CHASING THE AURORA IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

Chasing the northern lights in the Arctic Circle is a dream for many travellers. For this writer, that dream finally became a reality.

An official invitation by the Finland government to Helsinki for the ‘Climate Solutions from Finland’ programme from Oct 5-10 opened the opportunity for me to travel to Rovaniemi in search of the aurora borealis.

My three-day solo adventure to Rovaniemi after the programme was an extended trip, with the approval of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

After Helsinki, Rovaniemi – the capital of Lapland in northern Finland and lying on the Arctic Circle – is one of the most famous destinations for tourists. Famous for being the “home of Santa Claus”, Rovaniemi is an ideal place to witness the northern lights, usually visible from late August to early April.

Lapland is a stunning destination known for its thick snow, magical winter landscapes, wildlife, popular winter activities, and the rich culture of the Sami, the indigenous people who have lived in the region for centuries.

Although I visited in late autumn, I still enjoyed Rovaniemi’s charm, with the autumn foliage in shades of red, orange, yellow and brown creating stunning landscapes.

I travelled from Helsinki to Rovaniemi aboard the Santa Claus Express train, covering more than 800 kilometres in a 12-hour journey. In Rovaniemi, I opted to rent a car as public bus services were infrequent and limited. 

I visited Santa Claus Village, located eight km from the city centre; Arktikum Museum and Science Centre, just 850 metres away from the city centre; and Ounasvaara Hill, four km from the city, which is ideal for enjoying panoramic views of the city and the surrounding forests as well as a perfect spot to watch the sunset; and watched the northern lights at Apukka Resort, 16.3 km from downtown Rovaniemi.

MEETING ‘SANTA CLAUS’, REINDEER

Santa Claus Village, located at the Arctic Circle, is a symbolic gateway to the northernmost part of the world. The village is pretty much not crowded during the autumn season, allowing me to explore at a relaxed pace and fully enjoy the atmosphere.

Over there, I was given a certificate as proof that I had crossed the famous Arctic Circle line. I also had the experience of meeting ‘Santa Claus’, bringing back childhood memories of watching Christmas cartoons featuring the famous man.

pic-2

The visit continued to Santa’s Main Post Office, where I bought several postcards and sent them to my friends – choosing for the cards to be delivered in December 2025 to mark the festive season.

I also got to visit a reindeer farm and tried a reindeer ride through the pine forests, a short yet memorable Arctic experience. I rode a seven-year-old male reindeer for about 400 metres, which took around six to seven minutes. It was a thrilling experience, even though the reindeer pulled a wheeled cart instead of a traditional snow sleigh as there was no snow on the ground during the autumn season.

The Arktikum Museum and Science Centre, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into life above the Arctic Circle. It provides an in-depth look at Finnish history and culture, especially the story of Lapland. Its exhibits highlight the traditions of the Sámi people and their vibrant clothing, handicrafts and deep connection with nature.

The museum also provides an explanation of the aurora borealis phenomenon, showing how and why the northern lights appear, and why Rovaniemi is one of the best places in the world to witness them.

LIGHTS DANCING UNDER THE SKY

Finally, Apukka Resort is one of the top spots to witness the northern lights, located away from the city lights and featuring wide, unobstructed skies for the perfect viewing experience. 

The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are a natural light display that appears in the night skies of high-latitude regions near the Arctic. They occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere. When the particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere, the energy released produces glowing lights that dance across the sky in shades of green, pink, purple and blue. 

pic-3

My aurora hunt began at night as I made my way out of the city to Apukka Resort. I began watching the skies at around 11 pm, and just after midnight, the first hints of green lights flashed across the horizon.

Initially fleeting like sparks, the aurora soon expanded to fill the sky in a stunning 360-degree display lasting about 20 minutes.

The most breathtaking moment came when a curtain of lights passed directly overhead, dancing and shifting between shades of green and soft pink, flowing seamlessly across the sky – a captivating show that  I managed to capture on my phone.

During my stay in Rovaniemi, I only managed to see the northern lights for one night as the second night was cloudy with some rain. Still, I felt incredibly grateful to have had the chance to witness the true beauty of this natural wonder. It was a surreal reminder of nature’s beauty and power. Standing under the Arctic sky, I felt that the long journey from Helsinki to this remote part of the world had been worth every mile.

REAL ARCTIC EXPERIENCE

While Rovaniemi offers unforgettable memories of the aurora, it also provided me with an authentic Arctic experience – feeling the strong, dry Arctic winds during the transition from autumn to winter.

For someone like me from a tropical country, the cold was almost unbearable, biting through my layers of clothing, with my hands feeling like ice. The lowest temperature I experienced was three degrees Celsius, but  which felt like minus-four degree Celsius, according to the weather app.

pic-4

On the night of the aurora hunt, a light snowfall even dusted the chairs outside the accommodation, but it had melted by the following morning.

Yet as I stood beneath the northern sky, watching nature’s most extraordinary light show unfold, I knew this was a moment that would stay with me forever.