Aurora Guide: Unforgettable Journeys in the North
Discover transformative travel through immersive guided tours, hands-on educational retreats, and responsible adventure in the Northwest Territories of Canada. We connect travelers with the magic of the aurora borealis and the wisdom of Indigenous cultures, offering unmatched experiences rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and expert guidance.
Aurora Borealis Expeditions
Experience the wonder of the northern lights on guided expeditions led by local experts who bring decades of knowledge and passion to every journey under the Arctic sky.
Photography-Focused Aurora Tours
Our specialized aurora borealis photography expeditions combine the breathtaking beauty of the northern lights with expert instruction in night sky photography techniques. Learn to capture the dancing colors of the aurora using advanced camera settings, composition strategies, and post-processing methods. Suitable for photographers of all skill levels, from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned professionals seeking to perfect their craft under some of the world's darkest and clearest skies.
Perfect for: Photography enthusiasts, astrophotography learners, visual artists, and anyone wanting stunning aurora images to take home.
Scientific Aurora Explorations
Delve into the science behind the aurora borealis with in-depth educational expeditions that explore solar winds, magnetosphere interactions, and Indigenous interpretations of this celestial phenomenon. Our expert guides blend astronomy, geophysics, and cultural knowledge to create enriching experiences that satisfy curious minds. Each tour includes real-time aurora forecasting, interactive discussions, and access to remote viewing locations away from light pollution.
Ideal for: Science enthusiasts, students, educators, families, and lifelong learners seeking deep understanding of natural phenomena.
Multi-Night Aurora Adventures
Maximize your chances of witnessing spectacular auroral displays with our extended multi-night packages. Yellowknife sits directly beneath the auroral oval, offering some of the planet's highest probabilities of northern lights visibility. Our expeditions transport you to pristine wilderness locations, traditional heated viewing lodges, and culturally significant sites where the aurora has been celebrated for millennia.
Each evening includes hot beverages, traditional storytelling, and flexible scheduling to accommodate the aurora's natural rhythms. We provide all cold-weather gear, transportation, and expert guidance throughout your journey.
Authentic Indigenous Cultural Immersion
Engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities through respectful cultural immersion programs developed in partnership with local Elders, knowledge keepers, and community leaders.
Traditional Knowledge Sharing
Learn from Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers who share ancestral wisdom about the land, seasonal cycles, medicinal plants, and traditional navigation methods that have sustained northern communities for thousands of years. These intimate sessions honor oral traditions while creating meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
Hands-On Cultural Workshops
Participate in authentic craft workshops where you'll learn traditional beadwork, hide tanning, drum making, and other cultural arts directly from skilled Indigenous artisans. These experiences provide tactile connections to heritage practices while supporting local artists and preserving endangered traditional skills for future generations.
Traditional Cuisine Experiences
Discover the flavors of the North through authentic Indigenous cuisine experiences featuring traditional foods like bannock, smoked fish, wild game, and foraged berries. Learn about food sovereignty, sustainable harvesting practices, and the deep cultural significance of sharing meals within Indigenous communities.
Our Commitment: All cultural immersion programs are developed in full partnership with Indigenous communities, ensuring cultural protocols are respected, fair compensation is provided, and experiences contribute positively to community well-being. A portion of all proceeds directly supports Indigenous-led cultural preservation initiatives.
Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Retreats
Master the art of living in the wild with comprehensive wilderness survival workshops and retreats guided by seasoned instructors with decades of northern experience.
Essential Bushcraft Skills Courses
Learn fundamental bushcraft and survival skills including shelter construction using natural materials, fire-making techniques in challenging conditions, water sourcing and purification, navigation without technology, and emergency signaling methods. Our comprehensive courses adapt traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern survival science, providing practical skills that build confidence and self-reliance in wilderness environments.
