Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour w/Pro Photos – Small Group

The best part of this four-hour outing is that the Northern Lights hunt is only half the evening. While guides such as Emil, Tomas, Kobe, and BG search for clear skies, you can pose with Viking clothing and replica weapons, warm up with hot chocolate, and enjoy gingerbread or cookies. That makes a long wait feel like part of the fun, not dead time in a cold car park.

I like the small minibus, which holds no more than 18 people, and the effort put into professional photographs. I also like the free repeat-trip policy if the Aurora stays hidden. The catch is simple: no company can promise the lights, and the minibus can feel tight when everyone brings bulky winter layers.

Key points at a glance

• Free repeat trips if the Aurora fails to appear: You can join again at no extra charge, although there is no refund for a missed sighting.
• A maximum of 18 people: The minibus can reach places that large coaches may not, with more time for individual photos.
• Professional night photography: High-spec cameras are used for portraits with the Northern Lights, and guides work to give everyone a turn.
• Viking costumes and replica weapons: Museum-sourced outfits create a playful photo session while you wait for the sky to change.
• Hot chocolate and gingerbread: Warm drinks, cookies, and sometimes blankets or a heated minibus help during cold waits.
• A serious Aurora chase: Guides watch weather and cloud conditions and may drive well beyond Reykjavik to find a clearer view.

Why this Reykjavik Aurora tour feels different

Northern Lights tours often involve sitting in a bus, staring at a dark sky, and hoping for a break in the clouds. That can be worthwhile when the Aurora appears, but it can also make a slow evening feel very long.

Aurora Viking builds more into the waiting time. You get a local guide and photographer, a smaller vehicle, Viking outfits, replica weapons, hot chocolate, and cookies. The result is part Aurora hunt, part nighttime photo session, and part lighthearted Icelandic storytelling.

The company’s owners, Kolbeinn and Emil, lead the operation and have decades of experience looking for the lights. Other guides named in the tour experience include Tomas, Kobe, BG, Johan, Felix, Jonas, and Trond. The guide you meet depends on the evening, but the pattern is clear: the driver is expected to watch conditions, explain the decisions, and keep looking rather than simply stop at the first dark field.

That effort matters because the Aurora is not a scheduled show. Clouds can cover it. Solar activity can fade. A clear forecast does not guarantee a display, and a poor forecast does not always mean the sky will stay empty. The guides can improve your odds, but they cannot control the sky.

Pickup around Reykjavik and the 18-seat minibus

Pickup is available from a long list of Reykjavik hotels, bus stops, and central locations. You may be collected at places such as Hallgrimskirkja, the Reykjavik Bus Terminal, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Hotel Klettur, or several downtown bus stops.

The driver calls your name at the pickup point, so pay attention rather than assuming a large coach will arrive with a big sign. The same range of locations is used for the return journey. If your hotel is not directly on the route, check the assigned stop carefully before you leave.

The minibus is one of the tour’s main advantages. With a maximum of 18 people, it is far less cumbersome than a full-size coach. The guide can make decisions more quickly, and a smaller vehicle has a better chance of reaching quiet viewing spots.

There is a trade-off. One person specifically found the bus cramped, especially after putting on several warm layers. Storage space is not generous, so wear practical clothing rather than bringing a large bag. The vehicle is heated, and some outings have included blankets, but you should still dress for time outdoors.

The secret stop and the real Aurora hunt

The formal itinerary lists a secret stop for sightseeing and photography, but the exact place is not fixed. That is sensible. The guide needs freedom to follow cloud breaks, darkness, and the night’s Aurora forecast rather than take you to one predetermined viewpoint.

Some outings have found the lights soon after leaving Reykjavik. On others, the group has driven for hours toward clearer skies. Guides have taken groups more than two hours from the capital, including toward the Seljalandsfoss area, when that offered a better chance.

This is not a scenic sightseeing circuit with several named attractions. It is a search. You may stop in an open field, near mountains, beside a lake, or at another dark location selected for sky conditions. The exact view depends on the night.

That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is worth understanding before you book. If you need a fixed schedule and a guaranteed landmark, this will feel loose. If your main goal is to see the Aurora and you accept changing plans, the flexible route is useful.

The strongest guides explain why they are moving or waiting. Tomas has been praised for choosing a place that looked unpromising at first, then producing a long display. Emil has continued searching after a brief appearance rather than ending the outing as soon as a faint glow showed. Kobe has been credited with finding darker places away from other tour vehicles.

Viking clothing, museum replicas, and a bit of silliness

While the sky is being watched, the guide can bring out Viking outfits and replica weapons sourced from a local museum. You can pose in the clothing and use the props for nighttime portraits.

This is not a formal museum visit, and it is not meant to be a serious reenactment. It is a playful extra that gives you something to do while waiting. Some photos look dramatic. Others turn out amusingly odd, which is part of the appeal.

The Viking theme also gives the guide a way to talk about old beliefs and the connection Vikings had with the Northern Lights. The tour supplies an entertaining cultural angle without pretending that the Aurora is predictable or that every story is scientific fact.

I would especially value this feature if you are traveling with children old enough to enjoy dressing up, though the tour does not accept children under seven. Couples and friends also get a chance to take distinctive photos instead of the usual dark-sky snapshot.

Do not expect everyone to be dressed at once for a polished group portrait. Time is shared among the group, and the guide must balance costume photos with Aurora photography. The smaller group helps, but you may still need patience while other people take their turn.

Professional photos with the Northern Lights

Night photography is harder than it looks. The sky may be dark, the lights may move quickly, and a phone often records only a weak green smear. The tour uses high-spec cameras and a guide who handles the technical work.

