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

The best part of this Northern Lights outing is the careful chase. Rather than park at the first dark roadside, guide and photographer Heimir checks cloud cover, weather, and aurora forecasts before choosing a spot in southern Iceland. If conditions are poor, the tour may be moved to a better night.

I like the warm winter jumpsuits and chairs, because waiting for the aurora can mean standing outside for hours. I also like the included professional photos, plus hands-on help with your own camera. You get more than a bus ride and a hopeful look at the sky.

The main consideration is that nature still gets the final say. Poor weather can cause cancellations, delays, or a weak display. Communication and rebooking may also be less smooth when the small company’s single vehicle has a problem.

Key points to know before booking

• Heimir combines aurora guiding with photography: You receive high-resolution photos and help with camera settings during the outing.
• The warm gear matters: Snowsuits, chairs, hot drinks, and snacks let you wait outside in Icelandic winter conditions.
• The route changes with the forecast: The group heads toward clearer skies and darker locations rather than following a fixed sightseeing route.
• Small groups keep the night personal: The maximum is 18 people, with room for camera assistance and questions.
• A free re-run softens the risk: If the lights do not appear, you may be offered another outing, depending on availability.
• Plan this early in your stay: A run can be moved or canceled for weather, and a small operator may have limited space on later dates.

Chasing the aurora beyond Reykjavik

This is a Northern Lights hunt, not a standard evening sightseeing loop. You leave Reykjavik at about 8 pm and head into the southern region, where darker skies give the aurora a better chance to show itself.

The route is flexible. Heimir uses weather reports, cloud cover, and geomagnetic forecasts to decide where to go. That matters because a strong aurora forecast is not enough if thick cloud sits over your location. A weaker forecast under clear skies can produce the better night.

The drive may pass impressive Icelandic scenery, but the main attraction is the sky. You are not promised a lineup of famous landmarks or a fixed number of stops. Instead, you might pause in a quiet rural location where the group can spread out, set up cameras, and wait.

The listed itinerary gives three hours for the southern region, while the full outing lasts roughly four to six hours. The difference comes from driving, forecast changes, waiting time, and the time needed for photography. If the lights take a while to appear, you may be outside well after the earliest expected finish.

That flexible timing is useful, but it can affect your evening plans. I would not schedule a late dinner, show, or tightly timed activity afterward.

Why the warm suits and chairs change the experience

The cold is easy to underestimate. You may feel comfortable during the drive, then find that a long wait outside is a different matter. The included winter jumpsuits give you an extra layer over your normal clothing, while the outdoor chairs let you sit instead of standing on frozen ground.

The chairs are especially useful during quiet periods, when the aurora is faint or has not appeared yet. You can sit beneath a clear, star-filled sky, warm up in the vehicle when needed, and return outside when conditions improve.

Do not treat the suit as a substitute for warm clothing. One person found the temperature near minus 10 degrees Celsius and still advised wearing as many layers as possible. Bring a hat, gloves, warm socks, and sturdy footwear. The supplied suit is a major help, but it cannot make winter disappear.

The setup also makes the tour feel less rushed. You have time to look up, ask questions, adjust your camera, and enjoy the night instead of being pushed back onto a large bus after a quick photo stop.

Waiting for the lights with hot chocolate and Icelandic snacks

The food is a small but useful part of the night. The setup can include hot chocolate, tea, cinnamon rolls, pastries, chocolate, dried fish, and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps. The exact spread may vary, but it gives you something warm and familiar alongside a few distinctly Icelandic tastes.

Hot chocolate matters most when you have been outside for a long wait. The snacks also help break up the quiet stretches when the aurora is below the horizon or hidden by cloud.

I would treat the refreshments as hospitality rather than dinner. The tour lasts several hours, and the supplied food is not presented as a full meal. Eat beforehand, especially if you are booking an early evening outing during a busy Iceland day.

The atmosphere is one of the tour’s strongest features. With chairs, warm drinks, and fewer than 18 people, the night can feel more like a small outdoor gathering than a mass excursion. The clear sky itself can be part of the reward. Even without a major display, you may see far more stars than you can from Reykjavik.

Heimir’s role as guide and photographer

Heimir is central to the experience. He drives the group toward promising conditions, explains how the aurora forms and changes, and keeps watch while the group waits. His enthusiasm is useful because aurora hunting can test your patience. A quiet sky at 9 pm does not always mean the night is over.

He also handles the photography. The tour includes unlimited high-resolution photos taken during the outing, including portraits of participants with the aurora behind them when conditions allow. These images are a major reason to consider this tour instead of a basic transport-only option.

You can also receive help with your own camera settings. Heimir may assist with tripods, camera adjustments, and general setup. Tripods are included, and some participants have been able to borrow one when they could not bring their own.

Still, take your own equipment if you have it. A phone can capture the aurora, but a dedicated camera and tripod give you more control. One important practical point: the human eye may see a pale glow while a long-exposure photograph shows stronger green or purple color. That does not mean your eyes are failing. Cameras gather light differently.

If photography is important to you, arrive with your camera charged and enough storage space. The tour provides assistance, but you will get more from it if you already know how to use basic manual controls.