Course components include:
- Multiple shelter building techniques for different seasons
- Fire creation using friction, spark, and modern tools
- Edible plant identification and safe foraging practices
- Tool making and knife safety fundamentals
- Leave-no-trace wilderness ethics
Arctic Winter Survival Training
Specialized instruction in winter wilderness survival tailored for northern climates where temperatures can plummet to extreme levels. Learn cold-weather clothing strategies, snow shelter construction (including quinzhees and snow trenches), winter fire-making challenges, frostbite prevention, and emergency response in Arctic conditions. This intensive training is essential for anyone planning extended winter wilderness travel in northern regions.
Winter-specific skills:
- Layering systems and cold weather gear selection
- Snow cave and emergency shelter construction
- Ice safety and winter water access
- Cold weather first aid and hypothermia management
- Winter navigation and weather reading
Multi-Day Immersive Wilderness Retreats
Our extended wilderness survival retreats combine all essential skills in authentic backcountry settings where you'll practice survival techniques in real-world conditions. Spend multiple days and nights in remote wilderness areas, gradually building skills and confidence under expert supervision. These transformative experiences challenge participants while maintaining safety, creating lasting memories and genuine wilderness competency.
Remote Locations
Access pristine wilderness areas far from civilization for authentic survival practice.
Expert Instruction
Learn from certified survival instructors with extensive northern wilderness experience.
Progressive Skills
Build competency systematically from foundational skills to advanced techniques.
Wildlife & Nature Photography Expeditions
Join expert guides and wildlife photographers on expeditions designed to capture the breathtaking landscapes and unique fauna of the Northwest Territories.
Arctic Wildlife Photography Tours
Track and photograph iconic northern wildlife including caribou, muskoxen, arctic foxes, wolves, and numerous bird species in their natural habitats. Our photography expeditions are timed to coincide with optimal wildlife activity periods, seasonal migrations, and stunning Arctic light conditions. Professional photographers and naturalists guide small groups to maximize photo opportunities while maintaining ethical wildlife viewing distances.
Learn advanced wildlife photography techniques including tracking behaviors, understanding animal body language, optimal camera settings for fast-moving subjects, and composition strategies that tell compelling visual stories of Canadian wilderness.
Landscape & Nature Photography Workshops
Capture the dramatic landscapes of the Northwest Territories, from endless boreal forests and crystal-clear lakes to rugged tundra and ancient rock formations. Our landscape photography workshops cover technical skills including long exposure techniques, HDR imaging, panoramic composition, and working with challenging Arctic light conditions from midnight sun to polar twilight.
Suitable for photographers at all experience levels, with personalized instruction ensuring everyone returns home with portfolio-quality images. All expeditions include transportation to remote photographic locations inaccessible to independent travelers.
Custom Educational Excursions for Groups
Design a bespoke learning journey for schools, universities, or youth organizations with hands-on curricula aligned to educational standards and learning objectives.
K-12 School Expeditions
Curriculum-aligned educational adventures for elementary through high school students covering ecology, earth sciences, Indigenous studies, astronomy, and leadership development. Our programs meet specific learning outcomes while inspiring curiosity, environmental stewardship, and cultural awareness. All activities are age-appropriate with experienced youth educators maintaining safety and engagement throughout.
University Field Study Programs
Advanced experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students conducting field research, environmental assessments, or specialized studies in northern ecosystems, climate science, or Indigenous knowledge systems. We partner with academic institutions to support thesis research, capstone projects, and field courses with logistical support and expert local knowledge.
Youth Leadership Programs
Character-building wilderness expeditions designed to develop leadership skills, teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence in young people. Through challenge-by-choice activities, group problem-solving scenarios, and wilderness living experiences, participants discover their capabilities and develop lasting life skills. Perfect for youth groups, scouting organizations, and community programs.
Planning an Educational Expedition?
Our education coordinators work directly with teachers, professors, and youth leaders to design custom programs that meet your specific learning objectives, budget parameters, and group needs. We handle all logistics including transportation, accommodation, risk management, dietary requirements, and accessibility considerations.
