Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

The best part of this Reykjavík outing is the chase itself. You may drive for an hour, stop beside a lake or mountain view, then move again when the guide spots a better opening in the clouds. I like the small group of up to 19 and the fact that guides such as Baldvin, Michaela, Devin, and Simon often stay out late to improve your chances. I also like the hot chocolate, pastries, and wool blankets, which matter when you are standing in Icelandic wind at midnight.

The catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. On a cloudy night, you could spend hours driving and see little or nothing. A free retry is offered when available, but there is no refund just because the aurora does not appear, and remote stops have very limited toilet access.

Key points at a glance

• Up to 19 people: A minibus makes getting on and off quicker than joining a large coach.
• Forecast-led chasing: Your guide may change locations several times to find darker skies or clearer weather.
• Warm extras included: Hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, and Icelandic wool blankets are provided.
• Photos when conditions allow: Guides use professional cameras and may help you set up your own phone or camera.
• Free retry after a failed outing: You can rebook if no Northern Lights are seen, subject to availability.
• Late-night timing: Pickup begins at 8:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., depending on the season, and the tour can run beyond four hours.

What the Reykjavík aurora hunt is really like

Northern Lights tours are not theater shows with a fixed starting point and curtain time. They are weather-dependent searches. Your guide studies the aurora forecast, cloud cover, and conditions around Reykjavík, then chooses a likely direction.

The minibus may travel for up to an hour before reaching the first viewing place. You could stop near open countryside, a lake, or a mountain-backed viewpoint. The attraction is not one famous lookout. It is the chance to get away from city lights and keep moving when the first spot is not working.

I like this approach better than sitting in one place for four hours. The downside is that you spend part of the evening on the road. On a successful night, that movement can pay off. One guide, Michaela, moved between several locations when activity appeared, while Devin kept scanning the sky even after the group had started back toward Reykjavík. That kind of persistence can turn a weak evening into a good one.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. A faint aurora may look like a pale green or gray cloud to your eyes, while a long-exposure photograph shows stronger green color. When the activity is powerful, you can see clear movement and bright color without a camera. On quieter nights, your own eyes may register much less than the camera does.

Why the small minibus matters

The group limit is 19 people. That is not private-tour intimacy, but it is far more manageable than a full-size coach. You can usually get out, take photographs, and get back aboard without the slow shuffle that comes with a very large group.

A smaller vehicle also gives the guide more flexibility. If a patch of clear sky opens in another direction, the group can relocate without the feel of a major convoy. Several stops are possible, and the guide can react to reports from other people watching the sky nearby.

The tradeoff is space. A minibus is still shared transport, and you may spend a long stretch seated while the driver searches for better conditions. The tour is described as about four hours, but some evenings run longer. One successful outing returned after 2 a.m., and another guide stayed out nearly an extra hour to capture better photographs.

That extra time can be welcome if the sky is active. It can feel tiring if the weather is poor. I would avoid booking this on a night when you have an early-morning flight or a demanding excursion the next day.

From forecast to first viewing stop

Pickup begins 30 minutes before the stated departure time. From October 1 through March 31, pickup starts from 8:30 p.m. From August 15 through September 30 and April 1 through April 18, it starts from 9:30 p.m. The supplied schedule does not list every date outside those ranges, so check the current departure information before booking.

Pickup is offered from designated points in Reykjavík. Tour vehicles cannot stop in every street or directly outside every hotel because of traffic rules. If your accommodation is not on the pickup list, contact the operator and confirm the meeting place.

On departure day, check your email, including the spam folder. The operator sends a message in the afternoon if the tour will run or be canceled. A further message about 30 minutes before pickup includes the vehicle description, license plate, and guide’s name.

Once everyone is aboard, the guide checks the forecast and explains the plan. This is a useful part of the evening, since you learn why the vehicle is heading in a certain direction rather than simply being driven into the dark.

Guides have different styles. Baldvin has been praised for mixing science with clear explanations and for continuing the search when activity might return. Michaela has a strong science background and is described as especially good at explaining how the aurora forms. Devin has helped people adjust phone settings and has kept watch for faint activity during the return drive. Simon combines humor with serious photography skills.

You may also hear Icelandic folklore while driving. That gives the long stretches between stops a bit more character than a silent transfer.

Waiting in the cold: hot chocolate, pastries, and blankets

At a viewing stop, the group gets out to watch the sky. This is where the practical extras earn their place. Hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries are served, and Icelandic wool blankets are available if you need another layer.

The hot drink is not just a cute touch. Icelandic nights can be cold and windy, and you may stand outside for some time while the guide watches for changes. Bring your own hat, gloves, and scarf anyway. Waterproof clothing is recommended, and warm layers are essential.

The pastries are generally described as Icelandic donuts or small pastries. They are a simple snack, not a meal. Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated on the tour, so bring something suitable if you need a particular diet. One useful criticism is that the pastries may be handed around from a shared bag, which may not suit everyone.

There are very limited toilet facilities outside Reykjavík. This is an easy detail to overlook when you are focused on the aurora, but it matters during a four-hour night tour. Use the facilities before pickup and plan on long stretches without a formal restroom stop.

How the guide searches for better skies

The guide may decide to move after checking the clouds, watching the forecast, or receiving information from other people searching nearby. You could stop once, or you could make several attempts.

That movement is not wasted if you understand the goal. The guide is trying to balance three things: darkness, cloud cover, and aurora activity. A clear sky with weak activity may produce very little. Strong activity behind thick cloud is also useless. The best stop combines both.

