From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos

The best part of this Northern Lights tour is the active search. You do not simply park beside Reykjavík and hope for luck. Your guide checks forecasts, cloud cover, and conditions in different areas, then drives toward the clearest sky available. Guides such as Baldvin, Devin, Simon, Gummi, and Michaela have been praised for their persistence, humor, and eye for good viewing spots.

I like the small minibus, which can reach places that large coaches cannot, and I like the thoughtful cold-weather extras: thick Icelandic wool blankets, hot chocolate, and kleina, a traditional Icelandic fried pastry. The free photos are another real benefit, since photographing the aurora well is difficult with a phone.

The catch is simple: nature makes the final decision. You may spend four hours searching and see only a faint glow, or nothing at all. A second attempt is available if you attend and the lights do not appear, but there is no refund after taking the tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Small-group aurora hunting: The minibus holds no more than 19 people, making quick stops and darker viewing areas easier to reach.
• Four hours outside Reykjavík: The evening may include more than one viewing stop, with the route shaped by weather and cloud cover.
• Free photos included: Your guide uses a professional camera to take portraits beneath the aurora when conditions allow.
• Warmth is part of the plan: Borrow an Icelandic wool blanket, then warm up with hot chocolate and kleina.
• A second chance is possible: If you attend but do not see the lights, you can join another tour free of charge, subject to availability.
• Best for flexible visitors: You need patience, warm clothing, and realistic expectations about a natural event.

Chasing clear skies beyond Reykjavík

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled show. They need darkness, solar activity, and a break in the clouds, all at the same time. That is why the most useful feature here is not the promise of a particular viewing spot. It is the guide’s ability to keep checking conditions and adjust the route.

The tour lasts about four hours and begins with pickup around Reykjavík. The departure window changes with the season. From October 1 through March 31, pickups begin from about 8:30 p.m. From August 15 through September 30 and April 1 through April 18, they begin from about 9:30 p.m.

You must wait at your assigned pickup point 30 minutes before departure. Downtown hotels often cannot receive direct vehicle pickups because of local rules, so you may be sent to the nearest designated bus stop. This is worth checking before the evening, especially if you are carrying a lot of winter clothing.

Once everyone is aboard, the guide explains how auroras form, how cloud cover affects visibility, and what you can realistically expect from the night. Several guides have also explained different forecasting tools and used live information from other locations while driving.

That information matters. A green band visible to the naked eye may look pale or gray at first, while a camera can record stronger greens, pinks, reds, or purples. Knowing this helps you understand why the professional photos can look more dramatic than what your eyes saw.

What the minibus changes

A maximum group size of 19 is a useful middle ground. You still share the experience with other people, but the vehicle is much more manageable than a large coach. A smaller bus can use narrower access roads and make decisions more quickly when the guide spots a promising break in the clouds.

The minibus is described as warm and comfortable, an important point when you are out late in Iceland. Several guides have also been praised for keeping the mood upbeat during long stretches of waiting or driving. That can make a real difference when the sky refuses to cooperate.

The tradeoff is that you are not guaranteed a private tour. You may need to wait while other people take their photos, and everyone may not want to spend the same amount of time outside. The group size is still limited, but this remains a shared outing rather than a custom photography session.

The vehicle includes pickup and drop-off, and there are many designated locations around Reykjavík. Listed points include Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, Reykjavík City Hall, the Culture House, several central bus stops, Reykjavík hotels, and Skarfabakki Harbour. If your accommodation is not listed, contact EastWest before booking rather than guessing where to meet.

The secret stop and the value of several viewpoints

The central outing is described as a secret stop, with sightseeing, a guided visit, and time for photographs. In practice, the route can include two or more areas, depending on the night.

One stop may be close to Reykjavík, while another can be farther into the countryside. A few outings have reached areas around Þingvellir National Park, while another account describes a darker location near a thermal plant and a separate stop with horses. These details are not fixed attractions, so you should not book this expecting a particular park, farm, or animal encounter.

That flexibility is useful. The best spot on one night may be poor on another because of cloud cover or city glow. Guides have sometimes moved on after an unhelpful first location, while on other nights they stayed longer once the sky opened up.

Do not confuse movement with a guarantee. Driving farther does not automatically produce an aurora. It only improves your odds of finding darker or clearer skies. The strongest nights described by guests included dramatic displays visible without a camera, but other outings produced weaker activity because of cloud cover.

One practical tip: keep your phone charged, but do not spend the whole evening trying to photograph the sky yourself. Your guide’s camera and experience are included, and the free images may be better than anything you can produce quickly in the cold.

Free aurora photos, not just a souvenir

Photography is one of this tour’s strongest advantages. Your guide takes photos of you beneath the Northern Lights and later provides them when the aurora is successfully seen.

This is more useful than it sounds. Night photography needs a steady camera, a long exposure, careful focus, and a person who knows how to combine a bright sky with a visible face. In the dark and cold, most people would rather enjoy the sight than work through camera settings.

Some guides, including Devin, have also offered advice about camera settings and where to stand. The photos are taken at the stops, so be ready when the guide calls your group forward. If the lights are faint, the camera may show more color than your eyes can see. That is normal, not a sign that the experience was artificial.

There is an important condition: photos are not delivered if the tour does not find visible Northern Lights. The free photography is a welcome extra, but it is not a substitute for seeing the phenomenon yourself.

