Tours/Yellowknife/Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus
Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus
4.5(10)Yellowknife4 hours
VIATOR4.5(10)
+28 photos
At a glance
Duration
4 hours
Price from
$93 / person
Location
Yellowknife
Rating
4.5 / 5 · 10 reviews
Languages
CMN, FIL, EN, FR
Group
Small group, up to 24
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
NWT Charter Services
Description
Go beyond the city lights on a true aurora-hunting adventure along Yellowknife’s scenic Ingraham Trail. Rather than waiting at one fixed location, we travel between promising dark-sky viewing areas based on the night’s weather, cloud cover and aurora activity. When the official ice roads are open and conditions are safe, we may even venture onto frozen lakes for breathtaking, wide-open views of the northern sky.
Stay warm between viewing stops in a heated 16- or 24-passenger bus while enjoying hot chocolate, maple cookies and chips. With convenient pickup and drop-off from selected Yellowknife accommodations, local guidance and a flexible route, this is a comfortable and memorable way to experience the magic of the North.
The locations visited depend on cloud cover, weather, road conditions, aurora activity and the guide’s judgment. Aurora sightings and ice-road access cannot be guaranteed.
Tour Options
Yellowknife Aurora Hunting Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Hot drinks and snacks: Hot chocolate or tea, chips, and cookies
bus
Pickup included
Itinerary
Yellowknife
30 min
Your guide will pick you up from a selected Yellowknife hotel or accommodation. Once everyone is aboard the heated bus, the group will leave the city lights behind and begin the evening’s aurora hunt.
Approximate duration: 30–60 minutes, including multiple pickups
180 min
Travel along the Ingraham Trail, stopping at dark-sky viewing areas selected according to cloud cover, weather, road conditions and aurora activity. The route may include lakes, day-use areas and other safe roadside viewing locations.
Your guide may change locations throughout the evening when conditions suggest that another area could provide a better opportunity.
Approximate duration: 2.5–3 hours
Pass by
When the officially maintained Dettah Ice Road is open and conditions are suitable, the tour may travel onto Great Slave Lake in search of the Northern Lights. The frozen lake offers wide, unobstructed views of the northern sky and a memorable opportunity to experience Yellowknife’s winter landscape. Access is seasonal, weather-dependent and not guaranteed on every tour.
Prelude Lake Territorial Park
Pass by
Prelude Lake is known for its expansive scenery and distance from city light pollution. Open areas around the lake can provide unobstructed views of the sky and, under the right conditions, beautiful aurora reflections. When official ice roads are open and conditions are safe, the tour may include seasonal viewing from a frozen lake.
This part of the tour is seasonal and cannot be guaranteed on every departure.
Pontoon Lake Territorial Park
Pass by
Pontoon Lake is another possible dark-sky viewing location along the Ingraham Trail. Its open lakeside setting can provide broad views of the night sky, while the surrounding wilderness creates a distinctly Northern experience.
Madeline Lake Territorial Park
Pass by
Surrounded by boreal forest and away from Yellowknife’s city lights, Madeline Lake offers a peaceful setting for aurora viewing. Depending on the night’s conditions, the group may stop near the lake to watch the sky, take photographs and enjoy hot chocolate and snacks.
Yellowknife River Territorial Park Day Use Area
Pass by
The Yellowknife River is one of several possible viewing stops along the Ingraham Trail. Its dark surroundings and open views across the water—or frozen landscape in winter—make it a beautiful place to watch the northern sky. Your guide may stop here when conditions are favourable.
Yellowknife
30 min
After the aurora hunt, relax in the heated bus as your guide returns you to your selected Yellowknife accommodation.
Approximate duration: 30–60 minutes
What's included
Included
Bottled water
Snacks
Coffee and/or Tea
Not included
Meals
Alcoholic Beverages
Winter Clothing / Parka
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is included from the Yellowknife hotel or accommodation you provide when booking. Please wait inside the lobby or at the main entrance. For this shared tour, the scheduled tour time is the beginning of the approximately 30-minute pickup window. If your tour is scheduled for 9:00 PM, pickups begin at approximately 9:00 PM and may continue until about 9:30 PM. Please be ready at the scheduled start time. September start times may vary; October through approximately mid-March starts are 9:00 PM; mid-March through April may be later. Follow the scheduled start time shown on your booking.
Traveller Ratings
4.5
10 reviews
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2
3
0
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1
1
0
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus take?
Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus cost?
Prices start at $93 per person for this Yellowknife experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup is included from the Yellowknife hotel or accommodation you provide when booking. Please wait inside the lobby or at the main entrance. For this shared tour, the scheduled tour time is the beginning of the approximately 30-minute pickup window. If your tour is scheduled for 9:00 PM, pickups begin at approximately 9:00 PM and may continue until about 9:30 PM. Please be ready at the scheduled start time. September start times may vary; October through approximately mid-March starts are 9:00 PM; mid-March through April may be later. Follow the scheduled start time shown on your booking. Pickup points include Stanton Suites Hotel, Nova Inn Yellowknife.
What languages is Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus offered in?
The experience is available in CMN, FIL, EN, FR.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 24 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Aurora Hunting Tour in Yellowknife — Shared Bus worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 10 verified reviews; it is run by NWT Charter Services.
Reviews(10)
S
s_k
September 13, 2026
We had a wonderful...
We had a wonderful experience on our aurora hunting tour.
As the other participants canceled, the tour became a private tour just for the two of us. Our guide, Ravidson, kindly took us to several different spots by the water so we could see and photograph the aurora reflected on the surface, which was exactly what we had hoped for.
He respected our wishes and gave us plenty of time to enjoy each location without rushing us. Thanks to him, we were able to see the beautiful aurora reflected in the water, as well as the spectacular aurora dancing across the night sky.
The vehicle was clean and comfortable, and the driver drove very safely throughout the tour. We felt relaxed and safe from beginning to end.
It was a very memorable experience.
Operator response
Thank you! We really want to make sure everyone gets the best possible hunting experience.
H
HANNA_K
February 2, 2026
The guide was friendly and nice.
The guide was friendly and nice. Driving smoothly. He gave me snacks and hot chocolate. The guide was friendly and nice. Driving smoothly. He gave me snacks and hot chocolate. The guide was friendly and nice. Driving smoothly. He gave me snacks and hot chocolate.
Operator response
Thanks!
U
Udo_L
December 27, 2025
Great personalized experience
Our tour guide Lovingson was very knowledgeable about the northern lights and explained to us how it really works. Lovingson only takes small groups and it turned out it was just the 2 of us. He tried to stay away from the large bus locations to minimize the light pollution and crowds. We had a great experience even though after two hours into the tour there were no more northern lights to be seen.
I would go on any tour with Lovingson!
Operator response
Thank you so much. Yes we try to give our guests an incredible experience by moving away from crowds and getting out under dark skies where you will get the best views.
R
Robert_H
November 17, 2025
No guarantees
There is no guarantee you'll see the Northern Lights, but apparently odd are lowest in October and November, so most tour operators apparently close down and don't try. We didn't see any lights and we knew the odds were low. The guide was a great guy, but I would have hoped that for a 4 hour tour, with minimal chances of seeing the lights, that more effort might have been made to fill the time - history of Yellowknife & NWT, a drive around the city to point out highlights, more science and folklore on auroras, etc.
Operator response
That is one of the challenges when viewing a natural phenomena.
P
Patricia_Y
October 29, 2025
A bit disappointing
We did have a great time with the northern lights. The guide took us to place that was dark and good to see the lights. However the most disappointing part was that after tour, he promised to send us the photos. But till one month later, we still couldn’t get the photos for our lovely memories and great moments. We did give the guide our email but not sure if he has lost it. 😅
Operator response
Thank you for your message, and please accept my sincere apologies for the late response. It has been a very busy season for us, but that is no excuse for the delay.
I would also like to be transparent with you. Your guide did take your email and successfully transferred the photos. Unfortunately, as a new guide was learning how to manage photo transfers, the images were mistakenly deleted. This was not intentional, and I am truly sorry that this happened. I completely understand how disappointing it is to lose photos from such a special experience.
I am very glad to hear that you still had a great time and were able to enjoy a beautiful display of the northern lights. We truly appreciate your understanding and your patience, and we are taking steps to make sure this does not happen again.
Thank you again for choosing us, and once again, my sincere apologies.
Warm regards
S
SzeMing_P
October 12, 2025
Perfect tour with perfect guide
It’s perfect with our perfect guide Lovingson! You can’t miss this guide and this tour in Yellowknife
Operator response
Wow, thank you! We love creating perfect experiences.
V
Vanessa_C
October 5, 2025
I recently took an Aurora...
I recently took an Aurora trip, and it was an unforgettable experience! Our knowledgeable tour guide was fantastic, providing fascinating insights about the area and the auroras. They consistently stayed ahead of the group, ensuring we had the best vantage points and avoided crowds. The private tour experience made it feel even more special, allowing for personalized attention and flexibility in our itinerary. Watching the Northern Lights in such an intimate setting was truly magical. I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to explore the beauty of the auroras while enjoying top-notch guidance and a memorable experience!
Operator response
Yes! When the lights come out, it's such an incredible moment. So glad you had a magical experience.
S
SeungMi_C
October 3, 2025
A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Our guide Mr. Robinson made the tour even more enjoyable with his kindness, his knowledge about Yellowknife and the aurora, and his clear, easy-to-understand explanations. The tour was also private and flexible, and We were lucky to see an unbelievably beautiful aurora at the spot we were guided to. It was truly the best day of my life. Thank you so much.
Operator response
You're very welcome. Lovingson is an exceptional tour guide who really cares about creating a memorable experience for his guests.
A
Anonymous
August 30, 2025
Conditions were bad, and I couldn't see the Northern Lights.
The weather was not good and we could not see the Northern Lights, but the guides were very bright and kind. They are flexible enough to change locations while keeping in touch with other guides. I just didn't know what the real power was because the conditions were too bad, but he was cheerful and kind. We enjoyed the Wildlife Preserve and Takhini Hot Spring tour and also we were very happy to see Aurora on our last night.
Operator response
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! We're so sorry the weather wasn't on our side for your aurora viewing, but it warms our hearts to know that your guide's kindness and enthusiasm shone through. Their ability to stay in touch with other guides and adapt the plan shows their commitment to our guests. We're glad they were there to make your first night of aurora hunting a great one, and we hope you'll have a chance to see the lights in all their glory on a future trip!
S
Stephanie_W
August 20, 2025
It was a great time! Our...
It was a great time! Our guide was friendly, knowledgable and optimistic. While waiting for the Aurora to start, he pointed out different things to look for in the sky and told us about life in NWT. We laughed, got lots of photos, and it was very memorable. Would highly recommend this experience!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure having you on the tour — your positive energy made the evening even more enjoyable. I think the aurora itself picked up on your good vibes, because we were treated to such a beautiful display that night! I’m glad you enjoyed the stories, the laughs, and the photos. Your recommendation means a lot, and I look forward to welcoming you back to Yellowknife again someday
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