From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos

The best part of this tour is the active search for clear skies. You are not parked in one place hoping the clouds move. The guide checks forecasts, satellite information, and conditions on the road, then may drive well beyond Reykjavik before choosing a viewing spot. I like the small minibus and the free photos, which make this a more personal and useful outing than a basic coach ride.

I also like the simple comforts: hot cocoa, kleina, and Icelandic wool blankets when the cold starts biting. Guides including Baldvin, Devin, Simon, Gummi, and Michaela are praised for their aurora knowledge, humor, and patience with photo requests. The main drawback is plain but important: nobody can promise the lights will appear, and a four-hour search can feel long in bad weather.

Key points at a glance

• A real aurora hunt: The route changes according to cloud cover, forecasts, and possible sightings.
• Small-group transport: The minibus holds a maximum of 19 people and can reach places larger coaches cannot.
• Free night-sky photos: The guide takes portraits with the aurora when conditions allow and shares them afterward.
• Warm Icelandic treats: Hot chocolate, kleina pastries, and wool blankets are included.
• Guides make the difference: Baldvin, Devin, Simon, Gummi, and others bring science, photography tips, and plenty of persistence.
• Flexible if nature says no: If you attend and do not see the lights, you may rebook free of charge, subject to availability.

Why this Reykjavik aurora tour works

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled performance. You need darkness, clear enough skies, and auroral activity at the same time. That makes the guide’s work more than simply driving to a viewpoint and switching off the bus lights.

EastWest builds the evening around the search. The guide studies weather forecasts and likely viewing areas, then chooses where to go. If clouds cover the first stop, the route can continue. Several outings have included two locations, while some guides have driven farther north or toward areas such as Thingvellir National Park when that offered a better chance.

That flexibility is the tour’s main value. You are paying for transport, but also for someone who follows changing conditions while you sit in a warm vehicle. You could attempt this on your own with an app and a rental car, but the guide adds local experience, driving, aurora explanations, and photography support.

The rating is 4.7 from 695 ratings, with 88 percent giving the transport a perfect score. That lines up with the practical details: a clean minibus, a maximum group of 19, pickup and drop-off, and an English-speaking guide.

Pickup from Reykjavik, with a useful warning

There are 24 pickup points around Reykjavik, including Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, City Hall, Miðbakki, Skarfabakki Harbour, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Hotel Reykjavik Grand, and several designated bus stops. You select the most suitable point when booking.

Downtown hotel pickup has an Icelandic catch. Local rules prevent tour vehicles from collecting directly at some central hotels, so you may need to walk to the nearest approved bus stop. Check your exact meeting point before the evening, and arrive 30 minutes before departure. This matters more in winter, when standing outside in the wrong place is no fun.

The stated departure period is from 8:30 p.m. between October 1 and March 31. From August 15 to September 30 and April 1 to April 18, departures begin from 9:30 p.m. The exact start time depends on availability, so check the date you want.

The tour lasts about four hours, though a strong display can change the schedule. One outing continued past 2 a.m. because the lights were exceptional. Do not build a tight early-morning plan after this tour.

The minibus is part of the advantage

The minibus carries up to 19 people. That is not private-tour intimacy, but it is much smaller than a large coach. You can reach narrower roads and smaller stops, and the guide has a better chance of keeping the group together when everyone steps out for photos.

The vehicle is also your refuge from the cold. Several guides provide blankets, and the minibus is described as warm and comfortable. That makes a real difference because aurora watching involves standing still, often in wind, while waiting for activity to strengthen.

You still need proper clothing. Wear warm layers, a winter coat, gloves, a hat, and sturdy comfortable shoes. The supplied blanket is a welcome extra, not a replacement for clothing. The tour is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or strollers. Infant seats are not available.

The secret stop and the changing route

The itinerary lists a secret stop for a photo stop, sightseeing, and guided touring. Its exact identity is not fixed, and that is the point. The guide chooses a place that appears useful on the night rather than promising one famous viewpoint every time.

You might stop just outside Reykjavik near the geothermal plant, head toward Thingvellir, or travel north for clearer skies. One outing included a stop near horses, which added a distinctly Icelandic setting while the group waited. These places are not attractions with a set indoor program. Their value is darkness, open sky, and a better chance to see the aurora.

The first location may not work. Clouds can block the sky, city glow can weaken the view, or the aurora may be too faint. A good guide does not treat that first stop as the end of the evening. Gummi, Devin, Simon, Einar, Wojtek, and others have been praised for checking conditions, moving on when needed, and staying patient when the forecast looked poor.

That persistence is useful, but keep expectations sensible. A guide can improve your odds, not control the sun or Icelandic weather.

What the guide adds beyond driving

The guide explains how the aurora forms, what forecasts mean, and why clear skies matter. This turns the waiting time into part of the experience. You learn why a strong forecast can still produce a weak show, and why a cloudy evening can sometimes open up at just the right moment.

Guides also help you read the sky. Some explain how to spot early activity, while others use phones, satellite information, or weather tools to compare different areas. The best guides treat the search as a live decision rather than following a fixed script.

Personality matters on a late, cold outing. Baldvin is repeatedly singled out for his passion and humor. Devin is praised for photography and for continuing to search through poor conditions. Simon is described as funny, realistic, and eager to keep the group comfortable. Gummi is known for his ability to recognize promising conditions, while Einar brings years of enthusiasm to the hunt.

