Choosing Aurora Borealis Travel Packages That Support Responsible Tourism

Travellers browsing our diverse Northern Lights tour packages often ask for recommendations to ensure their holiday experience supports local economies and craftspeople, leaves a minimal carbon footprint, and contributes to the conservation of the incredible landscapes and wildlife across the Arctic Circle.

While many Northern Lights destinations are pioneers in protecting the delicate ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere and are leaders in sustainable tourism, it’s never a bad idea to consider what you, as a guest, might be able to do to avoid making an impact on the region’s natural beauty.

Following sustained demand for sustainable travel opportunities, we’ve put this guide together to explain how towns like Tromso are combatting carbon production, and some easy changes you might make if you’re worried about the environmental impacts of travel.

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Northern Lights Holidays

We touched very briefly on the groundbreaking changes made in many Northern Lights holiday locations, and Tromso is a great example. It is located in Arctic Norway, directly underneath the Aurora Oval, a highly popular place to see the lights.

Throughout the city, and within numerous Aurora trips, you’ll find:

• Green-certified hotels and wilderness lodges that use renewable energy sources and minimise waste.
• Localised Northern Lights tours to reduce fuel usage, or on-foot guided excursions using snowshoes or dog sleds with no carbon output in sight.
• Eco-friendly jeeps and snowmobiles, switching to electric or hybrid vehicles to enable you to explore the icy forests and landscapes without creating emissions.
• Ethical wildlife tours, from husky and reindeer safaris to whale-watching boat tours, that promote safe, responsible interactions and adhere to strict animal welfare regulations.

The environment and wildlife are of pivotal importance in all Northern Lights communities, and this is just a snapshot of the initiatives and efforts underway.

Guests can also immerse themselves in educational activities, with highlights like learning to lasso reindeer or steer a dog sled while hearing all about how these animals are nurtured and form an integral part of life in the Arctic region.

Offsetting the Carbon Linked to International Travel

Another relatively new way to limit the carbon footprint associated with flights is to consider purchasing a carbon offset. This is, of course, subject to budgets, but there are various options out there, including:

• The CO2llaborate service through British Airways – which is also investing in modern planes that are 35% more efficient and is working towards net zero by 2050.
• easyJet’s CO2 offset options: This airline has also joined the Race to Zero initiative and committed to reducing carbon emissions by 35%.
• Norwegian Airlines’ carbon offset offers the option to counter carbon emissions at the point of booking through the CHOOOSE climate tech provider.

During your time in the Arctic, you can also embrace slower travel. There are countless options to try glacier hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more gentle kayaking tours around the fjords. All of these activities are people-powered and do not disturb the environment, ensuring you have an amazing time and make the most of the snowy scenery.

Seeing the Northern Lights While Following Responsible Tourism Guidelines

Across much of Norway, Finland, and Sweden, Sami indigenous people and their customs are celebrated and respected, and many of the excursions and trips you can enjoy help to sustain these communities and localised economies.

This means one of the best ways for visitors to travel responsibly is to shop and choose local.

We partner with a wide array of local experts, using guides who have a deep respect for the land, wildlife, and Arctic customs and who offer a truly authentic experience.

Guides can offer insights into the best places to see the Northern Lights, the ideal activities and winter sports to try, and the local shops, markets, and restaurants where you’ll find the tastiest cuisines and delicacies—as you’d expect from a knowledgeable host.

Eating at restaurants and picking hotels and lodges that serve locally sourced food—including specialities like cod, elk, berries, and reindeer—lowers the environmental impact of food transport while ensuring you’ll enjoy the freshest flavours of the region.

Making Responsible Buying Choices During a Northern Lights Tour

Purchasing souvenirs and mementos of your time in Lapland is always part of an overseas adventure, and we often recommend picking up eco-friendly, handmade, and artisanal items. These gifts or souvenirs are not only unique and something you’ll find nowhere else in the world but also support local crafts and communities—unlike mass-produced alternatives.

Finland has a rich history in handcrafted jewellery design, woollen socks, hats, mittens, kuksa carved wooden mugs, and woven birch baskets. In Iceland, you’ll find everything from embroidery and weaving to traditional Icelandic wool—called lopapeysa—jewellery and handmade Icelandic candy.

Regardless of your holiday destination, you can also consider avoiding single-use plastics. Most lodges, cruises, and hotels offer either recyclable paper alternatives or remove single-use plastics altogether. Bring a refillable water bottle, and of course, ensure you never litter and leave the beautiful landscape as clean, fresh, and white as you found it.

Aurora Borealis Travel Packages With Sustainability Credentials

Our travel experts can provide suggestions at any point, whether you’d like an eco-friendly lodge, to organise a tailored Northern Lights holiday with a minimal carbon footprint or want to work out the best ways to travel to the Arctic without impacting the environment.

The Polar Express Train Journey is one of the most popular eco-tours. It travels through the Norwegian and Swedish Lapland countryside, starting from Kiruna in Sweden and ending in Narvik, Arctic Norway.

Passing through the Abisko National Park and staying at Camp Ripan along the way, this holiday is an excellent option. The camp itself focuses on energy and water conservation, composting, heat recycling, local produce, and cooking dishes in a climate-smart kitchen.

Packages are also available with accommodation at a Clarion Collection Hotel, including the Arctic Combo seven-day adventure. The group has launched a decarbonisation strategy called Clarion 2050 and concentrates on local supply chains, sustainable materials, home-grown produce, composting, and rainwater collection.

For more information about these and other responsible tourism-focused tours and packages, or to learn more about eco-lodges and wilderness camps, you are welcome to contact the Baltic Travel Company team or can find full details via our website.