From Tromsø: Northern Lights Tour with Hot Drinks and Photos

Seeing the Northern Lights in person is often high on traveler wish lists, and Tromsø is one of the top spots globally to chase this elusive phenomenon. This tour by El Gigante Tour Aurora offers a well-rounded experience, combining the thrill of Aurora hunting with comfort, expert guidance, and some lovely extras like hot drinks and professional photos.

While no tour can guarantee a sighting—since the Aurora is a natural, unpredictable display—this experience is designed to give you the best chance, all while staying cozy.

What we love about this tour:

• The knowledgeable guides like Nelson, Karel, and Sergey who go above and beyond to find the Lights, even venturing as far as Finland.
• The thoughtful touches such as warm suites, hot drinks, and snacks that keep you comfortable and energized during long, chilly nights.
• The inclusion of professional photos so you can relive your magical moment without scrambling for your camera.
• The roundtrip transportation from Tromsø city center, saving you the hassle of organizing your own travel and making the experience stress-free.

A potential consideration? The tour’s success depends heavily on weather and aurora activity, which can be unpredictable. So, patience and flexibility are key.

This tour suits travelers who want a reliable, guided experience with plenty of comforts, especially those who prioritize safety, expert advice, and memorable photos. If you’re okay with the natural uncertainty of Aurora sightings and value good company and warmth, this could be your perfect Arctic adventure.

• Expert Guides: Guides like Nelson and Roberto are highly praised for their dedication and local knowledge.
• Comfortable Experience: Warm suites, shoe spikes, headlamps, and hot drinks make the night cozy and manageable.
• Flexibility & Value: Roundtrip transport and free professional photos add to the overall value, making it a great package.
• Likelihood of Sightings: The Aurora’s appearance isn’t guaranteed, but the guides’ experience maximizes your chances.
• Long Duration: At 6-8 hours, expect a full evening of Aurora hunting, with some locations up to 130 km from Tromsø.
• Highly Rated: With a 4.8/5 rating from 181 reviews, many guests find the tour well worth the cost.

Starting the adventure: Pickup and transportation

Your night begins with a pickup from the Tromsø City Library, where a silver Mercedes Vito awaits. The group sizes are small—around 15 guests—creating an intimate atmosphere. Traveling in a comfortable minibus, you’ll be guided by multilingual experts who are well-versed in the best Aurora spots and weather patterns.

The key here is convenience; there’s no need to worry about navigating or finding a good spot yourself. The guides’ local knowledge and ability to interpret weather conditions mean they can adapt plans on the fly, which many reviewers appreciated. One guest mentioned Nelson’s sixth sense for knowing where to spot the lights even on challenging, rainy nights, which highlights the skill involved.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Warmth and safety gear: Essential comforts

One of the standout features is the provision of warm suites, shoe spikes, and headlamps. These aren’t just about comfort—they’re about safety and practicality in snowy, icy conditions. Guests often noted how these suits kept them warm even during extended waits in sub-zero temperatures.

Reviews highlighted that the tour maintains a high standard of safety, with guides checking weather conditions and making strategic decisions about location. The provision of extra layers and gear means you don’t need to worry about lugging all your winter gear along, making it easier to focus on the experience.

The chase: Finding the Northern Lights

Once at the chosen location, your guides work diligently to maximize your chances of witnessing the Aurora. One guest recounted how the team, especially Nelson, planned for the weather and even drove all the way to Finland for a better chance. This kind of effort is common among the highly engaged guides, who seem to genuinely want everyone to see the Lights.

Locations can vary depending on weather, but many reviews mention times when the Aurora appeared around 3 am, with guides like Nelson predicting and patiently waiting for the display. Several guests appreciated the flexibility, noting that sometimes they were taken to multiple spots to see the most vibrant aurora, which demonstrates a commitment to giving you the best shot.

Comfort, snacks, and photos: Making it memorable

While waiting for the Aurora to dance across the sky, guests can enjoy hot drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks such as cookies or hot dogs—these touches help make the experience cozy and fun. Some reviewers appreciated the hot chocolate and the chance to relax around a small campfire, which added a warm, communal feeling to the night.

One of the most praised aspects is the professional photography included in the tour. Guides like Nelson and Roberto took numerous pictures—sometimes over 300 in a single night—so guests can have high-quality photos of their Northern Lights experience. This is a major plus, especially when the Lights are fleeting, and most travelers want to capture those moments without stress.

Returning to Tromsø

The tour concludes with a return trip to your original meeting point, usually around 6-8 hours after departure. Guests consistently noted the ease of being dropped back at their accommodation, which is a significant perk after a long night out in the cold.

The overall experience often feels personalized, with guides going the extra mile—some guests mentioned being driven home to their Airbnb after the tour, which underscores the hospitality aspect.

At $176 per person, this tour offers a lot of value. You get transportation, warm clothing, hot drinks, snacks, professional photos, and the expertise of experienced guides—all crucial in making your Northern Lights experience enjoyable and successful.

Compared to self-organized Aurora hunts, where you might spend more on gear or miss out on expert knowledge, this package ensures you’re in good hands. The reviews repeatedly mention guides’ dedication, with some even driving extra miles in poor weather for the best chance to see the Lights.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Who should consider this tour?

This experience suits travelers who want an organized, comfortable, and engaging night out. It’s ideal for those who value quality photos, safety, and a chance to learn from local experts. If you’re not keen on risking a long night in cold, unpredictable conditions alone, the guided approach offers peace of mind.

Keep in mind, the tour isn’t suitable for children under ten, wheelchair users, or anyone with specific medical needs or mobility issues. Any traveler comfortable in winter gear, with patience for natural phenomena, will find this tour rewarding.

This Northern Lights tour from Tromsø is a solid choice for travelers seeking a well-organized, comfortable, and memorable Aurora experience. The guides’ dedication shines through in their efforts to find the Lights, often going beyond expectations, as many reviews highlight. With warm clothing, hot drinks, and professional photos included, you won’t just chase the Aurora—you’ll also enjoy some true Arctic hospitality.

The long duration and flexible locations mean you’ll have ample opportunity, but remember—since the Aurora is a natural show, sightings aren’t guaranteed. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness one of the world’s most stunning natural displays.

Ultimately, this tour offers excellent value for those who prioritize safety, expert guidance, and memorable photos, making it a top pick for Aurora hunters visiting Tromsø.

What is included in the tour?
Transport, driver and multilingual guide, warm suits, shoe spikes, headlamps, free photos, snacks, and hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

Where does the tour start?
It begins at the Tromsø City Library, with pickup in a silver Mercedes Vito.

How long does the tour last?
Between 6 to 8 hours, depending on weather and Aurora activity.

Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for children?
It is not recommended for children under 10 years, mainly due to the late hours and outdoor conditions.

What should I bring?
Warm clothing with at least two layers, gloves, a hat, good winter boots, and your passport.

Will I definitely see the Northern Lights?
Since the Aurora is a natural phenomenon, sightings are not guaranteed, but guides do their best to maximize your chances.

In short, if you’re after an authentic, well-supported Northern Lights experience with knowledgeable guides and excellent extras, this tour from Tromsø is worth considering. Prepare well, keep your expectations flexible, and you might just witness one of nature’s most breathtaking displays.

You can check if your dates are available here: