The 15 Guided Aurora Hunts in the World That Earn Their Price

1.Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $73Our pick

Leave Reykjavik by bus in search of the aurora with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll learn the science behind the lights, use Wi-Fi on board, and stop at a weather-selected viewing site. Tours run from September to April, last about 3 to 5 hours, and include free rebooking if poor weather cancels the outing.

“It was canceled by company and I’ve continued to write for a refund and I still have no response please”

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2.Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 718 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Join David the Guide Iceland for a five-hour Northern Lights hunt from Reykjavik. Guides such as Christian and Ania track clouds and aurora activity, stop where conditions look best, serve hot drinks, and photograph you beneath the lights.

“How was the trip? Simply fantastic. The Northern Lights hunt was beautiful, and the guide was excellent very knowledgeable and super charismatic. Finding the Northern Lights isn’t easy, but they really give it their all, and the places you visit are amazing. I would definitely do this experience again and again and again”

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3.Northern Lights Chase with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 697 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $73

Leave Reykjavik by bus with an English-speaking guide such as Arman, Rene, or Kat, then follow cloud and aurora forecasts into the countryside. Expect several dark-sky stops, time outdoors, photo help, and a free retry if the lights stay hidden. The route changes nightly.

“Amazing, the wether was so bad but the driver and the guide bring us for two amazing places and we can see the beautiful lights. I had been traveled by myself and they leave me near my hostel. They are the best. November 2022”

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4.Northern Lights Tour with Local Guide and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 487 reviews · 6 hours · from $162

Join Geir Inge and Kine of Arctic Glow AS for a small-group aurora chase from Tromsø. In a warm Mercedes Sprinter, you may travel into Norway, Finland, or Sweden for clear skies, with hot drinks, homemade cake, thermal suits, and professional photos included.

“Our guides were really nice and well trained for the search for northern lights. Although we weren’t lucky, because the weather was bad so we didn’t really see them (only visible in pictures), but it was a nice experience. Also the photos turned out amazing!”

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5.Northern Lights Chase with Local Guide & Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 425 reviews · 7 hours · from $136

Meet Alejandro outside Scandic Ishavshotel for a seven-hour Aurora chase by minibus. He follows cloud maps, Aurora forecasts, and his own camera network, driving toward clear skies, sometimes across the Finnish border. Thermal suits, hot drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and professional photos are included.

“I wasn’t having much expectations, it always depend on the weather forecast. The lights started really weak but did turn out to be so powerful, thanks to our guide! Unfortunately it was a bit cold at some moment, we didnt have any fire but everything was okay im the end :)”

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6.Guided Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 405 reviews · 2 hours · from $84

Leave Rovaniemi with an English-speaking guide and chase the Aurora Borealis beyond city lights. Guides such as Rafael, Diana, Cecilia, and Mauricio have driven to clearer skies, helped with night photos, and stayed longer when the aurora appeared. Warm overalls, boots, juice, cookies, and a campfire are included.

“Well in short it was an amazing experience with or without the Northern lights. We got packed in warm clothes from the company so that we survive the cold. Then we went to the location by the river with a full moon but covered with cloud above us. there were bonfires so we had hot berry juice, cookies and bbq marshmallows. The day had a very strong activity for the light show but then the sky was covered with snow. The company waited for the sky to clear more than the assigned time of the trip. More than half of the group left after few hours because of the cold.…”

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7.Guided Aurora Chase with Hotel Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 311 reviews · 3h 30m · from $109

Join guides such as Joey or Romy for a 210-minute aurora chase from Abisko. Travel up to 100 kilometers roundtrip by warm vehicle, follow weather and aurora forecasts, stop at dark locations, enjoy a hot drink, and get help with night photography.

“We really annoyed our tour with Joey and Lights Over Lapland. Joey was very welcoming and entertaining and we felt at ease right away. The large tour bus was wonderful to get warmed up in between locations. The third location we tried had a great aurora (first two were present but not bright), and we really enjoyed the fire, lingonberry juice, and crackers. Joey took a lot of great photos and has made them available to our group online, which makes the night even more special and memorable. Highly recommend!”

