Arctic Adventures · Reykjavík
Arctic Adventures picks you up anywhere in Reykjavík, Airbnbs included, in a super jeep on big tyres and spends about four hours hunting for clear sky, with cocoa, Icelandic treats and free photos. Pick it for the vehicle, which takes tracks a bus can't, and for a retry valid for three years.
Arctic Adventures runs this as a small-group evening hunt in a modified super jeep. Pickup is anywhere in Reykjavík, private apartments and Airbnbs included, at 20:30 or 21:30 depending on the season, and collecting everyone can take 30 minutes. Then the guide drives out of town toward whatever sky the forecast favours. On a good night that means tracks no coach could use, far from any street light.
The comforts are well thought out: hot cocoa and Icelandic treats, a warm wool blanket, Wi-Fi on board, and free photos of the lights. The guide speaks English. Guests single out guides who keep checking the forecast and keep moving until they find a gap.
Read the retry rule closely. If you see nothing there's no refund; the free retry, valid for three years, is on Arctic Adventures' Northern Lights Minibus Tour, not another night in a super jeep. If the weather turns, the operator may cancel by 18:15, and then you pick a new date or take a full refund. It's also the priciest of the standard night hunts. The 4x4 minibus leaves the asphalt too, and costs less.
Arctic Adventures decides by 18:15 whether conditions allow the tour. If it cancels, rebook or take a full refund.
The super jeep collects you from your hotel, apartment or Airbnb in Reykjavík. The pickup round can take 30 minutes.
Out of the city toward the clearest sky on the forecast, on roads and tracks a bus can't follow.
Out under the sky with a wool blanket and hot cocoa. When the lights show, the guide takes photos for you.
Drop-off in Reykjavík. If you saw nothing, ask about the free retry on the minibus tour.
★★★★★The guide was just great, he really took the time to find the aurora and we were spoiled.
★★★★★He kept checking the forecast and finding the coolest places to await them in the Icelandic highlands.
★★★★★We managed to see the Northern Lights on our third attempt
★★★★★Our guide Hjotur ( Mr. H) was amazing. Entertaining and informative.
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A four-wheel-drive vehicle modified with large tyres and raised suspension for snow, gravel and rough tracks. On an aurora hunt it lets the guide reach dark spots a coach can't.
At 20:30 or 21:30, depending on the season, from anywhere in Reykjavík, including private apartments and Airbnbs. Collecting everyone can take up to 30 minutes.
There's no refund, but you get a free retry valid for three years. The retry is on Arctic Adventures' Northern Lights Minibus Tour. If the operator cancels for weather (by 18:15), you can rebook or get a full refund.
From age 6. It isn't suitable for younger children.
Ready to book
A super jeep for tracks a bus cannot take, cocoa, a wool blanket and free retries valid for three years.
Northern Lights 4x4 Tour with Hot CocoaA lifted 4x4 minibus, one guide per 16 guests, cocoa and pastries, your photo under the lights and a free retry.★ 4.5 · 4 hours · from $155
Northern Lights Tour with Snowsuit & PhotosSnowsuits, chairs and a photographer for 18 guests at most, edited photos within 48 hours and a free retry.★ 4.3 · 5 hours · from $226
Small-Group Northern Lights Tour with Pro PhotosA small-group minibus with pro photos of you under the lights and a free retry in the title. About four hours.★ 4.8 · 4 hours · from $165