Northern Lights hunting can be a slog.

This one adds Viking-style photo fun and a photographer to help turn the wait into something you actually look forward to. Based around the Reykjavík area, the team (including owners Kolbeinn and Emil) runs a small-minibus operation designed to get you away from city glow fast, then keep moving until the sky cooperates.

Two things I really like: first, the focus on pro-level aurora photos. You get high-spec camera support so you’re not just pointing your phone at darkness. Second, the tour’s mindset is practical and patient, with unlimited retries (free of charge) until you see the lights.

One consideration: there’s no money refund if the aurora doesn’t show on your outing, so you’ll want to build your trip schedule with flexibility for a retry night. Also, the minibus is smaller and can feel snug if you’re carrying lots of layers.

Key things to know before you go

• Small-group minibus (18 max) for more personal guiding and access to spots bigger buses can’t reach
• Viking costumes and weapon replicas make your aurora photos funny, bold, and worth the effort in the cold
• High-spec night photography setup aimed at giving you print-quality results
• Entertainment during the wait so you’re not just standing around freezing
• Hot chocolate and cookies to keep your body warm while your eyes wait for green (or pink/red) sky action
• Retry until you see it: unlimited, free of charge, based on the tour’s aurora guarantee-by-determination approach

Why this Reykjavík aurora tour feels like a real mission

Reykjavík’s Northern Lights scene has two kinds of nights: the ones where the aurora shows up quickly, and the ones where it keeps you waiting while you freeze and hope. This tour is built for the second kind of night.

What makes it different is the mix of roles. You’re not just getting a driver and a vague hope for clear skies—you’re with a local guide plus a photographer, and you’re actively encouraged to do the “photo session” part even before the aurora appears. That matters because Northern Lights travel often fails in the middle: people spend hours doing nothing except scanning the sky. Here, you’re kept busy, warmed up, and set up for portraits with the lights behind you.

And yes, the Viking theme is more than costume-for-the-sake-of-costume. You’ll learn how Vikings connected (in story and belief) to the Northern Lights, and that gives the whole “Viking portrait in front of aurora” moment a reason to exist. It turns the photo into a scene, not just a gimmick.

The 4-hour rhythm: pickup, a secret photo stop, then the aurora hunt

This is a 4-hour evening out of Reykjavík, with hotel pickup and drop-off in multiple convenient zones around the city. You’ll get collected from a long list of pickup points (think major hotels, the pond area in central Reykjavík, and several stops near downtown landmarks). The driver will shout your name at pickup, which saves you from wandering around with numb hands trying to find your group.

Once you’re moving, the pacing follows a simple reality: the aurora is unpredictable. Even the best forecasting can’t guarantee a clear show. So you can expect two phases to the night.

First is the start-up phase: getting to darker viewpoints, with at least one photo-focused stop built into the outing. This is where you get scenery, a change of atmosphere away from city lights, and a chance to line up your camera settings (or at least stop fighting your own settings in the cold). It’s also where the tour’s entertainment helps: Viking gear, quick games with replica weapons, and laughs when someone’s armor-posing like they mean it.

Second is the hunt phase: repositioning when conditions look better. Sometimes the lights show almost immediately after you’re out of Reykjavík’s glow. Other times you wait, and the team keeps working the sky—driving to clear spots and scanning until the aurora starts behaving like the main character.

From what I’ve seen described by people who got guides like BG, Trond, Tomas, Kobe, Johan (Joey), and Emil, the guides tend to run the night with one goal: get you into the right darkness and keep the group engaged while you wait.

Viking costumes and weapon replicas: why it works in real life

Let’s talk about the Viking part. For some Northern Lights tours, the costume idea is just a cute add-on. Here, it’s actually useful.

In a cold, dark environment, you need a reason to keep moving and posing in short bursts. Viking outfits and weapon replicas give your group something structured to do: put on the gear, try a few fun portrait poses, and get a photoshoot moment that looks intentional even if the aurora is faint at first.

A couple practical notes if you’re considering the experience:

• You’ll be handling museum-style replica gear and costumes sourced from a local museum, so treat it gently and follow your guide’s lead.
• Some nights are slow. When the aurora is late, those costume-and-photo moments are what keep the evening from turning into a silent cold-stare contest.

Also, the Viking theme connects to story. You’ll learn about the connections Vikings had with the Northern Lights, which makes the experience feel more like Reykjavík’s winter identity than just a random photo stunt.

Photographs: what pro camera support changes for you

Northern Lights photography has a learning curve. If you’ve only ever shot daytime photos, the aurora will humble you quickly: low light, long exposures, and a sky that looks one way to your eyes and another way to a camera.

This tour is aimed at fixing the most common problem: people show up, take a blurry attempt, then feel disappointed. The setup here is designed to help you get high-quality night pictures. You’re not alone with your phone. There’s a photographer, plus high-spec cameras involved in capturing Northern Lights and Viking portrait shots.

