Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Private Photographer

Chasing green light takes patience. This five-hour Reykjavik outing combines a small group, a professional photographer, warm winter jumpsuits, outdoor chairs, and Icelandic snacks, giving you more comfort than a basic bus tour. I especially like the unlimited professional photos and the careful use of cloud, weather, and aurora forecasts. The chance to borrow a tripod and get help with camera settings is another real plus.

I also like that the group is capped at 18 people, a sensible size for an evening spent waiting outdoors. Guide Heimir has earned strong praise for staying out longer when the aurora forecast looked promising. The main concern is organization: one previous outing ran late because of a broken van, and some comfort items arrived far later than expected.

Key points before you book

• A 93 percent stated sighting rate: The operator uses weather forecasts, cloud maps, aurora data, and satellite images to choose the best chance of seeing the lights.
• Heimir handles the photography: You receive unlimited professional photos at no extra charge, including help with camera settings.
• Maximum 18 passengers: This is smaller and more personal than a large coach outing, though it is not a private tour for one party.
• Warm jumpsuits and outdoor chairs: These are supplied on location, which matters during long periods of waiting in Icelandic cold.
• Snacks are part of the evening: Expect dried fish, cinnamon rolls, pastries, chocolate, hot cocoa, tea, premium Icelandic vodka, and snaps.
• A free retry is available: If weather or other conditions block the view, you can arrange another attempt, valid for two years from the original tour date.

Why this Northern Lights tour is different

Northern Lights excursions often look similar on paper. A minibus leaves Reykjavik, the guide checks the forecast, and everyone hopes for a show. The difference here is the effort put into the waiting period and the photos afterward.

This tour is built around comfort, patience, and photography. You are not simply dropped at a dark roadside and told to look up. The operator supplies warm jumpsuits, outdoor chairs, hot drinks, snacks, and tripods. Those details sound modest, but they matter when the aurora is late by an hour or two.

The stated 93 percent sighting rate is appealing, but treat it as a historical success figure rather than a promise for your particular night. The Northern Lights depend on clear skies, solar activity, darkness, and the guide’s ability to find a workable viewing area. Even an excellent forecast cannot control Icelandic weather.

The tour has received a Travelers Choice and Best of the Best award for top overall experiences in Iceland. That adds some confidence, but I would still judge the outing by what matters to you: time outside, photo quality, group size, comfort, and how the operator handles a disappointing night.

Leaving Reykjavik and finding your pickup point

Pickup and drop-off are available from Reykjavik hotels, larger guesthouses, and cruise ship terminals. City bus regulations mean the vehicle cannot stop at every central address, so you may need to walk to a designated bus stop.

Use the busstop.is list to match your accommodation with the correct meeting point. This is worth checking before the evening of your tour. A small amount of planning avoids standing at the wrong stop in the cold while watching other minibuses pass.

The tour lasts about five hours, but the exact starting time depends on seasonal darkness and availability. You receive an email by 6:30 p.m. on the day of the outing confirming if conditions allow it to run. Since weather can change quickly, the tour may be canceled at short notice when conditions are poor.

The vehicle itself received praise for being new on one outing, though another departure was delayed by about 30 minutes after a van problem. Mechanical trouble can happen anywhere, but you should avoid scheduling an expensive dinner or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

A small group, but not a private departure

The maximum group size is 18 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the cost advantage of a shared trip, while the guide can still help with cameras and answer questions without addressing a full-size coach.

The term private photographer can cause some confusion. You have a professional photographer dedicated to the tour, but the outing is still shared with other passengers. If you want the vehicle, guide, and entire schedule to yourself, this is not that type of private tour.

A smaller group also helps when the aurora appears. You are less likely to be surrounded by a large crowd of tripods and phone screens, and it is easier for Heimir to give individual help. Still, 18 people can feel busy at a popular viewing area, so do not expect total solitude every night.

How the aurora chase works

The main activity is not a fixed sightseeing route with named stops. It is a flexible search based on cloud cover, weather, aurora forecasts, and satellite images. The guide chooses where to go and may wait longer if the forecast suggests that the lights are moving into a favorable area.

This patience seems to be one of the tour’s strongest points. On one particularly successful outing, other vehicles were already leaving for the night while Heimir advised waiting another 30 minutes. The aurora appeared, and the passengers saw it without relying only on their cameras. That is exactly the kind of judgment you want on a night when the first hour produces nothing.

You may see the lights quickly, or you may spend much of the evening waiting. The stated five-hour duration gives the guide room to keep searching, but it does not guarantee five hours of clear skies or constant activity. The aurora can be faint, brief, or hidden by clouds.

One group saw strong Northern Lights on the return journey, and the driver stopped so they could watch. That detail says something useful about the tour’s flexibility, though you should not assume every return trip will include an extra stop. The final decision depends on road conditions, timing, and where the lights appear.

Warm suits and chairs make a real difference

Icelandic winter cold is not dramatic for the first ten minutes. It becomes serious when you stand still for an hour waiting for a faint glow. The supplied warm jumpsuits are therefore more than a novelty. They let you focus on the sky instead of counting the minutes until you can get back into the vehicle.

Bring your own warm clothing anyway. The instructions call for a hat, gloves, warm layers, and hiking shoes. The jumpsuit is an extra outer layer, not a substitute for proper socks, base layers, and a good coat.

Outdoor chairs are another thoughtful touch. You can sit while watching the sky, drinking cocoa, or waiting for cloud to move. This makes the evening easier for people who do not want to stand on uneven ground for long periods.

