Northern Lights Tour with Photos, Snacks, Warm Snowsuits, Chairs

The best feature here is the effort spent finding a clear, dark place rather than simply driving to one fixed viewpoint. Your guide checks weather, cloud cover, and aurora conditions, then may shift the outing to a better night or location. I especially like the small group of up to 18 and the chance to sit outside in a warm suit instead of shivering beside a crowded bus.

I also like the included professional photos and the thoughtful spread of hot chocolate, pastries, cinnamon rolls, dried fish, chocolate, and Icelandic spirits. The main catch is that this is still a weather-dependent hunt. Poor conditions can mean a cancellation, a long wait, or no lights at all, and a few reports point to uneven communication when the single vehicle has mechanical trouble.

Key points to know before booking

• Heimir is the guide most often praised: His aurora expertise, camera help, patience, and enthusiasm are central to the experience.
• The route changes with conditions: The group heads toward the southern region or another suitable dark area based on cloud cover and forecasts.
• You get more than a bus ride: Chairs, warm winter jumpsuits, tripods, WiFi, hot drinks, snacks, and camera assistance are included.
• Professional photos are included: You receive unlimited high-resolution images from the outing, including portraits beneath the aurora when conditions allow.
• A missed display can lead to a free retry: Re-runs are offered when available, and the provider says it may continue until you see the lights.
• Plan for uncertainty: The trip lasts about four to six hours, but waiting can run late, and poor weather may force a cancellation or change of date.

Chasing the aurora beyond Reykjavík

A Northern Lights tour is not a normal sightseeing excursion. You cannot point a bus at the sky and promise a show. The aurora depends on darkness, cloud cover, solar activity, and timing, so the guide’s judgment matters as much as the vehicle.

This outing starts in Reykjavík at about 8 p.m. and heads away from city lights toward Iceland’s southern region. The goal is not a named attraction or a polished viewing platform. It is a dark patch of countryside where the sky has a fair chance of opening up.

That flexibility is important. The guide studies the forecasts and chooses where to go based on the conditions that night. If clouds cover one area, the group may continue elsewhere. If the outlook is poor, the provider may suggest moving the outing to another night instead of sending you out simply to fulfill the schedule.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. A forecast can improve, worsen, or fail to predict a short-lived display. On some nights, you may see a pale ribbon that photographs better than it looks to the naked eye. On others, the sky can suddenly come alive after a long quiet spell.

What the evening in the southern region feels like

The listed stop in the southern region allows about three hours, but the complete outing usually takes four to six hours. That extra time includes pickup, driving, waiting, and the return to Reykjavík.

Once the vehicle reaches a suitable dark area, the evening becomes a patient watch. Your guide sets up the camera gear, tripods, and seating, then helps the group get ready for the cold. You can step away from the vehicle and look up at a wide, star-filled sky while keeping warm with the supplied gear and refreshments.

The quiet is part of the appeal. Even if the aurora takes time to appear, you are not stuck staring at a city street. On a clear night, the stars alone can make the stop worthwhile. Several outings have required waiting until late in the evening, sometimes after midnight, so the chairs are more than a small comfort.

The setting is not presented as a formal attraction with signs and facilities. That means fewer distractions, but also fewer conveniences. You should be ready for darkness, cold, and an outdoor wait. Wear layers under the jumpsuit, even if the forecast looks manageable. One report specifically advised wearing as many clothes as possible because the cold remained intense despite the suit.

Heimir’s role makes a practical difference

Heimir is the guide most closely associated with this experience. His role goes well beyond driving people into the countryside. He explains how the aurora forms, what the forecasts mean, and why the group is waiting in one location rather than moving constantly.

That explanation helps you understand the pauses. A weak forecast does not always mean the night is hopeless, and a strong forecast does not guarantee an immediate display. Heimir has been praised for staying out longer when there was still a reasonable chance, while keeping the group informed instead of leaving everyone to guess.

His enthusiasm also matters. Northern Lights hunting can become tiring when the sky stays dark for hours. A guide who answers questions, points out changes, and keeps the mood steady makes the wait easier. Heimir also helps with camera settings, which is useful if you bring a phone, mirrorless camera, or DSLR and do not know how to photograph a dim, moving subject.

Communication before the tour deserves a little caution. Most accounts describe prompt pickup and useful updates, including suggestions to move to a better night. However, one technical issue with the booking-platform messaging system made it hard for a customer to reach Heimir, and another cancellation led to frustration because updates were limited. I would confirm the pickup details and keep an eye on your messages on the day.

Warm jumpsuits, chairs, and a proper outdoor wait

The supplied winter jumpsuit is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this tour. A Northern Lights outing can require standing still in exposed countryside for a long time, and ordinary city winter clothing may not be enough.

The jumpsuits are advertised as included, along with outdoor chairs. Together, these features let you spend more time under the sky instead of retreating to the vehicle every few minutes. You can sit, sip something hot, and wait for the aurora to build.

There is one important qualification. Most of the available feedback confirms that the suits and chairs made a major difference, but one customer reported receiving hot drinks and photos without the promised suit or chairs. That may have been an isolated service problem, but if these items are essential to you, confirm their availability before departure.

The van remains a useful refuge. You can warm up inside, then return outside when the sky changes. This arrangement is much better than a tour that keeps everyone on a coach until a guide spots a brief glow.

Snacks that make the waiting easier

The food and drink are not the main reason to book, but they improve the evening. You can expect hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls, pastries, chocolate, and dried fish. Premium Icelandic vodka and schnapps are also listed among the inclusions.