Here’s what that means for your result:

• If the aurora shows in stronger color (green is most common; pink/red can happen), the photographer’s approach helps you capture it clearly instead of missing the “wow” parts.
• If it’s more subtle early on, the team’s patience and repositioning still gives you chances at a better view.
• If you want multiple photos, guides in this operation are described as willing to make space for repeated shots so everyone gets a turn.

One small practical drawback: you’ll be out at night, and the minibus ride can be snug when you’re layered up. If you’re carrying bulky winter gear, you may feel a bit boxed in on the way back and forth. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does mean you should wear layers efficiently and avoid bringing extra stuff you don’t need.

Hot chocolate, cookies, and the wait without misery

The core challenge with the aurora isn’t just weather. It’s time. The lights can start, stop, and shift shape over the course of your evening. That means you might wait outside in freezing air while the sky decides.

This tour tackles that directly with hot chocolate and cookies, plus an entertaining setup while you wait for the aurora. People mention hot chocolate repeatedly—and not just as a token sip. The vibe is more like: warm your hands, take a break, then go back out for the next scan.

That warmth matters because when your hands are numb, photography becomes harder, and smiling becomes harder too.

In addition, several descriptions mention extra comfort like blankets on the bus. You may not think of this until you’re sitting in icy air-temps. It’s the difference between enduring the night and actually enjoying it.

Repositioning and the “we don’t quit” style

Aurora tours often fail because they treat the night like a checklist: stop A, stop B, time’s up, back to Reykjavík. This program runs differently. The guides aim to keep chasing opportunities.

That approach shows up in stories of guides continuing the wait when the lights were showing weakly—or pushing to a second location after a first stop didn’t deliver. People also describe cases where aurora activity appeared quickly once they were far enough from the city glow, which is exactly what you want: darker skies and less light pollution.

It’s still luck, though. No one can accurately predict the aurora with precision. The reliable part is the operation’s persistence and their strategy of finding clear viewing spots.

Price and value: what $148 buys beyond the lights

At $148 per person for a 4-hour small-group experience, this isn’t the cheapest option you’ll see. But it’s also not trying to be.

Here’s where the value shows up:

• Small group (18 max): you’re less likely to be lost in a crowd. That helps with photo time and attention.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off: you don’t need to wrestle buses and dark streets when you’re cold.
• Guide + photographer: pro photo support is costly. It’s built in.
• Viking costumes + weapon replicas: you’re paying for experience design, not just transportation.
• Hot chocolate and cookies: it’s not a massive meal, but it makes waiting bearable.
• Unlimited retries until you see the lights: this is the big one. If your first night is cloudy or disappointing, you’re not necessarily out of luck.

One final value note: many aurora tours sell the same basic promise—see the Northern Lights. This one adds time-to-photo, time-to-story, and time-to-keep-warm. When you’re paying to chase a once-in-a-lifetime sky event, those “around the aurora” parts matter.

Who this Northern Lights tour is best for

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want Viking-themed photos and not just standard aurora viewing
• Care about getting better night photos without learning camera settings on the fly
• Prefer a smaller group and a more hands-on guiding style
• Are okay with the reality that the aurora depends on weather and you might need to retry

It’s not suitable for children under 7, based on the tour’s stated guidance. If your group includes young kids, you’ll want to pick an alternative that matches their comfort needs.

If you’re the type who gets impatient with long cold waits, the tour’s entertainment + warm-up routine is designed for you. If you’re the type who loves photography, the pro support changes the whole game.

Should you book this Reykjavík Northern Lights tour?

I’d book it if you want the best odds and you’re willing to play the long-night game. The combination of small-group chasing, photo support, Viking portrait fun, and retry-until-success is built for people who truly came to see the aurora, not just to ride in a bus and hope.

Skip it only if you’re traveling with a schedule that can’t flex at all, because the aurora is unpredictable and there’s no refund if the lights don’t show on your outing. In that case, you’d risk paying for disappointment with fewer options.

If you do have some flexibility in your Reykjavík nights, this is one of the more organized ways to turn that freezing “maybe tonight” feeling into a full-on aurora mission.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

It runs for 4 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What’s the group size?

It’s a small-group tour with a minibus and a maximum of 18 people.

Do I get help with photos of the aurora?

Yes. The tour includes a guide and photographer, uses high-spec cameras for night pictures, and focuses on Northern Lights and Viking portrait photography.

What’s included besides the viewing?

You’ll have use of Viking costumes and Viking weapon replicas, plus hot chocolate and cookies.

What should I bring?

Wear warm clothing. The tour is outdoors at night.

Is this tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 7.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What happens if there are no Northern Lights on my night?

The tour states there is no refund if no aurora is seen. You can join again free of charge, with unlimited retries until you see the lights.

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