The timing of these comforts matters. One previous outing did not receive the suits until nearly two hours after reaching the viewing area, and snacks and drinks arrived close to departure. That is not how the experience is meant to work, but it is a practical reason to dress properly and ask the guide early if supplies have not appeared.

Icelandic snacks, cocoa, and stronger drinks

The food is simple, local, and well suited to a cold evening. You may be offered dried fish, cinnamon rolls, pastries, chocolate, hot cocoa, and tea. Dried fish gives you a distinctly Icelandic taste, while the sweet pastries and chocolate are easy crowd-pleasers.

Premium Icelandic vodka and snaps are also included. These are alcoholic drinks, so use good judgment, especially in freezing weather. A hot drink may be more useful than a shot when you have been outside for a long time.

The snacks do not turn this into a dinner tour. Eat beforehand if you need a full meal. Their value is in making the wait more pleasant and giving you something warm or familiar while the guide studies the forecast.

Hot cocoa should be served hot, but one previous outing received it lukewarm because refreshments arrived so late. Again, this appears to be an operational problem rather than the promised plan, but it is fair to keep expectations realistic.

The photography package is the biggest value

Northern Lights photography is difficult with a phone. You need a stable camera, suitable exposure, focus set correctly, and enough patience to keep the device still. The tour includes tripods to borrow and assistance with camera settings, which can save you from returning home with a collection of dark, blurry images.

Heimir also takes professional photographs during the outing. You receive an unlimited number of the tour photos at no extra cost. This is the tour’s clearest financial advantage for anyone who cares about pictures.

You should still bring your own camera or phone if you want personal shots. The professional photos are a major safety net, not a replacement for your own creative choices. Ask for help before the lights become active, since changing settings in the dark is awkward.

Free WiFi on board is included, though the information does not promise a particular speed or signal quality outside the vehicle. Think of it as a useful convenience during transport, not a reason to choose the tour.

The photo service also changes the value calculation. At $229 per person, this is not a cheap night out. But if you would otherwise pay separately for a photographer, rent a tripod, and join a larger bus tour, the included photos and equipment reduce the gap. The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick glimpse of the aurora and do not care about images.

What can go wrong on a five-hour night

The biggest risk is not poor guiding. It is nature. The Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, and no operator can create clear skies or strong solar activity.

If conditions block the view, the company offers a free retry rather than a refund. The retry is valid for two years from the original tour date. This is useful if you are staying in Iceland for several nights, but less useful if you leave the country the next morning.

The tour can also be canceled at the last minute when conditions are poor. You receive confirmation by 6:30 p.m. at the latest on the day of departure. Keep your evening flexible until then.

Operational issues are the other concern. A broken van caused a late pickup on one outing, and the late distribution of suits and refreshments reduced the comfort of the evening. The new vehicle used on that same trip was a positive sign, but transport quality can change from one departure to another.

The 4 out of 5 overall rating from 10 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with a small sample size. The strongest praise centers on Heimir’s persistence, the quality of the photos, the snacks, and the chance to see the lights away from larger groups. The weak point is not the concept, but the occasional execution of timing and logistics.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want the Northern Lights to be a major Iceland memory, not just another item checked off a list. It suits you especially well if you want professional images but do not own a camera or know how to photograph the aurora.

It is also a good fit for couples, small families with older children, and solo visitors who prefer a sociable setting without a full-size coach. Children under five cannot join, and the evening cold may be tiring for anyone who dislikes standing outside.

You should choose something else if you need a guaranteed return time, dislike waiting, or want a private vehicle for your own group. You may also prefer a cheaper basic bus tour if photos, snacks, chairs, and warm suits do not matter to you.

Booking details worth knowing

The price is $229 per person for about five hours. The tour operates in English and includes the guide, professional photographer, photos, jumpsuits, snacks, hot cocoa, premium vodka, tripods, camera assistance, and onboard WiFi.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is helpful when your Iceland schedule is still taking shape.

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and hiking shoes. Confirm your pickup point in advance, check the day-of-tour email, and do not book a tight late-night connection afterward.

Should you book the Northern Lights tour?

Book it if professional photos, comfort, and a patient guide are worth paying for. Heimir’s decision to wait when other vehicles left is the kind of judgment that can turn a blank sky into the highlight of your Iceland visit.

Go in knowing that the 93 percent figure is not a guarantee, the group is shared rather than fully private, and a free retry is not the same as a refund. I would consider it good value for a first-time aurora hunter who wants help with photography and dislikes the idea of freezing in a parking lot with no chair or warm drink.

If you have only one night in Reykjavik, the retry policy offers little protection if the weather fails. If you have several nights, flexible plans, and a real interest in taking home excellent images, this tour earns its higher price.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours. The starting time varies, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Is pickup included from my Reykjavik accommodation?

Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels, larger guesthouses, and cruise ship terminals in Reykjavik. Some central addresses cannot receive direct bus stops because of city regulations, so you may need to use a nearby designated bus stop.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 18 passengers. It is a shared small-group tour, not a fully private departure for one party.

Are professional photos included?

Yes. A professional photographer and guide accompany the tour, and photos from the outing are included at no additional charge. The tour states that you receive an unlimited amount of professional photos.

Can I borrow camera equipment?

You can borrow a tripod free of charge. The guide also offers help with camera settings.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

A free retry can be arranged if unforeseen conditions make viewing impossible. The retry is valid for two years from the date of the original tour. A refund is not offered in that situation.

Can children join the tour?

Children under five are not allowed to participate. The tour information does not specify an upper age limit or additional child pricing.