Tromsø: Aurora Hunt Eco Tour with Campfire & Photos

Summary

Chase the aurora from Tromsø’s wild edge with campfire warmth

You’ll leave Tromsø behind for an Arctic night chasing the Northern Lights with a local guide, warming up by a campfire with homemade soup and hot chocolate. Learn to photograph the aurora (with help!), get free souvenir photos, and join a small citizen science project before heading back to your hotel — probably still grinning.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it got once we left Tromsø — just the crunch of snow under our boots and that weirdly satisfying squeak it makes when it’s really cold. Our guide, Marta, kept checking her phone for aurora forecasts while telling us stories about growing up in northern Norway. She said you can smell the sea even out here if the wind shifts right. I tried to catch it but mostly just got a nose full of cold air and woodsmoke from the van heater.

We drove for what felt like ages, headlights bouncing off endless white. At some point Marta pulled over and said this was “the spot tonight.” Everyone shuffled into thermal suits (mine was slightly too big but honestly, I didn’t care — warmth wins). While she built a small fire, someone else passed around mugs of hot chocolate. I swear it tasted better out there than any café in town. The soup was vegan and gluten free — not my usual thing but after standing in minus who-knows-what, I would’ve eaten anything warm. There was this moment when everyone went quiet at once because green light started sliding across the sky — not dramatic at first, just a shimmer. I almost missed it because I was fiddling with my camera settings (which Marta patiently explained again... sorry).

She took photos of us with the aurora in the background — my face looks both frozen and sort of giddy in those shots. We helped collect some data for their citizen science project too, which made me feel like maybe we weren’t just tourists stomping around but actually part of something bigger. The only bathroom was basically “pick a tree,” which led to some nervous laughter in the group (and one heroic sprint by Tom from Manchester). On the way back to Tromsø, everyone got quiet again — tired or maybe just letting it all sink in. Sometimes I still think about that silent stretch of road and wonder if the lights were real or if we dreamed them up together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aurora hunt and wilderness experience

• Leave Tromsø for Aurora hunt
• Travel to best Northern Lights spot
• Dress in warm thermal suits
• Make cosy campfire and enjoy meal
• Learn Aurora photography tips
• Take photos with guides' help
• Collect data for citizen science
• Drink hot chocolate
• Return to Tromsø hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Tromsø aurora hunt?

Pickup is at Scandic Ishavhotel; drop-off is available at several locations around Tromsø.

What kind of food is served on this Northern Lights tour?

You’ll get homemade vegan and gluten free soup plus hot chocolate by the campfire.

Are thermal suits and boots provided?

Yes, thermal suits and boots are included; you’ll need to provide your clothing and shoe sizes when booking.

Will I get photos from the tour?

Guides take souvenir photos of you with the aurora; web-sized versions are sent by email after the tour.

How far do we travel outside Tromsø on this tour?

The guides choose locations each night based on forecasts; sometimes you may cross into Finland depending on conditions.

Are there toilets during the tour?

A gas station stop is planned during driving; otherwise toilet options are limited to nature at camp.

What language is spoken during this activity?

The tour is conducted in English.

Is this eco-friendly or responsible tourism?

The tour includes collecting data for an Arctic citizen science project as part of responsible tourism efforts.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup from central Tromsø, all taxes and fees covered, warm thermal suits and boots (just give your sizes ahead), homemade vegan/gluten free soup plus hot chocolate by a campfire, help learning how to photograph the Northern Lights (and free web-size souvenir photos emailed after), participation in a citizen science project, and drop-off at several convenient city locations before midnight rolls around again.