northwest territories tour

Top Tours in Northwest Territories, Canada

Northwest territories tours.

• Multi-day Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Night Tours
• Photography Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Film & TV Tours
• Walking Tours
• Private Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 4- to 6-Hour Northern Lights Tour from Yellowknife

2. Yellowknife Tours - Aurora by bus

3. Yellowknife Aurora viewing at Aurora Lodge + Aurora Hunting

4. 4D3N Aurora Package Including 3-Nights stay Chateau or Explorer

5. Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List

6. Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife

7. Aurora Hunting Tours

8. Bison Highway Road Tour

9. Dog Sledding

10. The Best Aurora Tour

11. Yellowknife Ice Road Adventure

12. 1 Hour Private Snowmobile Adventure in Yellowknife

13. Yellowknife Snowmobile tours drive by your own 1 hour

14. Yellowknife Bucket List City Tours

15. Yellowknife City Tour + Nature's North Wildlife Gallery

16. Yellowknife 2 Nights Aurora Hunting and Viewing in Lakeview Cabin

17. Private Aurora Viewing Experience

18. Yellowknife 4 Days 3 Nights Aurora Tour Package - Accommodation not included

19. Cameron Falls Hiking Tour

20. Sightseeing City Tour

21. Yellowknife City Tour

22. Snowmobile Tour

23. Cameron Falls Tour Custom Waterfall Hiking

24. 4-Day Guided Tour to Yellowknife Aurora Viewing

25. The Greatest Valuable Aurora Manor & Hunting Tour --Exclusive Tour Operator

26. 3-Day Guided Tour to Yellowknife Aurora Viewing

27. Yellowknife Sightseeing City Tour

28. The greatest aurora tour in yellowknife

29. 5-Day Aurora Viewing Tour in Yellowknife, Canada

30. 4-Day Yellowknife Aurora Tour

What travellers are saying.

• 4- to 6-Hour Northern Lights Tour from Yellowknife
• Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife
• Yellowknife Aurora viewing at Aurora Lodge + Aurora Hunting
• Yellowknife Tours - Aurora by bus
• Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List
• Yellowknife Tours
• Yellowknife Vacations
• My Backyard Tours - Day Tours
• Jackpine Paddle
• North Star Adventures
• Sean Norman
• Sundog Adventures
• Tugah Northern Experiences
• Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

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Live the Adventure!

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TOURS

Explore the spectacular canadian great north, discover the aurora borealis.

The Northwest Territories is a spectacularly big and big-hearted destination that lives free and wild. Experience the Northern Lights in the Aurora Capital of the World on this unforgettable tour.

The Northwest Territories encompasses various regions and historic sites, including Inuvik, which is well known to intrepid travellers. History is all around the Northwest Territories, with traces of the Klondike Gold Rush, trails blazed by early explorers and  fur traders, bush pilots, and more. This remote region is home to vast forests, the biggest and deepest lakes, including the Great Slave Lake, the highest waterfalls, mountain peaks, and one of nature’s greatest phenomena: The Northern Lights.

There are plenty of activities to experience and attractions to visit in and around Yellowknife, the Aurora Capital of the World. The Northwest Territories is a true winter wonderland with activities including dog-sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more.

Witness the Aurora Borealis in person and cross an adventure to the Great Canadian North off your bucket list.

YELLOWKNIFE NORTHERN LIGHTS ADVENTURE

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES VACATIONS

Along the Arctic coast of Canada lies the Northwest Territories, rightfully claiming to be one of the most untamed landscapes on earth. This hidden corner of Canada is home to some of the highest waterfalls, the deepest lakes, as well as the famed Northwest Passage. The night skies are alive with plumes of the luminous green and purple aurora, the Northern Lights, that appears for nearly 200 nights of the year. Yellowknife, the capital city of the Northwest Territories is known as the best viewing place for the Northern Lights. The diversity of the Territory is immense, and the region boasts 11 official languages, including Chipewyan, Dene, Inuvialuit, Cree, Inuktitut as well as English and French. The traditions of the indigenous groups and those of the fur traders, miners and bush pilots, make for a unique frontier spirited culture. Wildlife, such as the muskoxen have been grazing these lands since the Ice Age. In winter, travel along the famed Ice Roads that can only be experienced here. Go ice fishing and experience a once-in-a-lifetime dogsled ride across the frozen but spectacularly beautiful landscape. What are you waiting for?

MOST POPULAR TRIPS FOR THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

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CLASSIC TOURS

• Expert Tour Leader
• Maximum 24 passengers
• 3-4 stars comfortable accommodation (when available)
• Coach transportation
• Breakfast Included Daily
• Lunch or Dinner Included on Select Days
• Most Gratuities included

TOURS OF DISTINCTION

• Maximum 18 passengers
• Variety of 'off the beaten path' experiences
• Stays at Unique Inns and Boutique Hotel (when available)
• Mini Coach and Comfortable Local Transportation
• Lunch or Dinner Included Daily
• Unique Local Restaurant Experiences
• Most Gratuities Included

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• Private trip on a date of your choice
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• Offers levels of accommodation from budget 3-star hotels, boutique lodges, to luxury properties
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• Option for Expert Tour Leader to lead group at destination
• All Attractions, Activities, and Events are Customizable
• Offers levels of accomodation from budget 3-star hotels, boutique lodges, to luxury properties
• Daily breakfasts included

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YELLOWKNIFE TOURS

“2015 nwt operator of the year award” "2017 akaitcho business of the year award" "2018 citie the best outbound travel operator prize" "2020 ai business excellence award" "2021 luxlife travel and tourism awards" "2023 tripadvisor travellers' choice award".

We would like to welcome you to experience the world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Yellowknife & Aurora

Experience the natural spectacle

Yellowknife is the premium location to view Aurora Borealis, also known as Northern Lights.

Our Activities

Enjoy what nature has to offer

There are plenty of other fun-filled activities to complement the natural beauty of Aurora Borealis.

About Yellowknife Tours

Adventure With Us

Our experienced, friendly tour guides will make sure you get the most out of your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

DOGSLEDDING IN YELLOWKNIFE AMPLIFIES NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE

YELLOWKNIFE CABIN RETREAT: AN ENCHANTING WAY TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

NORTHERN LIGHTS IN YELLOWKNIFE: DON’T LET THE COLD GET IN YOUR WAY

Five Reasons Why Yellowknife, Canada Is The Best Place To View Northern Lights

“Thank you very much for your kindness while we were in Yellowknife. We really had a good time there. We never forget the beautiful Northern lights, dog sledding, kind people etc. We have a lot of wonderful memories and hope to see you again”

Yoriko from Japan

Once in a life time……lucky and amazed Twice….fulfilled and praised Third time ?! Crazy but blessed. Stole some time and went there last weekend for two nights. Another taste, another mood, dark blue starry night. The daytime dogsled race was a bonus!  

Stephen from Vancouver

看到如此有水準的北極光下影到的大自然和人之間的和諧，告誡我們要更加愛護保護大自然。大自然偉大，而你能無私地將自己的熱情和攝影技術與過客分享，這樣的精神也是傑出偉大的！通過你的指導，在場的拍友個個學會了極光下影人的技巧，你亦師亦友、人人沒齿難忘！今我收到這些極光照片不僅快樂幸福，其留念價值則無可估量。再次向你說聲，謝謝……”  

Verda, very glad to know you and your family and thanks for your help in Yellowknife, NWT. We have a pleasant tour in NWT by your help. Actually, we learned a lot from you. If you plan to be in Vancouver someday, please let me know and I really like to be your friend in the future.

Libert from Vancouver

Verda, Angela & Law, Really have to say many thanks to you guys, all the arrangements and warmest hospitality, which made every one of us feel like home. Every day’s programme was full of excitement. Law is really a professional tourist guide, that’s why we called him a life directory of Yellowknife. Verda, you made me so warm when I first touched ground of Yellowknife. Once again thanks for the Law family, hope to see you soon in Vancouver or again in Yellowknife.

Wu from Vancouver

婷婷：謝謝你們一家親切、熱情、盡責的服務，令我們有賓至如歸的感覺，這幾天辛苦晒了！我們對你一家的服務態度非常滿意，希望在不久會再次到黄刀市找你們幫忙。希望你們的生意蒸蒸日上，成為全世界最出名觀賞北極光的旅行社。

Lucia Wang & NG from Hong Kong

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THE 10 BEST Northwest Territories Tours & Excursions

Northwest territories tours.

• Multi-day Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Night Tours
• Photography Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Movie & TV Tours
• Walking Tours
• Private Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 4- to 6-Hour Northern Lights Tour from Yellowknife

2. Yellowknife Tours - Aurora by bus

3. Yellowknife Aurora viewing at Aurora Lodge + Aurora Hunting

4. 4D3N Aurora Package Including 3-Nights stay Chateau or Explorer

5. Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List

6. Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife

7. Aurora Hunting Tours

8. Bison Highway Road Tour

9. Dog Sledding

10. The Best Aurora Tour

11. Yellowknife Ice Road Adventure

12. 1 Hour Private Snowmobile Adventure in Yellowknife

13. Yellowknife Snowmobile tours drive by your own 1 hour

14. Yellowknife Bucket List City Tours

15. Yellowknife City Tour + Nature's North Wildlife Gallery

16. Yellowknife 2 Nights Aurora Hunting and Viewing in Lakeview Cabin

17. Private Aurora Viewing Experience

18. Yellowknife 4 Days 3 Nights Aurora Tour Package - Accommodation not included

19. Cameron Falls Hiking Tour

20. Sightseeing City Tour

21. Yellowknife City Tour

22. Snowmobile Tour

23. Cameron Falls Tour Custom Waterfall Hiking

24. 4-Day Guided Tour to Yellowknife Aurora Viewing

25. The Greatest Valuable Aurora Manor & Hunting Tour --Exclusive Tour Operator

26. 3-Day Guided Tour to Yellowknife Aurora Viewing

27. Yellowknife Sightseeing City Tour

28. The greatest aurora tour in yellowknife

29. 5-Day Aurora Viewing Tour in Yellowknife, Canada

30. 4-Day Yellowknife Aurora Tour

What travelers are saying.

