Seeing the aurora borealis is one of those trips that comes up once. Get the planning wrong — wrong country, wrong month, wrong town, wrong hotel — and you spend a lakh and a half watching cloudy skies. We’ve been sending Indian travelers north of the Arctic Circle since 2014, working with the same hand-picked partners in Tromsø, Rovaniemi, and Reykjavik. Every package below includes flights from India, Schengen visa support, four-star or five-star Arctic hotels, dedicated aurora hunting tours with local guides, and Indian-friendly meal options for the days the menu turns to reindeer stew.
IATA Accredited · Ministry of Tourism of India · TAAI Member · 15+ years · 341+ Google ★ Reviews · Schengen Visa Specialists · Havila & Hurtigruten Partner
Quick-facts table:
| Best destinations for Indian travelers | Tromsø (Norway), Rovaniemi & Saariselkä (Finnish Lapland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Svalbard (advanced), Abisko (Sweden) |
| Best months from India | Late September to late March; peak November–February |
| Trip duration | 7 nights (single country) to 12 nights (multi-country + cruise) |
| Visa required | Schengen for Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden (all 27 Schengen member countries) |
| Departure cities | Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Kochi |
| Typical flight time | 12–16 hours with one stop via Dubai, Doha, Helsinki, or Istanbul |
| Cost per person (2026) | ₹1.5 lakh (deluxe) to ₹4 lakh (luxury with cruise) |
| Group sizes we run | Private (2 pax) to fixed-departure groups (12–20 pax) |
| Solar cycle status | Solar Maximum (Cycle 25) peaks 2024–2026, with strong residual aurora activity expected through 2027 |
| Aurora sighting probability | 70–90% over 4 nights in Tromsø or Lapland during peak season |
| What's included | Flights, hotels, transfers, aurora-hunting tours, snowmobile/husky activities, Schengen visa support, travel insurance |
| Indian food friendliness | Vegetarian and Indian-friendly meal options arranged on request; halal available |
| Visa & insurance handled by | MAD's in-house Schengen team in Hyderabad |
| Contact | Vipasha (Northern Lights desk) · WhatsApp +91 917995 579192 |
Every package below is a real, recently-departed IMAD Travel trip — not a template. Prices are per person on twin-sharing basis, ex-Hyderabad/Mumbai/Delhi, and include flights, Schengen visa support, hotels, transfers, breakfast, and listed activities. Quote yours in 24 hours.
Our most-booked first-timer aurora trip. Six nights in Tromsø, the gateway to the Norwegian Arctic, with three dedicated aurora-chase nights (heated minibus tour, photographer guide, hot drinks included). Day excursions to Sommarøy fishing village and the cable car at Storsteinen. 4-star city-centre hotel.
Best for: First-time aurora hunters, couples, mature travelers who don’t want extreme cold. Departure: September–March, ex-Hyderabad/Mumbai/Delhi From: ₹1,75,000 per person (4-star) · ₹2,30,000 per person (5-star)
Designed for families. Glass-igloo stay in Saariselkä for two nights, husky safari, reindeer farm visit, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi (Arctic Circle marker), guided aurora tour, and snowmobile activity. Pace built around kids and senior-friendly transitions.
Best for: Families with kids 6+, multi-generational groups, first-time winter travelers. Departure: December–February, ex-any Indian metro From: ₹2,10,000 per person (deluxe) · ₹2,85,000 per person (luxury with extended igloo nights)
Iceland is the Indian traveler’s favorite aurora trip for one reason: there’s so much else to do on cloudy nights — Blue Lagoon, glacier lagoon, Reynisfjara black beach, Golden Circle — that even a no-aurora night feels worth it. Eight nights split between Reykjavik and a South Iceland farm hotel, with three dedicated aurora-chase evenings.
Best for: Self-drive enthusiasts, couples wanting a mix of landscape and lights, photographers. Departure: October–March, ex-Mumbai/Delhi (faster connections via KEF) From: ₹2,40,000 per person (deluxe) · ₹3,10,000 per person (luxury)
Our flagship aurora cruise package. Two nights in Bergen, then six nights aboard Havila Voyages or Hurtigruten on the legendary Bergen-to-Kirkenes route — past the Arctic Circle, through Tromsø, into the fjords — followed by two nights ashore in Tromsø. The ship moves with the weather, so aurora probability across the trip is among the highest of any package we offer.
Best for: Couples, anniversary trips, retirees, anyone wanting the highest aurora-probability single trip in this category. Departure: November–March From: ₹3,25,000 per person (inside cabin) · ₹4,50,000 per person (outside cabin with private balcony)
The premium multi-country itinerary. Three nights Iceland, four nights Finnish Lapland, three nights Tromsø, with internal flights and transfers handled. The widest aurora window of any package because you’re moving across three weather systems.
Best for: Bucket-list travelers, photographers, honeymooners willing to pace it. Departure: December–February From: ₹3,50,000 per person (deluxe) · ₹4,75,000 per person (luxury)
Don’t see your dates or group size? Get a fully customized aurora itinerary in 24 hours.
