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Operated by: BusTravel Iceland

Reykjavík: Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Free Photos

Chase the northern lights across Iceland's most scenic locations on this intimate 4-hour small-group tour. With a maximum of 19 passengers, your guide hunts the best skies, takes professional photos of you, and serves hot chocolate along the way.

Duration
4 hours
Starts From
Reykjavík
Pickup
Pickup required
Minimum age
8+
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
All year
Passengers
Min 1 · Max 15
Travel method
Mini Bus / Car

About this experience

This evening Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík combines expert aurora hunting with professional photography, so you return home with stunning images as well as memories. Groups are capped at a maximum of 19 passengers, giving your guide the time and attention to look after every guest personally throughout the 4-hour experience.

Capturing the aurora on camera is genuinely challenging without the right knowledge and equipment. Your guide provides hands-on photography guidance at each stop, helping you get the shot — and also takes complimentary photos of you against the glowing sky, included in the price.

Location selection is a science as much as an art. The operator's team monitors weather data throughout the day and selects the most photogenic and cloud-free site available that evening, always aiming for a picturesque backdrop that makes your images stand out.

On evenings when the aurora does not appear, you will still enjoy a star-filled Icelandic night sky and receive a complimentary rebooking on a future date of your choice — giving you a genuine second chance to witness the lights.

Highlights

  • Small-group experience with a maximum of 19 passengers
  • Complimentary professional photos taken by your guide
  • Expert photography guidance at every stop
  • Hot chocolate and snacks included
  • Weather-monitored location selection for the best skies
  • Complimentary rebooking if northern lights are not visible

Experience details

Your tour begins with a hotel pickup from selected locations in central Reykjavík. Once everyone is collected, your guide heads to the evening's chosen site — selected based on live weather and cloud-cover data gathered earlier in the day.

At each stop, your guide offers hands-on northern lights photography coaching, helping you adjust settings and compose shots whether you are using a smartphone or a dedicated camera. They also take complimentary photos of you with the aurora as your backdrop, included at no extra cost.

Warm Icelandic hot chocolate and snacks are served during the tour to keep you comfortable in the cold. The full experience runs approximately 4 hours, after which you are dropped back at your original pickup location.

Children aged 8 years and older are welcome. All guests should dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear suitable for uneven outdoor terrain.

Why choose this tour

Most northern lights tours pack coaches with large crowds, leaving little room for personal attention. This tour deliberately limits group size to a maximum of 19 passengers, so your guide can focus on you, answer questions, and ensure everyone gets a great photograph.

The free professional photos taken by your guide are a genuine differentiator — no need to wrestle with long-exposure settings in the dark. And if the aurora stays hidden, the complimentary rebooking policy means your investment is protected and you get another opportunity to see the lights on a date that suits you.

What’s included

Northern lights hunting experience. Professional northern lights guide. Complimentary photos taken by your guide during the tour. Professional photography guidance. Picturesque location selected based on weather conditions. Icelandic hot chocolate and snacks. Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected central Reykjavík locations.

Pickup point

Pickup or meeting details are confirmed during booking.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if the northern lights do not appear during my tour?
If the aurora is not visible on your tour night, you will still enjoy Iceland's star-filled night sky. The operator offers a complimentary rebooking, allowing you to reschedule for a future northern lights tour date of your choice.
Are professional photos really included, and how do I receive them?
Yes. Your guide takes photos of you with the northern lights throughout the tour at no extra charge. Contact the operator via the BusTravel Iceland customer portal after your tour to access your images.
How small is the group on this tour?
Groups are capped at a maximum of 19 passengers, making this a genuinely intimate experience. The smaller size means your guide can give personal attention to each guest and ensure everyone has time for great photos.
Do I need photography experience or special camera equipment?
No prior experience is needed. Your guide provides hands-on photography coaching during the tour and takes complimentary photos of you. Whether you have a smartphone or a dedicated camera, you will receive guidance on getting the best shot.
Where does the tour depart from, and is hotel pickup available?
Hotel pickup is available from selected locations in central Reykjavík. If your accommodation is not on the pickup list, you can meet the group at Bus Stop 12, opposite Storm Hotel, at Þórunnartún 6, Reykjavík.
What should I wear on the northern lights tour?
Dress in warm, windproof layers and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven outdoor terrain. Iceland's nights can be very cold, so thermal underlayers, a hat, gloves, and a waterproof outer layer are strongly recommended.

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