• 4- to 6-Hour Northern Lights Tour from Yellowknife
• Northern Lights Tour Yellowknife
• Yellowknife Aurora viewing at Aurora Lodge + Aurora Hunting
• Yellowknife Tours - Aurora by bus
• Intimate Aurora Tours Cozy Cabin Bucket List
• Yellowknife Tours
• Yellowknife Vacations
• My Backyard Tours - Day Tours
• Jackpine Paddle
• North Star Adventures
• Sean Norman
• Sundog Adventures
• Tugah Northern Experiences
• Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

Northwest Territories Experiences, Trips & Tours

Journey into the heart of the spectacular northwest territories.

The Northwest Territories is a wilderness sanctuary where you can experience exhilarating outdoor adventures in a pristine natural setting and connect with the incredible people of the region. It is also one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.

If the great outdoors is calling you, there is perhaps nowhere as enticing as the Northwest Territories. You can catch prehistoric-sized fish swimming in gargantuan lakes, paddle rushing rivers carving through glacial terrain, and trek pristine national parks bigger than many countries. In contrast to the glaciers and the snow, the Northwest Territories is also home to friendly people and warm hospitality.

Find your Northwest Territories tour below, and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Browse our Trips & Tours in the Northwest Territories Below

We are sorry but we could not find any experiences matching your search criteria.

See the Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories

Located directly under the Auroral Oval, the Northwest Territories is an amazing place to spot the Northern Lights. In fact, the Aurora Borealis is visible in the night sky here approximately 240 nights of the year! Combined with the spectacular natural setting of the region, the Northern Lights viewing experience in the Northwest Territories is incredible.

With direct flights from many Canadian cities, including Toronto, getting to Yellowknife is quick and easy. While catching the Aurora is often a top reason to visit the Northwest Territories, it is certainly not the only thing to do in this vast region. No matter the season, you’ll discover new joy and wonder throughout your stay.

If you’re searching for other amazing places to see the Northern Lights in Canada, please consider our Yukon Experiences and our Experiences in Churchill, Manitoba . For other adventures in Canada, browse our Canadian Trips, Tours and Experiences and reach out to us if you’d like help planning a custom itinerary or want to travel privately in a small or large group.

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Adventures in the Northwest Territories

The best under northern skies.

Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers half day, full day and longer trips through the summer, fall, winter and spring.

In summer , fish spectacular Great Slave Lake for northern pike, or cruise and watch for birds and wildlife.  In winter, view the northern lights by snowmobile, or drive an ice road. Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures is ready to go when you are, and we’ll ensure you have a unique and memorable experience, whether you join us for an afternoon, a weekend or longer!

Note: there’s a minimum number of people for many of our trips. If you are travelling alone or as a couple, give us a call, and we’ll try to match you with another party.

Choose from our summer adventures (mid June to mid September) our fall adventures (mid August to late September),  or our winter adventures (mid December to April)

Hotel & Flight booking, NWT-Wide

Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of products and services. We offer hotel bookings in Yellowknife and Inuvik from moderate to superior properties.

Single, Double, Single Suite, Double Suite, Family Suites, Full Suites available (property dependent). Rooms start from $125 + tax per night.

Northwest Territories Airfares

We have local knowledge on the best ways to explore the rest of the Northwest Territories. Ask us about fares on commercial flights year round, so that you can experience more of what the NWT has to offer.

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Yukon and Northwest Territories Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable Yukon and Northwest Territories tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in Yukon and Northwest Territories and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 554 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of Yukon And Northwest Territories travel companies & tour operators with 554 reviews

Arctic Range Adventure

• Excellent - 44 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

Hotel was ok, restaurant was the best part. Tour guides were good and adventures were fun. The bus left without 2 of us on one night. All the other times they ran late because they waited for people so theat was disappointing and not consistent. All in all it was fine but not great.

A very friendly and professional team and I would happily use again. I saw the aurora twice and missed the third night it was showing because of an early morning flight. The photos taken by the guides were excellent

• Excellent - 10 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

Our plane was delayed for 7 hours before coming to Whitehorse. The company did nothing to compensate our distress n frustration even before the tour started which was such a let down!! Being in the Inn on the lake was a memorable experience. The snowmobile activity was especially interesting. The chef gave meals which were unique n delicious.

Great tour. Enjoyed our time in the Yukon and had fun on nights even with no Aurora. Great guides and very helpful

Fresh Adventures

• Excellent - 82 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

My lifelong dream to come to the Yukon and it was everything I hoped for and more! High five to the Fresh Adventures crew for putting together an epic adventure I won't soon forget. The hikes were tough but absolutely worth it and the views from the top were unreal. I've been on a trip with Fresh Adventures in the Rockies before and was happy to see that they offered a Yukon trip as well. The guides, Carl and Alex were fun to be around and the rest of the group was amazing. Loved all the good times and the laughs in the van. Thanks for a great trip!

Ruby Range Adventure

• Good - 6 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

Working with Tour Radar was easy and helpful.They sent timely information about my trip and helped the tour company connect with me to give more specific details. Ruby Range Adventure was a wonderful tour company, and I would be happy to go on another adventure with them again. Thank you, Tour Radar, for helping me find the perfect getaway!

Overall it was a very good and enjoyable tour. Our guides were very cheerful and kind ladies, and they cooked excellent camp meals everyday. Had a great time and wonderful adventure, thank you!

DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen

• Excellent - 3 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours
• This operator has no Yukon and Northwest Territories reviews

Discover Canada Tours

• Excellent - 370 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

The staff was wonderful. The excursions were so fun. Everything is so well planned we never had to think about a thing. It is beautiful and relaxing. Food was very good.

