Northern Lights Tour with Photos, Snacks, Warm Snowsuits, Chairs

The best aurora tours make waiting worthwhile. This Reykjavik outing combines a small group of up to 18 people with a guide-photographer, warm winter jumpsuits, outdoor chairs, hot cocoa, and Icelandic snacks. I especially like the careful use of cloud and geomagnetic forecasts, plus the included high-resolution photos. The main drawback is that poor weather can cause repeated cancellations, and equipment such as chairs or snowsuits may not always be available.

The tour begins around 8:00 p.m. and usually lasts four to six hours, though the actual time outside depends on the sky. Guide Heimir earns repeated praise for his patience, camera help, and willingness to wait past the planned return time when the aurora still has a chance to appear.

Key points to know before booking

• Heimir’s aurora expertise: He explains the science in plain language and helps you understand why the lights appear, fade, or move.
• A southern Iceland setting: The group leaves Reykjavik’s city glow and heads into darker countryside, with the exact stopping place chosen according to conditions.
• Photos included: A professional camera session gives you high-resolution images of yourself beneath the aurora, not just snapshots of the sky.
• Cold-weather comfort: Winter jumpsuits, chairs, hot drinks, snacks, and a warm vehicle make long waits easier.
• Flexible weather planning: The operator may change your date when another night offers a better chance, and a free re-run is offered after a non-sighting when availability allows.
• Small-group atmosphere: A maximum of 18 people makes personal camera assistance more realistic than on a large coach tour.

Leaving Reykjavik after dark

Northern Lights hunting is not a sightseeing trip with a guaranteed show. It is a night of reading forecasts, driving away from artificial light, and waiting for nature to cooperate. That uncertainty is part of the deal, so the quality of the guide matters almost as much as the aurora forecast.

This experience starts with pickup in Reykjavik at about 8:00 p.m. You may be collected directly from some hotels or from the cruise terminals. In parts of central Reykjavik, buses cannot stop outside every accommodation, so you may need to walk to a designated bus stop. If you stay outside the city, pickup is available from the BSÍ Bus Terminal.

The drive heads toward Iceland’s southern region, away from Reykjavik’s brighter streets. The exact destination is not fixed, and that is a good thing. Your guide checks cloud cover, weather, and geomagnetic activity before choosing where to stop. A clear forecast in one direction can be useless if low cloud covers the sky, so this mobile approach is more useful than driving to one fixed viewpoint and hoping for the best.

The scenery along the way may be impressive, but this tour is not built around a chain of formal sightseeing stops. The purpose is to reach dark, open country and give the sky the best possible chance to perform.

The southern region stop and the long wait

The main stop lasts about three hours, though the full outing can stretch from four to six hours once pickup, driving, and changing locations are included. You may arrive under a black sky filled with stars, see a pale arc begin to form, or wait while clouds slowly shift.

This is where the chairs and warm clothing matter. Sitting outside is much easier than standing in snow or frozen grass for hours, especially when the aurora is faint and you need patience. You can also return to the vehicle to warm up, then step outside again when the guide spots activity.

The provided winter jumpsuit is one of the most useful features in the package. Icelandic nights can be bitterly cold, and one person reported temperatures around minus 10 degrees Celsius at the viewing site. Still, a jumpsuit is not a substitute for proper layers. Wear warm clothes underneath, along with a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. One useful rule is simple: dress for waiting, not for the brief moment when the lights appear.

The snack table helps break up the silence. Hot cocoa, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate, and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps are included. The selection mixes familiar comfort food with Icelandic tastes, so the dried fish gives you a small local touch rather than another generic bus-tour snack.

The drinks and food do not make bad weather disappear, but they make the waiting feel more social and less like a cold technical exercise. You are also free to focus on the stars. On a clear night, the sky itself can be a fine show even before the aurora arrives.

Why Heimir makes the difference

The strongest part of this outing is the guide’s role. Heimir is repeatedly praised for explaining how aurora activity develops, why the group may need to wait, and how cloud and solar forecasts affect the plan. He does not simply point at the sky and announce that the lights are coming. He helps you understand what you are seeing.

That matters because the aurora may begin as a faint gray or green smear that cameras record more clearly than your eyes. It can strengthen, fade, shift position, and return later. Heimir’s explanations give the waiting a purpose, and his enthusiasm helps keep the mood positive during a slow night.

He also assists with your own camera settings. Northern Lights photography often requires a tripod, manual focus, a slow shutter speed, and settings that differ from ordinary night photography. The tour supplies tripods and WiFi on board, and the guide can help you work out the basics with your own camera.

Phone photography is also part of the experience. One report notes that iPhone stands were available, while another describes borrowing a tripod because bringing one from home was inconvenient. I would still bring your own equipment if you have room. The supplied gear is a welcome bonus, but you should not plan your entire photography setup around one operator vehicle carrying everything.

Professional photographs included in the price

The included photo session gives this tour a real advantage. The guide sets up professional camera equipment and takes pictures of each person or couple with the aurora behind them. You then receive unlimited high-resolution images from the outing.

This solves a common problem with aurora tours. You may see a beautiful display but end up with blurred people, a black sky, or a bright face hiding the lights. A guide who knows night photography can create a proper record of the moment.

