Reykjavik: Northern Lights Hunt & Stargazing Small Group Tour

Summary

Chasing auroras from Reykjavik with real sky lovers and warm treats

You’ll join local guides chasing Northern Lights outside Reykjavik, sip homemade hot chocolate under Iceland’s chilly sky, and stargaze through a real telescope while waiting for those wild green ribbons to appear. With free photos and pickup included, you’ll feel part of an Icelandic adventure—and maybe find yourself grinning at strangers in the dark.

What’s the experience like?

When Jón showed up at our guesthouse in Reykjavik, he greeted us like we were old friends—big wool hat, wind-chapped cheeks, eyes scanning the sky. He asked if we’d checked the cloud radar yet (we hadn’t), then handed out thick blankets for the ride. There was this odd excitement in the van; everyone whispered at first, maybe to not jinx it. I could smell someone’s cinnamon pastry mixing with cold air every time the door opened. The city lights faded fast behind us.

We stopped at Perlan just long enough for Jón to squint at the horizon and mutter something about “maybe luck tonight.” Then off again—bouncing along some road I couldn’t pronounce, headlights catching frost on black lava fields. The main keyword here is Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik, but honestly, nobody cared about keywords when Jón started pointing out constellations through his battered telescope. I tried to focus on Saturn’s rings but my toes were starting to go numb. Someone laughed when I fumbled my mittens onto the lens.

The cold really did bite—like everyone warned—but then Jón passed around mugs of hot chocolate so thick it almost felt like pudding. He pulled out these Icelandic pastries (kleina? I still can’t say it right), and Li laughed when I tried to say it in Icelandic—probably butchered it. We waited in this weird silence; even the wind seemed to hush for a bit. Then suddenly someone gasped and there they were: green ribbons twisting over us, brighter than any photo ever shows. Jón took photos of us under the lights—no charge or anything—and for a second nobody said a word. It’s strange how quiet you get when something feels big like that.

I keep thinking about that night—the taste of chocolate, how everyone’s faces glowed green for a minute, how Jón grinned like he was seeing it for the first time too. If you’re looking for a day trip Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik with actual locals who live for this stuff…well, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Lights and Stargazing Tour

• Pick up from city
• Pass Northern Lights exhibition center
• Drive to best Northern Lights spot
• Use telescope for stargazing
• Take photos under Northern Lights

Top questions

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The tour lasts between 3 to 5 hours depending on search conditions.

Is hotel pickup included in Reykjavik?

Yes, door-to-door pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in central Reykjavik is included.

What happens if we don’t see the Northern Lights?

If you don’t see the lights, you can re-book free of charge within two years (subject to availability).

Are food or drinks provided during the tour?

You’ll get homemade hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries during the night.

How many people are on each tour?

The small-group tour has a maximum of 14 guests per super jeep.

What should I wear on this Northern Lights hunt?

You should wear thick, warm, and windproof layers since you’ll spend time outside in cold weather.

Is stargazing included while waiting for the lights?

Yes, there’s a powerful telescope provided with guidance from your local guide.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Reykjavik with hotel pickup included.

What’s included

Your night includes door-to-door pickup and drop-off from central Reykjavik hotels, guidance from friendly local experts who know their weather forecasts by heart, use of a stargazing telescope while waiting beneath Iceland’s sky, homemade hot chocolate and traditional pastries passed around to keep your hands warm (and sticky), plus free photos taken under the auroras before heading back into town whenever everyone’s had their fill—or their toes can’t take any more cold.