Fabulous staff, food, activities!!!

Great Canadian Trails

• Excellent - 15 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

Mosaic Earth Travel

• Good - 24 reviews for Yukon and Northwest Territories tours

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• Nederlands: Reisorganisaties en Touroperators in Yukon en Noordwest Territoria

Northern Lights tours in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Dancing across the night sky in radiant hues, the Northern Lights — or Aurora Borealis — are nature’s way of putting on a dazzling light show . The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere.

Yellowknife, nestled in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories, is one of the world’s premier destinations for this ethereal display. Its clear skies and minimal light pollution allow for an unforgettable viewing experience.  Imagine standing under a dark sky ablaze with colourful lights casting their glow on the landscape below. 

The travel experts at northernlightscanada.com specialize in planning Northern Lights trips in the Northwest Territories. We take care of all the arrangements in the area, booking the best aurora-viewing tours, hotels, and experiences. We provide personalized travel support from planning through travel.

Read our following travel guide to the aurora in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to learn more.

Table of contents

Most popular aurora tours in yellowknife, yellowknife aurora tour packages: what to expect.

• Best time to view Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife 

Recommended duration of stay in Yellowknife for Northern Lights viewing

• Best Places to see the Northern Lights in Yellowknife  

Outdoor activities to enjoy while on a Northern Lights trip

• How to choose the best northern lights tour in Yellowknife 

Where to stay in Yellowknife to see the Northern Lights? 

Best restaurants to try in yellowknife, transportation options in yellowknife  , frequently asked questions, northern lights of yellowknife.

Enjoy three unique aurora viewing experiences, including a relaxing evening in a geo dome. Yellowknife — the capital of the Northwest Territories — has deep cultural roots to discover. Along with outdoor activities, such as dogsledding or snowmobiling, you’ll have the chance to discover the region’s rich Indigenous cultures. 

Trip length (number of nights): 4   Nights in Yellowknife: 4 Aurora viewing evenings: 3

Fall Colours and Northern Lights in Yellowknife   

The fall version of our winter tour, you’ll be dazzled by the vibrant fall foliage during the day and the spectacle of the Northern Lights at night. During this season in Yellowknife, you’ll be immersed in its stunning beauty, enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and wildlife tours.  

Trip length (number of nights) : 4   Nights in Yellowknife: 4 Aurora viewing evenings: 3

Keep reading or chat with one of our local travel experts. We’re passionate about Canada and can help you at any stage of your vacation planning.

Trips to the see the Northern Lights in Yellowknife offer many other activities ( 1 ). From exploring the spectacular untouched landscapes to discovering the region's vibrant cultural, there is always something to do. Your days can be as active or as relaxed as you like.

Once you arrive in Yellowknife, you'll be transferred to your accommodation. Most evenings will be spent with a local guide, who will take you to a special location to see the lights. You don't have to travel far outside of Yellowknife to get away from any light pollution. These locations are set up with comfort in mind: you'll have warm clothing and snacks, and there is usually a campfire.

During the day, you can enjoy various activities, from hiking and fishing in the fall, to dogsledding and snowshoeing in the winter. 

Location: Yellowknife, the capital city of Canada's Northwest Territories, is a beacon for those in search of the surreal beauty of the Northern Lights. Located just over 400 kilometers (248 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, this northern city experiences some of the most extreme weather conditions, from long, harsh winters to short, hot summers. But it's the winter nights that are the main attraction for many, as they play host to the stunning spectacle of the aurora borealis.

Climate: Due to its northern location, Yellowknife sees high levels of geomagnetic activity, which leads to the creation of the vibrant colors associated with the Northern Lights. The weather conditions in the region are relatively stable during the winter, with little precipitation or wind, and low humidity, which means clear skies that are perfect for aurora viewing.   

Best time to view Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife  

Late November to early April

These are considered the best months for Northern Lights viewing in the Northwest Territories. During this period, the nights are long and dark, providing the perfect canvas for the vibrant colors of the aurora.

December to February

The heart of winter brings the longest and darkest nights of the year, increasing chances of seeing the Northern Lights. However, the weather can be quite cold, so visitors should be prepared for sub-zero temperatures.   

Known as Aurora month, March often sees increased solar activity, leading to more frequent and intense displays of the Northern Lights. Plus, the weather begins to warm up slightly.

Early August to mid October

The fall months also offer fantastic Aurora viewing opportunities. When the nights become dark again after the Midnight Sun of summer, the Northern Lights become visible. Different activities are available in the fall (hiking, for example) than in the winter as it is before the snow arrives.

Factors affecting the visibility of Northern Lights

The visibility of the Northern Lights is largely dependent on weather and climate conditions (2). Here are some important factors:   

  Cloud Cover

Clear, cloudless skies are crucial for viewing the Northern Lights. If the sky is overcast, it may be difficult to see the Northern Lights.   

Light Pollution

Dark skies are essential for Northern Lights viewing. The darker the environment, the more vivid the lights appear. Therefore, it is often recommended to go outside city limits, away from artificial lighting, for the best views. 

Solar Activity

The intensity and frequency of the Northern Lights are influenced by solar activity. Increased solar activity often leads to more spectacular auroral displays.   

