Northern Lights of Yellowknife
Length
5 days / 4 nights
Hotel type
Downtown hotel
Nights of viewing
3 nights
Where it goes
When to go
December - April
Price from
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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. There are opportunities to go dogsledding or snowmobiling, learn about Indigenous cultures, and discover the history of Yellowknife.
Enjoy three Northern Lights viewing experiences
Explore the beautiful winter landscape around Yellowknife
Activity options include dogsledding, snowmobiling, and cultural tours
Opportunity to drive across the ice road of Great Slave Lake with a local guide
Top experiences and features
Three aurora viewing experiences
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What’s Included
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Itinerary
Arrive in Yellowknife
Travel into the spectacular Northwest Territories. Land 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.
- Transfer from Yellowknife Airport to Downtown
A representative will meet you in the arrivals area at Yellowknife Airport and will take you to your downtown hotel.
- Winter Clothing Rental
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.
- Day Activity - Yellowknife City Tour
Explore some of Yellowknife's museums and historic sites on this half-day guided tour. Stops may include the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, Prince of Wales Heritage Museum, Yellowknife Visitor Centre, Pilot's Monument and Nature's North gallery.
- Day Activity - Ice Road Tour
With your guide, drive along the famous ice road of Great Slave Lake. Sit in silence and listen to the ice cracking and take some fun photos to mark your experience. You can also visit the indigenous village of Dettah to learn about local indigenous culture; and in March, marvel at the castle built entirely of ice for SnowKing's Winter Festival.
- Day Activity - Scenic Tour with Hike
With an Indigenous guide, escape the city and discover the winter landscapes of the Northwest Territories. Enjoy a short 15-minute hike to an amazing viewpoint.
- Aurora Hunting Tour by Vehicle
- Skydome Aurora Viewing
Winter wonders of the Northwest Territories
Choose an true Northern experience and explore the winter landscape and culture of Yellowknife.
- Snowmobile Tour
Carve through the backcountry wilderness on a 2-hour snowmobile tour. Stop to take photos of breathtaking scenery, play on the pristine frozen lakes, and get to know the wild side of Frontier country.
- Ice Fishing Demonstration with Lunch
- Indigenous Storytelling Tour of the Prince of Wales Heritage Museum
Join Joe, a local Dene First Nation guide, on a tour of the Prince of Wales Heritage Museum. Joe weaves his personal stories through the exhibits, and reflects on growing up and living off the land in modern day society.
- Traditional Dogsled Ride
Meet a team of friendly dogs and and enjoy a dogsled ride over frozen lakes and along a secluded trail near Yellowknife. Spend time in a heated teepee or trapper’s camp, where you can enjoy hot beverages and fresh bannock.
Ask us about upgrading to a self-drive option, though please note that this requires a good level of fitness.
- Aurora Viewing at Aurora Village
This evening, you are taken to the Aurora Village to view the stunning Northern Lights. Located away from the city lights, the village is the perfect setting for Northern Lights viewing. Explore the expansive village chasing the northern lights, head to the foodhall or keep warm in your assigned teepee and await the lights - the choice is yours on how your spend your evening here.
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 on: Glassware Etching Workshop (extra cost)
- Aurora Viewing at Aurora Village
Depart from Yellowknife
All too soon, your Northern Lights vacation comes to an end upon arrival at Yellowknife Airport.
- Transfer to Yellowknife Airport
A friendly driver will take you to the airport in time for your flight.
Trip Itinerary
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
Prices
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Accommodations
Explorer Hotel
Located in downtown Yellowknife, the Explorer Hotel has comfortable rooms and thoughtful amenities. There is a polar bear exhibit in the lobby and an on-site restaurant and lounge.
Personalize this itinerary
Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.
Explore another city
Before you travel to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, take the time to visit another Canadian city. You could explore Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver.
Visit the Rockies
Combine your Northern Lights vacation with a Canadian Rockies trip. Ask us for more information on visiting Banff and Jasper national parks. Direct flights from Yellowknife to Calgary or Edmonton are available.
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