{"id":5469,"date":"2022-12-08T07:38:12","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T07:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/?p=5469"},"modified":"2024-11-21T05:15:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T05:15:07","slug":"see-the-magnificent-lights-in-the-arctic-with-wildfoot-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/see-the-magnificent-lights-in-the-arctic-with-wildfoot-travel","title":{"rendered":"Where to See the Northern Lights in The Arctic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

High on the wish list for many people venturing into the wonders of the icy realms at the top of the world on a trip to the Arctic<\/a>, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights (also known as Aurora Borealis) are truly a sight to behold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For travellers with a curious spirit and an adventurous heart, seeing the spectacle of the northern lights in the Arctic<\/a> \u2013 which has achieved almost reverential status amongst travellers \u2013 is something that can\u2019t be satisfied merely by looking at photographs and documentaries or listening to other people recounting their travel stories. This incredible natural phenomenon is at the top of countless so-called travel \u201cbucket lists\u201d, and for those who do put their dreams into action and make a pilgrimage to witness the event for themselves, it\u2019s something very special, that will genuinely never be forgotten. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re all about making people\u2019s adventure travel dreams come true, and we know everything there is to know about many of the world\u2019s most exotic wild places \u2013 including the magnificent Arctic region. So if you\u2019re considering a trip to see the lights in the Arctic<\/strong><\/a> for yourself, and wondering how to bring the idea to fruition, we\u2019re the ones to help you! To whet your appetite, learning a little more about the region and what you can expect on a week-long visit or a month-long odyssey, might very well inspire you to action!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The history of the Northern Lights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We are all familiar with the term Northern lights to describe the phenomenon of lights in the Arctic, but their correct scientific name is aurora borealis <\/em>\u2013 chosen by the Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer, Galileo who named them after the Roman goddess of the morning, Aurora <\/em> and the Greek god of the wind, Boreas<\/em>. He mistakenly believed the display came about due to sunlight reflecting from the Earth\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But even though the name is attributed to Galileo, the lights in the Arctic<\/strong> have been around since way before his time \u2013 all the way back to pre-history. The oldest known record of them is in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France, and there are many myths and legends that revolve around them, documented by everyone from the Vikings to the North American Inuits to the ancient Chinese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a pretty astounding thought to imagine that the dinosaurs who once walked the Earth looked up at the same spectacle in the skies that adventurous travellers do today \u2013 and they were probably just as awe-struck as we are!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What causes Arctic lights?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Put into simple terms: the event is what happens when electrically charged particles from space enter the earth\u2019s atmosphere at great speed. And the most incredible thing is that it all starts on the sun\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originating from the surface of the sun, large amounts of gas are shot out into space in what scientists call \u2018Coronal Mass Ejections\u2019. Creating what are known as solar winds, the particles travel at an incredible eight million kilometres per hour and, even though around 98% of them are deflected by our planet\u2019s magnetic field, some of them get through and enter the Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere. They are accelerated toward the magnetic poles \u2013 or as we call them, the North and South Poles (in the south it is called \u2018aurora australis<\/em>\u2019). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the charged particles collide with the atoms and molecules of the Earth\u2019s atmosphere (usually at around 80-300 kilometres above the surface of the planet) they become \u2018excited\u2019 (yes, that\u2019s the technical term!), and the collision creates the emission of the fluorescent, glowing, highly distinctive dancing show we know and love. The variation in colours is caused by the different gases, e.g: the green is oxygen, while pink, blue or purple is nitrogen. On more rare occasions, we can see a deep red, which is indicative of high altitude oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How often do the Northern Lights happen?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s fascinating to learn that, actually, the lights in the Arctic<\/strong> are happening every day of the year \u2013 24 hours a day! But even though the process is happening constantly, of course the times when they\u2019re visible to the human eye is a different matter altogether \u2013 and did we mention they\u2019re unpredictable? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lights are visible from late August to early April and while the conditions do need to be dark and free of clouds, it doesn\u2019t actually need to be extremely cold, which is a common misconception. At some times of the year in certain places it can be almost perpetually dark, but as a guide they are most likely to appear between the hours of around 5pm to 2am. A word of warning: you should be prepared for some late nights or broken sleep if you\u2019re keen to catch as many sightings as possible. Because of their unpredictability, the longer you can stay in the region on a tour, obviously the better chance you\u2019ll have of seeing them. That\u2019s why our packages are the length they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the solar winds that propel the particles required to create the lights toward Earth are in constant effect, the emissions do vary in their strength in what is an approximately eleven year cycle. This means that during the peak periods of activity the aurora borealis<\/em> appears at their most frequent and intense. (According to NASA, the next \u2018solar maximum\u2019 is due around 2025.) For the die-hard fans, tracking the solar cycle will keep you in-the-know as to when the very best potential sightings are predicted \u2013 although when you\u2019re on a WILDFOOT tour your guide will stay abreast of this information so you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How long do the Northern Lights last?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For something so anticipated and fascinating, the actual length of time the lights in the Arctic <\/strong>appear on any given occasion can seem almost fleeting. But the flipside is that fortunately sometimes it can be much longer. In some cases they may appear for just a few minutes \u2013 dancing and weaving with each other for a short, tantalising time before slipping away to return the sky to blackness. A decent display would be considered to be about 15-20 minutes in duration, however, at other times it can go on for a magnificent and memorable few hours \u2013 or even longer.

