Northwest TerritoriesNature & scenery
Yellowknife Northern Lights Viewing Tour
A guided evening outside the city for the best chance of seeing the aurora.
Day tours in Northwest Territories
Yellowknife and some of the best aurora viewing on the planet.
The best day tour in the Northwest Territories on BookTours.ca is the Yellowknife Northern Lights Viewing Tour, a four-to-five-hour evening outing. Yellowknife sits under the auroral oval, so clear, dark nights offer some of the best aurora viewing in the world, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Yellowknife, on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, is the capital of the Northwest Territories and a popular base for aurora viewing. Its location far from southern city lights, combined with often clear skies, gives visitors a good chance of seeing the northern lights. Aurora is visible on many clear nights during the season, but it is best treated as a bonus of a trip to the north rather than a certainty.
The evening tour takes you away from town lights to a dark viewing site. Because the aurora is a natural phenomenon, sightings depend on solar activity and cloud cover, so the evening is planned around several hours of watching. Dress warmly, bring patience and expect to spend a good part of the evening outdoors, with short breaks to warm up.
The tour in Northwest Territories
Planning your day tour in Northwest Territories
Best time to go
The aurora season runs from late summer through to early spring, when the nights are dark enough. Winter is colder but often clearer, while late summer and autumn are milder.
Getting there and around
Yellowknife has an airport with flights from southern Canada, and the town itself is compact. Because viewing sites are outside the city, an organized evening tour avoids cold, dark driving.
Quick tips
- Wear a proper winter parka, insulated boots, mittens and a hat for winter evenings.
- Bring a camera that works in low light and a spare battery, as cold drains them quickly.
- Plan more than one night in Yellowknife to improve your chances of clear skies.
- Be patient: the aurora can appear and fade over several hours.
Frequently asked questions about day tours in Northwest Territories
Can you guarantee the northern lights?
No one can. Aurora depends on solar activity and clear skies, so staying more than one night improves your chances.
How long is the Yellowknife aurora tour?
It is an evening outing of roughly four to five hours, giving plenty of time to wait for activity.
What should I wear?
Warm layers, insulated boots, a hat and mittens are essential, especially in winter. Ask in your request whether warm clothing is available or recommended.
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