer winter jacket and pants for €10 per set. This is an outer layer, not a complete cold-weather wardrobe. You still need suitable shoes, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. If you are packing light for a Lapland trip, budget for those items rather than assuming the rental covers everything.

The included hot berry juice and gingerbread cookies are small but welcome. A warm drink gives you something to look forward to during a roadside wait, and the snack is helpful during an evening that may run well past normal dinner time.

This is not a polished indoor attraction. You may stand outside in darkness, move between viewing spots, and wait for conditions to improve. I would choose practical warmth over stylish clothing, with room for extra layers underneath. If you get cold easily, the clothing you bring may matter more than the camera equipment.

The value of $136 for a six-hour search

At $136 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the Northern Lights. The price includes transportation, a small group, an English or Korean-speaking guide, the wide Finnish and Swedish search range, photography instruction, and professional photos and videos.

The value depends on what you want. If you only need transport to a dark area, a simpler Aurora outing may cost less. If you want a serious effort to find clearer skies and high-quality images without buying or carrying a tripod and camera setup, this package makes more sense.

The included images add real value. Hiring a professional photographer separately, arranging a long-distance winter transfer, and finding suitable viewing points would likely require more planning. You are paying for the search strategy as well as the vehicle ride.

Still, do not think of the price as a guaranteed Aurora purchase. The operator reports a nearly 100 percent success rate, but no natural phenomenon can be promised. The refund protection applies if the tour is cancelled because there is no chance to find the Aurora, not as a blanket promise that every departure will produce a spectacular display.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rovaniemi schedule is still taking shape. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms make it easier to hold a place while you watch the weather forecast.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would choose this tour if photography is important to you, if you want a small group, or if you prefer a guide who can make a serious attempt across a wide area. Couples and friends who want shared portraits beneath the Aurora should find the included professional images especially useful.

It also suits people who do not want to learn every camera setting before arriving in Lapland. You can follow the photography tutorial, use your own camera if you wish, and still receive polished images from the tour equipment.

The flexible timing favors people with open evenings. It is less suitable if you have an early departure the next morning or need to know exactly when you will return. The possible nine-hour duration deserves attention.

The activity is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with a cold, or wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed. These limits reflect the late hour, cold conditions, vehicle time, remote stops, and outdoor waiting.

What the small reviews tell you about the service

The available feedback is brief but highly positive, with a five-star rating from eight reviews. The strongest themes are the guide’s personal commitment and the quality of the photographs.

One comment describes the experience as someone working with heart and soul. Another specifically praises the guide and the wonderful photos. That fits the design of the outing: Kun is not simply driving you to a viewing field. He is guiding the search, explaining the Aurora, teaching photography, and producing the final images.

Eight reviews are not enough to prove every night will run perfectly. They do, however, support the two features that matter most here: attentive guiding and strong photo results. I would place more weight on the clear operating details than on the small sample of praise, especially the flexible pickup hour, possible long drive, and lack of regular restrooms.

Practical preparation before pickup

Wear your warmest complete outfit, not just a thick coat. Bring insulated shoes, gloves, a hat, scarf, and extra layers. If you plan to use your own camera, charge its batteries fully and bring any tripod or accessories you already own.

Eat before departure, but do not rely on finding a meal during the hunt. Gingerbread cookies and hot berry juice are included, but they are refreshments rather than dinner.

Keep your phone available on the afternoon of the tour. The exact pickup time is sent between 16:00 and 20:00, and the departure may be anywhere from 17:00 to midnight. Make sure your accommodation is within the free pickup radius, or arrange the extra transfer in advance.

Finally, prepare for waiting and driving. The Aurora may appear quickly, or the group may need to move to another area. The best part of the tour is the effort to chase better conditions, but that effort requires patience.

Should you book the Nordies Tour Aurora hunt?

Book it if you want more than a nearby viewing stop. The combination of small groups, an unlimited Finnish and Swedish search range, and professional photos and videos gives this outing a clear purpose.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a photographer, a couple wanting good portraits, or anyone who sees the Aurora as a once-in-a-lifetime goal. The nearly 100 percent reported success rate is encouraging, and the cancellation terms reduce some financial risk when conditions are hopeless.

Think twice if you dislike late nights, long drives, cold outdoor waits, or uncertain return times. You also need to bring nearly all of your own cold-weather accessories, and the €10 rental covers only an adult jacket and pants set.

For a determined Aurora search with a serious photographer at the helm, $136 is a reasonable price. Just leave your schedule open, dress for the cold, and remember that the sky gets the final vote.

FAQ

How long does the Aurora Borealis tour last?

The tour usually lasts about six hours. If a longer drive is needed, it may continue for up to nine hours.

Where can the tour travel?

The hunting range covers Finnish and Swedish Lapland. The route can extend into Sweden when conditions make that useful.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup can happen anytime between 17:00 and 00:00. The exact pickup time is provided on the day of the tour between 16:00 and 20:00.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations within a 10-kilometer radius of Rovaniemi train station. Locations farther away may be possible for an extra fee, but you should contact the operator to confirm.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. The tour includes unlimited high-quality Aurora photos and videos, which are shared the next day. A photography explanation and tutorial are also included.

What clothing do I need?

Bring warm clothing and warm shoes, along with gloves, a hat, and a scarf. An adult third-layer winter jacket and pants set can be rented for €10, but shoes and other accessories are not included.