During an active period the displays could occur every couple of hours, for short, sporadic periods, or longer 30-minute sessions. You can keep an eye on the forecast using an app, although, again, if you travel with one of our WILDFOOT tours or cruises, your guide will be all over the predicted schedule of sky shows.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Which month is best to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the lights in the Arctic <\/strong>are present throughout the year, there isn\u2019t enough darkness in the summer to provide decent sightings (in fact it doesn\u2019t ever get completely dark for long periods of the season). So we advise customers who really want to see them to travel during winter when the skies are at their darkest (sometimes for 24 hours). The winter season runs from late September to early March, with the optimal time for sightings considered to be from mid-October through March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may have to spend extended time standing outdoors in the cold if you want to catch (and photograph) the best sightings, but the good news is that the presence of the Gulf Stream means that Iceland is far less chilly than other places like Sweden, Finland and Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are Northern Lights tours worth it?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Naturally our answer to that question is always going to be a resounding \u2018yes\u2019. We love what we do and we want to share it with as many people as possible! We\u2019ve been running tours and expeditions for many years now, to some of the most remote and exotic parts of the world, including trips to see the lights in the Arctic<\/strong> \u2013 so we know a thing or two about the best way to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many customers the opportunity to experience the light show is an integral part of their motivation to explore the Arctic regions. In our experience, any of our land-based trips to Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago should be your first choice if you are hunting the Northern Lights. This is a fantastic location for winter displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out more about our holidays and tours in Svalbard<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As with any natural phenomenon, even when we as humans think we have a handle on Mother Nature\u2019s behaviour, the aurora borealis<\/em> can be notoriously unpredictable. That\u2019s just a fact, and many a traveller has been disappointed when they miss out on seeing them after coming all the way to Iceland, Sweden, Greenland \u2013 or wherever. But calling on our many years of experience, we know exactly how to maximise your chances to satisfy your adventurous heart\u2019s desire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because we\u2019ve been chasing the lights for so long, we know the very best places to see them \u2013 and we\u2019ve designed our tours accordingly. When they\u2019re at their most intense, it is possible to get wonderful sightings from the major cities like Troms\u00f8 or Reykjavik, but really, to give our clients the best possible chance we know we need to be in more out-of-the-way places in the landscape \u2013 which are free of pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our cruises and tours<\/strong><\/a> go to places that we\u2019ve personally explored over our many years in the industry, that we know from experience can offer stunning opportunities to view the spectacle even in times of low-hanging cloud cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, yes, we whole-heartedly believe that taking one of our fantastic cruises or land-based tours is the very best way to see the lights in the Arctic<\/strong> \u2013 and you can have a look at our testimonials to see that you don\u2019t just have to take our word for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Highlights of Iceland and Greenland<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While seeing the Northern Lights is one of the most common goals for most people visiting the stunning region of the Arctic Circle, one the best pieces of advice we can think of is to make sure you wholeheartedly and completely immerse yourself in the adventure and focus on everything else as well \u2013 because there is so much on offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our inspirational, expert-led range of adventure tours is designed to allow you the most up-close-and-personal encounter with the landscape, wildlife, people and unique geology as is humanly possible \u2013 by land or sea!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sights and attractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These extraordinary destinations are brimming with things to see, do and experience \u2013 with everything from hiking and adrenaline based land activities, to slightly tamer shore excursions (but no less fulfilling) and pastimes like bird-watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The uniquely adapted wildlife<\/strong><\/a> of the region is a source of endless fascination and enjoyment, with the opportunities to encounter many species seen nowhere else on the planet. You\u2019ll have the chance to see reindeer, Arctic foxes, a host of marine life, including whales, dolphins, seals and walruses, as well as more than 40 species of endemic and migratory birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to make your adventure holiday even more adventurous, you\u2019ll be able to try your hand at a host of activities including scuba diving (to discover a whole new world beneath the surface of the icy seas), snowshoeing, mountain climbing, kayaking and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keen photographers will find a plethora of delight in the magnificent landscape \u2013 with imposing glaciers, frozen waterfalls, inspiring fjords and remote traditional villages and people.