REVIEW · ROVANIEMI
From Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Hunting with Photos & Videos
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Nordies Tour · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Auroras are easier with the right guide. In Rovaniemi, this tour puts the night-sky work in the hands of Aurora Expert Kun and gives you unlimited hunting range across the region, so your odds are based on strategy, not luck.
I love the unlimited search approach because it lets the guide follow real conditions, including when that means pushing toward Swedish Lapland. I also love that you’re not just chasing lights—you’re getting high quality photos and videos taken with specialized astro gear and shared the next day.
One practical catch: you’ll need to handle your own winter layers. The tour does not include adult shoes, gloves, hats, scarves, and even the third-layer jacket and pants cost extra to rent, so pack with that in mind.
In This Review
- Key things I’d bet on
- Aurora Borealis hunting in Rovaniemi, with Kun running the show
- Unlimited hunting range across Finnish (and possible Swedish) Lapland
- A 6-hour plan (often), with longer driving if the night needs it
- Stop 1: pickup near Rovaniemi train station, then straight into the hunt
- Stop 2: Lapland photo time, guided pacing, and the photography tutorial
- Stop 3: back to Rovaniemi when the hunt wraps up
- The photo and video deal: what you get the next day
- Small-group comfort (up to 8) and why it changes the vibe
- Warmth and gear: what’s included, what costs extra, and what to pack
- Price and value: is $136 fair for this Aurora hunt?
- Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)
- Should you book Nordies Tour’s Aurora Borealis hunting?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- Where does pickup happen?
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the Aurora hunt?
- Is the tour limited to Finland only?
- How many people are in the group?
- Who will guide and photograph during the tour?
- Do I get photos and videos?
- What winter clothing should I bring?
- What if there’s no chance to see the Aurora?
Key things I’d bet on

- Nearly 100% Aurora success rate over 4 years, plus a full refund if the tour is cancelled when there’s no chance.
- Unlimited hunting range, and the plan can include Finnish and Swedish Lapland.
- Professional photographer Kun (you can preview work via @kunbelievable and @nordiestour).
- Small group of up to 8 guests, which helps keep the photo session personalized.
- Unlimited photos and videos, shared the next day in high quality.
- Free pickup and drop-off within 10 km of Rovaniemi train station, with hot drinks and gingerbread included.
Aurora Borealis hunting in Rovaniemi, with Kun running the show

This is the kind of Aurora trip where the details matter, and they clearly do. The whole experience is designed around a photographer’s workflow: solar activity and sky conditions are monitored, then you move to where the chance is best. Instead of one fixed viewpoint, the hunt is built around solar wind data and an Aurora database that’s been collected and used over time.
Your guide and photographer is Kun, described as a professional photographer and Aurora expert running the operation. If you like the idea of getting more than a blurry phone pic, this matters. Astro photography is its own skill set, and the tour leans into that with specialized nighttime gear and a short tutorial so you’re not totally in the dark.
And because the group is limited to up to 8 people, the night doesn’t feel like a bus stop photo raffle. You get enough attention for the session to feel planned, not chaotic.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Rovaniemi
Unlimited hunting range across Finnish (and possible Swedish) Lapland

The biggest practical advantage here is that your Aurora hunt isn’t trapped inside one small radius. The tour offers an unlimited hunting range across Lapland, and it states that if necessary, the team will also travel to Sweden.
Why this matters: Aurora sightings aren’t just about “being in Lapland.” They’re about timing and sky conditions. Light pollution, cloud cover, and your positioning all play roles. By allowing the guide to go where the odds improve, you’re basically paying for flexibility and decision-making, not just transportation.
Also, the tour explains its planning logic: it uses solar wind data and local understanding. Even if you don’t want to geek out about space weather, you’ll feel the difference in how the night is managed.
A 6-hour plan (often), with longer driving if the night needs it

Most nights run about 6 hours, with pickups starting anytime between 17:00 and 00:00 depending on the time of year, weather, and solar wind activity. The exact pickup time is only confirmed on the day of the tour, between 16:00 and 20:00.
That’s a key detail for your planning. You should treat the evening as a “hold time,” not a tight schedule you can set like a museum ticket. It’s also why having dinner timing figured out before pickup can help.
When the guide needs more distance to chase better conditions, the tour may extend up to 9 hours. That’s normal for an Aurora hunt that cares about getting the shot. It’s also why you’ll want real warm clothing and comfortable footwear ready from the start.
Stop 1: pickup near Rovaniemi train station, then straight into the hunt

You start with pickup in Rovaniemi, and it includes free pickup and drop-off within a 10 km radius from the Rovaniemi train station. If you’re farther out, pickup may still be possible for an extra fee, but you’ll need to check ahead.
I like this layout because it removes the biggest DIY headache: coordinating transport at night. You don’t have to solve maps, parking, or cold-walk logistics while waiting for the sky to cooperate.
Once you’re on the move, the tour shifts into its main mode—Aurora hunting with a photographer’s eye. Expect that you’ll be out long enough for the night to feel like it has its own rhythm, not a quick stop-and-go.
Stop 2: Lapland photo time, guided pacing, and the photography tutorial

The core of the night is a photo session in Lapland, running with guiding for about 6 hours in most cases. This is where the tour earns its name.
You’ll get:
- an Aurora explanation
- a photography tutorial
- time to shoot while the guide works the plan
The tour promises personalized photography time by keeping the group small (up to 8). That likely helps the photographer adjust guidance to different experience levels—some people want to capture a sharp image, others just want a decent memory shot. The goal here is clear: photos and videos should come out sharp and epic, not just “we saw the lights.”
One note to keep your expectations grounded: public restrooms might not always be available because you’ll be in remote areas and working late. Pack patience (and plan bathroom breaks earlier).
Stop 3: back to Rovaniemi when the hunt wraps up

