Tromsø: Northern Lights Small Group Tour & Campfire Photos

Chase the aurora in Tromsø with firelight, laughter, and raw sky

You’ll join a tiny group in Tromsø for an Arctic night chasing the Northern Lights with a local guide who knows every trick for finding clear skies. Warm up by a real campfire with grilled corn and marshmallows (vegetarian-friendly), sip hot drinks, and get professional aurora photos sent to you after. It’s quiet, personal, sometimes funny. You’ll feel it long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights tour and photography

• Pickup from hotel in Tromsø
• Travel to light-pollution-free locations
• Chase and photograph Northern Lights
• Enjoy cozy campfire with snacks and drinks
• Grill corn and marshmallows at campfire
• Receive professional photos in RAW format
• Return to hotel for drop-off

The Experience

“If you see green, don’t blink. It might dance,” our guide Khaled said as we stepped out into the snow somewhere outside Tromsø. I remember the way his breath curled in the cold, and how he grinned at my clumsy attempt to zip up the thermal suit (they have all sizes, but I still managed to get stuck). We were just eight people, so it felt less like a tour and more like a weird little midnight club. The van was warm and smelled faintly of coffee: Khaled kept pouring us tea and hot chocolate from this battered old thermos that looked like it had seen a lot of winters.

I’d never seen sky that black before. No city lights, just this huge silence broken by someone’s laugh or the crunch of boots on ice. At one point we crossed into Finland without even noticing: “passport check?” someone joked, waving their marshmallow stick. The campfire was real (not some fake tourist thing), and there was grilled corn and marshmallows for everyone, even if you’re vegetarian. The taste of smoky corn with freezing fingers is something I still think about. Khaled set up his camera for aurora photos. He showed us how to stand still (“don’t breathe too much!”) while he worked his magic. He promised we’d get all the RAW files later, no watermark or fuss.

The Northern Lights didn’t show up right away. There was this long stretch where we just waited, staring at the horizon, not sure if anything would happen. Honestly? That part surprised me: how peaceful it felt just standing there together under all those stars. When the aurora finally came (soft at first, then wild streaks of green), nobody spoke for a minute. I tried to take my own photos but gave up. Khaled’s were better anyway.

We got back late, maybe 2am? Hard to say. Time gets weird out there. But I remember feeling oddly awake on the drive back to Tromsø, cheeks tingling from cold and laughter both. There’s something about sharing that kind of night with strangers who don’t stay strangers for long.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Tromsø, a small group setting capped at 8 guests for comfort, all transport in a heated vehicle with WiFi onboard, thermal suits for warmth (just bring your own boots), snacks plus grilled corn and marshmallows around a real campfire (vegetarian-friendly), unlimited hot drinks made by your guide, professional aurora photography delivered as original RAW files without watermarks or extra fees, plus guidance in English, Arabic, Kurdish or Norwegian as needed before returning late at night feeling changed somehow by what you’ve seen.

Days and timesDaily · 18:30

AgesAges 7+ · Under 7 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup37 pickup points to choose from.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by ALSHEMAL Norway

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

72 verified traveler reviews

5 ★68

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Norwegian, Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish.

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 24h before the start.

How many people are on this Northern Lights tour?

The group is limited to 8 guests maximum.

Are professional photos included in the tour?

Yes, your guide will take professional photos of the Northern Lights and send them in original RAW format without watermarks.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Tromsø.

What food or snacks are provided?

The tour includes grilled corn and marshmallows by the campfire plus snacks and hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

Can vegetarians join this tour?

Yes, food options are suitable for vegetarians.

Will we cross into Finland during the tour?

You might cross into Finland depending on weather conditions. Bring your passport just in case.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts between 7 to 8 hours including travel time.

Are thermal suits provided?

Yes, thermal suits rated up to -20°C are available in multiple sizes (but no boots).