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We\u2019ve designed our tours to provide maximum fun and maximum adventure, and we take you to places other companies don\u2019t go, to introduce you to the authentic heart, soul and history of this inimitable destination. Our itineraries range from 7-day life-affirming cruises along little-traversed coastlines to experience the astonishing landscape and wildlife of Disko Bay, to an epic sea voyage of 26-days to take in the magnificence and diversity of Greenland, visiting remote settlements and exploring unique geological formations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we\u2019re mostly known for our fantastic cruising itineraries throughout the Arctic Circle, we also offer an extensive portfolio of itineraries that provide you with some incredible land-based adventures<\/strong><\/a> if that\u2019s what you\u2019d prefer. Activities include exciting wildlife-watching to encounter unique species, husky-sledding, camping, kayaking, self-drive itineraries and luxury hotels where you can relax and enjoy the stunning spectacle of the Northern Lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your adventure, your way<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our wonderful guides have firsthand experience and knowledge of all the regions in which we travel. That\u2019s why we\u2019re able to offer you the unique opportunity of visiting these destinations with expert guides on a tour that has been customised to match your exact requirements. On land or by sea, self-guided or with an expert, we can create your dream holiday \u2013 and you can rest assured we know what we\u2019re talking about because we\u2019ve been there ourselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our passion really is making your aspirations for adventure come true, so if you\u2019re looking to tick one more thing off that travel bucket list, <\/em>get in touch<\/em><\/strong><\/a> with one of our friendly team members so we can get started on helping you have a holiday of a lifetime!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We recommend…<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With our extensive first-hand experience and deep local knowledge of all our destinations, we\u2019re passionate about providing you with the opportunities to explore some of the most fascinating and unique places on Earth. We\u2019re ready to help you plan your once-in-a-lifetime holiday to discover the magnificence of the Arctic<\/strong><\/a>. Here are just a few of the many thrilling and memorable tours we offer \u2013 and there are plenty more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Guided Iceland Winter Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelling with a small group and a guide, this 8-day tour introduces you to the very best Iceland has to offer \u2013 in the most magical of ways. In a specially modified 4WD vehicle you\u2019ll explore majestic glaciers and waterfalls, stunning beaches, national parks, hot springs and, of course, the unforgettable spectacle of the aurora borealis<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Iceland Winter \u2013 Northern Lights Self-Drive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the iconic natural wonders of Iceland your way, with the freedom of this 5-day self-drive itinerary. Including 2 nights in Reykjavik and 2 nights in Hveragerdi, you\u2019ll take to the open roads of the east and south of the country at your own pace \u2013 it\u2019s a fantastic way for keen amateur photographers <\/strong><\/a>to make the most of their time and with departures timed during the winter months, you\u2019ll increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. This self-guided experience is one of the absolute best ways to discover the sights independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disko Bay Exploration<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come aboard the MS Balto, a specially designed vessel<\/strong><\/a>, and explore the fjords and secret anchorages of the magical Disko Bay region. On this 8-day tour you\u2019ll see towering icebergs, imposing glaciers, unique geological formations and a stunning array of wildlife including whales, reindeer and Arctic foxes. This small group expedition introduces you to \u2018micro-cruising\u2019 to encounter remote settlements and their people and experience a magnificent landscape unlike any other on the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Great Greenland Adventure<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover the astonishing landscape of Greenland in this epic 26-day sea voyage aboard the purpose-built MS Balto. Along with the incredible geological formations, uncharted coastlines, icebergs, glaciers, caves and fjords for which the country is famous, you\u2019ll have the chance to encounter an abundance of wildlife, including multiple whale species, and learn about the fascinating Norse history and Inuit culture. The ultimate ocean-going expedition that will change your life! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Uncover the ultimate Bucket List experience on an unforgettable journey to witness the mesmerising Aurora Borealis in the Arctic!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5469"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6002,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5469\/revisions\/6002"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildfoottravel.websitepro.hosting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}