Nordic autumn has much to tempt the curious traveller: Arctic forests are cloaked in jewel-like hues of orange and red, days spent foraging are rounded off by cosy nights around warming campfires, and cloudless skies frame clear lakes that not only provide the perfect setting for a double night-time sighting of the magical Aurora Borealis, prevalent at this time of year, but also reflect the day-time fall foliage – perfect for photography.
The original Northern Lights company, The Aurora Zone, not only provides the best chance of seeing the shimmering spectacle but also ensures a fully-immersive experience, with trips personally-crafted to showcase the most captivating aspects of the destinations.
With a host of NEW TRIPS specially-designed to pinpoint the autumn Lights, here are some of the options:
Menesjärvi, Finland
A small reindeer herding village, set in a stunning landscape of river valleys and fells, Menesjärvi is home to the main Sámi community in the region. Around 30 minutes from Inari, the village is an untouched wilderness, beautifully isolated with a vast expanse of sky and minimal light pollution, ensuring there are ample opportunities to experience the Northern Lights.
NEW: Capturing the Autumn Auroras (four nights)
In beautiful Menesjärvi, enjoy lunch in a traditional Lappish Kota before setting off to explore the colourful autumnal forest on a guided nature walk. With a focus on the natural environment, this varied trip also includes berry and mushroom foraging and a tour of Lemmenjoki National Park, with its idyllic waterfalls, on a boat trip on the lake. Staying at Hotel Korpikartano, once a school for the children of the local reindeer herders, there will also be photography workshops to learn how best to capture the Aurora on camera, before setting off on an Aurora hunt.
Priced from £1,365 pp (two sharing), including return flights (London Heathrow to Ivalo, via Helsinki), four nights’ full-board accommodation, transfers, activities and guides. Departures from 30 August to 15 September, 2017.
NEW: Autumn Wilderness Auroras (four nights)
Discover the unique culture of the people who live in the Menesjärvi wilderness with a visit to a local reindeer farm to learn about the daily lives of the herders. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the forest and take part in an Aurora photography workshop, before heading out to hunt the spectacle under expansive skies. The authentic Lappish experience continues at a husky farm where there is the chance to meet a musher and discover more about this traditional way of life. A visit to Siida, a Sámi history museum situated on Lake Inari, provides a further introduction to the age-old culture, traditions and means of survival harnessed by many generations of Sámi people.
Priced from £1,375 pp (two sharing), including return flights (London Heathrow to Ivalo via Helsinki), four nights’ full-board accommodation, transfers, activities and guides. Departures from 4 October to 24 November, 2017.
Harriniva, Finland
Situated in deepest Lapland, in the north-west of the country,Harriniva lies close to the Pallas-Yllas National Park, the third largest in Finland, covering some 1000 square kilometres. The park encapsulates the beautiful untouched forest scenery that defines the region, with its high fells making prime locations from which to seek out the Auroras. Alongside this, Harriniva’s situation on the banks of the Muonio River that separates Finland from Sweden’s Northern Norbotten County means that, just by crossing the river, it is possible to be in another country entirely.
NEW: Vibrant Autumn Auroras (three nights)
Unveil the secrets of the Aurora Borealis on an adventure in a secluded corner of Finnish Lapland. Hear stories of the Lights from an experienced local guide, told over a campfire underneath inky skies with great potential for a magical sighting, before settling down for the night at the Harriniva Wilderness Hotel, the base for the trip. Opportunities for sightings abound on an Aurora hunt by fatbike, a mountain biking experience unique to this area; it’s a truly special way to scan the skies. There will also be a chance to delve deeper into the wilderness with an Aurora Explorer hunt the following night by minibus, travelling to more remote areas.
Priced from £855 pp (two sharing), including return flights (London Heathrow to Kittilä, via Helsinki), three nights’ full-board accommodation, transfers, activities and guides. Departures from 28 August to 20 September, 2017.
Alternative accommodation option:
Torassieppi, Finland
Torassieppi is a heavily-forested wilderness located on the edge of Lake Torasjarvi. The site of one of the oldest surviving buildings in Finnish Lapland, an original herder’s homestead dating back to 1847 – today converted into a handful of inviting cabins - this idyllic lake-side setting offers autumn Aurora hunters a chance of seeing the Northern Lights reflected upon still, unfrozen waters.
NEW: Autumn Auroras in Lapland (three nights)
Reflecting the activities of the Vibrant Autumn Auroras programme, accommodation for this alternative itinerary is at the Torassieppi Reindeer Farm, on the edge of the Pallas Ylläs National Park. There is also the chance to upgrade to a unique Aurora glamping experience in an Aurora Dome, situated on the banks of Lake Torassieppi and specifically designed to increase chances of seeing the autumn Lights.
Priced from £855 pp (two sharing), including return flights (London Heathrow to Kittilä, via Helsinki), three nights’ full-board accommodation, transfers, activities and guides. Departures from 28 August to 20 September, 2017.
Tromsø, Norway
The renowned ‘capital of the Northern Lights’, the cosmopolitan city of Tromsø in northern Norway is a wonderful base for city exploring and to indulge in a wide array of culinary excellence. The ideal location from which to set off on a trip to delve deeper into Norway’s dramatic countryside too, Tromsø fits perfectly into a multi-destination itinerary.
NEW: Autumn on Sommarøy (four nights)
A city and wilderness break, this trip features two nights in lively Tromsø contrasted with two nights in the natural island paradise of Sommarøy. The city stay will not only include a chance to explore the cultural delights on offer, but also an adventurous RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tour on the Arctic ocean. Experience the dramatic scenery of the Arctic landscape around dazzling Hella, rich in wildlife and flanked by traditional wooden houses. The beautiful journey to the small community of Sommarøy will culminate in a guided walk of the island, which has a long history of fishing traditions, and a visit to an Aurora Camp, with roaring fires, tales of the Lights and a great chance to see the magical dance unfold in the night sky.
Priced from £825 pp (two sharing), including two nights’ B&B at Clarion Collection Aurora Hotel, two nights’ B&B at the Sommarøy Arctic Hotel, one lunch, two light evening buffets, two dinners, transfers, activities and guides. Flights extra. Departures from 1 September to 31 October, 2017.
NEW: Arctic Autumn Delights (three nights)
Tromsø is the base for this thrilling and varied autumn itinerary. There is the opportunity to discover its cosmopolitan charms before embarking on a guided RIB (rigid inflatable boat) adventure, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with ample chance for wildlife spotting, including many whale species. Head to the Lyngen peninsula of steep mountains and enchanting fjords for an Aurora hunt before spending a magical night glamping in a Crystal Lavvu. From beneath its glass-roof, gaze up at the night sky and perhaps spot the majestic Lights. A dramatic and inspiring Aurora husky hike completes this itinerary.
Priced from £645 pp (two sharing), including two nights’ B&B at the Clarion Collection Aurora Hotel and one night’s B&B in a Crystal Lavvu, two dinners, one light buffet dinner, transfers, activities and guides. Flights extra. Departures from 5 September to 30 November, 2017.
For further information, please visit www.theaurorazone.com. To discuss Aurora-hunting tours with an expert, please call the well-travelled team at The Aurora Zone on 01670 785 012.
Ends / 12 June 2017
Press: For more information, high-res images or to discuss a commissioned press trip, please contact Julia Farish or Kate Chapman at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or k.chapman@travelpr.co.uk
