Tromso Northern Lights Minivan Tour with Camera Tips

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration6h

GroupUp to 32

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Northern Lights chase by minivan with photography setup and warm gear

You’ll join a small group in Tromso for a northern lights chase by minivan, guided by a local who knows where to find clear skies — even if it means crossing into Finland. You’ll get help with your camera settings, bundle up in warm gear, sip hot drinks while you wait, and maybe catch yourself holding your breath when those first green lights appear overhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights chase from Tromso

Meet at Radisson Blu Hotel at 7 pm
Walk to office for photography tips
Receive warm overalls and boots
Drive to best clear sky area
Wait with coffee and muffins if needed
Enjoy Northern Lights viewing
Drive back after 6 hours

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the sound — boots crunching on icy gravel outside the Radisson Blu in Tromso, and then this nervous little laugh from someone else in our group as we shuffled into the office for our minivan northern lights excursion. Our guide, Erik, was already waiting inside, fiddling with a tripod. He showed us how to set up our cameras for aurora shots (I nearly gave up after three buttons), but he was patient. The smell of coffee was stronger than I expected — maybe nerves made it sharper.

We bundled into thick overalls and boots (honestly, I looked ridiculous but everyone did) and piled into the minivan — just eight of us. Erik checked his phone for weather updates again before driving out of Tromso. He said sometimes they even go as far as Finland if the sky’s clearer there, which sounded wild but also reassuring. The drive itself was quiet except for occasional bursts of chatter; someone tried to guess what color the lights would be tonight. We stopped once so Erik could check the sky — nothing yet, just cold air and that clean snow smell.

When we finally parked near Sommaroy, it was dark enough that my breath felt louder than usual. We waited with mugs of hot tea and muffins (blueberry? I think so). Then suddenly Erik pointed up — there she was: green ribbons starting to swirl above us. It wasn’t dramatic at first; more like something waking up slowly. My hands shook trying to get a photo but Erik helped steady my camera. I still think about that moment when everything went quiet except for a few gasps from our group — nobody cared about perfect pictures anymore.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup at Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromso, guidance on night photography settings (even if you don’t have your own camera), warm overalls and boots to borrow, a small-group ride by minivan chasing clear skies (sometimes as far as Finland), plus coffee, tea, muffins while you wait under the stars — and photos sent straight to your email after.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Green Gold of Norway AS

Is this one for you?Your guide sets up your camera for Aurora photography at our office, outfits you in warm gear, then drives you to tonight's best-forecast viewing spot—no equipment to figure out, no cold to manage.