The promise of this tour is simple: leave Reykjavik’s streetlights behind in a Super Jeep and search the dark countryside for the Northern Lights. The vehicle can reach remote spots that large buses cannot, which gives your guide more room to adjust the route when clouds or a shy aurora get in the way.
I like two things in particular: the Jeep can move between viewing spots, and the tour includes photos taken by your guide, so you can focus on the sky rather than constantly reaching for your phone. Hot chocolate, chocolate and hand and foot warmers help make the wait more bearable.
The chief drawback is the one no tour can fix: aurora sightings depend on weather and luck. You may see bright colors, a faint glow, or nothing at all. Dress for a long, cold wait, and treat the free chance to rejoin a later minibus tour as a backup, not a promise of a show.
- At a glance
- Leaving Reykjavik for darker skies
- Waiting for the aurora
- Guide photos and local insight
- Staying warm while the sky does its thing
- The evening schedule and return
- What the price buys
- Who should book this Jeep tour?
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour leave and return?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What is included in the tour?
- What should I wear?
- Is a Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?
- Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?
- What are the age rules and cancellation terms?
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At a glance
- A nimble ride: A custom 4×4 Super Jeep can reach remote viewing areas beyond the reach of large tour buses.
- A moving search: Guides may try several locations if conditions are poor at the first stop.
- Photos are included: Your guide takes pictures when the aurora appears, a useful extra when phone cameras show more color than your eyes do.
- Warm-up supplies: Hot chocolate, chocolate, and hand and foot warmers are included.
- A late evening: Pickup begins at 8:30 pm, with a return to Reykjavik scheduled for 11:59 pm.
- Weather sets the terms: The operator can cancel by 6:15 pm on the day of the tour, and sightings are never assured.
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Leaving Reykjavik for darker skies
The tour starts with pickup in Reykjavik at 8:30 pm. You can enter your hotel name and address when booking, and the operator will confirm your pickup time in advance. If you are meeting at Bus Stop #1, at Vonarstræti 101, arrive at least 10 minutes early.
The main advantage of the Super Jeep is flexibility. A large bus needs suitable roads and room to turn around; a 4×4 can reach more remote areas and gives the guide options when the first viewing spot is cloudy or too bright. That does not mean the Jeep can outrun every storm, but it can make a search more adaptable.
The ride itself is part of the evening, but the goal is the sky, not a string of sightseeing stops. Expect to travel through Iceland’s night-time countryside and pause where the guide judges conditions more promising. The schedule lists a Northern Lights viewing portion between departure and the planned return, rather than fixed stops at named landmarks.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
Waiting for the aurora
Northern Lights viewing is a search, not a scheduled performance. Your guide checks conditions and may move the group to another location. One guide, Hjortur, drove to three spots on a night when a full moon made the lights harder to see. Another outing also reached three locations before the aurora appeared. Those examples show why the Jeep matters: it gives the guide a chance to keep looking instead of settling at the first pull-off.
Still, three stops do not guarantee a sighting. Clouds, weather and the aurora itself can all frustrate the plan. Even when the lights are present, they may look pale or white to the naked eye. A phone camera can pick up green color that is difficult to see directly, so do not judge the night only by what your eyes perceive.
That difference between seeing and photographing is worth knowing before you go. A camera can make faint color more apparent, but it cannot turn a cloudy sky into a clear one. If the aurora is strong, you may see a vivid display; if it is weak, photos may show more than your eyes do. Keep expectations flexible, and let the search itself be part of the outing.
Guide photos and local insight
The guide does more than drive. Guides explain the search and take photos when the lights appear, giving you a chance to watch rather than manage your camera throughout the night. The included photos are a welcome part of the price, especially if you are not comfortable trying to photograph a moving, faint subject in the dark.
Hjortur has been singled out for combining humor with insight, while Friedman has been praised for explaining the aurora and keeping the group occupied in cold, windy conditions. These names are useful examples, not a guarantee of who will lead your departure. The operator assigns the guide, and the tour details do not promise a particular person.