The recommended duration of stay in Yellowknife for Northern Lights viewing is at least three to four nights . This gives visitors a higher chance of witnessing the spectacle, considering that weather and solar conditions can be unpredictable. It also allows enough time to explore other attractions and activities in and around Yellowknife.   

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Best Places to see the Northern Lights in Yellowknife    

There are lots of great places to view the stunning Northern Lights in and around Yellowknife .

1. Ingraham Trail

This scenic route hosts several viewing spots, including Vee Lake and Yellowknife River Day Use Area, with minimal light pollution.   

2. Aurora Village

Aurora Village is on the Ingraham trail and is one of the popular places to visit for Northern Lights viewing in Yellowknife. The facility has five hilltop viewpoints, heated outdoor viewing seats , and 21 white teepees .    

3. Local tours

Guided tours in Yellowknife specialize in aurora hunting , taking you to the best viewing spots in the area.  Local guides can usually give you tips on how to take photos of the Northern Lights too.   

There are many exciting outdoor activities available in Yellowknife. Since Northern Lights viewing experiences take place in the late evenings, there is plenty of time in the day to explore the outdoors. Here are some suggested activities:  

1. Dogsledding

Experience an exciting dog sledding adventure near Yellowknife after your night under the Northern Lights. The silence of the wilderness creates an unforgettable experience. 

2. Ice fishing

Try your hand at ice fishing or net pulling on one of the many frozen lakes around Yellowknife. This unique winter activity can be enjoyed during the day or at night under the shimmering aurora.  

3. Cultural e xperiences :

Learn about indigenous culture and history in the Northwest Territories on a storytelling tour.

4. Snowmobiling

Traverse the snowy landscapes of Yellowknife on a snowmobile. It's a thrilling way to explore the region .  

5. Snowshoeing

Strap on some snowshoes and trek through the stunning snow-covered landscapes. Ideal for quieter evenings when the aurora is less active. 

How to choose the best northern lights tour in Yellowknife  

Determine Your Budget: Knowing your budget beforehand can help you choose the best option for you. Our Northern Lights Canada packages include accommodation, some transportation, guided Northern Lights viewing experiences, and multiple activities. A knowledgeable guide can provide insight about the Northern Lights, local geography, and culture.

Check the Itinerary: Ensure the tour includes activities and sights that interest you. Activities could include ice fishing, snowshoeing, hiking, or cultural experiences, depending on the time of year you choose to visit the Northwest Territories.

Please reach out to one of our Vacation Advisors for help choosing the Northern Lights trip that meets your needs.  

The city of Yellowknife sits on the Northern shore of Great Slave Lake and is the largest city in the Northwest Territories . There are fantastic restaurants, shops, and accommodation options in the city. Downtown hotels are the perfect choice for a trip to Yellowknife as they are located near amenities and are easy to access. Two of our favourite hotels in Yellowknife are the Explorer Hotel and Chateau Nova.  

1. Explorer Hotel

Explorer Hotel, located in downtown Yellowknife, offers modern rooms and suites with comfortable amenities. It has a fitness center and business facilities. There is a restaurant on site, as well as a lounge with a fireplace — the perfect place for a drink in the evening.

2. Chateau Nova 

Chateau Nova sits in the Northeast area of downtown Yellowknife. The property has comfortable rooms and a range of amenities, including a fitness centre, steam room, and sauna. There is a modern steakhouse-themed restaurant and lounge on site, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Both hotels are in the city, so are a great base for your Northern Lights viewing adventure .  While the Northern Lights might be visible from the hotel on strong nights, it's recommended to venture outside the city for the best viewing experience.   Our itineraries include tours that take you to a different Aurora - viewing location s.

A fter a night under the Northern Lights, warm up with some local flavors in Yellowknife. The city offers a diverse food scene, from Ethiopian and Vietnamese to fresh seafood and brewpubs. For a taste of the local cuisine, try fish, bison, or elk dishes. Top picks for places to eat include Bullocks Bistro, Fishy People Butchery, and NWT Brewing Company. So, whether you're looking for comfort food or adventurous eats, Yellowknife has you covered.   

1. Bullocks Bistro

This iconic restaurant is well-known for its fresh, locally sourced fish like Great Slave cod, Lake trout, and Whitefish. Their speciality is the fish and chips, served in a homey, rustic setting.

2. NWT Brewing Company

The city's first and only microbrewery, it offers a wide selection of locally brewed craft beers. The adjoining Woodyard Brewhouse and Eatery serves up a creative menu featuring pasta, burgers, steak, and fish dishes.

3. Trader’s Grill at The Explorer Hotel

Trader’s Grill offers a sophisticated dining experience with a menu featuring Canadian and international dishes. Try their Grilled bison ribeye or pan-fried whitefish for a taste of the North.

4 . Fishy People Butchery

Fishy People has a quaint dining room that serv es up sharing plates featuring seasonal, local ingredients. Fis h are hand caught by local fisherman .    

1. Taxi services

Yellowknife has a few taxi companies that provide transportation around the city. They are easy to use for short distances within the city. Taxis are the ideal transportation for getting from your hotel to restaurants in the evening, for example.

2. Guided tour companies

Many tour companies in Yellowknife provide transportation as part of their aurora viewing packages. Tour guides have extensive local knowledge and can take you to the best viewing spots.

