Experience the
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Experience the Aurora Borealis in the City of Northern Lights
Alta, home to Norway’s first Northern Lights observatory, is the perfect place to experience this spectacular natural phenomenon. The city has a rich history in Northern Lights research, with early pioneers laying the foundation for our modern understanding of the aurora.
For the past 15 years, we at Pæskatun have developed extensive expertise and experience that we are eager to share with you. Join us for an unforgettable Arctic adventure beneath the magical glow of the Northern Lights. Explore the stunning Arctic landscape and discover the secrets of the aurora with us at Pæskatun.
NORTHERN LIGHTS SAFARI
Available from September 15th to April 7th
Join the hunt for one of the earth’s most amazing natural phenomena, the Northern Lights. With local knowledge in our hand luggage, and skilled and experienced guides, we want to take you on an exciting experience.
Season: September 15. to April 7.
Capacity: 2-8 (Larger groups? Please contact us)
Duration: Approx. 5 hours
Price: NOK 1680/840 per adult/child (12 years or under) Exclusive private northern lights safari: NOK 11760 (max 8 guests per vehicle)
Departure: 19:00 (20:00 in Sep and from 25. March)
Booking before 12:00 am one day prior, but contact us anyway, there might be space for you on today’s outing!
The Northern Lights have captivated and mystified humanity for thousands of years. Join our knowledgeable guide as he shares fascinating insights about the Aurora Borealis and the experience of living at 69 degrees north.
Tour Details
- Duration: 4-5 hours, depending on how far we need to travel to find the Northern Lights. Our primary goal is to give you an unforgettable experience by witnessing this natural wonder.
- Route: The evening’s destination will depend on local weather conditions. We may journey to the mountains, the coast, or even deep into the forest—this decision is made on the evening of the tour. We can travel up to 200 km in total to find clear skies and possibly the Northern Lights.
- Photography: Our guide is an experienced photographer and will assist you in capturing the best possible photos.
What is included?
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Warm drinks
- Warm soup with bread
- Snacks (cookies)
- Camera assistance
- A portrait photo sent to your email (one per person)
- Free rental of warm clothing, shoes, and camera tripods (if needed)
important information
- We will do our best to find the Northern Lights, but we cannot guarantee a sighting due to weather dependency.
- We reserve the right to cancel the trip if weather conditions become extremely challenging.
- The bus seats 8 passengers, so you may be joined by fellow travelers from different countries. The guide speaks English.
- We recommend wearing your own warm winter clothing and shoes, preferably with wool layers close to the body.
Private Tour Option:
- If you prefer a more personal experience, you can book a private tour, ensuring you and your group have the bus all to yourselves.
Additional information
The city of Alta, situated at 69 degrees North and over 400 km north of the Arctic Circle, is renowned for its stable climate and long, snowy winters. These conditions make Alta an ideal location for Northern Lights viewing, from early autumn until the end of winter. Known as the “City of the Northern Lights,” Alta was the first city to establish a Northern Lights observatory for scientific research. With a population of 21,000, Alta offers ample space with minimal light pollution, making it easy to find dark, secluded spots perfect for observing the Aurora Borealis.
Winter temperatures in Alta average around -10°C (14°F). The landscape is diverse, featuring dense forests, towering mountains, and a stunning coastline, providing a picturesque backdrop for your Northern Lights adventure.
NORTHERN LIGHTS CAMP
Available from September 15th to April 5th
Let the Northern Lights come to you! Join our Camp for a comfortable and social Northern Lights chase, located 20 minutes south of Alta town.
The Northern Lights Camp is for groups only.
Season: September 15th to April 5th
Capacity: 10-300
Duration: 3 hours at the camp
Price: Contact us
Departure: 19:00 or as agreed
Pick-up: Centre of Alta, by the Tourist Information, Labyrinten 3
Booking is normally three days upfront, but there might be places available for you too so contact us anyway!
The Northern Lights have fascinated, frightened, and brought people together for thousands of years. This spectacular light phenomenon has been experienced by many, or at least seen in pictures. There is nothing quite like standing outside in the dark on a freezing winter night and watching the colorful lights dance across the sky!
