Reykjavik Northern Lights Tour: Private Photo Chase
Watch the Northern Lights swirl overhead, wrapped in fleece with hot chocolate in hand
A private Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik that pairs aurora hunting with professional photography: your guide drives to a dark-sky location away from city light, watches for the Aurora Borealis, and photographs you and the lights if conditions permit. You spend four hours traveling to the viewing spot and waiting under the sky with hot chocolate and homemade Icelandic pastries, wrapped in fleece blankets.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Northern Lights tour and photography
- Travel to secluded viewing spot
- Listen to driver-guide insights
- Watch and photograph Northern Lights
- Enjoy hot chocolate and pastries
What’s included
- Private transportation from your Reykjavik hotel.
- a professional photographer guide.
- high-resolution photos of you and the Northern Lights if they appear.
- Icelandic homemade hot chocolate and pastries.
- fleece blankets.
- WiFi on board during the drive.
Times
- Every day 20:30
Before you book
Operated by Unreal Iceland
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
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The experience
The tour starts with a drive out of Reykjavik to a secluded location chosen for darker skies, away from the city's light pollution. Your driver-guide shares insights about Iceland and the aurora during the journey. Once you arrive at the spot, the real waiting begins: you settle in with blankets, hot chocolate and pastries while scanning the sky for the green curtains of the Aurora Borealis. The guide is a trained photographer, so if the lights appear and conditions cooperate, they'll shoot high-resolution images of both the aurora and you against it: photos you'll receive after the tour.
The four-hour duration includes all the transit time to and from the viewing location, which means most of your evening is spent in the field rather than driving. You can choose between a small group of up to seven passengers or a larger group of eight to fifteen, depending on how intimate you want the experience. Either way, the tour is private to your group, not mixed with strangers. The guide speaks English, Spanish, German or Czech, so language isn't a barrier.
Northern Lights visibility depends entirely on solar activity and cloud cover: no operator can guarantee them. What this tour guarantees is the drive to a dark location, the wait under open sky, the photographer's attention if the lights appear, and the warmth of hot chocolate and pastries while you're out there. If the aurora doesn't show, you've still spent the night away from city lights in an Icelandic winter landscape with someone who knows where to look.
Is this one for you?Pick the smaller group if the photographer's undivided attention matters to you. Choose the larger group to split costs with your travel companions.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Czech.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Can I bring my own camera to photograph the Northern Lights?
Yes. The guide is a professional photographer who will shoot images for you if conditions allow, but you're welcome to bring your own camera and photograph the sky as well. The guide can offer tips on settings if the aurora appears.
What if the Northern Lights don't show up during the tour?
The Northern Lights depend on solar activity and clear skies, so visibility is never guaranteed. The tour still includes the drive to a dark-sky location, the four hours of waiting and watching, the hot chocolate and pastries, and the guide's expertise, but you won't receive the high-resolution photos if the aurora doesn't appear.
How cold will it be, and what should I wear?
Icelandic winter nights are cold, typically well below freezing. Wear thermal layers, a heavy winter coat, insulated gloves, a warm hat and thick socks. The tour provides fleece blankets to wrap up in while you wait, but dressing warmly underneath is essential for comfort during the four hours outside.
Does the tour pick me up from my hotel in Reykjavik?
Pickup is included, so the driver will collect you from your Reykjavik accommodation and return you there after the tour. Confirm your hotel address and pickup time when you book.
Can I take the tour if I'm traveling with young children?
Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with very young children. Keep in mind that the tour involves four hours outside in Arctic winter conditions, so children need to be dressed warmly and comfortable spending extended time in the cold.
Reykjavik Northern Lights Tour: Private Photo Chase
4h · EN · ES · DE +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 1,780 per group
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.