Contact us today to discuss your educational excursion: (867) 766-4100 or [email protected]
Responsible Ecotourism Consulting
Expert consulting services for sustainable destination development, eco-lodge operators, and tourism professionals dedicated to minimizing environmental impact while supporting local communities.
Sustainability Assessment & Certification
Comprehensive audits of tourism operations evaluating environmental practices, community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and guest experience quality. We provide detailed recommendations for achieving eco-certification through recognized programs, reducing operational environmental footprints, and implementing best practices in sustainable tourism management.
Our assessment services include:
- Environmental impact analysis and mitigation strategies
- Energy efficiency and waste reduction recommendations
- Community benefit assessment and enhancement
- Cultural protocol review and implementation guidance
- Eco-certification readiness preparation
Destination & Product Development
Strategic consulting for communities and operators developing new ecotourism products or destinations in northern Canada. Our team combines deep knowledge of the Northwest Territories with expertise in sustainable tourism development, ensuring new initiatives benefit local communities while preserving the natural and cultural resources that attract visitors.
Development consulting includes:
- Market research and feasibility studies
- Interpretive program design
- Indigenous partnership facilitation
- Visitor experience design and optimization
- Marketing strategy for responsible travel audiences
Astrophotography Expeditions
Specialized tours for astrophotography enthusiasts seeking to capture star trails, meteor showers, and the aurora under the vast northern skies.
Dark Sky Photography Adventures
The Northwest Territories offers some of North America's darkest skies, making it an astrophotographer's paradise. Our specialized astrophotography expeditions transport you to remote, light-pollution-free locations where the Milky Way stretches brilliantly overhead and meteors streak across pristine darkness.
Expert instruction covers advanced night sky photography techniques including:
- Optimal camera settings for astrophotography
- Star trail and time-lapse composition
- Deep sky object imaging
- Foreground integration techniques
- Image stacking and post-processing workflows
Tours are scheduled around astronomical events including meteor showers, planetary alignments, and new moon phases for optimal photographic conditions. We provide location scouting, weather monitoring, and gear recommendations to ensure successful imaging sessions.
Wellness Retreats in Arctic Solitude
Embrace holistic well-being with retreats that fuse mindfulness, yoga, Arctic spa treatments, and guided nature meditations in the serene wilderness of the North.
Mindful Wilderness Retreats
Disconnect from daily stresses and reconnect with yourself through guided mindfulness practices in pristine Arctic wilderness. Daily schedules include morning yoga sessions, forest bathing experiences, meditation circles, and reflective journaling time. The profound silence and natural beauty of the North create ideal conditions for mental clarity and inner peace.
Arctic Spa Experiences
Indulge in unique wellness treatments inspired by northern traditions, including outdoor hot tub soaks beneath the aurora, traditional sauna ceremonies, cold plunge experiences in pristine northern lakes, and massage therapies using local botanical oils. These treatments combine physical rejuvenation with spiritual renewal in spectacular natural settings.
Corporate Wellness Programs
Custom wellness retreats designed for corporate teams seeking to reduce burnout, improve workplace relationships, and enhance productivity through restorative experiences. Programs combine team-building activities with individual wellness practices, creating balanced experiences that benefit both personal well-being and organizational culture.
Accessibility-Focused Adventure Programs
Our accessible adventure offerings ensure travelers of all abilities can experience the wonder of the North through inclusive, adaptive wilderness experiences.
Inclusive Northern Adventures
Aurora Guide is committed to making the transformative power of northern wilderness accessible to everyone. Our adaptive programs feature specialized equipment, trained accessibility guides, and customized itineraries designed for travelers with mobility challenges, visual or hearing impairments, and other accessibility needs.
Accessibility features include:
- All-terrain wheelchairs for wilderness exploration
- Accessible viewing facilities for aurora and wildlife observation
- Audio description services for visually impaired guests
- ASL interpretation available upon request
- Tactile and sensory-focused nature experiences
- Customized pacing and rest accommodations
- Accessible lodge facilities and transportation
We work closely with each guest to understand specific needs and preferences, ensuring comfortable, meaningful wilderness experiences. Our guides receive specialized training in accessibility support and inclusive facilitation techniques.
