From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Hunt Super Jeep Tour

The best part of this Northern Lights hunt is the super jeep. Instead of staying near Reykjavik with a large bus, you travel into darker country and can reach rougher roads and remote viewing spots. Guides Daniel and Thor are praised for chasing breaks in the clouds and staying out longer when the lights are hard to find.

I like the small group of up to 10, which makes the evening more personal, and I like the professional photographer, especially when cold fingers make camera work a losing battle. The main drawback is simple: the aurora is a natural event, not a scheduled show. Clouds, weak solar activity, or bad weather can limit what you see, even with a determined guide.

Key points at a glance

• Super jeep access: Leave Reykjavik’s city glow behind and reach places a standard coach may not manage.
• Four-hour evening outing: Pickup begins at 21:00, with roughly three hours devoted to the countryside search.
• Photos included: A professional photographer takes pictures of you beneath the aurora and helps with camera settings.
• Small-group format: The vehicle carries no more than 10 people, though group size can change after weather cancellations.
• Warm Icelandic treats: Hot chocolate, rum with hot chocolate, and kleinur help take the edge off the cold.
• Backup plan: If the lights do not appear, you receive admission to another tour within two years.

Why the super jeep changes the night

A Northern Lights tour is partly a weather exercise. You need dark skies, clear patches, and enough aurora activity to make the effort worthwhile. Reykjavik itself has too much artificial light for the best viewing, so this trip heads out toward the Southern Region of Iceland.

The super jeep matters because it gives the guide more freedom than a regular coach. You may travel along rougher routes and stop in quieter places, rather than sharing a single roadside pullout with several large groups. The vehicle ride is not only transport. It is part of the experience, and for many people it is a memorable Icelandic adventure in its own right.

Still, do not treat the vehicle as a guarantee of success. A powerful jeep can move you away from poor conditions, but it cannot clear clouds or create aurora activity. One outing had to contend with cloud cover, and guide Thor kept moving between locations to improve the view. That kind of effort is valuable, but the final result still depends on nature.

The tour has an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 from 32 ratings. That middling score is a useful reminder to set sensible expectations. Some nights produce several good viewing spots and strong photographs. Other nights offer only brief or faint activity.

A 21:00 pickup from Reykjavik

Pickup is offered from a long list of Reykjavik hotels, hostels, harbours, and designated bus stops. The listed locations include Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, City Hall, BSÍ Parking, Skarfabakki Harbour, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Hotel Reykjavik Natura, and many others.

If your accommodation sits on a narrow or restricted street, the jeep cannot necessarily collect you at the front door. In that case, you are taken to the nearest accessible bus stop. Check the pickup point carefully, especially if you are staying in central Reykjavik and have several possible stops nearby.

The stated pickup begins at 21:00. Allow a little patience around collection time, since the guide is gathering people from different addresses. The tour lasts four hours, though a determined guide may stay out longer when conditions look promising. Thor reportedly remained out well beyond the expected time while searching for a better view, but you should not assume every departure will run late.

Because the outing is at night and in winter conditions, eat beforehand or carry a small snack. The included hot chocolate and kleinur are welcome, but they are part of the comfort break rather than a full meal.

The 30-minute ride into darker country

After pickup, you settle into the Jeep or SUV for about 30 minutes. This first stretch takes you out of Reykjavik and toward the Southern Region, where darker skies offer a better chance of seeing the aurora.

The guide leads the search, deciding where to stop based on cloud cover and the expected activity. The exact route is not fixed, which is important. You are not simply driving to one viewpoint and waiting there. You might move several times if the first place is too cloudy or if another area offers a clearer sky.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a basic city departure. It also means the night may feel less tidy than a standard sightseeing trip. You cannot expect a fixed series of scenic stops with precise arrival times. The guide is making real-time decisions, and some of the evening will be spent driving or waiting.

Guides speak English and Icelandic. The tour description identifies the guide as certified and experienced in Northern Lights searches. Daniel received particular praise for finding multiple locations, while Thor was noted for his persistence and friendly manner during a cloudy outing.

Three hours of aurora hunting in the Southern Region

The main stop lasts about three hours, though it may include more than one location. Here you have time to watch the sky, ask questions, take photographs, and warm up with the included refreshments.

The guide explains how the Northern Lights form and what affects their appearance. This is more useful than simply pointing upward when a green arc appears. You learn why the lights can be faint, why they may seem brighter in photographs, and why the sky can change quickly.

An astronomical telescope is also provided. Its use adds another element to the waiting period, especially on a night when the aurora is slow to appear. The information supplied does not promise a specific telescope target, so think of it as an extra sky-watching feature rather than the main reason to book.

The tour includes hot chocolate, rum with hot chocolate, and kleinur, an Icelandic doughnut. The rum version is an adult refreshment, and it is sensible to tell the guide if you do not want alcohol. Warm drinks do not replace proper cold-weather clothing, but they make the pauses far more pleasant.

You may also receive a welcome refreshment and a small regional food tasting. The exact food is not specified, so do not book this as a meal-focused excursion. The food is best understood as a taste of Icelandic hospitality during a long, cold wait.

Photography help that earns its place

Aurora photography is harder than it looks. You need a steady camera, a long exposure, and patience. Your screen may look bright while your finished picture is dark, blurry, or full of movement. Frozen fingers make every adjustment worse.

