Tromsø: Northern Lights Small Group Chase & Photos with Pickup

Summary

Northern lights chase from tromsø in small group with photos and campfire

You’ll chase the Northern Lights from Tromsø with a small group and local guide who knows all the tricks for finding clear skies. Warm up by a crackling campfire with cookies and hot drinks while learning to photograph the aurora (gear provided). Expect laughter, shared stories, free pro photos, and moments when you’ll forget your camera entirely.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the pickup spot in Tromsø because I was fussing over which gloves to wear (too many choices, none actually warm enough). Our guide, Erik, just grinned and waved me over — he’d seen this before, I guess. The minibus was already humming with a mix of nervous chatter and that weird excitement you get when nobody knows if tonight’s the night for the Northern Lights. Erik checked his phone for weather updates every few minutes. “We might have to go further inland,” he said, which sounded like code for “longer drive but better odds.”

The drive out of Tromsø was quiet at first — snow muffling everything except the crunch of tires and someone unwrapping a cookie behind me (I could smell cinnamon). I tried to take pictures through the window but mostly got my own reflection. Erik handed out thermal suits halfway through; mine felt like wearing a padded hug. He told us about how sometimes they end up chasing clear skies all the way into Finland. Someone asked if we’d get hot chocolate soon — he promised it as soon as we set up camp.

When we finally stopped on some empty stretch near the fjords, it was darker than I expected — not scary dark, just… vast. We shuffled out, boots squeaking on packed snow. Erik started a little campfire (the wood crackled so sharply it made us all jump) and passed around mugs of something sweet and steaming. He showed us how to use the tripods for aurora photos; my hands shook so much from cold or nerves that my first shot was just blurry stars. But then someone shouted — not loud, more like an awed whisper — and there it was: green light slowly curling above us like smoke. I didn’t even bother with my camera for a minute. Just watched.

Li from Beijing tried to teach me how to say “aurora” in Mandarin by the firelight — I definitely butchered it but she laughed anyway. We traded stories about missed flights and favorite snacks until our faces hurt from smiling or maybe from the cold wind sneaking under our hats. On the way back to Tromsø everyone fell asleep except Erik, who kept glancing up at the sky as if hoping for one last show. I still think about that silence out there sometimes — how big everything felt under those lights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Lights chase from Tromsø

• Pick up at central Tromsø location
• Travel by comfortable Arctic minibus
• Drive to coastal islands or Finland
• Set up camp under suitable skies
• Observe and photograph Northern Lights

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this northern lights tour?

Pickup is included at Tromsø City Center; drop-off is at hotels or accommodations on Tromsø Island only.

What should I wear on a northern lights chase from Tromsø?

Wear warm layers; thermal suits are provided but bring your own boots (heated insoles available).

Are children allowed on this tour?

The minimum age is 8 years old and children must be over 120cm tall; families with young children should enquire before booking.

How far do you travel during the tour?

The route depends on weather; sometimes it's a short drive around Tromsø fjords or longer into Finland if needed.

Are professional photos included?

Yes, free professional photos in web resolution are included after your tour.

Is food provided during the northern lights chase?

You’ll get locally made expedition food plus cookies and hot beverages like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate by the campfire.

Can I use my mobile phone for aurora photography?

Tripods are provided but not suitable for mobile phones; instructions are given for cameras.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels as long as you can handle some time outdoors in cold conditions.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup in central Tromsø, drop-off at your hotel or accommodation on Tromsø Island, thermal Arctic suits to keep you warm outside, heated insoles for your boots if needed, locally made expedition food along with cookies and hot drinks around a real campfire, all guided by an experienced local who helps you photograph the aurora using supplied tripods (for cameras), plus free professional web-resolution photos after your tour.