What to do during the day on a Northern Lights trip (Tromsø & Rovaniemi)

A boat trip through the fjords surrounding Tromsø, often paired with fishing along the way. Expect open water framed by steep mountains covered in snow on both sides.

Boat trips head out toward Skjervøy and Kvaløya to find orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring. Sightings depend on where the herring shoals are that season, so it's worth asking your operator how the current season is running before you book.

You're zipped into a dry survival suit and float on your back right in the fjord, fully insulated from the cold water underneath you. Sounds strange on paper, but it's one of those activities people tend to remember more than the ones that look better on an itinerary.

This is an aurora hunt done by boat instead of by coach. It's worth booking only on nights when the forecast already looks clear, since a boat can't drive away from cloud cover the way a car can, so the odds of an actual sighting are lower than on a chase tour done by land. The cruise itself, sailing past dark fjords at night, still holds up even if the sky doesn't cooperate.

Sledding behind reindeer, feeding them afterward, and usually a Sami guide talking through the culture and history around a fire. A warm drink and a meal are typically included. Like dog sledding, slots for this go fast in high season, so book as soon as your dates are fixed rather than waiting till you land.

Ride behind a team of huskies, or drive the sled yourself on some tours, through the snow outside the city. It's one of the most popular activities in Tromsø and tends to sell out weeks ahead in peak season, so book early.

A guided ride through backcountry terrain outside the city, sometimes timed for the evening in case the aurora shows up along the way. No prior experience is needed, and guides lead in small groups.

A scenic drive out to the islands west of Tromsø, past fjords and small fishing villages, usually with a stop for a coastal picnic. Sommarøy's white sand beaches look almost tropical, until you notice the snow on the hills right behind them.

Senja is reachable along Norway's National Scenic Route, with ferry crossings and repeated photo stops along dramatic coastal cliffs. It can be driven yourself, or booked as a guided day tour from Tromsø, which is the easier option for most Indian travellers and where the cost above comes from.

A cable car up Storsteinen for a view over the city and the fjord. It also happens to be one of the better aurora vantage points on a clear night, since you're already above most of the city's lights.

Housed in a restored harbourside warehouse, covering the history of Arctic polar expeditions and hunting. It gets mixed up with Polaria often, but the two are different: this one is history, Polaria is the aquarium.

Crossing the official Arctic Circle line, getting the crossing certificate, and meeting Santa himself are all completely free. If you want anything more, a professional photo package with Santa usually starts around ₹3,000 to ₹4,000, and the separate Elf Hat Academy experience costs about ₹4,200 on its own.

A science and history museum built around the Arctic, with a strong focus on Sámi culture and the science behind the northern lights. A solid option for a morning when it's too cold to be outside for long.

An Arctic zoo with polar bears, snow leopards, and wolverines in large enclosures designed to feel close to their natural habitat. It's about an hour's drive each way, and most tours include the transfer.

Short husky rides are available right in Santa Claus Village, and longer safaris that you drive yourself run from resorts just outside the city. The longer version costs more, but you're actually driving the sled for a meaningful stretch instead of a five-minute loop.

Reindeer farms just outside Rovaniemi tend to offer more sled time than the short version inside the village, along with a closer look at how the animals are kept and herded.

A guided snowmobile ride through the forest outside the city, sometimes bundled with a campfire stop or a reindeer visit. Two people can usually share one snowmobile, with the option to drive solo at extra cost.

A cruise aboard a real icebreaker ship, followed by floating in a survival suit that covers your whole body, right in the water it just broke through. It's a longer day than most other activities on this list and priced accordingly, worth treating as a splurge rather than a default include.

A hiking tour through a canyon lined with frozen waterfalls, usually with a campfire lunch included. It's a demanding walk on uneven, icy ground, so it suits reasonably fit travellers rather than being an easy extra day.

Many resorts around Rovaniemi build a proper sauna into the stay, and standalone sessions are also bookable if your own hotel doesn't have one. A good way to end a day spent outside in the cold.