Northern Lights in Norway - recommendations?

hi @fireandfury1, you have a number of options:
1. You could take a 7 or 14 day cruise with Hurtigruten that sails the coast of Norway all the way up to the Arctic region and back,
2. You could have an adventure holiday in Iceland and snowmobile along a glacier, see geysers, volcanos and underground ice caves as well as tours to see the Northern Lights or
3. You can go to Lapland (without the Xmas fanfare) and see them there.
4. My favourite? The Ice Hotel in northern Sweden at Kiruna. The images and memories are burned into my mind forever!
Depending on your budget, there's a broad range of accommodation at various prices. Iceland is not cheap but is spectacular.
I've visited all of them and absolutely love this part of the world at this time of year!

I went to Tromso in February - beautiful small university town and loads of tours. We booked a package but I'd recommend booking direct with a hotel on the waterfront and they will help you book a Northern Lights tour (about 6 hours from 7pm to 1 or 2am. There's a brilliant cable car up a mountain with amazing views and lots else you can do. Lights not guaranteed but likely. Only downside is the cost of everything!

PS 3 hour flight direct from UK and 4nights would be ideal.

Just be aware that you might not actually see the northern lights though.

Hi @Fireandfury1,
If you really only can do 4 nights, I would look at this type of experience:

There's a 4 night trip that includes a call of the Wild Husky Safari, a Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari, a visit to a Reindeer camp (my hip flask came in so useful!), an exciting but tiring Northern Lights Forest expedition for 2-3 hours where you see the Northern Lights from a great vantage point and if you're staying for 4 insted of 3 nights, you do a snowshoe experience as well.
When I went, it included full board accommodation, flights and transfers as well as all the equipment so you don't have to buy anything except thermal underwear.
My favourite was racing across frozen lakes in a snowmobile and the husky dog ride.
The silence and the solitude are breathtaking and I've never complained about the cold ever since!

Nothing sadly - it's all down to the weather (clear sky) and something to do with KP index (no idea). Hope you get lucky!

Hi @Fireandfury1, Every itinerary I do is personalised but based on what you’re looking for, my recommendation would be a wonderful tour operator called Transun. They always personalise the experience for my clients and should do the same for you. With regards to seeing the Northern Lights, I always ask my supplier to provide 3 to 4 opportunities to see them so they will try. If not they offer a “try again” guarantee at no extra cost to you. If there’s anything special that you want, I can ask on your behalf. 😀

I've been to Tromso, booked everything directly - flights with Norwegian, hotel was Clarion Collection With. I went out with two different NL tour guides Kjetil Skogli (saw the lights very faintly) and with Guide Gunnar (no luck that night), but both good guides and tried their best for us.

As you already know its all down to luck, clear skies and some solar activity but you can keep an eye on aurora forecasts here: www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast

I really enjoyed Tromso but have subsequently done several trips to Iceland which I found easier to get to, lots to do once there and have had several great sightings of the lights - makes all those hours stood outside in the cold worth it in the end.

Good luck, fingers crossed you get lucky with the lights!

wonder what I could do to facilitate the chances of seeing them

There are apps that predicts this and gives forecasts. Just search for "northern lights"

Ooh nice! I’m doing this next year too. Going to cruise around the northern coast. Looks like you’ve got a good chance of seeing both the northern lights and whales at this time of year 🐋