Is this an escorted tour or an independent trip?

Our Yellowknife trips are not fully escorted. You will enjoy a selection of guided tours and experiences but will not be tied to a specific group or rigid daily itinerary. This allows you, with the help of our travel experts, to personalize your trip to suit your interests, availability, and budget. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the reassurance of seamless connections, customer service support, and scheduled activities tailored to your taste.

Where in Yellowknife will I be staying on this trip?

We partner with trusted hotels in Yellowknife, offering a range of options that combine comfort and local charm. You’ll stay near the heart of the city, close to shops and restaurants. Accommodation options typically include quality 3-star hotels. Final hotel selection depends on your preferences and availability at the time of booking. Please note that Northern Lights vacations include stays in small cities and remote locations, so there is not the same amount of choice as there would be in bigger cities.

Beyond the Northern Lights, what other activities can I do in Yellowknife?

Yellowknife offers a culturally rich experience with options like dogsledding, ice fishing, and exploring the famous ice road. This region is known for its strong Indigenous culture, allowing for immersive experiences that provide a deeper connection to the land and its history.

Are Northern Lights trips suitable for families with young children?

Our Northern Lights trips can accommodate children, but there may be a minimum age for some day tours. Winter clothing rentals may be harder to obtain for some ages. It’s important to note that Northern Lights viewing happens late at night, so it may be tiring for some children. Please speak to one of our local travel experts and they can find the best trip options for you.

When is the best time to go to Yellowknife to see the Northern Lights?

The prime aurora viewing season in Yellowknife is August to October, and December to early April. These months often have clear skies and optimal conditions for witnessing the aurora. Our local travel experts can work with you to find a date that aligns with your availability to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

How do I get to Yellowknife for this trip?

The easiest way to get to Yellowknife is by plane. There are direct flights to Yellowknife from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto.

Northern Lights of Yellowknife

At a glance:

Length

5 days / 4 nights

Nights of viewing

3 nights

James Galasinao-Yellowknife-Winter-Aurora

Length

5 days / 4 nights

Hotel type

Downtown hotel

Nights of viewing

3 nights

Destinations

When to go

December - April

Price from

Your itinerary is personalized to suit your dreams and needs:

Decide your desired budget
Choose your own activities and experiences
Have all the details of your trip arranged for you

Start Planning

Overview

FAQs

Itinerary

Prices

Accommodations

Start Planning

Winter aurora in the Northwest Territories

See the Northern Lights in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories and a top location for aurora viewing. You have three nights to catch nature’s spectacular light show! During the day, bundle up and explore the city on guided winter tours. Go dogsledding, learn about Indigenous cultures, and discover the history of Yellowknife.

Highlights of your trip

Enjoy three Northern Lights viewing experiences
Explore the beautiful winter landscape around Yellowknife
Activity options include dogsledding and cultural tours
Opportunity to drive across the ice road of Great Slave Lake with a local guide

Top experiences and features

A dome with a table and chairs inside of it and snow outside

Experience three different aurora viewing tours

Spend three evenings looking for the Northern Lights! Visit a cozy cabin, go on an Aurora hunting tour, or relax in a geo dome as you wait for the lights to appear.

Yellowknife after snow in the province of Northwest Territories in Canada

Explore the highlights of Yellowknife

Visit places like the Legislative Assembly, Buffalo hanger (home of the Ice Pilots), NWT's diamond mine, and more.

Car driving along the ice road near Yellowknife with snowy trees on each side

Drive along the ice road of Great Slave Lake

With a local guide, drive on the famous ice road of Great Slave Lake. Sit in silence, listen to the ice cracking, and take some fun photos to mark your experience.

A man and a woman are looking at a display in a museum

Discover Indigenous art, culture and history

Join a local Dene First Nation guide and enjoy a tour of the Prince of Wales Heritage Museum. Hear personal stories and learn about northern art, cultures and nature.

Lead dogs in a dogsled race, captured in mid-stride and working cohesively as a team, racing across the frozen expanse of Great Slave Lake in Canada's Arctic region

Enjoy exciting winter outdoor activities

Choose how you spend the daylight hours! Activity options include dogsledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation

Guided Northern Lights viewing experiences

Unique guided activities such as dogsledding, cultural tours and more

Winter clothing rentals (parka, snow pants, boots and gloves)

Transfers in Yellowknife, between airport and hotel

Electronic travel documentation package

Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip.

Indicates featured activities

Day 01

Arrive in Yellowknife

Travel into the spectacular Northwest Territories and arrive in the capital city of Yellowknife. An area with deep cultural roots and a diverse landscape, Yellowknife sits on the shores of Great Slave Lake.

Shuttle Transfer to Hotel with Meet and Greet

Winter Clothing Rental

Suggested Add on: Aurora Tour on Arrival Day

Day 02

Explore Yellowknife

Yellowknife is a vibrant city with many festivals and events throughout the year. The city gained its name from the copper tools made and traded by the Dene First Nation. Explore the public street art during the day, then wait for tonight's natural art to appear in the night sky.

You have 3 options to choose from today:

Ice Fishing Demonstration with Lunch

Yellowknife City Tour

Indigenous Storytelling Tour of the Prince of Wales Heritage Museum

Aurora Hunting Tour by Vehicle

Day 03

Winter wonders of the Northwest Territories

Choose a true Northern experience and explore the winter landscape and culture of Yellowknife.

You have 3 options to choose from today:

Traditional Dogsled Ride

Snowshoeing Tour

Ice Road Tour

Cozy Cabin Aurora Tour

Day 04

Yellowknife day at leisure

Spend one final day on the North Shore of Great Slave Lake. Venture out to the visitor centre to collect your above-the-60th-parallel visitor certificate, or enjoy a hangar tour from Buffalo Airways if you are an Ice Pilots TV show fan (Tues-Fri).

Suggested Add ons: Glassware Etching or Snowmobiling

Skydome Aurora Viewing

Day 05

Depart from Yellowknife

All too soon, your Northern Lights vacation comes to an end upon arrival at Yellowknife Airport.

Transfer to Yellowknife Airport

Trip Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip.

Indicates featured activities

Day 1

Arrive in Yellowkni...

Arrive in Yellowknife

Day 2

Explore Yellowknife...

Explore Yellowknife

Day 3

Winter wonders of t...

Winter wonders of the Northwest Territories

Day 4

Yellowknife day at ...

Yellowknife day at leisure