Throughout the millennia, the Northern Lights have inspired stories, myths, and legends. They are connected not only to science and nature but also to superstition, culture, mysticism, and religious beliefs.
About this Experience
Just 20 minutes south of Alta lies Pæskatun, a family-run tourist business located in the heart of Peska mountain. We offer a large outdoor area perfect for observing the Northern Lights. Here, there is minimal light pollution and excellent views in almost every direction.
When the Arctic winter shows its true face, you can relax and warm up in one of our cozy, wood-fired slate cabins while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of cake. Our guides are always outside, monitoring the clear sky, ready to inform you when the Northern Lights appear. They get just as excited as the guests when the Northern Lights fill the sky with the most fantastic shapes and colors
Heated Slate Cabins Take your time to explore our original slate cabins while you’re at Pæskatun. The cabins, which have been part of various slate quarries, are filled with historical artifacts. Here, you can learn a lot about local history. The cabins are also warm, so if your fingers get cold after watching the Northern Lights, you can take a break inside. In some cabins, refreshments are also served.
Helpful Guides If you book an event with us, our helpful and friendly guides will always be present. They will answer any questions you may have about the Northern Lights or help you find the right settings for your camera. The guides also ensure that it’s always warm and cozy around the fire and that there’s plenty of coffee and tea available. When the Northern Lights shine, you can get your own Northern Lights picture sent to your email – completely free!
Activities for Your Group Since the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, we cannot always guarantee their appearance. Therefore, we offer a range of other exciting activities:
Northern Lights Presentation Learn facts about the Northern Lights through myths, stories, and legends. Dive into a fascinating lecture you won’t soon forget, presented by a professional guide. Duration: approx. 30 minutes.
Meet a Reindeer Herder and Feed Reindeer The Sami culture has many treasures with deep roots connected to the nature of Finnmark. Have a chat with a real reindeer herder or greet a reindeer while you wait for the Northern Lights.
Sledding Hill Feeling adventurous? Try our sledding hill! Perfect for both children and adults.
Slate Demonstration Be fascinated by the beautiful Alta slate! Since you are in a real slate quarry, you now have the opportunity to see how a roof tile is made. Live demonstration with information on modern and ancient slate quarrying. Duration: approx. 30 minutes.
Other Options On request, we can also provide dinner service in the slate hall or in the panoramic cabin.
Buy Souvenirs At Pæskatun, we sell handmade slate souvenirs as a small memento of your experience. The products come in different shapes and colors, inspired by the nature around us. You can also buy a small selection of clothing for the occasion and other exciting items.
Included
- Coffee/tea
- Cake
- Traditional Sami lavvu with a fire
Northern Lights Adventure And Sami Culture Experience
Available from January 2 to March 28
Experience the Sami Culture underneath the Northern Lights! This adventure introduces the leaned back and romantic version of the native Scandinavian`s life. The tour combines a Northern Lights hunt with a Sami experience as we explore the vast and untouched area around the Sami village of Máze where a Sami family is inviting us into their lavvu (Sami tent) and reindeer are waiting for us.
Season: 02.01-28.03
Capacity: 2-30 (minimum 2 adults)
Duration: 6-7 hours
Departure: 18.00
Booking
Booking before 4pm four days prior. But contact us anyway, there might be space for you on today’s outing!
Price
NOK 4000 per adult
NOK 2000 per child 12 years and under
NOK 28000 per private exclusive tour (maximum 8)
Join us for an unforgettable evening of cultural immersion and breathtaking natural wonders. Our journey begins with a pickup from your hotel in Alta, followed by a short stop at our basecamp where you will be equipped with warm clothing to ensure a comfortable experience throughout the evening.
Practical information
Basecamp Stop:
- Upon arrival, you will change into warm overalls and shoes provided by us.
- A short presentation of the northern ligths, wheather forcast for the evening.
- If the northern lights are visible here or nearby, we’ll spend some time enjoying the spectacle before continuing our journey.
Journey to Maze:
- During the one-hour drive to Maze, we will be on the lookout for the northern lights. If they appear, we will make a brief photo stop to capture the moment.