Five Arctic regions sit within the auroral oval and are open to Indian tourists. Each has trade-offs in flight access, visa process, cloud cover, family-friendliness, and price. The table below summarizes how we recommend them to clients in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi — pick a country, then read its detailed section.
| Destination | Flight time from India | Visa | Cloud cover | Aurora season | Best for | From-cost (per person without Airfare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tromsø, Norway | ~14 hrs (1 stop) | Schengen | Moderate | Sep–Mar | First-timers, couples | ₹1.75 L |
| Rovaniemi/Saariselkä, Finland | ~13 hrs (1 stop) | Schengen | Low–moderate | Sep–Mar | Families, igloo seekers | ₹2.10 L |
| Reykjavik & Iceland | ~16 hrs (1 stop) | Schengen | High | Oct–Mar | Self-drive, photographers | ₹2.40 L |
| Abisko, Sweden | ~15 hrs (2 stops) | Schengen | Lowest | Sep–Mar | Aurora purists | ₹2.20 L |
| Fairbanks, Alaska | ~22 hrs (2 stops) | US B1/B2 | Low | Aug–Apr | Alaska enthusiasts | ₹3.00 L |
| Yellowknife, Canada | ~21 hrs (2 stops) | Canadian | Low | Aug–Apr | Solo travelers, repeat visitors | ₹2.80 L |
| Havila/Hurtigruten cruise | Embark Bergen, Norway | Schengen | Moves with weather | Nov–Mar | Highest sighting probability | ₹3.25 L |
Tromsø is, in our 15 years, the single most-booked Northern Lights destination for Indian travelers — and there are good reasons. It sits inside the auroral oval, has direct one-stop flights from Hyderabad via Doha (Qatar Airways) or Dubai (Emirates), and the city itself is warm enough (-5 to -10°C in season, mild for the latitude) that families don’t suffer. The Tromsø Sami culture experiences and the Storsteinen cable car double as cloudy-night insurance. For maximum-probability trips, we combine Tromsø with the Havila Coastal Voyage (Package 4 above).
Finnish Lapland — specifically Rovaniemi (Arctic Circle line, Santa Claus Village) and Saariselkä (slightly further north, quieter, with the famous Kakslauttanen glass-igloo property) — is where most Indian families end up when they want the “Instagram aurora trip.” Pace is gentler than Norway, English is widely spoken, husky and reindeer farms are kid-tested, and the Rovaniemi airport handles seasonal direct Asia flights. The Saariselkä igloos are world-famous; book 10+ months out for peak weeks.
Iceland is the destination Indian travelers most often choose if they’ve already done Europe and want something different. The aurora is the headline but the supporting cast — Blue Lagoon, Reynisfjara black beach, Golden Circle waterfalls, glacier lagoons, the ring road — is so strong that the trip works even on cloudy nights. Reykjavik has a small but growing Indian restaurant scene. Flight access from India is the trickiest of the Tier 1 trio (16+ hours, two stops common), so we usually recommend 8–10 nights minimum.
If your single non-negotiable is “we must see the aurora,” our Havila/Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage is the strongest answer. The cruise route between Bergen and Kirkenes crosses the Arctic Circle, calls at 34 ports, and — most importantly — keeps moving across weather fronts. On a typical 6-night cruise segment in season, our clients report aurora sightings on 4–5 of the 6 nights. Combine with 2 land nights in Tromsø for the strongest single-trip probability available to Indian travelers.
The aurora oval is active 8 months a year (late August through April), but the practical window for Indian travelers is narrower because of weather, daylight, and flight pricing. Use the monthly probability table below to plan, then check the 2026–2027 solar maximum note at the end of this section.
Month-by-month table:
| Month | Aurora probability | Daylight hours | Weather notes | IMAD Travel recommends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September (late) | Moderate | 12 hrs | Mild, less snow, cheaper | ★★★ |
| October | High | 9 hrs | Beginning of dark winter | ★★★★ |
| November | High | 5 hrs | Cold, snowy, magical | ★★★★ |
| December | Very high | 3 hrs (some 24-hr darkness) | Coldest weeks | ★★★★★ |
| January | Very high | 4 hrs | Most stable | ★★★★★ |
| February | Very high | 7 hrs | Best balance | ★★★★★ |
| March | High | 11 hrs | Mild + dark hours | ★★★★ |
| April (early) | Moderate | 14 hrs | Last window | ★★ |
The Sun runs on an 11-year activity cycle. Solar Cycle 25 is currently at its maximum (peaked late 2024) and the heightened solar activity translates directly to stronger, more frequent, and more colorful auroras — sometimes visible at much lower latitudes than usual. The strong-activity window extends through 2026 and into 2027 before tapering. If you’ve been thinking “someday” — the next 24 months are the best aurora window the Indian subcontinent will see until the late 2030s.
Read our full “best times and places to see the Northern Lights” guide
Day 1 — Hyderabad / Mumbai / Delhi → Tromsø Departure from India by Qatar Airways via Doha or Emirates via Dubai. Arrive Tromsø late evening. Private airport transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner at hotel.