A small group, but not a private tour

The maximum group size is 18 people. That is much more manageable than a large coach tour, especially when everyone needs a turn near the camera, wants help with settings, or has a question about the sky.

A group of 18 is still a group. You will share the guide, chairs, refreshments, and photography time with other participants. If you want complete control over the location, schedule, and photo session, a private outing would be a different product.

The small-group format works well for this kind of activity because the experience includes long periods of waiting. A large crowd can make a quiet rural setting feel noisy and crowded. A smaller group gives the guide more chance to explain what is happening and to keep the mood calm.

WiFi is provided onboard, which is convenient for staying connected during the drive. Pickup and drop-off are available from selected locations in Reykjavik, including some hotels and cruise terminals.

Pickup details in central Reykjavik

Pickup needs a little planning. Parts of central Reykjavik restrict bus traffic, so the vehicle may not be able to stop directly outside your accommodation. In that case, you will be assigned or directed to a designated city bus stop nearby.

Check the pickup point before the evening begins. Walking to the correct stop with winter clothing and camera gear is simple enough, but it is not something you want to discover at the last minute.

Pickup is offered within Reykjavik city center. If you stay outside the city, the stated pickup option is BSÍ Bus Terminal. The tour begins around 8 pm, though the exact collection time can depend on your location.

The mobile ticket is useful, but I would still keep the pickup message easy to find. Communication has not always been perfect through the booking platform, and the operator may provide another way to contact them if messages fail to arrive.

The value of the $212 price

At $212 per person, this costs more than a basic Northern Lights bus trip. The price is easier to justify if you plan to use the included features: professional photography, warm jumpsuit, chair, snacks, hot drinks, tripod access, and camera help.

The photos alone can matter. You do not need to spend the night trying to balance a camera, adjust settings, and pose in the cold. A professional camera can record color and detail that your phone may miss, giving you a finished keepsake rather than a collection of dark, blurred images.

The free re-run also changes the value calculation. If clouds or poor visibility prevent a sighting, you may be offered another outing without another tour charge, depending on availability. That is helpful if you have several nights in Reykjavik, but it is not a guarantee of a second seat. A small company has limited capacity.

I would choose this tour if I cared about comfort and photographs, or if I wanted a guide who would explain the science rather than simply drive to a parking area. I would choose a cheaper option if I mainly wanted transportation into the countryside and was comfortable managing my own camera and waiting without a chair or supplied suit.

Weather, cancellations, and the real risk

No Northern Lights company can promise an aurora. The lights depend on solar activity, darkness, cloud cover, and timing. Even a clear evening can produce only a faint glow, while a quiet forecast can sometimes surprise you.

This tour requires good weather. If conditions block the view, the operator may offer another date or a full refund. Some bookings have been moved after the company judged that a later night offered a better chance. That can be a smart decision, but only if your schedule is flexible.

There is also an operational risk with a small business. A vehicle problem can cancel an outing without an immediate replacement date. That is why I recommend booking this near the start of your Reykjavik stay, not on your final evening.

The standard cancellation rule allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except where the operator cancels under the stated weather or minimum-number conditions.

Who should book this Northern Lights outing?

This is a good fit for you if:

• You want professional photos as well as a chance to see the aurora.
• You dislike standing in the cold for hours.
• You want help with your own camera.
• You prefer a small group over a large coach.
• You have more than one evening available in Reykjavik.
• You enjoy learning how weather and solar forecasts shape the search.

It is less suitable if you have only one free night and need a guaranteed schedule. It may also disappoint you if you expect a fixed sightseeing route, a full meal, or a private guide.

Families, couples, solo visitors, and photography-minded participants can all take part, and most people can participate. The main physical challenge is the cold and the possibility of waiting outdoors for several hours.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if the photographs, warm gear, and careful weather decisions are worth paying extra for. Heimir’s role as both aurora expert and photographer gives the evening more purpose than a simple ride into the dark, while the chairs and snacks make long waits much easier.

Book early in your Iceland stay and keep another evening open in case weather changes the plan. Bring your own warm layers, charge your camera, and accept that the aurora is a natural event rather than a scheduled performance.

If you want the best odds of a thoughtful, comfortable search and value having strong photos afterward, this is a solid choice. If you need certainty, the Northern Lights cannot give it, no matter how good the tour is.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour depart from?

Pickup is offered from selected locations in Reykjavik, including some hotels and Reykjavik cruise ship terminals. Central Reykjavik has restricted bus areas, so some accommodations require you to walk to a designated bus stop.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately four to six hours. The southern-region portion of the itinerary is listed as about three hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 18 participants.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

A free re-run may be offered if the lights are not seen, depending on availability. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Are warm clothes supplied?

Yes. Warm winter jumpsuits are included. You should still wear warm layers, including a hat, gloves, and warm socks, because Icelandic nights can be extremely cold.

Are chairs provided?

Yes. Comfortable outdoor chairs are included for waiting outside.

Are photographs included?

Yes. Unlimited high-resolution photos from the outing are included, and the guide can assist with your own camera settings.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes hot cocoa, cinnamon rolls, pastries, dried fish, chocolate, and premium Icelandic vodka and snaps. Tea is also mentioned as an available hot drink.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.