Hot chocolate, blankets, and Icelandic kleina

The cold is part of the evening, and Icelandic weather can make standing outside feel much longer than expected. The tour provides wool blankets to borrow, plus hot chocolate and kleina, a sweet fried Icelandic pastry.

These touches have practical value. You can step out of the minibus, watch the sky, and then return for warmth and a drink. The food also gives the stop a more local feel than simply handing out a packaged snack.

Do not treat the blankets as a replacement for proper clothing. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and comfortable shoes. The instructions specifically call for warm clothing and comfortable footwear, and that advice should be taken seriously. You may spend time standing still in the wind, even if the bus itself is warm.

The hot chocolate has been described as especially welcome on freezing nights, while the pastry gives you something substantial enough to enjoy while waiting. Still, this is a light snack, not dinner. Eat before pickup if you normally need a full evening meal.

Guides who make the waiting worthwhile

The guide can shape the night almost as much as the weather. Baldvin has been singled out for his enthusiasm and photography, while Devin is known for explaining forecasting and working hard to find a clear area. Simon has been praised for mixing humor with realistic advice, and Gummi has been described as quick to recognize changes in the sky.

Other named guides include Michaela, Slavi, Ionut, Wojtek, Einar, and Diogo. The repeated strengths are clear: friendly conversation, an interest in the science, and a willingness to keep searching rather than simply return to Reykjavík at the first sign of clouds.

That does not mean every night will feel identical. Guides have different personalities, and the aurora itself remains unpredictable. The useful thing is that the tour is built around a guide making decisions during the evening, not following a rigid sightseeing route.

I especially like the advice to keep expectations low but hopes high. You should arrive ready for a memorable natural display, but also accept that cloud cover may win. That mindset protects the evening from becoming a disappointment before it begins.

The real value of the $169 price

At $169 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. You are paying for transport from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, a four-hour search, a small minibus, blankets, hot chocolate, kleina, and professional photos.

The value improves if you would otherwise rent a car or pay separately for a photographer. Driving at night in unfamiliar winter conditions can be tiring, and a local guide can monitor several possible locations while you focus on the experience. The included photos also save you from buying a separate portrait package.

The price is harder to justify if you want a guaranteed aurora, a private vehicle, or a full dinner. No company can control the sky, and this tour does not promise that you will see the lights. Its value lies in the effort, comfort, guidance, and second-chance policy.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 695 reviews, with 88 percent of ratings described as perfect. That is a strong signal for transport, guide quality, and organization, but it does not change the basic risk of an outdoor aurora search.

When to schedule this tour in your trip

I would book this early in your Reykjavík stay, not on your final night. If you attend and the lights do not appear, you can join another tour free of charge, subject to availability. That option is useful only if you have another evening available.

The free rebooking applies when you take the tour but do not see the Northern Lights. If EastWest cancels before you attend because of poor weather, you receive a full refund. If you have already participated and the company cancels a later attempt, the stated policy allows rebooking for up to two years, subject to availability, rather than a refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your cash free until closer to the outing. Check the exact departure time when booking because the seasonal start times vary.

August is not automatically a good choice simply because it is summer. Darkness and cloud conditions matter, and one August outing had no luck after three attempts in five days. The season runs into April, but your best plan is still to watch the forecast and leave room for a second night.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour suits you if you want help with the driving, enjoy learning how the aurora works, and prefer a smaller group to a large coach. It is also a strong fit if you want photos of yourself without carrying or setting up serious camera equipment.

It may not suit you if you need guaranteed results, dislike late nights, or find cold outdoor waiting uncomfortable. Children under five are not accepted, and the tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Infant seats are not available.

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes, and keep your phone charged. You do not need to bring a blanket or snacks, but extra layers remain essential.

Should you book this Northern Lights tour?

I would book it if you have at least two possible nights in Reykjavík and want a guide-led search with useful extras. The minibus, active route planning, free photos, blankets, hot chocolate, and kleina make the $169 easier to defend than a simple bus ride to a dark parking area.

I would skip it if your schedule allows only one evening and seeing the aurora is the single purpose of your Iceland trip. The second-chance policy has real value, but only when your plans are flexible.

For most visitors, this is a sensible balance of comfort, personal attention, and price. Go with warm clothes, a charged phone, and low expectations but high hopes. If the sky opens, you may remember the cocoa almost as fondly as the green light overhead.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The tour lasts four hours, including the pickup and the search for suitable viewing areas outside Reykjavík.

What time does pickup begin?

From October 1 through March 31, pickup begins from about 8:30 p.m. From August 15 through September 30 and April 1 through April 18, pickup begins from about 9:30 p.m. Check the available departure time when booking.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavík?

Pickup is available at many listed hotels, landmarks, and designated bus stops, including Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, City Hall, Reykjavík Natura, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, and Skarfabakki Harbour. Downtown hotel pickups may be replaced by the nearest designated bus stop because of local regulations.

Are photos included in the price?

Yes. The guide takes free photos when the Northern Lights are visible. Photos are not delivered if the tour does not successfully see the lights.

What food and drinks are included?

Hot chocolate and kleina, an Icelandic donut or fried pastry, are included. Wool blankets are also available to borrow during the outdoor stops.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

If you attend the tour but do not see the lights, you can join another tour free of charge, subject to availability. There is no refund after attending. If the company cancels before you take the tour because of poor weather, you receive a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. It is not stroller accessible, and infant seats are unavailable.