HOT SPRINGS · NORTHERN LIGHTS & HOT SPRINGS
Sitting in hot water while the sky does something is the best way to wait out an aurora forecast. The 9 below run in Iceland, Finland and Alaska, priced, with the cloud-cancellation policy each one actually applies.
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group, tour the Aurora Ice Museum, reserve dinner, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora on the way home. Guides such as Savvy, Jessica, Tyler, Gina, and Shannon are praised for tracking skies, wildlife, and safe viewing stops.
“Savvy was great. She made the experience fun and was willing to do whatever she could to make us comfortable.”
Travel from Reykjavík to Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Kerið with an English-speaking guide, then relax at the Blue Lagoon with a towel, mask, and drink. After a short break, head into the countryside to search for the Northern Lights. Guides such as Siki, Addi, Roman, and Michael are praised for clear stories, humor, and extra stops.
“Great day with q local guide, full of history and tips of the city etc. Is quite a small group which is nice. Unfortunately due to the weather conditions the northern light tour was cancelled and rescheduled so can’t comment on this one, but all the rest is great!”
Spend about four and a half hours in Finnish sauna culture near Rovaniemi. Nordic Adventures provides hotel pickup, a wood-fired sauna, towels, slippers, lake swimming, and an open-fire salmon dinner. Evening departures from late October to mid-March also include a chance to see the Northern Lights. Guides may include Alex, Pedro, or Tanija.
“fantastic experience! the owners are very nice and nice, the place is magical and the Finnish sauna is a unique experience. I recommend everyone to try this experience!”
Spend four hours outside Rovaniemi with a guide such as Pedro or Mattia, using a wood-fired Finnish sauna beside an Arctic lake, taking optional ice plunges, and eating salmon in a wooden cottage. Evening departures from late October to mid-March add a chance to see the Northern Lights, though the sky may stay dark.
“We have enjoyed both the hot sauna and the cold lake! Plenty of time was allowed for the activity. The meal at the end was tasty as well!”
Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 14. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, eat dinner at the resort, soak in the 106 F mineral water, and watch for auroras. Guides such as Gina, Greg, and Ron may make extra stops when the sky is active.
“Greg is very informative. We had a great aurora sight seeing of him. Thanks.”
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs on a 10.5-hour evening outing with a small group of up to 12. You’ll visit the Ice Museum, soak in the indoor pool or adults-only Rock Lake, and wait for the aurora. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Randy, and Paul have earned praise for clear local stories and patient aurora watching.
“We were disappointed that it was cloudy the whole time. No aurora We really enjoyed the hot springs. It was a pleasure getting to know Linus Platt our guide. Bravo Linus.”
Meet your English-speaking guide in central Rovaniemi, then head to a forest sauna complex beside a lake. You will have about an hour in a traditional Finnish sauna, with towels, slippers, and hot drinks provided. Guides such as Mara, Maria, and Frederico have helped make the outing personal, but Aurora sightings depend on weather and solar activity.
“This experience is going to stand out for us as incredibly memorable for years to come! We arrived in the forest complex to the twinkle of fairy lights and floor candles lighting the pathway into the visitor centre, and as if by devine intervention the sky opened up with a fine show of Aurora for us as we were shown to our lakeside Finnish sauna. Our guide Mara gave us a good rundown of what to expect and how to keep the sauna going- though we confess the Northern lights specacle kept us distracted for a good portion of our time! That said, we found this trip a perfect amount…”
Spend an evening at Chena Hot Springs Resort with pickup in Fairbanks, a 45-minute Ice Museum tour, hot springs access, and an aurora chase on the return drive. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, and Kevin add local stories and practical help. Dinner is optional, and the Northern Lights depend on weather.
“We want to give a huge thank you to our wonderful guide, Savvy! She took us to Chena Hot Springs and on an incredible aurora chase. Thanks to her knowledge and dedication, we witnessed a breathtakingly beautiful aurora explosion—a truly unforgettable experience. Savvy was incredibly attentive, professional, and responsible throughout the entire trip. We are so grateful to her for making this adventure so special. Thank you, Savvy”
Spend two days exploring North Iceland with an English-speaking guide, including Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Hverarönd, and a Northern Lights hunt. Guide Sigi leads both trips, with airport transfers for EasyJet passengers. The Nature Baths are optional and not included in the $350 price.
“Excellent in all aspects. Pick up easy and straightforward. Northern lights evening and Myvatn trips lead by Sigi who kept us informed and entertained. Great lights show and the lake trip was excellent with lots of interesting stops never feeling rushed and plenty of time to explore. The baths were closed for refurbishment so drive 45 mins for an alternative we opted to not do this as been in the forest lagoon the evening prior, but sigi dropped us in a local town to explore whilst others visited the baths.”
By tradition, by country, or by the kind of day it makes.