The spread gives the stop a friendly, informal feel. A warm drink helps after time outside, while the Icelandic snacks add a small local touch. The dried fish is especially different from the usual tour-bus fare, and the pastries are welcome during a late-night wait.

Alcohol is included in the listed refreshments, so use sensible judgment if you plan to spend much of the evening outdoors in freezing conditions. The tour also includes WiFi onboard, though the quality of any connection in the countryside can vary.

Professional photos and help with your own camera

The photography package adds real value to the $212 price. Your guide sets up professional equipment and takes photos of people beneath the aurora, then sends unlimited high-resolution images from the outing.

This solves a common problem. Northern Lights photographs usually need long exposures, a steady camera, and the right focus and settings. A phone may record a green glow, but the result can be dark or blurred. A professional camera on a tripod can capture more detail and include you in the frame.

You can also bring your own camera and receive help with settings. Tripods are included, and some outings have offered phone stands as well. Still, I would not rely entirely on the supplied equipment. One disappointed customer had left a personal tripod at home because the tour advertised one, then found the replacement tour had different arrangements.

The professional photos are particularly useful because the aurora may look stronger through a camera than it does to your eyes. That is normal. A camera gathers light over several seconds, while your vision sees the moment in real time. The final images give you a more lasting record, even on a night when the display is modest.

Is $212 a fair price?

At $212 per person, this is priced above a basic Northern Lights bus outing. The value depends on how much of the included service you will use.

You are paying for a small group, flexible routing, an experienced guide, outdoor chairs, warm jumpsuits, snacks, hot drinks, tripods, camera help, and professional photographs. If you would otherwise pay for a separate photo session or rent winter gear, the package becomes easier to justify.

The free retry also matters. The provider says a non-sighting can lead to another outing, depending on availability, and that unforeseen conditions may qualify for unlimited re-runs until you see the lights. This does not remove the risk of bad weather or a full schedule, but it is more reassuring than a one-shot excursion.

The price is less attractive if you only want the cheapest possible ride outside Reykjavík. You may also find the cost harder to justify if your schedule allows only one night, since no operator can control the sky. Book early in your Iceland stay so a canceled or unsuccessful outing has room to move to another date.

Pickup details from Reykjavík

Pickup is available from selected places in Reykjavík, including some hotels and the cruise ship terminals. Central Reykjavík has restricted bus access, so accommodation in the pedestrian center may require a short walk to a designated bus stop.

If you are staying outside Reykjavík, pickup is offered from the BSÍ Bus Terminal rather than directly from your accommodation. Check this before booking, since the walking route to a bus stop can add time on a cold evening.

The start time is listed as 8 p.m. The outing lasts roughly four to six hours, so do not schedule an early-morning activity immediately afterward if you want to stay until the aurora appears. Some groups have waited well past the expected end time when conditions looked promising.

The maximum group size is 18. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach. A smaller group also makes it easier to receive individual camera help and get a clear turn for portraits.

Cancellations, retries, and the one-vehicle risk

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy.

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the provider offers a different date or experience, or a refund.

The free retry policy is useful but not absolute. It depends on availability, and a late trip in your itinerary may leave no room for another attempt. One customer experienced repeated cancellations, including a mechanical problem with the operator’s only vehicle, and then had to arrange another tour.

That is the main operational weakness to keep in mind. A small, family-run setup can provide personal service, but one vehicle also creates a single point of failure. Book this for an early night in Reykjavík, not the final evening before your flight.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would choose this experience if you care about the full evening, not just the moment the lights appear. The chairs, suits, snacks, photos, and guide support matter most to people who want to stay outside and learn what they are seeing.

It is also a good fit for photographers who want help with settings or a professional portrait without carrying a large tripod through Iceland. Couples and families may value the included group photos, while first-time aurora watchers will benefit from the explanations.

I would be more cautious if you have limited time, dislike waiting in the cold, or need a guaranteed return time. The lights may appear quickly, but the best chances can require patience. Bring your own warm layers, keep your schedule flexible, and treat the aurora as a natural event rather than a scheduled performance.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the small group, warm outdoor setup, and professional photos are worth paying for. Heimir’s guidance, camera help, and willingness to adjust the timing or location give the outing more substance than a simple drive into the dark.

I would book it early in your Reykjavík stay and confirm your pickup point, jumpsuit, chairs, and retry arrangements. If you want the lowest price or cannot tolerate a possible cancellation, choose a simpler option. If you want a careful aurora hunt with comfort, photos, and a guide who explains the science while you wait, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The full experience takes about four to six hours. The listed stop in the southern region lasts about three hours, with the remaining time used for pickup, driving, and returning to Reykjavík.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins around 8 p.m. The exact pickup time and location depend on where you are staying in Reykjavík.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from selected Reykjavík hotels, designated city bus stops, and the cruise ship terminals. If you stay outside Reykjavík, pickup is available from BSÍ Bus Terminal.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The provider offers a free retry in case of a non-sighting, depending on availability. It also states that re-runs may continue until you see the lights when unforeseen conditions block the view.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm winter jumpsuits are listed as included, along with outdoor chairs. Because service can vary, confirm that these items are available before departure, and bring warm layers of your own.

Are photos included in the price?

Yes. Unlimited high-resolution photos from the tour are included. The guide also offers help with your own camera settings, and tripods are provided.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.