
For starters March has the best snow of the winter months, making it perfect for enjoying some bucket list activities such as dog-sledding and snowmobiling.
Secondly, although not warm by UK standards, March in the Arctic is much milder than the other winter months. At this time of year, the temperatures stay around the 0°C mark, which is far more comfortable than in the midst of December or January. As well as this, March also tends to have less cloud cover which is ideal for Northern Lights hunting as it means clearer skies and unobstructed views of the Northern Lights. However, one of the best reasons to travel in March is the spring equinox which has been linked to increased Auroral activity and so, potentially more chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
With so many good reasons to travel to the Aurora Zone in March we have created a number of Northern Lights holidays to help our clients make the most of this wonderful time of year. So, in no particular order here are top 10 Aurora escapes for March 2019!
1) Saariselkä - A Window to the Northern Lights
Located on the outskirts of a small ski resort, Saariselkä Northern Lights Village is our only destination to feature Aurora Cabin accommodation as standard, making it a firm favourite amongst our Aurora Travel Experts. What’s more, this four-night break includes three dedicated Northern Lights hunts, a reindeer day, snowmobiling, ice fishing and a husky safari!
If you are looking for a week-long Aurora adventure filled with incredible overnight experiences then it is hard to beat our ‘Aurora Escape’ to Harriniva in Finnish Lapland. Not only will guests have the chance to spend a night in a snow igloo during their stay, but this holiday also includes a night in an Aurora Dome too! What’s more, this seven-night break includes a visit to the Aurora Spa for an evening of relaxation in an outdoor hot tub as well as a Northern Lights snowshoeing adventure. There is also plenty of free time to add in the activities of your choice to tailor the holiday to suit you!
3) Wilderness Hotel Inari - Auroras by the Frozen Lake
If you are looking for some bucket list activities and a hotel with some serious wow factor, then Wilderness Hotel Inari is pretty hard to beat. With a range of accommodation options to choose from including log and Aurora Cabins, plus its very own Aurora Sauna, Inari is a great base for a Northern Lights break. This four-night trip includes three Aurora hunts (including one via snowmobiles!), snowshoeing, dog sledding and a visit to a local reindeer farm.
4) Nangu - Northern Lights Adventure
Despite what many people think, Finnish Lapland is not just a destination for families. In fact, our seven-night break to Wilderness Hotel Nangu not only has plenty of exciting Arctic activities on offer, but the accommodation also happens to be a boutique, adult-only hotel too. With its peaceful setting on the shores of Lake Inari, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and four Northern Lights hunts, Nangu is a great place to escape to for a bucket list Aurora break.
5) Utsjoki - Northern Lights at the Top of Finland
Set amongst the fells near the Norwegian border at the very top of Finland, Utsjoki is a wild, traditional and almost mystical location. A sacred place to the Sámi people, it is unlike anywhere else in Finnish Lapland. Staying at Holiday Village Valle, a hotel owned by a Sámi family, this four-night escape will enable you to search for the Northern Lights on three dedicated Aurora hunts in the evenings and explore the landscape and local culture during the day as you snowshoe through the Sacred Valley and meet a traditional reindeer herder.
6) Torassieppi - Lakeside Auroras
Bordering the spectacular Pallas Ylläs National Park, Torassieppi Reindeer Farm is situated in one of the most picturesque wilderness areas in Finnish Lapland. Our seven-night break to this wonderful location makes the most of its fantastic natural surroundings as you embark on some brilliant Arctic activities during the day and go hunting for the Aurora in the evenings. From a snowshoe hike and husky safari to ice fishing and lunch in an ice restaurant, there is plenty to keep you occupied before you set off in search of the Northern Lights on snowshoes or on a reindeer safari!
7) Nellim - Northern Lights over Lake Inari
With its range of exciting Arctic activities, remote location close to the Russian border and its excellent Northern Lights record, it is easy to see why this four-night trip to Nellim has been one of our best-selling holidays for years. From snowmobiling, dog sledding and snowshoeing through the dazzling frozen fells and forests, to heading out in search of the Northern Lights on a snowmobile or experiencing an Aurora camp by Lake Inari, this trip is a great exploration of Finnish Lapland.
8) Muotka - Search for the Northern Lights
With Aurora activities designed to maximise your Northern Lights viewing potential and its recently renovated accommodation, Muotka is a brilliant choice for a week-long break to Finnish Lapland. From getting advice on how to take the perfect Northern Lights photos during an Aurora workshop to seeking out the best vantage points of the nights sky on snowshoes, everything in Muotka is set up to help you have the best chance of experiencing Mother Nature’s most spectacular light show. Plus, with daytime activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding and a visit to the Sámi Siida Museum you can be sure that this will be a holiday to savour for a long time!
9) Menesjärvi - Wilderness Auroras
If you are looking to learn more about the culture of the Sámi people during your Northern Lights break, then our four-night trip to Menesjärvi could be just the ticket. Not only does the trip included the opportunity to spend the morning with Petri Mattus, a traditional reindeer herder featured on the BBC documentary series ‘Reindeer Family and Me’, but it also includes a visit to Inari’s Sámi Siida Museum too. Of course, being a Northern Lights break, the itinerary also features three dedicated Aurora hunts, including a special dinner in one of the hotel’s lakeside kotas!
10) Rovaniemi - Aurora Adventure at Apukka
Only 15 minutes from Rovaniemi, Apukka is one of the newest additions to The Aurora Zone collection and is home to some great bucket list opportunities. For example, our three-night break includes a Northern Lights Hunt on Apukka’s specially made Snowtrain as well as the opportunity to go in search of the Aurora during a traditional Lappish style reindeer sleigh ride. What’s more, the flexible nature of the itinerary means that you can upgrade your accommodation and enjoy a night in an Ice Cabin, stay in an Aurora Wagon or even relax in Apukka’s very own Aurora Sauna Wagon!
Click here to find out more about our Northern Lights adventures departing this March
Image Credits: Adriana Estallo Giral, Markku Inkila, Antti Pietikainen, Matt Robinson, Klaus Peter Kappest, Ville Heimonen & Apukka Resort