After the photo session, you return to Rovaniemi. Because start times can vary and the trip may extend up to 9 hours, your return time will depend on how the evening goes and whether extra driving is needed.
For most people, that means you should keep your last plans flexible. If you’re catching a train or another tour, give yourself a buffer so the Aurora night doesn’t steal time you can’t afford.
The photo and video deal: what you get the next day

This is the strongest value piece for the money. The tour includes unlimited top-notch quality photos and videos, and they’re shared the next day.
You’re not paying extra to get images. You’re paying for:
- specialized nighttime/astro gear
- someone who knows how to frame Aurora in real conditions
- the workflow to deliver photos and videos after
This matters because Aurora Borealis photography isn’t just pressing the shutter. Long exposures, focus in low light, and timing all affect results. The tour also says that the gear is specialized for astro and nighttime photography and videography, which lines up with the promise of high-quality sharp results.
If you want a souvenir that looks like Finland did something magical (instead of your camera doing its best impression of a dim night sky), this setup is built for that.
Small-group comfort (up to 8) and why it changes the vibe

A group of up to 8 might not sound like a big difference on paper, but it affects everything during a cold, late-night session.
With fewer people:
- the guide can reposition more easily when the plan calls for it
- instruction can be clearer during the photography tutorial
- you’re less likely to lose your chance at the best moments when the sky behaves
The tour also mentions private tours can be arranged for an additional fee. So if you’re traveling with a partner and want a more one-on-one feel, that option may appeal.
Warmth and gear: what’s included, what costs extra, and what to pack

The tour includes warm drinks: gingerbread cookies and hot berry juice. Nice after a long cold wait, and it’s a simple morale boost.
But the clothing details are where you need to be ready. The tour does not include:
- shoes
- gloves
- hats
- scarves
- and third layer winter jacket and pants for adults (this is available to rent)
What you should bring is straightforward: warm clothing and warm shoes.
If you’re missing the right layer, you can rent a set of winter jacket and pants for €10 per set (adult sizes only). Plan for the rest yourself. And because you might be outdoors for 6 to 9 hours, being “almost warm” isn’t enough. You want properly insulated layers and footwear you trust for long standing and walking.
Price and value: is $136 fair for this Aurora hunt?
At $136 per person, you’re paying for more than transportation. You’re paying for:
- a small group (up to 8)
- free pickup and drop-off within 10 km of Rovaniemi train station
- a professional photographer (Kun) using specialized astro gear
- the Aurora hunting strategy across unlimited range (including possible travel toward Sweden)
- unlimited photos and videos delivered the next day
- warm snacks and hot berry juice
If you tried to DIY this, your costs would quickly stack: tours to remote areas, gas or taxis, camera learning time, and the fact that you’d still be guessing on timing and cloud cover. The tour reduces the guesswork by using solar wind data and a local database, then building a flexible plan around it.
Where value can drop a bit: if you don’t already own the right third layer, or you’re missing key items like gloves/hats, you’ll need to rent or buy. Also, pickup is only free within the 10 km radius, so your exact location matters.
Still, for most people, the biggest reason $136 feels fair is the delivery promise: you get the Aurora captured in a way your own phone probably won’t.
Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)
This is a solid fit if you want:
- a professional photo result (not just a sighting)
- a guided Aurora hunt with strategy and flexibility
- a calm night experience in a small group
- photos and videos shared the next day
It’s not suitable for:
- children under 6 years
- pregnant women
- people with back problems
- people with heart problems
- wheelchair users
- people with a cold
- pets
Given the remote locations and late hours, that’s not the time for someone who needs extra medical or mobility support.
If you’re healthy, warm, and ready to hold an evening schedule, this type of tour tends to click well.
Should you book Nordies Tour’s Aurora Borealis hunting?
If you’re choosing between DIY and paying for help, I’d lean toward booking when you care about photos and want the hunt to be run like a real photo mission. The tour’s combination of Kun’s astro photography gear, unlimited hunting range, and next-day photo/video delivery is exactly what turns a good Aurora chance into a memorable keepsake.
Book it if you’re okay with the practical realities: you’ll be out late, you need solid winter clothing, and your pickup time is only confirmed on the day between 16:00 and 20:00.
Skip it if you don’t want to deal with winter layers beyond what you already have, or if any of the health or accessibility limitations apply.
FAQ
FAQ
Where does pickup happen?
Pickup is included from your accommodation if it’s within 10 km of the Rovaniemi train station. If you’re farther away, pickup and drop-off may be arranged for an extra fee.
What time does the tour start?
Start time can be anytime between 17:00 and 00:00, depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and solar wind activity. The exact pickup time is shared on the day of the tour between 16:00 and 20:00.
How long is the Aurora hunt?
The tour usually lasts about 6 hours. If longer distance is required, it may extend to up to 9 hours.
Is the tour limited to Finland only?
The hunt is in Finnish and Swedish Lapland, and if necessary the team may also travel to Sweden.
How many people are in the group?
The group is small, limited to up to 8 participants.
Who will guide and photograph during the tour?
The tour is organized by an Aurora Expert and professional photographer named Kun.
Do I get photos and videos?
Yes. The tour includes unlimited photos and videos, shared the next day in high quality.
What winter clothing should I bring?
Bring warm clothing and warm shoes. The tour does not include shoes, gloves, hats, or scarves. Third layer winter jacket and pants for adults are not included, but you can rent a set for €10.
What if there’s no chance to see the Aurora?
The tour states there is a nearly 100% success rate over 4 years, and you get a full refund if there’s no chance to find the Aurora and the tour is cancelled.