The included photographs are also valuable for anyone who does not own a camera or does not want to spend the evening adjusting settings. Heimir is praised for taking repeated pictures while also helping people use their own devices. That combination lets you enjoy the sky instead of treating the entire night like a camera lesson.

Keep your expectations sensible. No photographer can place the aurora in the exact position you want, and the final image depends on the weather, activity, and location. The strongest photos come when the sky cooperates. Still, professional images add real value to a $212 tour, particularly for couples, families, and anyone marking a special trip.

What the $212 price includes

At $212 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. You are paying more than simple transport and a guide. The package includes selected Reykjavik pickup, a small group, winter jumpsuits, chairs, tripods, camera help, hot drinks, snacks, and high-resolution photographs.

I think the value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. If you already have warm clothing, a tripod, photography skills, and a rental car, a lower-cost outing might suit you. If you want someone else to choose the viewing site, help with your camera, keep you warm, and photograph you under the aurora, the higher price is easier to justify.

The free re-run policy adds further value, although it depends on availability and your remaining time in Iceland. A non-sighting does not always mean the tour was poorly run. Clouds, wind, and aurora activity can change quickly. The operator promises another attempt after a non-sighting, but you need enough nights left in your schedule to use it.

Book this early in your stay if seeing the lights is a major goal. A tour can be canceled for poor conditions, and several cancellations in one week are possible. Starting early gives you more room to move the booking or try again.

The important weaknesses: cancellations and equipment

The weather policy is sensible, but it can create practical problems. The tour may be canceled when clouds or other conditions make viewing unlikely. You can then choose a different date or receive a full refund, but a replacement date is not useful if you fly home soon.

Communication is another point to watch. Some bookings have been moved when the operator saw a better forecast for the previous or following night. That flexibility is helpful, but reports also describe late cancellations, limited updates, and difficulty knowing if the next night’s departure was confirmed.

The company is described as operating with one vehicle, which creates a clear risk. A mechanical problem can cancel a rescheduled outing without another vehicle available. If you have only one free night, this is worth considering before paying the premium price.

There is also a mismatch in equipment expectations. The advertised package includes warm jumpsuits and chairs, yet one person reported receiving only hot drinks and photos. That may have been an unusual departure from the normal setup, but I would confirm the current equipment directly before booking, especially if you are visiting in December or January.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This tour suits you if the Northern Lights are near the top of your Iceland wish list and you want more than a bus ride into the countryside. It is especially useful for:

• Couples who want professional photos together
• Families who need chairs, snacks, and warm clothing
• Beginners who want help with camera settings
• People without a rental car
• Anyone who values a small group over a large coach
• Visitors with several nights in Reykjavik who can accept a changed date

It may not suit you if you need a fixed return time, dislike waiting outside at night, or have no flexibility after a cancellation. It is also less appealing if your main goal is daytime scenery, since the southern region is used primarily as a dark viewing area rather than a full sightseeing circuit.

Most people can participate, and the tour is conducted in English. The small group limit of 18 is helpful, but it does not mean a private tour. You will still share the vehicle, viewing area, and photo time with other people.

How to plan your night

Keep the evening before and after this outing fairly open. The expected duration is four to six hours, and a strong display may appear late. One group waited until after midnight before the aurora became clear, so do not schedule an early morning activity immediately afterward if you know you will be tired.

Bring your phone, camera, spare batteries if you have them, and a tripod if photography matters to you. Cold drains batteries quickly. Use the supplied jumpsuit, but add several warm layers rather than relying on it alone.

Pay attention to pickup instructions. If you stay in restricted central Reykjavik, find your assigned bus stop before departure night. If you are coming from outside the city, plan for the BSÍ Bus Terminal rather than assuming hotel pickup.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 313 reviews, with especially strong praise for the guide’s patience, photos, explanations, and effort to find better conditions. There are also a few serious complaints about cancellation handling and missing chairs or jumpsuits, so I would confirm the pickup point, equipment, and re-run terms before you go.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a guided aurora hunt with proper photographs, warm clothing, a place to sit, and a guide who treats the science as part of the experience. Heimir’s personal effort is the feature praised most often, and his willingness to adjust dates or wait longer can make a big difference on a marginal night.

I would skip it if you have only one night in Iceland and cannot tolerate the risk of cancellation, or if you mainly want the lowest possible price. For the best chance of using the re-run option, book near the start of your Reykjavik stay, confirm the equipment in advance, and dress as if you will be outside for hours.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to six hours. The main southern-region stop is listed as about three hours, with the remaining time used for pickup, driving, and possible changes of location.

What time does the tour begin?

Pickup begins around 8:00 p.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available from selected locations in Reykjavik, including some hotels and the Reykjavik cruise ship terminals. Central Reykjavik has restricted bus access, so some accommodations require a short walk to a designated bus stop. People staying outside Reykjavik can use pickup from BSÍ Bus Terminal.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm winter jumpsuits are included in the advertised package. Since one account reported that a jumpsuit was not provided, confirm current availability before departure and bring warm layers, gloves, hats, and suitable footwear.

Are photographs included?

Yes. The tour includes unlimited high-resolution photographs taken during the outing. The guide also helps with your own camera settings and provides tripods.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

A free re-run is offered after a non-sighting, depending on availability. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.