REVIEW · REYKJAVIK

Private Northern Lights Tour – Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt

★ 5.0 · 2 reviews 4 hours (approx.) Operated by EV Travel · Bookable on Viator
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The main appeal here is simple: your group gets its own Northern Lights hunt, rather than sharing a coach with strangers and following a fixed route. Guide Thomas chooses where to go based on darkness, road conditions, and the aurora forecast, then explains how the lights form while you wait.

I like the flat group price for up to five people, which can make this sensible for a family or a small party. I also like the transport plan: an electric Mercedes EQV when conditions are easy, with a Super Jeep ready if snow makes the roads difficult. The drawback is the price, $1,062.51 per group, and there is never a guarantee that the sky will cooperate.

Key points to know

  • Up to five people share one private booking, so the cost makes more sense with a full group.
  • Thomas is the guide named in the feedback, and he is praised for local knowledge, friendly service, and taking impressive aurora photos.
  • The vehicle can change with road conditions, from an electric Mercedes EQV to a Super Jeep.
  • Pickup is available from addresses in or near Reykjavik, making this easier than finding a meeting point.
  • Champagne, hot chocolate, and candies add warmth and a little ceremony to a cold night outside.
  • The four to five hour schedule shifts with winter sunset, so your exact pickup time is arranged for the date of your tour.

A private search for Iceland’s northern lights

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - A private search for Iceland’s northern lights

A private aurora tour gives you something a standard bus trip cannot: room to make decisions around your own group. You are not waiting for dozens of people to board, and you are not tied to a sightseeing route designed for daylight. The guide can search for darker skies and a promising viewing point during the best part of the night.

That matters in Reykjavik, where city lights can wash out a faint aurora. The tour is designed to take you away from the urban glow, with the exact spot chosen on the night. You should think of this as an active search, not a visit to a fixed attraction.

The tour lasts about four hours, though the timing can run from four to five hours. It begins at a listed start time of 9 p.m., but winter sunset changes during the season. Your guide contacts you to arrange the most useful pickup time for your date.

That flexibility is practical. An early winter sunset and a later winter sunset do not create the same viewing window. Instead of promising one rigid schedule all season, the operator adjusts the timing to suit the night.

More Private Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Thomas and the value of a private guide

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - Thomas and the value of a private guide

Thomas is the guide specifically named in the available feedback. His role is not just to drive you into the countryside. He searches for the best available place, explains why the lights appear, and helps turn a long wait into part of the experience.

That explanation is useful because the aurora is not a scheduled show. You may see a strong display quickly, or you may spend time watching a dim glow develop. A guide who can explain what is happening gives the waiting period more meaning.

Thomas is also praised for being personable and for taking excellent photos. The information does not specify how many photos are taken, how they are delivered, or whether photography is guaranteed, so treat that as a welcome extra rather than a promised package feature.

The private format should make the evening more comfortable for a family or small group. You can focus on the sky, ask questions, and enjoy the drinks and sweets without managing a crowded vehicle. It also gives the guide a clearer sense of what your group wants from the night.

Mercedes EQV or Super Jeep, depending on the road

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - Mercedes EQV or Super Jeep, depending on the road

Transportation is one of the more thoughtful parts of this experience. When road conditions permit, pickup takes place in an electric Mercedes EQV. If snow makes ordinary access less certain, the operator uses a Super Jeep to reach darker areas without the same worry about getting stuck.

The vehicle choice is not just a comfort detail. Aurora hunting often means leaving the city and driving toward clearer or darker conditions. A vehicle suited to the roads gives the guide more options, though no vehicle can guarantee a clear sky or an aurora.

The electric Mercedes EQV is a good fit for a private group of up to five. You get a dedicated ride rather than a shared coach, and onboard Wi-Fi lets you stay connected without paying roaming charges. That is handy for checking messages or sharing a quick update, though you should not let your phone distract you from the sky.

Pickup is offered from addresses anywhere in or near Reykjavik. You choose a pickup location when booking, and your dedicated driver-guide contacts you on arrival. If the address does not work, you can select a location and contact the operator to arrange another one.

Champagne, hot chocolate, and sweets under a dark sky

The refreshments give this tour its more personal touch. You can expect champagne, hot chocolate, and delicious candies during the night. In Iceland’s cold conditions, hot chocolate is more than decoration. It gives you a reason to warm up while the guide checks the sky and chooses the next move.

The champagne adds a celebratory note, especially if seeing the aurora is a long-held goal. This is still an outdoor night excursion, not a formal tasting event, so the drinks should be viewed as a small comfort and festive extra.

The title refers to chocolates, while the detailed description also specifies hot chocolate and candies. You should expect the sweet side of the evening to be part of the setup, but the supplied information does not give brands, quantities, or a full food menu.

This pairing works best for couples, families, and small groups marking a special occasion. If you mainly want the cheapest way to search for the lights, these extras and the private vehicle are part of what raises the price.

