Money is just a number: Indians continue to chase Northern Lights despite soaring prices

Indians continue to chase the Northern Lights, booking glass igloos and Arctic stays despite the trip running into lakhs of rupees.

Are Northern Lights tours still a rage among Indians?

• “More than ever,” Hari Ganapathy, founder of travel platform Pickyoutrail, told Moneycontrol.

"The Northern Lights have shifted from a niche aspiration to a mainstream must-do once in a lifetime kind of experience for Indian travellers," he said.

• Rajeev Kale, president & country head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, said Northern Lights holidays continue to be a top consideration for Indian travellers who are looking for bucket-list winter experiences.

• On the platform, Aurora adventures have grown 4-5 percent year-on-year, driven largely by travellers in the 28–40 age group who are prioritising curated experiences over traditional holidays.

• Aurora borealis which translates to northern dawn are a display of lights when the sky is painted in an eerie green or blue and purple or pink and red.

• The Northern Lights appear when charged solar particles clash with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating ethereal glows best seen between September to April.

How much does a Northern Lights trip cost?

• To see the Northern Lights, the minimum budget ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh a person, depending on the country and experiences, Kale said. "This estimate covers-land only costs and can vary based on accommodation, activities and transportation.”

• Premium itineraries, especially those including glass igloos or Arctic treehouses, have seen prices rise by roughly 10-12 percent from the previous year, owing to global demand, limited inventory and the popularity of peak-viewing months (December–March), said Ganapathy.

"Despite inflation, the increase in interest is a strong indicator of India’s growing appetite for high-value travel," he added.

Are Northern Lights trips a metro phenomenon?

• Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi account for nearly 90 percent of Northern Lights bookings, with Hyderabad close behind, Ganapathy said.

• The demand for Northern Lights trip is driven by factors such as the desire for "braggable" travel experiences and increasing disposable income, which is not limited to India’s metros but also Tier 2 and 3 cities, said SD Nandakumar, president & country head–holidays & corporate tours, SOTC Travel.

Which destinations are hot picks to see Aurora Borealis?

• Nandakumar pointed to increased interest for experiential experiences such as the Northern Lights in the regions of Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

"We are also witnessing growing curiosity about Russia as an emerging aurora destination, with regions such as Murmansk offering travellers the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights in a distinctive cultural and geographical setting," he said.

• Kale added that Indians travelling to destinations such as Norway, Finland and Sweden are also combining experiences like snowmobiling, husky/reindeer safaris, sledding, king-crab fishing safaris and local traditions with the Sami people.

• Ganapathy said Rovaniemi and Levi in Finland lead with luxury igloos and accessible Arctic safaris.

• Tromsø and Lofoten in Norway are preferred by adventure-forward travellers, seeking guided aurora chases and glacier experiences.

• Iceland appeals to those who want dramatic landscapes, volcanic trails and a mix of adventure with aurora sightings.

"These destinations have emerged as 'aspirational but attainable,' particularly for India’s affluent urban travellers,” Ganapathy added.

Where are Indians checking-in for Northern Lights trips?

• Travellers are choosing curated, boutique stays over conventional hotels, the Pickyourtrail Founder said.

"Bookings for glass igloos, arctic cabins, treehouse suites and wilderness lodges have surged 10-12 percent. Many itineraries now blend luxury with structured adventure like guided aurora hunts, snowmobiling, reindeer sledding, and photography workshops," he added.

• Nandakumar is seeing a distinct shift in accommodation preferences, as travellers crave standout stays such as glass igloos, snow hotels, luxury Arctic suites, and boutique mountain lodges that promise jaw-dropping views of

What makes these trips so special for Indians?

• For Indians, the Northern Lights represent aspiration, aesthetic and achievement in one frame, Ganapathy said.

"It’s the kind of experience that captures the shift in India’s outbound travel culture — from checklist tourism to transformative, story-worthy journeys. There’s an emotional dimension too — watching the sky shift colour feels profound, almost meditative, and deeply personal," he added.

• Nandakumar said multi-generational families, couples and millennials-GenZ and colleagues-cum-friends are keen on exploring these unique destinations and creating memorable experiences. "The influence of social media has also played a significant role, showcasing these extraordinary experiences and driving demand," he said.