How to reach Yellowknife from other cities

Yellowknife is most easily reached by plane. There are daily flights from various Canadian cities to Yellowknife. The Yellowknife Airport is approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) from downtown Yellowknife.

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service to Yellowknife. One can drive to Yellowknife from other Canadian cities, but it's a long journey. From Edmonton, it’s approximately 1,450 kilometres (900 miles), which is a 15-hour drive. From Winnipeg, it's approximately 2700 kilometres (1677 miles), which is a drive of around 28 hours without stops.

Is Yellowknife the best place to see the Northern Lights? 

Yes, Yellowknife is one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights due to its geographical location under the auroral oval.

What can I do in Yellowknife apart from watching the Northern Lights?

Yellowknife offers a variety of activities such as dog sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. 

What should I wear during my Northern Lights tour?

Dressing in layers is crucial due to the harsh winter temperatures. Don't forget thermal undergarments, insulated boots, and a warm hat! If you visit in the fall months, the weather is warmer, but you’ll still need to bring layers.

Can you see the northern lights in Yellowknife? 

Yes, Yellowknife is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights due to its geographic location and minimal light pollution. 

How long does the Northern Lights season last in Yellowknife?

The Northern Lights season in Yellowknife generally lasts from late August to mid-April, with peak viewing times in winter. 

What is the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in Yellowknife? 

Due to its northern latitude and clear skies, the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in Yellowknife is quite high, particularly during the winter months. On average, the Northern Lights are seen on 240 nights each year in Yellowknife.

What is the best time of day to see the Northern Lights? 

The best time to view the Northern Lights is during the late evening and night, typically from 10pm to 2am. 

What is the average duration of a Northern Lights display in Yellowknife? 

The duration of a Northern Lights display can vary greatly, from a few minutes to several hours, depending on solar activity and weather conditions. 

Are there any safety considerations or precautions to take while viewing the Northern Lights in Yellowknife? 

Dress warmly, as temperatures can be extremely cold. In remote viewing locations, it's essential to have a reliable form of transportation (we recommend a guided tour) and be aware of wildlife.

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In the Remote Northwest Territories of Canada, Indigenous Tourism Paves the Path Forward

By Sophy Roberts

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In the autumn of 1897, after gold was discovered in the Klondike, my English great-grandfather rode out from a cattle ranch near Edmonton, Alberta , to make his fortune. It was late in the season. He traveled with three Americans, eight pack ponies, a Winchester rifle, a tin billycan for tea, a Dutch oven for making bread, a goatskin coat, and a few light mining implements. But the snowfall was heavier than expected, which made the ground treacherous for the horses. When his companions decided to sit out the winter with some fur trapping, my great-grandfather sold his share of the ponies for sled dogs and hired an Indigenous tracker instead. His pace picked up, but the weather deteriorated. When supplies got dangerously low, he suggested to his tracker that they eat the dogs. Eventually, he was forced to return to England empty-handed. His diary, however, survived.

A Northwest Territories water system as seen on the flight from Yellowknife

Guide and travel entrepreneur Kylik Kisoun Taylor

My great-grandfather's account of his journey is one of the reasons the geography of northern Canada interests me: not just his descriptions of yelping huskies and crusted snow, but also the stories of Indigenous people who possessed the knowledge my great-grandfather lacked to survive. This idea jibes with Stories of Canada , a new national initiative that seeks to draw more attention to the country's Indigenous cultural traditions and tour operators, as well as to some of its lesser-known areas, including Manitoba and Nunavut . The project was spearheaded by Marc Telio, founder of the Canadian travel outfitter Entrée Destinations , in partnership with regional tourist boards, the federal government, and Indigenous community leaders. Among the 20 tours offered was a winter journey into the Northwest Territories. I wondered if I might see the boreal wilderness my great-grandfather had recounted.

Telio sent instructions to pack light. Winter weather gear would be supplied upon arrival in Yellowknife , the starting point for the trip and one of the world's best locations to see the northern lights. But this would be more than a bucket list experience of a winter wonderland under a celestial spill. The trip was born of the moral necessity to understand the injustices of colonial abuse. My great-grandfather may have acknowledged the Indigenous guide who saved his life, but left unsaid was the question of whose gold he was coming to get. As a modern Canadian with sway in the tourism industry, Telio saw an opportunity to confront such injustices. “I want to put the conversation into the room, which creates healing as well as a way to share the Indigenous culture,” he told me.

Telio was alluding to the enduring consequences of the Indian Act of 1876, the legal framework Canada used to systematize racism and facilitate the “assimilation” of its First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The act encouraged policies that the official Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada acknowledged, in 2015, amounted to “cultural genocide”—a history contemporary Canadians are only just beginning to reckon with: the destruction of Indigenous forms of government, the expropriation of traditional lands, the creation of contained “reserves,” the erosion of Indigenous hunting rights, and the invention of residential schools for children forcibly taken from their families. The effects endure in the loss of languages and the residual trauma of generations of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Between the 1870s and the 1990s, an estimated 6,000 Indigenous children died or disappeared. For Canadians, the question of what really happened—and who gets to tell these stories—is acutely sensitive.

