Planning a trip to Tromso to see the Northern Lights can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. There are countless tour options, but this particular one caught our eye because of its glowing reviews and thoughtful details. It’s a full evening adventure that combines aurora chasing with cozy campfire moments, topped off with professional photos.
What we really like about this tour is how it prioritizes comfort and quality — thermal suits are included so you don’t have to worry about the cold, and the guides are praised for their knowledge and enthusiasm. Also, the fact that they work with other teams to increase your chances of catching the lights is reassuring.
That said, a potential drawback is the unpredictability of the Northern Lights — no matter how well you plan, the sky has its own schedule. If your main goal is to see the aurora, this tour offers a good balance of effort and comfort for visitors ready to spend a long night outdoors.
Antonio was our guide for the evening and he was absolutely fantastic — very knowledgable, enthusiastic, and determined to get us to a spot where we’d see the aurora, even on a very cloudy night where we were racing against the weather. Antonio knew exactly where to go and we headed about an hour and a half south onto the mainland and then as far north as we could go there to a little clearing in a forest that he knew about. Lovely to be part of a small group in a minibus too, rather than a big coach, and the soup, hot chocolate, and marshmallows added a lush little touch! Cannot recommend this tour enough — a perfect experience!
The experience was amazing from beginning to end! Our guide Kat did a spectacular job. We watched the aurora for hours!!!! She made a fire, we had reindeer stew and finished off with toasting marshmallows. This was a trip to never forget.
Great evening and amazing light show hosts were very good and looked after us 👍🏼 both Kat and Robert were great
It’s great for travelers who enjoy small group experiences with personalized touches and don’t mind a bit of waiting under the stars.
- Key Points
- What to Expect from This Tromso Aurora Hunt
- The Itinerary in Detail
- Photography and Memory-Making
- What the Tour Offers
- What to Bring
- The Balance of Cost and Experience
- The Review Highlights from Travelers
- Practical Considerations
- Who This Tour Is Best For
- FAQs
- More Photography Tours in Tromso
- More Tour Reviews in Tromso
Key Points
- Expert guides with local knowledge help maximize your chances of seeing the lights.
- Warm thermal suits and cozy campfire make the experience comfortable and inviting.
- Professional photos give you lasting memories, even if the show in the sky is fleeting.
- Flexible stops depend on weather, so patience and flexibility are needed.
A focus on food and atmosphere adds to the overall charm, with hot soup and marshmallows.
- Small group size creates an intimate, personal experience—max 15 people.
What to Expect from This Tromso Aurora Hunt
This tour is designed to make Northern Lights chasing as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Starting at the Scandic Ishavshotel, you’ll meet your guide and driver, and then head out into the wilderness in a small, comfortable minibus. This isn’t a large bus tour — it’s limited to about 15 travelers, which means a more personal touch.
Your guides are well-versed in weather conditions and aurora forecasts, and they stay in touch with other teams to find the best spots. The stops are flexible, based on sky conditions — sometimes you may be in Norway, other times in Finland, depending on where the best viewing window opens up that night. This adaptability is a big plus since Aurora sightings depend heavily on weather and cloud cover.
It was really an unforgettable experience! Everything was well-tailored and very organized. Lukas, our tour guide, was very enthusiastic, lively and he really made sure that we'll enjoy the whole experience by achieving our goal of seeing the Aurora Borealis. I would never forget this!
The best tour with the best guide! It was the best day of my life! She has a lot experience and could identify a incredible place to have this experience.
Both the guide and the driver were excellent. They had their work cut out that evening as the weather didn’t give them much to work with. Only one negative point, I was hoping for a nicer picturesque view to take some pictures but ended up in a farmers field…
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Tromso
The Itinerary in Detail
The actual stops during the tour are variable. The guides will choose locations that offer the best chance of seeing the lights, often away from city lights and light pollution. Reviews mention that some stops are in fields or near beaches, providing open views of the sky. One review even notes that they ended up in a farmer’s field, which might not be the most scenic but is practical for clear views.
One of the highlights is the campfire, where you’ll gather around with marshmallows and hot drinks. The guides serve hot soup—specifically prepared for Arctic expeditions, which is both nourishing and warming.