Adventure should be barrier-free. Contact us to discuss how we can customize an inclusive northern experience tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
Testimonials, Awards & Certifications
Read inspiring testimonials from past guests and discover our commitment to excellence through industry certifications, sustainability awards, and community partnerships.
"Aurora Guide provided the most transformative travel experience of my life. The aurora borealis tours were spectacular, but what truly moved me was the Indigenous cultural immersion program. Learning from Elders and participating in traditional ceremonies gave me profound respect for northern heritage and wisdom."
"As a high school science teacher, I was amazed by the educational depth of our student expedition. The guides seamlessly integrated curriculum outcomes with hands-on experiences that brought ecology and astronomy to life. My students still talk about tracking caribou and photographing the northern lights months later!"
"The wilderness survival retreat exceeded all expectations. The instructors were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and safety-conscious. I learned practical bushcraft skills I'll use for the rest of my life, and the remote wilderness locations were absolutely pristine. Worth every penny!"
"Our wellness retreat with Aurora Guide was pure magic. The combination of yoga, meditation, and Arctic spa treatments in such a serene wilderness setting created the perfect environment for restoration. I left feeling completely renewed and connected to nature in ways I didn't think possible."
"As a wildlife photographer, I've been on expeditions worldwide, but Aurora Guide's expertise in Arctic wildlife photography was exceptional. They knew exactly where and when to find subjects, understood animal behavior intimately, and provided technical guidance that elevated my portfolio significantly."
"I was initially concerned about accessibility for my mobility challenges, but Aurora Guide went above and beyond to ensure I could fully participate in the aurora tours. The adaptive equipment was top-notch, guides were wonderfully supportive, and I experienced everything I'd dreamed of seeing in the North."
Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award
Northwest Territories Tourism, 2022
Certified Ecotourism Operator
Canadian Ecotourism Certification Program
Indigenous Partnership Recognition
Dene Nation Community Engagement Award, 2023
About Aurora Guide & Expert Team
Meet the passionate adventurers, educators, and Indigenous partners behind Aurora Guide. Our expertise, local roots, and stewardship ethic inform every journey we craft.
Founded in 2008 by a group of wilderness guides, educators, and conservation advocates, Aurora Guide was born from a simple belief: that transformative travel experiences can inspire environmental stewardship, cultural understanding, and personal growth while benefiting local communities.
Based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, we've spent over 15 years building relationships with Indigenous communities, studying northern ecosystems, and perfecting the art of experiential tourism. Every expedition we lead reflects our core values of authenticity, safety, sustainability, and respect for the land and cultures of the North.
Thomas Blackstone
With 25 years of northern guiding experience and deep relationships with Indigenous Elders, Thomas leads our cultural immersion and wilderness survival programs.
Dr. Jennifer Wu
A PhD astrophysicist turned professional photographer, Jennifer combines scientific expertise with artistic vision on our aurora and astrophotography expeditions.
Margaret Yellowknife
A respected Dene Elder and knowledge keeper, Margaret ensures cultural authenticity and appropriate protocols in all our Indigenous immersion programs.
Robert Chen
A certified teacher and outdoor educator, Robert designs curriculum-aligned educational excursions that inspire curiosity and environmental awareness in students.
Connect with Aurora Guide
Begin your journey or request a custom itinerary today. Contact our Yellowknife headquarters or book a consultation with our expedition planners.
Visit Our Yellowknife Office
Address:
Aurora Guide
879 Boreal Avenue, Suite 300
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2L6, Canada
Phone: (867) 766-4100
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM MST
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM MST
Sunday: Closed (Emergency contact available)
Ready to Experience the North?
Whether you're dreaming of witnessing the aurora borealis, immersing yourself in Indigenous culture, mastering wilderness survival skills, or designing a custom educational expedition, our team is ready to help you create an unforgettable northern adventure.
Call Us Today Email Our Team