From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Cocoa & Photos

The best part of this Northern Lights tour is the chase itself. Your guide checks weather forecasts and satellite conditions, then drives the small minibus toward clearer, darker skies instead of parking near Reykjavik and simply waiting. When the aurora appears, you can warm up with cocoa and an Icelandic kleina while a guide takes free professional photos.

I like the maximum group size of 19, which lets the minibus reach places larger coaches cannot. I also like the practical extras: thick Icelandic wool blankets, hot drinks, pastries, and help with night-sky photography. The catch is simple but important: no guide can order the aurora into the sky. Clouds, weak solar activity, or bright moonlit conditions can spoil the show, and the tour offers rebooking rather than a refund if you go out but see nothing.

Key points to know before you book

• The guide does the chasing: Routes change with cloud cover and forecasts, and some nights involve several stops.
• Free photos are a real part of the experience: Guides including Devin, Baldvin, Gummi, Simon, and others have been praised for taking striking portraits and explaining camera settings.
• Small minibus groups matter: A group of no more than 19 people can use smaller roads and quieter viewing places.
• Warmth is built in: You receive Icelandic wool blankets to borrow, hot chocolate, and a kleina, a traditional Icelandic fried pastry.
• The aurora is never guaranteed: If the tour runs and fails, you may rebook subject to availability, but you do not receive a refund.
• Plan around the season: Departures begin around 8:30 p.m. from October through March and around 9:30 p.m. in late summer and spring.

Chasing the aurora instead of waiting in town

The Northern Lights are a natural event, not a scheduled performance. That fact shapes the whole evening. You leave Reykjavik in a heated minibus while your English-speaking guide explains how the aurora forms, how cloud cover affects visibility, and why a strong forecast does not always produce a great show at ground level.

The guide’s job is part driver, part weather watcher, part night-sky teacher, and part photographer. Guides named Baldvin, Devin, Simon, Gummi, Michaela, Ionut, Wojtek, and others have received especially warm praise for keeping the mood upbeat while making sensible decisions about where to go.

I like that the guides set realistic expectations. The most useful attitude is low expectations, high hopes. You might see a faint green arc that grows brighter over several minutes. You might get a full display of moving green, pink, purple, or red. You might see nothing at all. The price pays for a serious search and a well-run evening, not a guarantee from nature.

Several guides have kept looking when the first location failed. One evening involved driving through rain, checking satellite information, and continuing until a clearer patch appeared. Another stretched beyond the planned four hours because the aurora became too good to leave. That extra effort is not guaranteed on every departure, but the operation is clearly built around finding the best chance rather than simply ticking off a stop.

Reykjavik pickup, timing, and the first drive

Pickup is available from a long list of Reykjavik hotels, bus stops, Harpa, Hallgrimskirkja, City Hall, the harbour, and other central points. Local rules prevent some downtown hotels from receiving direct coach pickup, so you may be sent to the nearest designated bus stop instead.

This is one detail to settle before the evening. Check your exact pickup point and wait there 30 minutes before departure. Reykjavik’s transfer system can be less direct than a hotel lobby pickup, and you do not want to begin a four-hour aurora hunt by rushing across town.

The departure time changes with the season:

• From October 1 through March 31, departures begin from about 8:30 p.m.
• From August 15 through September 30, and April 1 through April 18, departures begin from about 9:30 p.m.

The listed duration is four hours, but the actual evening can vary. Poor weather may lead to cancellation before departure. A successful sighting can also keep the group outside longer, as one particularly strong display continued past 2 a.m. Do not schedule an early, nonrefundable activity immediately afterward.

The minibus is heated and comfortable, but you will still spend time outdoors in cold evening weather. Wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, gloves, and a hat. The supplied blankets help, but they are not a replacement for proper winter clothing.

Why the small minibus is useful

The group limit is 19 people. That is not a private tour, but it is far more manageable than a large coach carrying several dozen people. You can get in and out more quickly, and the vehicle may reach viewing places that are awkward for a full-size bus.

