About this experience
Hunt for the northern lights in a private vehicle with your own local driver-guide and no one else on board. Groups of 1-3 travel in a sedan, groups of up to 8 in a van. Your guide meets you at your Reykjavik accommodation with a VAREN name tablet; hot chocolate on board.
Your guide checks the cloud and aurora forecasts before and during the tour and drives to where the chance of a sighting is highest that night. While you wait for the sky to light up, you hear what causes the aurora and what to look for.
The tour lasts about 4 hours. The start time depends on the weather: we choose it on the day, between 8pm and 10pm, and let you know. No realistic chance of a sighting? We cancel at least 2 hours before the start and you choose a retry or a full refund. One price per vehicle.
Our aurora promise: no northern lights on your guide's camera means a free second attempt on a shared northern lights tour, or 50% off a second private hunt. One re-run per booking, valid for two years.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr–4 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 3 hr–4 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Compare the available options before choosing: their itinerary, inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. Check the price for your date and whole group.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothes, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and boots with good grip
What is included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Reykjavik accommodation
- Free retry or voucher if no northern lights are seen
- All parking fees and local taxes
- Hot chocolate, and bottled water on request
- Private northern lights hunt, only for your group
- Child seats, free of charge
- Friendly English-speaking local driver-guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Meals, we recommend eating before the tour
Itinerary and highlights
Your private vehicle picks you up directly from your Reykjavík accommodation at the agreed time. No transfer, no assembly point - the tour starts from your front door. Pickup time will be confirmed 24 hours in advance.
There is no fixed route on a private aurora hunt. Your guide checks cloud cover and aurora forecasts through the evening and drives to the darkest sky within reach: the countryside around Þingvellir, the shores of Hvalfjörður, or the coastline south of the city. At each viewpoint you stay exactly as long as your group wants, with camera help from your guide.
Clear nights are cold nights. While you wait for the lights, warm up with hot chocolate served beside the vehicle and review your first aurora photos with your guide.
Your private vehicle drops you back directly at your Reykjavík accommodation. Estimated return time is between 11PM and midnight, depending on aurora activity and your group's pace on the night. Door to door, start to finish.
Meeting and pickup information
- Enter your Reykjavik accommodation at checkout. Your guide meets you there with a VAREN name tablet. Pickup is available anywhere in the Capital Area.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- pl — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Varen
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Your driver-guide meets you at your Reykjavik accommodation with a VAREN name tablet
- The start time depends on the weather. We choose it on the day, always between 8pm and 10pm, and let you know
- Northern lights are a natural phenomenon and a sighting cannot be guaranteed. Even a faint but visible aurora counts as a sighting
- If there is no realistic chance of a sighting, we cancel at least 2 hours before the start. You then choose a retry or a full refund
- A retry may run in a different vehicle and may be a small-group tour
- Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothes, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and boots with good grip
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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