Northern lights from India: Iceland, Norway and Finland
How to see the northern lights from India: best months, Iceland vs Tromsø vs Finnish Lapland, Schengen visa, what to wear, photo tips and costs.
By the Agrima Holidays Team · Updated October 2026 · 2 min read
What you will see
The aurora borealis appears when charged particles from the sun hit the upper atmosphere near the Arctic Circle. On a good night, green curtains, and sometimes pink and violet edges, ripple across the sky for minutes or hours. Sightings depend on solar activity, clear skies and darkness. No trip guarantees them, but a well-planned week gives strong odds.
Best months
- September to March: the dark season, when the lights appear
- Late September and March: milder weather, around the equinoxes, often with strong activity
- December and January: the longest nights but the coldest and stormiest
The sun is near the peak of its 11-year cycle through 2025 to 2027, which raises the chances.
Where to go
- Iceland: easy access from Reykjavik, with waterfalls, glaciers and hot springs by day. Weather changes fast, so you drive to find clear skies
- Tromsø, Norway: a city inside the auroral zone with fjords, husky sledding and whale watching in winter
- Finnish Lapland, around Rovaniemi and Saariselkä: snow forests, glass igloos, reindeer and the Santa Claus Village for families
- Swedish Lapland, around Abisko: known for clear skies
Visa and flights
All three countries need a Schengen visa for Indian passport holders. Apply through the visa centre of the country where you spend the most nights, six to eight weeks ahead. Flights from Delhi and Mumbai connect once through the Gulf or Europe to Reykjavik, Tromsø, Helsinki or Rovaniemi. Rules checked in October 2026.
How to plan
- Stay five to seven nights to allow for cloudy evenings
- Book a guided aurora chase on two or three nights. Guides follow forecasts and cloud maps
- Stay outside city lights where possible
- Check the KP index and cloud forecasts each afternoon
What to wear
Temperatures range from −5°C in Iceland to −25°C in inland Lapland. Wear thermal base layers, a fleece, a down jacket, insulated waterproof trousers, wool socks, snow boots, a hat, gloves and a neck warmer. Many tours lend thermal suits.
Photo tips
- Use a tripod
- Set manual focus to infinity
- Shutter of 5 to 15 seconds, ISO 1600 to 3200, widest aperture
- Modern phones in night mode capture the lights well on a stable surface
- Carry spare batteries, since cold drains them fast
What a trip costs
Our Iceland Northern Lights package of five nights starts from the price on its package page per person on twin sharing, without airfare. Norway and Finland trips are quoted on request, since glass igloo stays and activity choices change the price a lot. Return flights usually add ₹55,000 to ₹85,000 per person.
Vegetarian food
Iceland, Norway and Finland all serve vegetarian meals in towns. Remote lodges need notice. We send your meal needs to every hotel in advance.
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