Northern Lights tour Reykjavik: Small group, pro photos

Iceland Aurora tour with camera gear setup, hot chocolate, and cozy heated chairs

A small-group Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik led by a professional photographer, with pickup from select city locations and return transport included. The tour runs 4 to 6 hours into Iceland's dark wilderness, with warm winter jumpsuits, outdoor chairs, tripods, and unlimited professional photos of the Aurora Borealis. Groups stay under 18 guests. If the lights don't appear, you get unlimited re-runs at no extra cost until you see them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights tour and photo session

• Leave Reykjavik city lights
• Travel to dark Icelandic wilderness
• Set up camera equipment
• Photo session with guests
• Enjoy hot chocolate and snacks
• View Northern Lights

The experience

The tour leaves Reykjavik after dark and heads into the Icelandic wilderness, away from city light pollution. Your guide, a professional photographer, chooses the location each night based on weather, cloud cover and geomagnetic forecasts to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. The route passes some of Iceland's most striking natural landscapes, and your guide shares what you're looking at as you drive.

Once you reach the viewing spot, the guide sets up camera equipment and tripods for a photo session. You sit in comfortable outdoor chairs while hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps are laid out on a table nearby. The guide helps with your own camera settings if you want to shoot on your own device. All the professional photos from the night are yours to download in high resolution: no limit on how many you get.

The tour includes warm winter jumpsuits so you stay comfortable in the cold while you wait and watch. Pickup and drop-off happen from select Reykjavik locations. If the Aurora doesn't show up on the night you book, you get unlimited re-runs at no extra cost (subject to availability) until you see the lights. Children from age 5 are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What’s included

• Warm winter jumpsuits.
• pickup and drop-off from select Reykjavik locations.
• comfortable outdoor chairs.
• hot cocoa, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps.
• tripods.
• unlimited high-resolution professional photos.
• assistance with your own camera settings.
• WiFi on board.
• unlimited re-runs if the lights don't appear.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 20:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Ultimate Iceland & Aurora Experts

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want professional-quality Aurora photos without bringing your own camera gear or learning the settings. The guide handles the equipment and you get every shot in high resolution. The small group size (under 18 guests) and the heated outdoor chairs with food and drinks make the wait comfortable, and the 93% sighting rate with unlimited re-runs means you'll see the lights or get another chance for free.

Traveler reviews

4.58★★★★★★★★★★

323 verified traveler reviews

5 ★273

4 ★15

3 ★8

2 ★4

1 ★23

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What is the Northern Lights tour's success rate for actually seeing the Aurora?

The tour has a 93% sighting rate, and if the lights don't appear on your night, you get unlimited re-runs at no extra cost until you see them.

What do I need to wear on the Northern Lights tour?

Warm winter jumpsuits are provided and included, so you stay comfortable while sitting outside in the cold waiting for the Aurora.

How long does the Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik take?

The tour runs 4 to 6 hours, including the drive into the wilderness, the viewing time and the return to Reykjavik.

Are professional photos included in the Northern Lights tour?

Yes, your guide is a professional photographer who sets up camera equipment and tripods at the viewing spot, and you receive unlimited high-resolution photos from the night at no extra cost.

What food and drinks are included on the tour?

The tour includes hot cocoa, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps, served at a cozy table at the viewing location.