Man Drives 5,600 Miles Across 19 Countries for Northern Lights

Sometimes the journey really is as important as the destination, and Malik Al-Sultan just proved it in the most spectacular way possible.

The 28-year-old freelance digital creator from Al-Aflaj, Saudi Arabia, spent over a year planning an extraordinary road trip to see the northern lights. But instead of taking a quick flight to Norway, he chose to drive 5,600 miles across 19 countries to make the experience unforgettable.

On December 20, 2025, Al-Sultan climbed into his Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck and began the adventure of a lifetime. Over three weeks, he crossed through Kuwait, Turkey, Serbia, Italy, Germany, and Sweden, spending nights in hotels along the way and soaking in the diverse cultures of each country.

The preparation alone was intense. In the five weeks before departure, Al-Sultan worked tirelessly to make his truck road-ready and secure all necessary travel documents, including a Schengen visa required for Saudi citizens traveling through Europe.

The trip wasn't cheap. Between fuel, food, and accommodations in every city where he stopped, Al-Sultan invested about $12,300 in his dream.

Along the way, he made an unplanned detour that added even more magic to his journey. Al-Sultan decided to visit London for the first time, and the city captivated him so much that he stayed for a few extra days just to enjoy the atmosphere.

After logging thousands of miles through countless landscapes and cultures, Al-Sultan finally arrived in Bodø, Norway. There, under the Arctic sky, he witnessed the aurora borealis dancing overhead in brilliant waves of color.

"It made the whole journey worth the trouble," Al-Sultan said. "I was so amazed watching the lights."

Why This Inspires

Al-Sultan's adventure reminds us that the path to our dreams can be just as rewarding as reaching them. By choosing the long route instead of the easy one, he created memories across two continents and experienced cultures most people only read about.

His story resonates because it shows what's possible when we commit fully to something that matters to us. Al-Sultan didn't just want to see the northern lights; he wanted to earn the experience through effort, preparation, and genuine curiosity about the world.

"I will always remember both together, because one could not exist without the other for me," he said about the journey and destination.

Now Al-Sultan plans to drive back home to Saudi Arabia, possibly taking a different route to discover even more of the world along the way.