Day 2 — Tromsø city + first aurora hunt Morning at leisure or optional cable car ride up Storsteinen (panoramic city view). Afternoon walking tour of central Tromsø — Polaria, Arctic Cathedral, Mack Brewery (oldest in the world). Evening: first guided aurora chase by heated minibus into the Lyngen Alps. Return 1–2 AM.
Day 3 — Sami culture + reindeer + second aurora hunt Morning visit to a Sami reindeer farm — reindeer sledding, traditional lavvu lunch, sealskin coat fitting. Afternoon return to Tromsø. Evening: second guided aurora chase (different location based on cloud forecast).
Day 4 — Fjord cruise + free evening Day cruise through the Tromsø fjords — wildlife spotting (sea eagles, possibly orcas in season). Evening free; the aurora is visible from the hotel waterfront on clear nights.
Day 5 — Husky safari + third aurora hunt Morning husky-sled safari at Tromsø Wilderness Centre (3 hours, includes hot drinks). Afternoon at leisure. Evening: third guided aurora chase, our strongest-probability night because we’ve now built three weather-based options.
Day 6 — Day at leisure + departure dinner Day free for shopping, cafes, or optional whale-watching expedition (subject to season). Farewell dinner. Pack.
Day 7 — Tromsø → Hyderabad / Mumbai / Delhi Private transfer to airport. Flight home with one stop. Arrival in India next morning.
Customization callouts:
Our Banjara Hills, Hyderabad office is our headquarters but roughly 50% of our Northern Lights clients fly out from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, or Pune. We handle the entire trip remotely — WhatsApp consultations, document review by courier, and we route flights to depart from your home city.
A 7-night Tromsø trip starts at ₹1,75,000 per person (deluxe, twin-share) and goes up to ₹4,50,000+ for our 10-night Havila Arctic Cruise + Tromsø package. The biggest cost drivers are hotel category, flight class, and whether a cruise segment is included. Full price breakdown is shown on this page.
For first-time Indian travelers, Tromsø (Norway) and Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi + Saariselkä) are our top picks — they offer the best balance of flight access from India, mild Arctic weather, family-friendliness, and aurora probability. Iceland is better if you want a self-drive landscape trip alongside auroras. Norway Havila cruise has the highest sighting probability of any single package.
December through February offer the highest aurora probability and most stable Arctic weather. Late September to October and March give you a balance of dark skies plus warmer temperatures and longer days. April–August has too much daylight for aurora viewing.
Yes. Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden all require a Schengen visa from Indian passport holders. Our in-house Schengen visa team handles the entire application; visa cost is approximately ₹9,500 government fee plus our service fee.
Minimum 6 nights at destination to allow 3+ aurora-chase evenings (the lights are weather-dependent and one night may be cloudy). 7-night packages are our most popular; 10–12 nights are recommended if you want to combine countries or add an Arctic cruise.
On a 6-night trip in peak season (Nov–Feb), our clients see at least one strong aurora display on 80–90% of trips and a moderate display on virtually all trips. Multi-night, multi-location itineraries (especially with a cruise segment) push probability over 95%.
Yes. Finnish Lapland is particularly family-friendly — husky safaris, reindeer farms, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, and glass-igloo stays are all kid-tested. We recommend ages 6+ for the full activity package. Younger children do well in shorter, slower itineraries.
The Arctic is -15 to -30°C in peak season. You’ll need a 3-layer system: thermal base layer, fleece/down mid layer, and a heavy waterproof outer shell. Most aurora-hunt operators provide thermal overalls and boots, so you don’t need to buy expensive gear — IMAD Travel provides a complete packing list with your booking.
Yes, this is one of the most photographed parts of any Lapland trip. The famous Kakslauttanen and Aurora Resort glass-roof igloos in Saariselkä, Finland, let you watch the aurora from bed. We include 1–2 igloo nights in our Finnish Lapland family package and can extend on request. Book 10+ months in advance for peak December–February dates.
Yes — and this is our strongest aurora product. We partner with Havila Voyages and Hurtigruten on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes. The cruise crosses the Arctic Circle, calls at 34 ports including Tromsø, and offers the highest aurora-sighting probability of any package we sell.
Yes. The Nordic countries rank among the world’s safest. Tromsø, Rovaniemi, and Reykjavik all have excellent infrastructure for senior travelers — flat city layouts, English-speaking taxi drivers, and our partner hotels have lift access. We adjust the activity pace for senior groups (no husky safari unless requested; shorter aurora-chase nights).
On a properly-planned 6+ night trip in peak season, this is rare (10–15% of trips have one strong night, only ~5% have no clear aurora). Our packages are not weather-guaranteed — no honest agent can offer that — but we maximize odds with multi-night stays, mobile aurora-chase tours that drive to clear-sky locations, and (if you choose the cruise package) a moving platform. If your trip happens to fall on a fully cloudy week, the daytime activities and Arctic experience still make the trip worthwhile for the vast majority of our clients.
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