A boat waits out the winter, riverside

“It's going to be hard for you,” said Winfred Gatsi, the Zimbabwe -born tour operator and driver who picked me up at Yellowknife airport: “The Indigenous people say it's easy to talk to me, because they see similarities with the African story of colonization. There's an intergenerational distrust. It's been a history of exploitation.” But that mentality is changing, according to Keith Henry, president and chief executive officer of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada . “Tourism can be an incredibly powerful industry to help our communities reclaim their culture. It allows our people to tell the true history and story of this country, on our terms, rather than some museum curators who have decided to reposition history as some sort of glorious adventure.” Henry prefers the term “revitalization” to “reconciliation” because the latter implies that Indigenous people share responsibility for their own history of oppression. He spoke of how tourists need to know enough to be able to discern between cultural truth and superficial pastiche. “You'll never see a mass tourism effort by us,” he said, “because it's not what our communities want.”

My first night in Yellowknife I barely slept—a combination of jet lag and restless hope for a glimpse of the aurora borealis from my bedroom window at the city's Explorer Hotel . The next morning, our 20-minute ski-plane flight to Namushka Lodge swooped over forest dotted with inkblot pools and scrawled with tightly folded S bends of river. I wondered what lay within the expanding wilderness: the sacred sites, oral histories, and seams of gold that early prospectors like my great-grandfather came to excavate.

We landed in front of the lodge. Owned by Joseph and Elise Chorostkowski, it felt more like a homestay than a hotel. The lodge was on Harding Lake, pricked with islands dressed in showy hats of spruce, birch, and poplar, their leaves wrapped in folds of icy lace. The shoreline was littered with toppled trunks blackened from wildfire, each a scratch against the whiteness. (The summer after I visited, Yellowknife was evacuated when wildfires burned a swath across the territories the size of Denmark.) We went ice fishing , peering into a hole Joseph had cored through three feet of lake ice. Among the family's photo albums, I found a 1985 newspaper clipping about a houseguest who'd ventured out alone wearing two cameras and a blue jacket, never to be seen again.

Traditional teepees at Okpik Arctic Village

A scene en route to the airport in the village of Norman Wells

Yet as isolating as this place can be, life can blossom along the lakefronts, even in the cold of winter. We returned to Yellowknife on Sunday, and folks were out on the water barbecuing hotdogs with their kids, their cheeks glowing apple-red from inside fur-trimmed parkas. Others were ice fishing, taking cover from the biting wind in candy-colored shacks that can be rented for the day. In nearby Dettah, a four-mile ride from Yellowknife, we encountered a gathering of young people from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. According to Donna Lee Demarcke, chief executive officer of Northwest Territories Tourism, members of the Dene First Nation live among the 33 Indigenous communities across the area. “When you use the word European, there are many different cultures within that collective noun,” she said. “It's the same here with the Indigenous people.”

Jessica Puckett

Sarah James

Harrison Pierce

I entered a roomful of teenagers competing in Hand Games, an Indigenous form of gambling traditionally played for furs, dogs, and toboggans. Among the thick buzz of drums, flirting teenagers, and talkative parents, I chatted with councillor Bobby Drygeese, a descendant of multiple Dene First Nation chiefs, who is responsible for the governance and administration of Yellowknives Dene First Nation affairs. He is also the owner of B. Dene Adventures , a tourism and cultural awareness camp that teaches visitors about his people. “Tourism is a positive thing for the Northwest Territories, but we have to set limits,” he told me. “I have to seek permission to impart Indigenous knowledge from my parents. The sacred places remain very private. We don't want to bring people into our spiritual sites for them to pinpoint them on Instagram.”

That evening, we took a late-night trip to see the northern lights at Aurora Village , a slickly organized Indigenous-owned tourism operation at a lakeside location 20 minutes from Yellowknife. On a busy winter night, as many as 450 visitors are bussed in, warming up with hot chocolate and cookies in the camp's luxury teepees. The showing was undeniably magnificent, the midnight dome transformed by billowing smudges of light. But I wished I could connect more deeply with the mystery of the aurora . The Dene First Nation people traditionally believe the dance of light represents the spirits of their departed loved ones. The Inuit describe the aurora as a pathway to the heavens. But I was tired and wanted to escape the chatter of other visitors, their phones held up to the sky.

Gerry Kisoun wears traditional handmade gloves

A Swedish military vehicle from Hägglunds, used at Namushka Lodge

The next day, we flew for two hours to Inuvik, the largest town in the Northwest Territories above the Arctic Circle. I was reminded of the three years I spent in remote Siberia researching a book. The landscape and its issues felt similar: the effects of forest fires, the melting permafrost revealing itself in cracks that splice through forlorn buildings, and giant plugs of tundra that collapse like soufflés. Our guide was an Inuvialuit-Gwich'in hunter-gatherer and tourism entrepreneur named Kylik Kisoun Taylor. He told stories about his grandfather, who trapped all along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Scientists used to tag the beluga whales by shooting pins through their fins. “My grandfather said, ‘Why do you do that?’” he recalled. “The scientists said, ‘To find out where the beluga go.’ My grandfather said, ‘Why not just ask me?’”

We spent an afternoon with Taylor at his cabin near the Mackenzie River in Okpik Arctic Village, a wooded camp of log cabins, teepees, and husky puppies. He told us he'd created it to teach tourists and schoolchildren the traditional bush arts of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in. As Taylor talked, his cousin cut snow blocks for an igloo while Taylor's 14-year-old daughter showed us how to skin a beaver. Taylor's uncle, Gerry, couldn't speak Inuvialuktun, which the residential school had taken from him. But he acknowledged a shift: Although the government still put English and French first, the Canadian education system was now teaching his grandchildren Indigenous languages.

