REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
PRIVATE Northern light photo infused tour
Book on Viator →Operated by ArcticShots · Bookable on Viator
Night skies. Real photo help.
This private Northern Lights photo tour is a smart mix of aurora chasing and practical photography coaching. You get a pro photographer guide who helps you work with your phone or camera, not just admire the lights.
Two things I really like: the round-trip pickup from your Reykjavik hotel, and the fact that you receive two high-resolution photos taken with the aurora behind you at no extra cost. One thing to consider is that this is a night hunt, and it depends on conditions. Good weather matters, and the lights can be shy.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Why a private aurora photo tour works better than winging it
- The 4-hour flow: pickup, aurora hunting, hot chocolate, back to town
- How the photographer guide helps your phone or camera
- Two included high-resolution photos with the lights behind you
- The aurora hunt strategy around Reykjavik
- Comfort, timing, and what private really means in the real world
- Price and value: what $1,190 per group really buys you
- Should you book this Northern Lights photo tour in Reykjavik?
- FAQ
- How long is the Private Northern Light photo infused tour?
- What is the price, and how many people can be in a group?
- Is round-trip transportation from Reykjavik included?
- Do I get Northern Lights photos taken during the tour?
- Will the guide help me photograph the aurora with my phone or camera?
- What time does the tour run on Sundays?
- What if the weather is poor and the tour can’t run?
- Is this a private tour?
Key highlights at a glance
- Private group: just your party, so the guide can tailor the timing and photo coaching
- Pro photographer guidance for phone or camera so you know what to do in the moment
- Two included high-res portraits with the Northern Lights behind you
- Hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Reykjavik for less stress in winter
- Hot chocolate stop to warm up before heading back
Why a private aurora photo tour works better than winging it
Reykjavik is one of the best places on Earth to chase the Northern Lights, but seeing them is only half the story. The other half is actually capturing them. This tour is built around that second half, with a photographer guide who focuses on getting you good results instead of just driving around and hoping.
I like that it is private. You are not waiting your turn for quick answers while other people scramble for settings. You get personal attention, and the guide can adjust based on what your device can do and what the lights are doing that night.
Another practical win is the photo plan. Instead of leaving everything to luck and a shaky phone at arm’s length, you get help during the aurora hunt and then you also get two high-resolution photos where you are positioned in front of the lights. That takes pressure off you.
The one downside is simple: a Northern Lights tour can’t guarantee a show. Even on a great night, the timing and visibility are weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, the operator can cancel or change dates, so plan to be flexible.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Reykjavik
The 4-hour flow: pickup, aurora hunting, hot chocolate, back to town
The tour runs for about 4 hours. It is designed around the evening window when aurora viewing is most likely, with departures on Sundays from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM during the season (10/18/2024 through 06/16/2026).
Here is the rhythm you can expect:
- You’ll have round-trip pickup from your Reykjavik hotel and head out with your photographer guide.
- The guide hunts for the lights in the direction from Reykjavik with the best chance that night.
- You stop, shoot, adjust, and learn what to do with your gear while you wait for the aurora to show.
- Before the drive back, you get hot chocolate to warm up.
Why this pacing matters: the aurora hunt is not just one moment. It can build slowly, brighten, then fade. A tour like this gives you time to react and reframe your shots, instead of being hurried through a single photo stop.
Also, the hot chocolate is not just a cute add-on. Winter aurora viewing often means long waits in cold air. A warm drink helps you stay alert and comfortable, which makes a bigger difference than you might think when you’re trying to photograph moving light.
How the photographer guide helps your phone or camera
The key value here is the guide’s focus on capturing the Northern Lights. You do not just get a lesson in what the aurora looks like. You get help using your phone or camera so you can actually get images that match what you’re seeing.
In plain terms, the guide’s job is to reduce the guesswork. That’s huge on a cold night when you have limited patience and your hands are freezing. When you know what to try next—what to adjust, how to aim, and how to keep the process from turning into trial-and-error—you spend more time photographing and less time fiddling.
There is also a big social benefit with a private setup. If you’re the kind of person who worries about holding the camera wrong or slowing everyone down, this format helps. The tour is structured so the guide can work with your pace and your equipment.
One more practical point: you’ll get the benefit of the guide choosing where to aim based on where the aurora is likely to be visible from Reykjavik. That means less time spent scanning the sky and more time producing photos.
Two included high-resolution photos with the lights behind you
Most Northern Lights tours give you a few minutes of group photos and call it a day. This one adds a stronger plan: you receive two high-resolution photos of you with the Northern Lights behind you, included at no extra cost.
That included photo set is a big part of the value, especially if you want portraits that look intentional rather than accidental. It also helps if you are using a smartphone. Phone cameras can do a lot, but getting a great aurora portrait is still a matter of timing, framing, and positioning—all things a photographer guide can handle faster than you can figure out from scratch in the dark.