A smaller group also helps with photography. Everyone needs time for a portrait, and a guide can spend a little longer helping people face the right direction or adjust a camera. The experience still depends on group cooperation, especially when several people want multiple photos, but the format is more personal than a mass departure.

The tradeoff is that a minibus has less room than a coach. If you are carrying bulky winter gear, camera equipment, or several bags, pack lightly. This is an evening excursion, not a luggage transfer.

The ride itself is part of the lesson. Guides explain the science of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, along with practical ways to spot the lights. Some guides also share cultural ideas about the aurora and stories connected with Icelandic folklore. The result is useful even during a weak night because you learn what you are looking at rather than simply being driven to a dark field.

The secret stop and the changing route

The itinerary lists a secret stop rather than a fixed named attraction. That is sensible for an aurora tour. A fixed sightseeing route would be less useful than following the night’s cloud cover.

The exact route can change. Based on the range of outings described, you might stop near a thermal plant outside Reykjavik, continue toward a darker area, or head toward places such as Thingvellir National Park. One evening included a stop near horses. Another used a darker site away from city lights. These are not guaranteed attractions, and you should not book this as a national park sightseeing tour.

What makes each stop worthwhile is the viewing condition. A first stop may offer a quick chance to check the sky and take photos. If clouds block the view, the guide may move on. A later stop can offer greater darkness and a clearer horizon. Sometimes the group spends most of the evening at one successful location rather than constantly moving.

That flexibility is valuable. A bus company that follows a rigid plan may leave you beneath an overcast sky simply because the schedule says so. Here, the route is shaped by the forecast and what the guide sees in real time. Still, driving takes time. If the best opening is far north or across a mountain route, you may spend one to one and a half hours on the road. That is part of the search, not wasted sightseeing time.

Free photos and what to expect from the camera

The complimentary photos are among the strongest reasons to consider this tour. Night photography is difficult. Your phone may show a brighter aurora than your eyes can see, but getting a clear portrait with a person, a dark sky, and moving light takes skill and a steady camera.

Guides such as Devin and Gummi have been praised for taking polished photos and helping with camera settings. Other guides, including Baldvin and Simon, have taken many photos for each group. The guide may position you carefully and ask you to remain still while the camera captures the sky.

The photos also solve a common Iceland problem: you may be too cold or too distracted to manage your own camera. Instead of spending the entire night trying to photograph the aurora, you can watch it directly and let the guide handle some of the technical work.

There is one firm limitation. If the Northern Lights are not visible, photos are not delivered. That policy makes sense because the photographs are tied to an actual aurora sighting. It also means you should not book this tour mainly for a portrait session. Book it for the search, with the photos as a valuable extra when nature cooperates.

Bring a fully charged phone anyway. You may want your own quick photos, and a portable battery is a sensible addition for a cold night. The provided professional images will likely be better for portraits, but your own device lets you record the atmosphere between official shots.

Cocoa, kleina, and staying warm outdoors

The refreshments are modest but well chosen. You receive hot chocolate and a kleina, an Icelandic donut or fried pastry. After a long drive into a cold field, this is more than decoration. Holding a warm cup gives you something comforting to do while waiting for the sky to change.

Several outings have included enough blankets for people who needed extra warmth. The wool blankets are particularly useful when you are standing still for photography, since cold feels sharper when you are not walking around.

Do not treat the cocoa as a substitute for clothing. The tour takes place during cold evenings, and Icelandic wind can cut through a light jacket. Wear comfortable shoes with good footing, since the exact stop is not fixed and the ground may be uneven. The activity is not suitable for children under five, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or strollers. Infant seats are not available.

What the rating and praise really mean

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 695 reviews, with 88 percent giving transport a perfect score. That matches the clearest pattern in the feedback: the minibus is warm, clean, comfortable, and well managed.

The most consistent praise goes to the guides. Baldvin is repeatedly described as enthusiastic about the aurora and careful with photos. Devin is known for persistence, photography help, and finding openings in cloudy weather. Simon is often praised for explaining the science while keeping the ride lively. Gummi has been singled out for reading the sky and arriving at the right place shortly before a major display.