Taylor drove us from Inuvik along the blue vein of the Mackenzie River, which from December until early April becomes a 75-mile-long ice highway. Our destination was Aklavik, which Taylor loosely translated as “home of the barren-ground grizzly bear.” He showed us wooden cabins that had belonged to early fur trappers and the grave of the so-called Mad Trapper, who, after murdering a policeman in 1932, survived the bush in winter for weeks until he was finally shot. In town, local kids thundered around on snowmobiles, except for one: a quiet 16-year-old named Destiny. She sang me a song she'd composed; I could hear the soulful activism in her lyrics, sung in a beautiful birdlike voice. She'd written it as a warning to her peers about the dangers of using drugs.

Inuvialuit dog musher Bruce Noksana

In all these encounters I found extreme beauty as well as seriousness, which reached its crescendo in a helicopter under the pale orb of the arctic sun. This is the only easy way to reach the Richardson Mountains in winter. We hovered above the blue irises of glacial lakes before landing on a ridge blushed pink by the strange northern light, from which we could glimpse scattering moose. Then we arced up over the tree line and entered a flat white land. Below us, the settlement of Tuktoyaktuk looked like a pointed star, as if it had fallen from the sky and lodged at the edge of the frozen Arctic Ocean.

Our host was Bruce Noksana, an Inuvialuit competitive dog musher, and his friend Michele Tomasino. Noksana offered us boiled beluga whale, which we ate in blubbery, creamy chunks at his kitchen table. We talked about the Inuvialuit-Gwich'in traditional diet, and how Indigenous people kill animals such as caribou with purpose and butcher without waste.

Noksana took us out with his dog team and snowmobiles to see Tuktoyaktuk's pingos—strange geological peaks that reach as high as 160 feet, which scientists from Cornell were busy studying. “You find them on other planets,” Britney Schmidt, a climatologist, explained. “Inside, there's fresh ice water, which might be good for future astronauts to drink.” At some point, we traveled out onto the ocean itself, though I couldn't be sure when I passed the threshold between land and sea.

“Look at the snowdrift,” said Noksana. “The wind blows from west to east. Cross the drifts, and you can work out if you're going north or south.” I gripped his waist tightly, feeling, in all this vastness, a confusing mix of bewilderment and privilege. I was in awe of this place and Noksana's ease and resilience in the landscape.

Destiny, a teenager in the village of Aklavik

A view from a helicopter ride over the Richardson Mountains, which border the Yukon

On my last night in here, I experienced the northern lights again, in absolute, grateful peace, the greens leaping above my head. A scene like this shouldn't be the only reason you visit. It's a serious place, culturally, politically, climatically, logistically. You will do good by coming here; your journey will inject dollars into the Indigenous economy. Most importantly, you will have a chance to listen to people from whom we all have so much to learn.

How to do it

As part of its Stories of Canada set of trips, Entrée Destinations offers eight-night Winter in the Northwest Territories tours, starting and ending in Yellowknife, from February through April. Travelers will meet with local communities and engage in activities including snowmobiling, skiing, and northern lights excursions. Trip costs include internal flights, accommodations, guides, and most meals.

Ethical travel

Keith Henry , president and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and president of the BC Métis Federation , share how to respectfully interact with Indigenous communities.

Do: Ask about a community's true history and the impact of colonization and be prepared to listen. However, be sensitive if individuals choose not to engage.

Don't: Arrive with preconceived notions. Indigenous people aren't homogeneous and their lifestyles are often misrepresented in TV and film.

Do: Inform communities of any previous interactions with other Indigenous people. This will show that you're invested and engaged.

Don't: Be afraid to ask if it's okay to participate in ceremonies, meals, and other rituals the community may share with you.

Do: Support the communities by purchasing food, crafts, and other items from local entrepreneurs.

Don't: Take photos without spending some time among the community beforehand. Demonstrate a desire to be meaningfully engaged and then ask if photos are okay.

This article appeared in the March 2024 issue of  Condé Nast Traveler.  Subscribe to the magazine   here .

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Hiking Tours

Follow your own trail.

With so much wilderness to explore, it’s no wonder hikers flock to the NWT. Trails range from easy loops around lakes in the city, to day excursions just outside of town, to multi-week bucketlist treks in the backcountry. You’re sure to find a hike that suits your needs and level of adventure.

Day Hikes: Trails in and around our larger communities are often marked and signed. They lead to favorite picnic spots, often by a lake, with a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape. For information on trails in and around our communities ask at a visitor center or at a community or band office. It’s always a good idea to let someone know your plans and when you’ll be back. There’s excellent walking in and around Hay River, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith and Yellowknife.

Backpacking: We can guarantee a challenge, backpacking in the Northwest Territories. Spectacular hiking is available above the treeline in the Mackenzie Mountains, on the Canol Heritage Trail, the Ram Plateau or elsewhere in one of our national parks. Logistical support is highly recommended – often the only access is by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter. For suggestions, contact one of our mountain outfitters or one of the national parks. Plan on an outing lasting five to ten days, and plan well in advance – help is usually a very long way away.