More Private Northern Lights Tours in Reykjavik

What happens from pickup to the aurora search

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - What happens from pickup to the aurora search

Your evening begins with pickup in Reykjavik or nearby. The listed start time is 9 p.m., but the exact time can shift during winter. Your guide contacts you to settle the pickup plan and will also contact you before pickup if the tour must be canceled or moved.

Once aboard, you leave the city in the vehicle suited to the road conditions. The goal is to reach deeper darkness, away from Reykjavik’s lights. There is no fixed attraction stop with an admission fee. The night is built around finding a workable viewing location.

At the chosen spot, Thomas explains how the Northern Lights form and why they appear. You then have time to watch the sky, enjoy the refreshments, and take photographs. If conditions call for a different location, the private setup gives the guide room to keep searching during the four to five hour window.

The important point is to keep your expectations realistic. An aurora tour can improve your odds by getting away from city lights and watching the conditions, but it cannot control clouds, solar activity, or road access. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

Is $1,062.51 good value for five people?

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - Is $1,062.51 good value for five people?

The listed price is $1,062.51 per group of up to five. That sounds steep if you are traveling alone or as a couple, but the calculation changes with a full group. Five people would pay about $212.50 each before any other booking costs, while two people would carry the entire group fee between them.

The price includes the private format, pickup, a dedicated guide, the vehicle, Wi-Fi, and the search for darker skies. Champagne, hot chocolate, and candies are also part of the evening. You are paying for time, flexibility, and personal attention rather than simply transportation to one viewing point.

I would consider this a good value for a family of four or five that wants a relaxed night without strangers. It is also easier to justify for a special occasion, particularly if pickup from your accommodation saves you the trouble of arranging transport late at night.

For a solo visitor or pair on a tight budget, the price is harder to defend. You might prefer a shared excursion if your main aim is simply to get outside Reykjavik. The private option is best understood as a premium experience for a small group, not a bargain aurora transfer.

Who should book this private aurora hunt?

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - Who should book this private aurora hunt?

This tour suits you if seeing the Northern Lights is high on your Iceland list and you want a dedicated guide to manage the search. It also suits families, since one flat fee covers up to five people and the private vehicle avoids a crowded group setting.

It is a strong match for anyone who values convenience. Pickup from an address in or near Reykjavik removes the need to reach a central departure point, and Wi-Fi helps you stay connected during the drive.

The tour also works for people who enjoy a little ceremony. Champagne, hot chocolate, and candies make the cold wait more pleasant, while Thomas’s photography can add something special to the night.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed sighting, a fixed timetable, or the lowest possible cost. The Northern Lights remain dependent on weather and sky conditions. You should also be comfortable with a night that may involve waiting and changing plans.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

This experience is often booked about 123 days ahead, which suggests that advance planning is sensible, especially if your Iceland dates are fixed. Booking early may also matter if you need a particular winter evening for a birthday, family schedule, or connecting travel plan.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Iceland time.

Poor weather is handled differently from a personal cancellation. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsuitable, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the exact pickup time can change with the winter sunset, keep your evening schedule flexible.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. The tour is offered in English.

Should you book the Champagne and Chocolates Aurora Hunt?

Private Northern Lights Tour - Champagne & Chocolates Aurora Hunt - Should you book the Champagne and Chocolates Aurora Hunt?

Book it if you have three to five people, want a private night, and are willing to pay for comfort and flexibility. Thomas’s personal guiding, the ability to search beyond Reykjavik’s lights, and the Super Jeep backup give the experience more substance than a simple drive into the dark.

I would especially choose it for a family or small celebration. You get pickup, Wi-Fi, warm drinks, sweets, and a dedicated guide without splitting into separate bookings.

Skip it if the group price strains your budget or if you would rather take your chances on a shared tour. The lights are never guaranteed, even with an experienced guide and capable transport. But if a private, flexible search feels worth the cost, this is a well-focused way to spend one important Icelandic night.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights tour take place?

The tour begins in Reykjavik, Iceland, and travels away from city lights to search for a suitable aurora viewing location.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about four hours, with the detailed schedule allowing approximately four to five hours during the best part of the night.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9 p.m. The exact pickup time can change during winter because sunset times change, and the guide arranges the best time for your date.

How many people can join the private tour?

One booking covers a private group of up to five people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from addresses anywhere in or near Reykjavik. You choose a location, and your driver-guide contacts you upon arrival.

What vehicle is used?

The operator uses an electric Mercedes EQV when road conditions permit. If snow or other conditions make that unsuitable, pickup takes place in a Super Jeep.

Are refreshments included?

The experience includes champagne, hot chocolate, and candies. The supplied information does not specify brands or quantities.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes. Onboard Wi-Fi is provided, so you can stay connected without roaming charges.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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