What to Pack for a Northern Lights Trip

A Northern Lights trip needs more than a camera and warm clothes. Plan food and hot drinks for the full group, plus lighting, charging, first-aid supplies, and somewhere to sit while you wait for the sky to clear. Pack shared equipment in labeled boxes so it can be loaded quickly at the departure point. Check dietary requirements before buying catering, and charge phones, cameras, headlamps, and power banks the day before travel.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Equipment

Mobile phonesqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Charging cablesqty 8
Binocularsqty 6
Tripodqty 3
Cameraqty 2

Lighting

Headlampsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Safety

First aid kitqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 6
Whistlesqty 6
Thermal blanketsqty 6

Catering

Thermos bottlesqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Hot holding containersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving tongsqty 4
Food containersqty 8
Rolls of labelsqty 2
Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 30 pieces
- Back ham - 2,5 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2,5 kilogram
- Plain hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Tomato soup - 4 liters
- Gluten-free rolls - 6 pieces
- Gluten-free wraps - 6 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Mandarins - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Cocoa powder - 2 cans
- Hot chocolate - 6 liters
- Still mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles
- Wet wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Soup bowlsqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 4

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 8
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Warm blanketsqty 35

Organization

Name stickersqty 40
Badge holdersqty 40
Pensqty 12
Printer paperqty 100
Clipboardsqty 4
Route mapsqty 40
Participant foldersqty 40

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2
Hand sanitizer holdersqty 4

Tips

Plan two hot drinks per person for the first few hours, then add extra servings for delays. Thermos bottles, a coffee maker, kettles, and reusable cups make serving easier away from home.
Pack one headlamp or flashlight per two people, plus spare batteries. Keep the lights accessible during loading and arrival instead of burying them in the luggage.
Allow one warm blanket per participant who may be waiting outdoors, and bring picnic blankets or folding chairs for the observation site. Cold ground and long waiting periods are easy to underestimate.
Charge every phone, camera, and power bank the day before departure, and pack the correct charging cables together. A tripod and binoculars should go in protective bags so they can be reached without unpacking everything.
Prepare a separate safety and registration bag with the first aid kit, reflective vests, whistles, name stickers, badge holders, pens, and printed documents. Keep it with the organizer rather than in the catering load.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drink do I need for a Northern Lights trip?: Plan at least two hot drinks per person for the first few hours, plus enough catering for the entire booked group. Check dietary requirements before ordering and keep hot drinks in thermos bottles until serving.
How many blankets should I bring for a Northern Lights trip?: Bring one warm blanket per person expected to wait outdoors. Add picnic blankets for the ground and use folding chairs where the observation site allows them.
What lighting should I pack for a Northern Lights trip?: Pack one headlamp or flashlight for every two participants, with spare batteries for each type. Keep at least one light with the organizer for check-in, loading, and emergencies.
When should I charge equipment for a Northern Lights trip?: Charge phones, cameras, power banks, and other electronic equipment the day before departure. Pack charging cables with the equipment and check battery levels again before loading.

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