‘The Autumn Lights’ - a new way to see the Aurora Borealis in 2012
After a tremendously successful 2011-12 winter season, specialist Northern Lights tour operator, The Aurora Zone, announces an expanded 2012-13 season including a range of new Autumn Lights itineraries for travellers who would like to experience the Borealis, but without the snowy, sub-zero conditions of a Scandinavian winter.
With similar prospects of seeing the Borealis in September as in deepest winter, ruska (Finnish for ‘time of autumn colours’) lends a different perspective to the Northern Lights. Travellers are treated to the bonus of magnificent scenes of golden forests and flowing streams, with the incandescent Auroras reflected in tranquil and unfrozen lakes.
Unlike other ‘stand and stare’ Northern Lights holiday companies, The Aurora Zone uses a mixture of local knowledge and geophysical forecasts to locate the best places to see the Lights on a night-by-night basis. Whereas in winter, Aurora-hunters experience the beautiful Scandinavian countryside using snowshoes, snowmobiles and husky sleds, in autumn, travellers hike through forests accompanied by huskies, pan for gold and dig for precious gems at Europe's only working amethyst mine.
With 2013 bringing the Solar Maximum – a period of time when the auroras are at their most vivid – The Aurora Zone is already experiencing high demand for its new Autumn Lights itineraries as well as its winter Aurora-hunting tours.
Says Alistair McLean, The Aurora Zone’s Managing Director: “Geophysicists are predicting the Solar Maximum will arrive in early 2013. Historically, auroras are more frequent and at their most vivid in the months just before and after the Solar Maximum, making the next two Aurora-hunting seasons the best opportunities to witness this natural phenomenon. It’s only May and we’re already experiencing incredible demand for the coming season. We haven't even released the brochure yet, but regardless, many of our trips are already filling up.”
Current Autumn Lights tours include:
Luosto: searching for the Autumn Lights – four nights from £1,195 pp | FINLAND
Situated in prime Aurora-viewing territory, not far from the Sodankyla Geophysical Observatory, this trip takes in the majesty of the Finnish countryside in the autumn, whilst providing plenty of opportunity to see the Lights. The trip includes Aurora-hunting on foot and by minibus, a visit to a reindeer farm, a tour of Europe’s last-working amethyst mine and the chance to go hiking with off-duty huskies and cavort with their playful cubs. Stay at the Aurora Chalet, where guests are provided with an Aurora Alert which informs them when the Lights are in the vicinity. Departing September – November 2012.
Nellim: Autumn Lights over Lake Inari – four nights from £1,345 pp | FINLAND
Simply breathtaking – while the Northern Lights dance in the skies above they are simultaneously reflected in the still waters of Finland’s third largest lake. Situated on the Russian border, the remote village of Nellim has close to zero light pollution, providing the perfect conditions for seeing the Borealis. Aurora-hunt in the evenings, spend the days hiking through the Finnish wilderness with a picnic of local produce, and visit the Tankavaara Gold Museum and learn how to pan for gold. Stay at the family-run Nellim Wilderness Hotel, boasting a cosy and relaxed atmosphere and an excellent track record for Aurora-spotting. Departing September – October 2012.
*All packages include flights (London), transfers, B&B accommodation, specified meals, activities as described and appropriate cold-weather clothing, if required. Group size varies between 4 and 20 members; over 18s only. Tailor-made itineraries are also available for groups of four or more, including family groups of all ages.
A full list of itineraries is available at theaurorazone.com.