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8.Northern Lights and Stargazing Small-Group Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 308 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $234Top rated

Leave Reykjavik in a modified superjeep with guides such as Ástþór, Dominic, Vikingur, or Thrusther, following cloud and aurora forecasts to a dark viewing site. Along with the northern lights, you’ll use a telescope to see stars, constellations, the Moon, Orion, and sometimes Jupiter, with photos, hot chocolate, and Kleina pastry included.

“I informed the company of my pickup location then I received a confirmation number and email. but, no one showed up, no one contact me and didn't answer me. I waited outside for more than 40 minutes in the rain but the guide or tour company didn't show up. They really ruined my day.”

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9.Levi Polar Lights Tours: Arctic Circle Guided Husky Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 299 reviews · from $116

Meet Polar Lights Tours at Levi Center, learn to handle a two-person sled, and follow Alaskan huskies through snowy forests near the Arctic Circle. The experience includes roundtrip transport from Hissitie 11, a guided ride of about 5 kilometers, hot juice, and a snack.

“This was the most exhilarating and sensational experience that left me feeling so contented. The guide and pre ride training was excellent and the dogs were brilliant. It was great to see the puppies and have time to ask questions to the really knowledgeable staff. An experience I’ll never forget. I removed 1 star regarding the transport because we were waiting for 30 mins outside before we got picked up. That’s they only negative we had but it happens and was prob a one off.”

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10.Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 202 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $106

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour on Rósin or Andrea, reaching darker waters in 15 to 30 minutes. Your English-speaking guide explains the aurora, points out faint activity, and helps with photos. Warm overalls, heated seating, WiFi, and a free return ticket are included if the lights do not appear.

“Trip was well run and thank god for the inside warm area. Only thing to note, never received link for photos. But well worth going if your visiting Iceland.”

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11.Northern Lights Tour w/Photo, Suits and Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 165 reviews · 6 hours · from $188

Join local guide Tom from Northernlights Explorer Tromsø for a six-hour Northern Lights chase from Tromsø. In a group of up to eight, you may travel toward clearer skies, even near the Finnish border, with warm suits, hot drinks, snacks, photo stops, and free watermarked pictures sent within 48 hours.

“The trip was perfect, better than we could hope. I cannot recommend highly enough Tom the guide, so much thank you for the awesome experience!!!”

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12.Northern Lights Tour with Dinner and Native Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · 8 hours · from $230

Join Sami guide Jørgen of Rise Adventures for an eight-hour Northern Lights chase from Tromsø. Travel in a small 4x4 group, walk to quiet viewing spots, warm up beside a campfire, eat homemade fish stew, and receive edited aurora photos within 72 hours.

“It was exceptional!! Better than I could have imagined! If I could give him more than 5 stars I would! Wouldn’t change a thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

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13.Northern Lights Small Group Guided Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 158 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $120

Set out from Reykjavik at 9:30 pm with a local aurora guide and up to 18 other people. The route changes with the weather, and guides such as Kalli and Sol have been praised for patient explanations and extra viewing stops. The tour lasts about three hours and returns to BSÍ Bus Terminal.

“none - they cancelled the tour at the last minute. Very disappointing - we were already at the point of departure that we had taken a cab to get to. So, the tour that they cancelled COST me money - because of the cab fair to and from the point of departure.”

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14.Northern Lights Expedition Tromsø – 6 people – Arctic Photo Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 5 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $296

Join Arctic Photo Guide in Tromsø for a 5 to 9 hour Northern Lights chase with up to five others. Nico or Trine may drive the 4x4, choose sites from several forecasts, provide thermal gear and soup, and take photos for you.

“Loved it! Nico did everything to make the trip comfortable and enjoyable. he is very knowledgeable aslo.”

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15.Northern Lights Guided Husky Sledding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 121 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $276

From Kiruna, drive to Kalixforsbron for a small-group night ride with huskies. Guides such as Rebecca and Sarah teach you to harness and steer the sled, while Gasper has even stopped for surprise aurora photos. Winter gear, coffee, tea, and Swedish fika are included.

“I was scared initially but our guide was very supportive. I am glad we did this activity”

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