11 Small-Group Northern Lights Tours in Iceland Worth Booking

1.Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,977 reviews · 4 hours · from $107Our pick

Leave Reykjavik in a minibus of about 20 people and chase clear skies with guides such as Ody, JP, Michael, and Axel. Expect several dark-sky stops, aurora tips, photo help, hot chocolate, and a free retry on the Northern Lights Bus if the lights stay hidden.

“JP was the best guide we could've asked for! Informative, funny, kind, passionate, and determined. He really did an amazing job with taking us to places where the giant busses were not, and this gave the whole experience an even more premium and private feel. It was a super awesome experience!”

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2.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,068 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $172

Leave Reykjavík by minibus with up to 19 people and chase clear skies using aurora and weather forecasts. Guides such as Baldvin, Michaela, Devin, and Simon combine folklore, science, photography, hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, and wool blankets. Sightings are not guaranteed, but an unsuccessful tour can be repeated free when space allows.

“Our guide Devin was knowledgeable, entertaining and went above and beyond to ensure we had an opportunity to view the northern lights! He provided historical and cultural background about Iceland as well as scientific information concerning the Aurora as he drove us all over, north of Reykjavik, stopping several times at different spots, each time setting up his camera to try to find them. Finally, at around 1 AM, he said that it didn't look promising, and was time to turn back. We were advised to immediately email the tour company to reschedule a second trip, per the contract. As we drove back to Reykjavik, though, we couldn't help notice…”

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3.Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 965 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $140Top rated

Travel from Reykjavík in a small minibus while guides such as Siggi and Tomas track clouds and aurora conditions. You may visit several dark sites, learn the science behind the lights, enjoy hot chocolate, and receive professional photos. If the lights do not appear, you can rebook free.

“Guide (patrick) had the most amazing knowledge of northern lights - learnt so much. His photography is wonderful. A small company that should be fully supported”

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4.Northern Lights Tour w/Pro Photos – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 400 reviews · 4 hours · from $148

Spend four hours hunting the Aurora Borealis from a small minibus limited to 18 people. Guides such as Emil, Kolbeinn, Tomas, Kobe, and BG combine local stories, Viking costumes, museum weapon replicas, professional night photography, hot chocolate, and free retries if the lights do not appear.

“My tour was excellent. special mention to Guide Tomas who was very passionate and responsible guide. He made sure we catch the Aurora with memorable photo taking. 5 stars to Tomas!!”

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5.Reykjavik Northern Lights Tour with Pro Aurora Photos Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $148

Leave Reykjavik with Aurora Viking guides such as Tomas, Emil, Felix, Kobe, or Jonas, then chase clear skies and aurora activity for three to five hours. Your small group gets hot cocoa, snacks, Viking props, professional aurora photos, and unlimited free retries if the lights stay hidden.

“We got the night of all nights! Total luck of nature, but wow, those norther lights! Fabulous! The tour guide was fantastic!”

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

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

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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7.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour From Reykjavik with Hot Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 264 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $109

Leave Reykjavik’s city glow behind with an English-speaking guide such as Ody, Michael, or Roman, then follow clear skies and aurora activity into the countryside. Expect a small-group minibus, several possible stops, hot chocolate, camera tips, and a free second attempt if clouds win.

“We had a wonderful time! Our tour operator was really lovely & he went above and beyond to find the best locations to view the lights. It was also great to listen to his informative commentary. It was so much fun & we took many awesome photos. And the hot chocolate provided by our tour operator was a real treat. Thanks so much!”

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8.Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Free Photos & Hot Chocolate

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $118

Set out from Reykjavik in a minibus of up to 18 people, following cloud gaps to find the aurora. Guides such as Alex, Juliana, Nelu, and Jonas have helped guests spot faint lights and capture portraits. The tour includes hot chocolate, an Hraun chocolate bar, WiFi, and digital photos.

“Once in a lifetime experience! Highly recommended for all ages! Would love to do it again during my next visit!”

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9.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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10.Glacier Lagoon & Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 144 reviews · 14 to 16 hours (approx.) · from $242

Spend a full day leaving Reykjavik behind for Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon, Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, waterfalls, turf churches, and Vík. A local driver-guide such as Gummi, Trond, or Ian handles the road in a minibus for up to 17 people. Northern lights viewing runs from September 1 to April 1, weather permitting.

“Its a long day tour 14 hours. There is a lot to see and enough time for each sight seeing, enough tiolet break and even enough time for lunch and dinner break.”

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11.Aurora Small Group 4×4 Northern Lights Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 13 reviews · 5 hours · from $153

Join an English-speaking guide in a 16-seat 4x4 Sprinter for a five-hour Northern Lights hunt from Reykjavík. You’ll visit remote viewing spots, adjust routes around clouds, enjoy hot chocolate and Icelandic snacks, and receive unlimited professional photos plus a free aurora portrait.

“l excursion était sympa. Le guide a changé plusieurs fois d endroit car le ciel était un peu nuageux pour trouver un endroit plus dégagé. Nous avons pu apercevoir quelques petites aurores boréales. Nous sommes repartis avec notre photo avec les aurores boréales derrière. Génial !!!”

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