Participants are asked to inform about allergies, especially since local specialties like reindeer soup might be served. The campfire creates a relaxed atmosphere, great for chatting under the stars and waiting for the aurora to appear.
Photography and Memory-Making
A standout feature is the inclusion of professional photos of you and the Northern Lights, taken with high-resolution cameras (2048px). Guides like Antonio and Lukas have received praise for their enthusiasm, professionalism, and ability to capture stunning images. Several reviews mention how these photos add a lasting touch to the experience — great for sharing or keeping as souvenirs.
We done the tour on the 19th January with Lukas as our guide and Martin as the driver! We couldn’t have asked for better guides, we stopped early to catch a quick glimpse to make sure everyone was happy and then went to Finland and experienced the most magical sights of the lights we could, it was so much more than expected giving the role nature has in these things. Lukas was so enthusiastic to take pictures for everyone and even got them out the very next day, couldn’t rate this higher! Thanks so much!
Really incredible Aurora hunt. It is hard to choose which company or tour to take when there are so many. But I am so glad that we had these guys as they were wonderful! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and made the trip more personal! Was an amazing experience with treats, hot choccy, soup, marshmallows and so many photos to remember the evening! 10/10, 100% recommend! Thanks so much!
Adam was our tour guide on 27th Dec, he took lots of efforts to ensure we see the northern lights and had immense interest in taking awesome photos. It was worth the trip just because of Adam. The second time with the same tours on 29th Dec we went thinking that it will be Adam again, but for our disappointment it was a different guide and the experience with her guidance was awful and not great.
What the Tour Offers
- A thermal suit that you send your sizes for beforehand, ensuring you stay warm in the sub-zero temperatures.
- Drinks like hot chocolate or tea to keep spirits high.
- A warm bowl of soup made locally in Tromso, which helps combat the cold and keep you energized.
- Marshmallows roasted over the fire.
- Pickup and drop-off at Tromso city center hotels, making logistics simple.
What to Bring
While the thermal suits are provided, travelers need to bring their own hats, gloves, boots, and scarves — Norwegian winters are cold, and proper gear really makes a difference. If you’re staying outside the city center, you might need to organize your own transport back, as the tour only drops at designated points.
The Balance of Cost and Experience
Pricing at around $192.10 per person may seem steep, but when you consider what’s included — professional photos, thermal suits, hot food, and the expertise of guides — it’s a fair deal. Reviews highlight the value, especially when you factor in how much effort guides put into finding clear skies and making the night memorable.
Many travelers book about a month in advance, which shows how popular and in-demand this tour is. The small group size, personalized attention, and the chance to see the Northern Lights make it a worthwhile investment for aurora chasers.
The Review Highlights from Travelers
The majority of reviews (rated 4.9 out of 5) mention the guides’ professionalism and enthusiasm. Guides like Antonio, Lukas, Kat, Adam, and Robert have earned high praise for their effort to find the best spots and their ability to make the experience special. Even when the Aurora isn’t visible, travelers appreciate the warm atmosphere, storytelling, and food.
Indigenous History and storytelling about the Northern lights. Not just the scientific version. More commentary from beginning -start of tour and in transit in Tromso.
First off David is an excellent driver, he drove effortlessly through the heavy snowy conditions. And Antonio is a kind and helpful guide, he kept us optimistic all night about seeing the auroras. The meeting site is disorganized. A lot of other tours meet at the same spot at the same time. So make sure you get there on time to find out which bus you need to get on. Luckily Antonio had a sign saying “The Green Adventure”. We made one bathroom stop going to the site and another stop on the way back. We went all the way to the border of Finland to see the auroras. It was magical! We were lucky to have seen a strong showing. We were able to stay for 3 hours watching the auroras. Antonio too…
Antonio was a wonderful, positive, energetic, helpful and creative guide. He took us to a beautiful place to get the best chance to see the northern lights, away from the cloudy Tromso skies. We had a stunning star filled sky and a magical Aurora show. Time didn't seem to matter to him and we only wrapped up for the long drive back when everyone in the group was ready. Amazing evening. Thanks so much Antonio and thanks too to our very skilled and accommodating driver!