The guide you receive will depend on the date, so do not book expecting one particular person. Still, the pattern is clear: EastWest places strong emphasis on guides who can teach, entertain, drive, and handle a group outdoors at night.

Hot chocolate, kleina, and the cold

The included refreshment is modest, but it is exactly right for this activity. You get hot chocolate and kleina, an Icelandic fried pastry often described as a donut. The combination gives you something warm and sweet while you wait under a dark sky.

You also have access to Icelandic wool blankets. These are especially helpful at a longer stop, when the excitement fades and the cold becomes more noticeable. I like that the food and blankets are built into the tour rather than treated as optional extras.

Do not mistake these comforts for a heated viewing platform. You will still be outside in cold evening conditions. Bring your own warm clothing, and remember that standing around for an hour can feel colder than walking through town.

The free photos are a serious benefit

Night photography is difficult. A phone may show a green blur, a dark face, or nothing at all, even when your eyes can see some color. The guide uses a professional camera to take portraits and aurora images, then provides the photos free of charge when the Northern Lights are successfully seen.

This is one of the tour’s strongest practical benefits. You can enjoy the sky instead of spending the whole evening adjusting camera settings. Guides may also offer advice about where to stand and how to pose, and some have helped with camera settings.

The photos cannot be guaranteed on every departure. If the Northern Lights are not visible, photos will not be delivered. When the aurora does appear, though, the camera can capture colors that look brighter than they did to the naked eye. Some outings have produced green, pink, red, and purple tones, depending on the activity and camera exposure.

Bring your phone fully charged, but do not count on it for the main photographic record. The guide’s camera is the better tool for a memorable portrait.

How much value do you get for $169?

At $169 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an Icelandic evening. The price includes four hours of transport, pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, hot chocolate, kleina, wool blankets, and professional photos at no extra cost.

The value depends on what you would otherwise arrange. A rental car adds fuel, winter driving concerns, navigation, and the need to study forecasts yourself. You would also need to supply food, blankets, and a camera setup. A large coach tour may cost less, but it will not necessarily offer the same flexibility or small-group feel.

I consider the price reasonable if you want convenience and the free photos matter to you. It is less compelling if you already have a car, enjoy planning your own route, and are happy to photograph the sky without help. The rebooking option also reduces some of the financial risk, although it does not create more clear nights during a short visit.

What happens if you do not see the lights?

The tour cannot promise an aurora. Cloud cover, weak solar activity, and poor visibility can defeat even a determined guide. Some departures see a powerful display; others catch only faint activity or none at all.

If you attend the tour and do not see the Northern Lights, you may join another tour free of charge, subject to availability. There is no refund after you have taken the tour. The rebooking voucher can be used for up to two years after a completed but unsuccessful outing.

If EastWest cancels before you attend because of poor weather, you receive a full refund. If you have already attended, the option is rebooking rather than a refund. This policy makes it smart to book early in your Reykjavik stay, leaving room for a second attempt.

An August booking needs extra care. The season begins around August 15, and one outing in late August had no luck after three attempts in five days because of cloud and bright skies. September through March generally offers more darkness, but the aurora remains a natural event, not a guarantee.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour for a first visit to Iceland, especially if you are staying in Reykjavik without a rental car. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who want help with night photography and prefer a smaller vehicle to a full-size coach.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy the process of searching. The drive, changing stops, forecast checks, and waiting under the sky are all part of the evening. You will get more from it if you accept that the chase itself can be worthwhile.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed schedule, dislike cold outdoor stops, or have limited mobility. Families with children under five cannot join, and the lack of wheelchair and stroller access is a firm limitation.

Should you book EastWest’s Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a serious attempt at seeing the aurora without renting a car, and if free professional photos add real value for you. The small minibus, flexible route, warm drinks, blankets, and persistent guides give the evening more substance than a simple drive into the countryside.

Keep your hopes high but your expectations realistic. The best guide in Iceland cannot order the clouds away. Book early in your stay so you can use the free rebooking option if nature cancels the show, and arrive dressed for a long, cold wait. For most visitors, that mix of practical help and genuine uncertainty is exactly what an aurora hunt should be.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, although the evening can run longer if the lights are especially strong.

What time does the tour depart?

From October 1 through March 31, departures begin from 8:30 p.m. From August 15 through September 30 and April 1 through April 18, departures begin from 9:30 p.m. Check availability for the exact time on your date.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from 24 listed locations around Reykjavik, including major hotels, landmarks, harbour areas, and designated bus stops. If your hotel is not listed, contact the provider for instructions.

How early should I arrive at the pickup point?

You should be at your designated pickup point 30 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup available everywhere in downtown Reykjavik?

No. Local regulations prevent pickup at some downtown hotels. You may need to walk to the nearest approved bus stop.

What is included in the price?

The $169 price includes pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, a minibus ride, hot chocolate, a kleina pastry, Icelandic wool blankets to borrow, and free photos when the Northern Lights are visible.

How large is the group?

The minibus holds a maximum of 19 people.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. The tour takes place outdoors on cold evenings, so dress for winter conditions.

Can I join again if the Northern Lights are not visible?

Yes. If you attend but do not see the Northern Lights, you may rebook free of charge, subject to availability. No refund is provided after you have attended.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or strollers. Children under five cannot join, and infant seats are not available.