Sami Village Experience:
- In Maze, you will meet a local Sami reindeer herder and his reindeer.
- Experience a traditional ride on a reindeer-pulled sled through the winter landscape, just as the Sami people have done for generations. With a bit of luck, the northern lights will dance above us as we ride.
- After the ride, we will gather in a lavvu (traditional Sami tent) to learn about Sami culture and history. Seated around the fire on reindeer skins, you will be served Bidos, a traditional Sami reindeer soup.
- The evening concludes with a joik performance, the traditional Sami form of singing. Guests are welcome to join in.
Return Journey:
- On our way back to Alta, we will continue to search for the northern lights. If time allows, we will make another stop at our basecamp in Pæskatun. Here, you can relax in a warm hut or by a cozy fire.
- Before returning to your hotel, you will change out of the provided warm clothing.
Included:
- Transport/transfer to and from your hotel
- Traditional Sami meal (Bidos)
- Hot beverages and snacks
- Camera assistance and tripod (a professional photographer is always part of the team, and you can borrow a tripod if needed)
- Photos from your tour (emailed to you after the trip)
- Warm suits (overalls)
- Thermal clothing, shoes, and tripods for use during the tour
Important Information
Our primary goal is to find the Northern Lights for you to experience, although we cannot guarantee sightings due to weather conditions. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if weather conditions become too extreme.
- The bus accommodates up to 8 passengers, making it a small and intimate group. The guide speaks English.
- We recommend that you wear your own warm winter clothes and shoes, with wool layers close to the body for maximum warmth
NORTHERN LIGHTS EVENING
Available from September 15th to April 9th
A special winter night! In collaboration with the best chefs of Alta, we offer a Northern Lights Evening with two-course dinner at our Northern Lights Camp at Pæskatun with elegant table settings.
Notice! Groups only.
Season: 15.09 – 09.04
Capacity: 10 – 100 persons
Duration: 4-5 hours
Experience a magical Northern Lights evening with us! We invite you to an unforgettable night under the dancing lights of the aurora in the sky. Welcome to a unique experience.
The evening begins with a warm welcome and an introduction to our facility here at Pæskatun. Here, you’ll gain insight into the camp’s amenities, designed to provide you with the best experience of the Northern Lights.
Exciting Northern Lights presentation
Next, we’ll take you on an exciting journey through the myths and history of the Northern Lights. Our presentation is both informative and engaging and can, of course, be adapted based on the aurora activity of the evening to give you the best experience.
Dinner in a newly built panoramic cabin/slate hall
When hunger strikes, we invite you to a delicious dinner in our newly built panoramic cabin. Skilled chefs have put together a menu inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Finnmark, made with the finest local ingredients. Enjoy a meal in a cozy atmosphere with fantastic views over the Alta Valley.
Coffee and cakes
After dinner, we serve freshly brewed coffee and homemade cake. This gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the company in a laid-back and pleasant atmosphere.
Comfortable waiting time
While waiting for the Northern Lights to appear, you can wander around in authentic slate huts and see how people lived and worked in the past. You can view old tools and artifacts and learn more about the daily routines of slate workers throughout the ages. This gives a rich and vivid understanding of the cultural heritage of the slate industry.
Or, you can relax by the outdoor fire, or in our heated lavuu.
Unique photo opportunities
Should the Northern Lights appear, we offer to take a portrait of you with the Northern Lights as the background. This will be a memory for life and a perfect way to capture this magical experience.
Tailor your experience
This experience can also be tailored to your needs. Does your group want alcohol service? Contact us, and we’ll arrange it!
Flexible options
If we are unlucky with the weather on the particular evening, we can move to better conditions. Our experienced guides will take you on a journey, and we can drive up to 200 kilometers to find the perfect spot to see the Northern Lights. We also offer a fascinating slate demonstration or an exciting slate lecture. This gives you insight into the traditional craftsmanship methods and the history behind slate industry in Alta. area.
Please note: Although we do our best to provide optimal conditions, unfortunately, we cannot give an absolute guarantee for the Northern Lights as this depends on weather conditions. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to giving you an unforgettable experience under the Northern Lights.
Book your Northern Lights evening now and create memories for life!