Several visitors found the tour “organized and tailored,” with one praising the “sense of humor and easy communication” of the guides. Others appreciated the effort made to capture photos, noting that the guides took multiple shots and shared them afterward.
The experience is described as “magical,” “unforgettable,” and “spectacular,” especially when the lights do put on a show. A few reviews mention that the weather can be unpredictable, and sightings aren’t guaranteed, but the guides’ effort to chase clear skies makes a difference.
Practical Considerations
- The tour requires a current valid passport because it may involve crossing into Finland.
- It’s suitable for those aged 12 and up, with children needing to be accompanied by adults.
- Since access to proper toilets in the wilderness can be limited, it’s best to use the facilities beforehand.
- The tour isn’t ideal for cruise ship passengers who aren’t staying overnight in Tromso, as they risk missing their ship departure.
- The tour duration is approximately 6 to 9 hours, so dress warmly and be prepared for a late night outdoors.
Who This Tour Is Best For
If you’re looking for a well-organized, small-group experience with guides and a good shot at seeing the Aurora Borealis, this tour ticks those boxes. It’s especially suited for travelers who value comfort and photos — the included thermal suits and professional photography add a lot. If you’re prepared for variable weather and potentially cloudy skies, this tour offers flexibility and persistence.
It’s a great choice for adventure lovers, photography enthusiasts, and those wanting a cozy, memorable night under the Arctic sky. However, if your main goal is guaranteed Aurora spotting and you’re less concerned with extras like food or photos, some less expensive options might be worth exploring.
Our guide was Kat. Out of the 3 aurora hunts we booked, she had the best sense of humor and was super easy to talk to. Unfortunately, we were not able to see lights because of the cloud coverage that night. Kat tried 4 different locations and was in continuous contact with other guides. That night, none of the guides Kat was in contact with were able to see the lights either. Regardless, Kat made a lovely campfire for us at our 2nd stop and gave us plenty of info regarding Norwegian cuisine. Even though we didn’t get to see the lights, I’d recommend this tour.
Green Lady showed right after we arrived on our location, it was absolutely phenomenal, magical and stunning. Thanks to Antonio, definitely the best aurora hunter👍🏻
Increíble experiencia. Aún pasando mucho frío mereció la pena. Hicimos tres paradas, en una de ellas vimos auroras muy pequeñas, en otra encendimos una hoguera y tomamos una sopa de reno caliente y la en la tercera parada tuvimos la suerte de ver una auroras boreales ESPECTACULARES!
Aurora Hunt with the campfire and professional photographer
"Antonio was our guide for the evening and he was absolutely fantastic — very knowledgable, enthusiastic, and determined to get us to a spot where..."
FAQs
Do I need to bring my own winter clothing? No, thermal suits are provided, but you should bring your own hats, gloves, scarves, and sturdy boots to stay warm and comfortable outdoors.
How long is the tour? Expect around 6 to 9 hours, depending on weather conditions and aurora activity.
Where does the tour pick me up? The meeting point is at the Scandic Ishavshotel in Tromso, with drop-offs only to the city center hotels or designated points outside the main area.
Is this tour suitable for families? Children aged 12 and older can join, but they must be accompanied by an adult. It’s best suited for those comfortable outdoors in winter conditions.
What if I don’t see the Northern Lights? The guides do their best to find clear skies, but sightings depend on weather. You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if canceled due to poor weather.
Are meals included? Yes, hot soup and hot chocolate or tea are served, along with marshmallows around the campfire.
Will I get good photos? Yes, professional guides will take high-resolution shots of you with the Aurora, which are included in the tour.
Can I participate if I have allergies? Inform the tour operator in advance; they can tailor the food options, especially the soup.
Is it worth the price? Considering the included professional photos, thermal suits, food, and personalized experience, most travelers find it a good value.
Can I book last-minute? Most travelers book about 38 days in advance, but it’s possible to check availability closer to your date, especially if the tour isn’t full.
Choosing this Aurora hunt in Tromso means embracing the unpredictability of nature, but also trusting experienced guides to make it as memorable as possible. If you value comfort, good company, and a chance to document your Arctic adventure with professional photos, this tour could be just the right fit.