A professional photographer travels with the group and takes high-quality images of you with the Northern Lights. This is especially useful if you want a proper portrait rather than a collection of empty sky photographs. One guest found the service valuable because cold hands made personal photography difficult, while the guide’s camera continued to record the evening.

The photographer also helps with cameras. That assistance can save time if you are using manual settings or do not know how to focus in darkness. You should still bring your own camera or phone if you want personal files and spontaneous shots.

Tripod rental is available for people who want to take their own aurora pictures with more control. A tripod is particularly useful for long exposures, since even a small movement can blur the stars and lights. The supplied information does not state the rental price, so check that cost before booking if personal photography is central to your plan.

Ask how and when the professional pictures will be delivered. The experience includes the photography service, but the provided details do not specify a delivery timetable or file format.

What the reviews reveal about the real experience

The most consistent praise goes to the guide’s determination. Daniel found multiple locations and produced strong pictures. Thor kept trying when clouds reduced the aurora, moving the group to see if activity improved. That persistence is exactly what you want on a natural-phenomenon tour.

The small group also helps. With up to 10 people, the guide can answer questions and help with cameras without managing a full coach. You still share the vehicle and viewing stops with other people, but the experience should feel less crowded than a large bus excursion.

The super jeep itself receives strong attention. It can reach places a regular bus cannot, giving the evening a more adventurous feel. That does not mean you spend the whole night off-road. The tour includes normal driving as well as an off-road adventure, and the precise amount of rough travel depends on the route and conditions.

The weaker side is the usual Northern Lights problem: the outcome varies sharply from night to night. A cloud-covered sky can reduce the display even when the guide works hard. The tour’s flexibility helps, but it cannot promise bright green curtains overhead.

Is $192 good value?

At $192 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for more than a ride out of town. The price includes hotel or bus-stop pickup, a guide, a small group, the super jeep, a professional photographer, camera help, refreshments, WiFi, and use of an astronomical telescope.

The backup arrangement also improves the value. If the Northern Lights do not appear, you receive admission to another tour within two years of the original trip. If bad weather cancels the outing, you can rebook another evening free of charge or receive a full refund. The provider aims to email cancellation information before 18:30.

This is a good price for someone who places high value on photographs, smaller groups, and flexible off-road access. It is less compelling if you only want a cheap ride beyond the city and are happy to take your chances with a large coach.

Book this early in your Iceland stay if possible. The tour can be cancelled by bad weather, and a spare night gives you a chance to reschedule. The group may also grow after several weather cancellations, so the advertised small-group feel is not absolutely guaranteed on every departure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Children under eight cannot join.

What to wear for four hours outside

Take the clothing advice seriously. You need gloves, thermal layers, and weather-appropriate outerwear. Icelandic winter cold becomes more noticeable when you are standing still and looking upward for long periods.

Wear warm socks and shoes suitable for outdoor conditions. The supplied rules specifically call for gloves and thermal clothing, and that is the minimum sensible approach. Bring an extra layer if you tend to get cold, since the photography stops and waiting periods can last longer than expected.

Do not rely on the included hot chocolate or the jeep heater to keep you warm. The strongest photographs often require you to stand outside with your hands free, and the most rewarding sightings may come after a wait.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want the Northern Lights search itself to feel like an adventure. The super jeep, small group, remote stops, telescope, and photography service give the evening more character than a simple transfer to a viewing field.

It suits couples and friends who want professional pictures, solo visitors who appreciate help with cameras, and anyone who prefers a compact group. It is also useful for people with only one realistic evening available, since the guide actively searches for better conditions instead of staying at one fixed point.

You should think twice if you dislike late-night outings, cold-weather waiting, or uncertain schedules. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, and its success depends on conditions no operator can control.

Should you book the Northern Lights super jeep tour?

Book it if you see value in access, persistence, and photography, not just the promise of an aurora. Daniel and Thor show the kind of guide effort that can make a difficult night worthwhile, and the professional pictures may become your best record of the trip.

Skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible price or a guaranteed display. No Northern Lights operator can offer that. At $192, this tour makes the most sense for you if you want a small group, a serious search across several locations, warm refreshments, and a backup option when the sky refuses to cooperate.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights super jeep tour last?

The tour lasts four hours. The main countryside portion is listed as about three hours, with roughly 30 minutes of driving each way.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts at 21:00. Exact collection time can vary by pickup location.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available from many hotels, hostels, harbour areas, and designated bus stops across Reykjavik. If your accommodation is on a street the super jeep cannot access, you will be collected from the nearest suitable bus stop.

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on cloud cover, weather, and aurora activity. If the lights do not appear, you receive admission to another tour within two years of the original outing.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You may rebook for another evening free of charge. You can also receive a full refund if the tour is cancelled because of bad weather.

Are photographs included?

A professional photographer travels with the group and takes high-quality photographs of you beneath the Northern Lights. Camera assistance is also available, and tripods can be rented for personal photography.

What is included to eat and drink?

The tour includes hot chocolate, rum with hot chocolate, kleinur, and welcome refreshments. A regional food tasting is also listed, but this is not presented as a full meal.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight are not permitted to participate. The tour is offered in English and Icelandic and is limited to a small group of up to 10 participants, although the group size can change after weather cancellations.