You pose where the guide directs you, and the camera is set up to capture both you and the sky. Guides have worked to photograph each person in the group, rather than allowing a few people to take all the available time. That matters on a small-group outing where everyone has paid for the same experience.

The results can be valuable because they show the Aurora behind you, not just a blurry patch in the distance. Some guides have also taken several versions, adjusted the camera position, and helped people try the Viking costumes.

The quality still depends on nature. Thin Aurora activity, cloud, wind, darkness, and the length of time you can hold still all affect the result. Professional equipment improves the odds, but it does not turn a weak display into a spectacular one.

The photographs are supplied after the outing. Keep in mind that the material provided describes high-quality photos and, in some cases, emailed images, but it does not give a fixed delivery time or a precise number of pictures. Ask the guide if that detail matters to you.

Hot chocolate, gingerbread, and waiting outside

I like the practical refreshments. Hot chocolate and gingerbread or cookies may sound minor, but they become important when you have stood outside watching a cloud bank for half an hour.

The hot chocolate has been prepared by the guide’s family on some outings, adding a personal touch. The heated minibus also provides a place to warm up between checks of the sky. A few outings have included blankets as well.

Still, bring proper clothing. The instructions specifically call for warm layers, and you should expect to step outside repeatedly. Wear gloves, a hat, and shoes suited to cold ground. The tour is four hours, but the evening may feel longer if the group waits for a late display or drives a long distance.

The snacks are included in the $148 price, along with the guide, photographer, transport, Viking clothing, and replica weapons. They are not the reason to book the tour, but they make the waiting period more comfortable.

What the $148 price buys you

At $148 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Aurora around Reykjavik. The value depends on what you want from the evening.

A basic large-coach tour may be enough if you mainly want transport out of the city and are comfortable taking your own photos. Aurora Viking makes a stronger case for the higher price if you care about a smaller group, personal help with photography, Viking portraits, and the chance to retry without paying again.

The free retry policy is particularly useful. If weather ruins the first attempt, you can reschedule and join again at no extra charge until you see the lights. This does not mean you are guaranteed a display during your Iceland visit. It means the company gives you another opportunity.

There is no refund if the Aurora does not appear, and once you join the tour there is no refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, so keep that cutoff in mind. The retry policy is the important safety net, not a cash refund.

The price also reflects the photographer’s time. If you were planning to hire a photographer separately or buy a similar photo session, the package may make sense. If you do not care about portraits, the extra cost may be harder to justify.

How the guides handle bad forecasts

The most encouraging part of this tour is the willingness to make a real attempt when conditions are poor. Several outings have gone ahead when other operators canceled, and the guides have sometimes found a narrow clear patch that produced a show.

That does not mean you should ignore a cancellation notice. Weather and road conditions can make travel unpleasant or unsafe. It does mean the company appears willing to assess the actual sky rather than rely only on a broad forecast.

Communication is another practical strength. When weather forced a cancellation or a change of date, rescheduling was handled by phone or message. Some people changed dates more than once without a fee.

On the road, safety still comes first. One outing involved icy roads and fog, but the driver was described as careful and experienced. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly, so the final route and timing may not match the original plan.

A guide called Trond took a more hopeful approach on a night when forecasts suggested almost no chance. After explaining that science cannot predict every detail, he continued the search and found the lights. That is a good example of the right attitude: realistic about uncertainty, but willing to look.

Who should book this tour

This outing suits you if the Aurora is a major reason for your Iceland trip and you want help getting a memorable photograph. It also works well for couples, families with children aged seven and over, and small groups who prefer a more personal evening.

You will probably enjoy it if you like a little humor and do not mind dressing in Viking clothing. The costume session gives the night a social feel, even when the sky is quiet.

It is less suitable if you dislike cold outdoor waits, cramped vehicles, or plans that change according to the weather. It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed attraction, exact return time, or a refund when nature does not cooperate.

Book early enough in your stay to leave room for a retry. That simple planning choice gives the free repeat policy real value. If you reserve it for your final night, a canceled or unsuccessful outing may leave no time to try again.

Final verdict: a strong choice for Aurora photos

I would choose Aurora Viking if I wanted more than a bus ride into the darkness. The small group, persistent guides, professional photos, Viking props, hot chocolate, and free repeat trips create a well-rounded evening.

The key limitation remains the Aurora itself. You may see a faint glow, a short burst, or nothing at all on the first attempt. The $148 price is fair for the added photography and personal attention, but less compelling if you only want the lowest-cost way out of Reykjavik.

Book it if you value the photo package and want a company willing to keep searching. Dress warmly, keep your schedule flexible, and try to reserve it early enough to use the retry policy if the Icelandic sky says no.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $148 per person.

How many people can join the minibus?

The small group has a maximum of 18 people.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from 16 listed Reykjavik hotels, bus stops, and central locations, including Hallgrimskirkja, the Reykjavik Bus Terminal, Reykjavik Natura, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, and several downtown stops.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included at the listed hotels and bus stops used for the return journey.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You can join the tour again free of charge until you see the lights. There is no refund when the Aurora is not visible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Once you join the tour, there is no refund.

Are professional photographs included?

A guide and photographer are included, along with high-spec cameras for Northern Lights and Viking portraits.

Are Viking costumes and weapons included?

Yes. You can use Viking costumes and replica weapons during the photography session.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. The tour involves waiting outdoors in cold conditions, even though the minibus is heated and hot chocolate and cookies are provided.

Are young children allowed?

Children under seven are not permitted on the tour.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English.