One solo female traveler shared that she felt comfortable with the guide and that the photos she received were wonderful, and she got them quickly after the tour. That matches the intent of the included photo service: you leave with results, not just memories.
Important consideration: these two included photos are separate from anything you shoot on your own. You still get to try your own settings and take your own pictures, but you also have that safety net built in.
The aurora hunt strategy around Reykjavik
You’ll spend time hunting in the direction from Reykjavik with the best possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. That detail sounds small, but it changes the whole experience.
Aurora viewing is sensitive to local conditions. Direction, cloud cover, and how the sky opens up from where you’re standing all matter. A guide who is specifically selecting the direction is basically saving you from the most common mistake: spreading out your attention and hoping the sky cooperates from one fixed spot.
On top of that, the tour is framed around teaching you how to work during the hunt. You’re not just looking up at the sky while time passes. You’re learning how to respond when the aurora appears—how to aim, how to keep your gear working, and how to keep shooting as the light shifts.
And yes, it’s a night activity. Expect dark skies, cold air, and occasional waiting. If you’re the type who gets impatient, keep in mind that good aurora photos often require patience. This tour is built for that.
Comfort, timing, and what private really means in the real world
This tour is listed as private, which means only your group participates. That matters more than it sounds. You are less likely to feel rushed, and the guide can spend time on your questions instead of moving a larger group along.
Pickup is offered, which keeps the logistics simple. In Reykjavik winter evenings, getting yourself to the right spot can add stress. Here, you are collected from your hotel and brought back after the aurora hunt. That makes the whole experience easier to plan when you have dinner reservations or want to avoid complicated winter travel.
You’ll also be given time for warming up with hot chocolate before heading back. Small comfort perks like this are what keep the evening enjoyable rather than miserable.
Also, the schedule is set for a seasonal window ending on 06/16/2026. That means you should book early if you’re traveling during peak dates. Confirmation is sent at booking time, so you can plan without guessing.
A fair caution: the tour requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s not a dealbreaker—it’s just the nature of aurora viewing.
Price and value: what $1,190 per group really buys you
The price is $1,190.00 per group, up to 4 people. It’s not cheap, but it also isn’t just a ride in a van.
What you’re paying for:
- A private photographer guide during a high-demand night
- Round-trip transportation from your Reykjavik hotel
- Coaching so you can work with your phone or camera
- Two high-resolution photos of you with the aurora behind you
To think about value, do the math based on your group size. If you book with a full group of four, you’re effectively around $300 per person (before any other costs you might have in Reykjavik). If you’re traveling as a solo traveler, you’ll pay the full group price, so the value becomes more about the included portrait photos, the private coaching, and the comfort of pickup.
One traveler’s note in the provided feedback is especially relevant here: she received her photos very quickly after the tour. That turns the included photo service into something you can actually use right away, not just a vague promise of files later.
So who is this best for? People who want results. If your goal is both seeing the Northern Lights and leaving with strong photos, this price is easier to justify than tours that only cover transportation and hope.
Should you book this Northern Lights photo tour in Reykjavik?
Book it if you want a Northern Lights night with structure: transportation handled, direction-based aurora hunting, and photo coaching that helps you work your phone or camera. The included two high-resolution portraits are a strong reason to choose this over a more casual viewing tour.
I would also recommend it if you’re traveling solo or with just one other person and you don’t want to feel like you’re competing for attention. The private format helps you relax and ask questions without rushing.
Skip it or at least be cautious if you hate winter-night waiting and you need a guaranteed show. Northern Lights visibility is weather-dependent, and you may still spend time hunting.
If you’re flexible and you care about getting photos you’ll actually be proud to share, this is a solid pick with ArcticShots—especially because the experience combines coaching with an included portrait outcome.
FAQ
How long is the Private Northern Light photo infused tour?
It lasts about 4 hours.
What is the price, and how many people can be in a group?
The price is $1,190 per group, and the group can include up to 4 people.
Is round-trip transportation from Reykjavik included?
Yes. Pickup from your Reykjavik hotel and round-trip transportation are included.
Do I get Northern Lights photos taken during the tour?
Yes. Your guide will take two high-resolution photos of you with the lights behind you, and they are included at no extra cost.
Will the guide help me photograph the aurora with my phone or camera?
Yes. The photographer guide will help you use your phone or camera to capture the Northern Lights.
What time does the tour run on Sundays?
On Sundays, it runs from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM.
What if the weather is poor and the tour can’t run?
The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.
If you tell me your travel dates and whether it’s just you or a pair (or up to four), I can help you decide if this is a great match for your goals and budget.