Names and guide assignments can change, so you cannot reserve a particular person from the information provided. Still, the guide-led nature of the activity matters. A patient guide can make a cloudy night enjoyable by explaining what is happening and keeping the search moving. A poor guide could not create an aurora, but a strong one can improve your odds and your understanding.

Do not confuse the high score with a promise of perfect skies. Some outings produced only weak activity or no visible lights, even when the guide worked hard. The positive impression comes from effort, clear explanations, comfortable transport, and thoughtful extras as much as from the successful sightings.

Is $169 a fair price?

At $169 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for pickup and drop-off, a four-hour minibus ride, an English-speaking guide, route planning, blankets, cocoa, a pastry, and complimentary photos.

I think the price is reasonable if you value convenience and want help with photography. Organizing an independent night drive requires a rental car, fuel, weather checks, safe winter driving, and a suitable dark location. You would also need a tripod and camera know-how for portraits. The tour bundles those tasks into one evening.

The value is weaker if you already have a car, know how to read Icelandic weather forecasts, and are happy to try repeatedly without support. The rebooking policy softens the risk, but it does not remove it. If you attend and see nothing, you can join another tour for free subject to availability, with no refund. If the company cancels before you attend because of bad weather, you receive a full refund. If you have already taken part, you can rebook for up to two years, subject to availability, but you do not receive a refund.

I would schedule this early in your Reykjavik stay when possible. That gives you a better chance to use a free rebooking if the first night fails. A later booking can still work, but you lose that cushion.

Who should book this four-hour search?

I would choose this excursion if you want a guided introduction to the aurora without renting a car. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with children aged five and over who can manage a cold late evening.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want a smaller group than a large coach tour.
• You would like professional photos without paying a separate photographer.
• You want the science and forecasting explained in plain English.
• You prefer a flexible route that can change with cloud conditions.
• You are comfortable with uncertainty and can accept that nature may not cooperate.

I would think twice if you need wheelchair or stroller access, dislike late nights, or require a fixed sightseeing plan. This tour is also a poor choice for anyone who expects the Northern Lights to appear simply because a ticket has been purchased.

My verdict on the EastWest Northern Lights Tour

I like the balance here. EastWest combines the practical strengths of a small-group search with the human touches that matter on a cold Icelandic night. The blankets, cocoa, and kleina make waiting easier, while the free photos mean you can leave with a useful record if the sky opens.

The strongest reason to book is the guide effort. A guide who checks the forecast, drives toward clearer skies, explains the science, and takes time with every photo can turn an uncertain evening into a memorable one. The main caution remains the aurora itself. You can improve your chances, but you cannot control the result.

Book this tour if you want a well-supported search from Reykjavik and accept the phrase low expectations, high hopes. I would book it early in the stay, dress more warmly than you think necessary, and keep the next morning flexible. If the sky lights up over your cup of hot chocolate, the $169 will feel well spent. If it does not, the rebooking option gives you another chance, but not a guaranteed refund.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights tour?

The listed duration is four hours. Some outings may last longer if the aurora becomes especially strong, but the standard tour duration is four hours.

What time does pickup begin?

From October 1 through March 31, departures begin from about 8:30 p.m. From August 15 through September 30, and April 1 through April 18, departures begin from about 9:30 p.m. You should wait at your designated pickup point 30 minutes before departure.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available from many listed hotels, bus stops, Harpa, Hallgrimskirkja, City Hall, the harbour, and other central locations. Some downtown hotels cannot receive direct pickup because of local regulations, so you may need to use the nearest designated bus stop.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is not wheelchair accessible or stroller accessible, and infant seats are not available. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Are photos included in the price?

Yes, free photos are included when the Northern Lights are visible. If the aurora is not seen, photos are not delivered.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

If you attend the tour but do not see the aurora, you may join another tour free of charge, subject to availability. This is a rebooking option, not a refund.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. The tour takes place outdoors during cold evenings, so proper layers are important even though wool blankets and hot chocolate are provided.