You may see other local groups at viewing areas. The guide can exchange information with people nearby and decide if another position offers better odds. This is practical rather than polished, and it is part of the real nature of aurora hunting.

The strongest accounts describe guides who keep searching after an initial disappointment. One group saw a meteor during the outing. Another found the aurora near the end of the drive home. That is why you should not assume the night is finished just because the first hour produces nothing.

There is also a less pleasant possibility. In heavy fog or thick cloud, the vehicle may cover a lot of ground without giving you much to see. One poor experience involved hours of driving, little time outside, and no visible aurora. A good guide cannot make the sky cooperate, and the operator’s decision to run a tour in marginal weather will not always feel right to every customer.

Photography is a major part of the value

Photos are included when conditions allow. Guides use professional cameras and usually take portraits with the aurora behind you, along with wider shots of the sky. Several guides have also helped people set their own phones or cameras for night photography.

This matters because aurora photographs often show color and detail that your eyes cannot easily detect. The camera gathers light over a longer exposure, so a faint green glow may appear much stronger in the finished image. You should not treat the photographs as proof that you missed an obvious display. The camera and your eyes are doing different jobs.

Photos are normally sent by email after the outing. Some are delivered in less than 24 hours, while the stated expectation is within one business day when the conditions allow photography. If the tour is classed as unsuccessful because the Northern Lights are not visible, the published terms say photos will not be delivered. This policy has caused frustration, so ask the operator for clarification if you see only a faint glow.

Bring your own phone or camera too. The guide may help you set it up, but your equipment remains your responsibility. You may get a picture that feels more personal than the official portrait, even if it is less polished.

Price and what you get for $172.41

At $172.41 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. You are paying for transport from Reykjavík, a professional driver-guide, weather and aurora monitoring, a small group, refreshments, blankets, and possible photography.

I think the value depends on what you would otherwise do. Renting a car gives you more control, but driving unfamiliar Icelandic roads at night in wind, snow, or fog carries its own stress. You would also need to find dark locations, follow road conditions, and handle the photography yourself. The tour removes those jobs.

The price is easier to justify when the group gets a strong display and you receive good photographs. It is harder to justify after a long drive through cloud with little time outside. The free retry helps, but only if you still have another night in Iceland or expect to return within the voucher period. The retry is subject to availability, and it is not a cash refund.

The average booking lead time is about 46 days. That suggests you should reserve early during the main Northern Lights season, especially if your schedule gives you only one or two possible evenings. If you can, book this near the start of your Reykjavík stay. That gives you a chance to rebook after poor weather.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this outing if you want a straightforward way to search outside Reykjavík without driving yourself. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who value a smaller vehicle, live commentary, and help with photos.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants more than a quick photo stop. Guides explain aurora science, Icelandic folklore, and local conditions while you travel. The waiting time becomes easier when you understand what you are watching.

You should think twice if you dislike late nights, long drives, cold weather, or uncertain results. This is not a fixed sightseeing route with a guaranteed attraction. You could spend four or more hours in a minibus and return with only stars, clouds, or a faint glow.

I would also be cautious if you have strict dietary needs or need reliable restroom access. The snack is limited, dietary restrictions are not accommodated, and facilities outside the city are scarce.

Cancellation, weather, and the free retry

You can cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable.

The tour requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is different from running the tour and failing to see the aurora. In that case, you may rebook for free when space is available, but you are not entitled to a refund simply because the lights did not appear.

The ticket can remain valid for rebooking for up to two years, according to the supplied information. That is useful for people who plan to return to Iceland, but less helpful if this is a one-time trip and you fly home the next day.

Should you book the EastWest Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a small-group search with transport, warm drinks, blankets, guide commentary, and a serious attempt at photography. The strongest value comes from the guides’ persistence. Baldvin, Michaela, Devin, Simon, and others have shown a willingness to change locations, stay out late, and keep watching the sky when the first plan fails.

Do not book it expecting a guarantee. The aurora is a natural event, and cloud can erase the whole show. If you can, schedule this early in your Reykjavík visit, bring proper winter clothing, use the toilet before pickup, and keep a free evening available for a retry.

For most visitors who do not want to drive at night, I think the tour is a sensible choice. Just remember what you are buying: not a guaranteed light show, but skilled help in giving yourself a better chance.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, although the evening may run longer when the guide finds promising activity or continues searching.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is offered from designated meeting points in Reykjavík. The vehicle may not be able to stop directly outside every hotel because of traffic regulations.

When does pickup begin?

Pickup begins 30 minutes before departure. From October 1 through March 31, pickup starts from 8:30 p.m. From August 15 through September 30 and April 1 through April 18, pickup starts from 9:30 p.m.

How many people are in the minibus?

The tour has a maximum of 19 people.

Are hot chocolate and pastries included?

Yes. Hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries are included. Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated on the tour, so bring suitable food if needed.

Are blankets provided?

Yes. Icelandic wool blankets are available to help keep you warm while you are outside.

Are photographs included?

Photos are included when conditions allow. If the Northern Lights are not visible and the tour is classed as unsuccessful, the published terms state that photos will not be delivered.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on cloud cover, weather, darkness, and aurora activity. Even with forecasting and an experienced guide, the lights may not appear.

What happens if no Northern Lights are seen?

You can join the tour again for free when availability allows. This is a retry rather than a refund.

Are there restroom stops?

Restroom access outside Reykjavík is very limited. Use the facilities before pickup and be prepared for several hours without a regular restroom stop.