The photos also help with a common aurora problem: the display can be hard to capture well on your own. You still get to enjoy the moment directly, while the guide handles some of the photography. Do not assume the camera work means a bright aurora is certain, though. A guide can document what appears, not control how much appears.
Staying warm while the sky does its thing
Cold is not a side issue on an evening tour. You could be outside waiting and watching, so wear warm layers, waterproof clothing, hiking shoes, a hat and gloves. Hand and foot warmers, hot chocolate and chocolate are included, but they are support, not substitutes for proper clothing.
A guide has also served a dash of Icelandic Brennivín on a tour, but the listed inclusions are hot cocoa and chocolate. Do not count on alcohol being part of every departure. If you want an extra layer of certainty, hiking shoes and a warm winter jacket are available to rent on-site.
The wind can make a cold night feel colder, and you may need to stand still while waiting for a break in the clouds. Pack clothing you can comfortably wear for several hours, rather than relying on the Jeep to keep you warm throughout. The vehicle is described as comfortable, but the reason for stopping is to get out and watch the sky.
The evening schedule and return
The planned departure is 8:30 pm, and the return to Reykjavik is scheduled for 11:59 pm. That makes this a late-evening outing of roughly three and a half hours, although traffic and weather can change the schedule. Plan for a late night rather than a quick trip after dinner.
Pickup and drop-off are available from Reykjavik hotels or personal addresses, with Bus Stop #1 at Vonarstræti as a stated location. Enter your address at checkout, then watch for the operator’s confirmation of the pickup time. If you are using the bus stop, be there 10 minutes before departure.
WiFi is available on board, but the useful part of the ride is having a warm place to travel between possible viewing spots. The included transport, guide, photos and warm drinks make the outing more than a simple lift to a dark field. On the other hand, you are paying for a guided search, not a guaranteed natural event.
What the price buys
The stated starting price is $232.65, while the join-in package is also shown from US$202.29. Those figures do not match, so check the final amount for your date and package before paying. Prices can change, and the amount you see at checkout is the one to use when comparing options.
For that cost, the value comes from the Super Jeep’s access, pickup and drop-off, a guide, included photos, WiFi, and warm drinks and hand and foot warmers. The Jeep is especially useful if you value a smaller vehicle and the ability to try more than one viewing area. The photos also add practical value if you would rather watch the sky than spend the evening taking pictures.
The trade-off is that you are paying a premium for a better search setup, not a better forecast. If the night is cloudy or the aurora is faint, the vehicle cannot make the sky cooperate. A minibus tour may suit you if price is the main concern and you are comfortable with a larger vehicle; this Jeep tour makes more sense if flexibility and access matter more.
If the tour goes ahead but no Northern Lights appear, the operator offers the chance to join a minibus version on another evening at no charge, subject to availability. That is a useful fallback, but it is not the same as a guaranteed repeat in a Super Jeep. The operator may also cancel departures up until 6:15 pm because of weather, so keep your plans flexible on the day.
Who should book this Jeep tour?
This outing suits you if you are in Reykjavik, want a guided aurora search, and value being able to reach more remote areas than a large bus can. It is also a good fit if you want guide-taken photos and prefer not to manage a camera throughout the night. Families can bring children aged six and older; children aged 6 to 15 must be with a paying adult, and those aged 16 or older pay the adult rate.
It is less suitable if you need a firm return time, dislike cold outdoor waits, or would be disappointed by a faint display or no sighting. You must sign a liability waiver explaining the activity’s risks. Tips and personal expenses are not included.
Should you book it?
Book the Super Jeep if you are willing to pay for a more flexible search, guide-taken photos and the chance to reach quieter, remote viewing spots. Go in with warm clothing, a late-night plan and realistic expectations: the guide can chase clear skies, but cannot promise the aurora.
If the price feels steep, or you mainly want an affordable chance to see the lights, compare it with a minibus option. If you want the Jeep’s access and are comfortable with the weather gamble, this tour offers a thoughtful way to spend an Icelandic night looking up.
Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavik
“Exceptional hunt with a pro! Hjortur is a humorous yet deeply knowledgeable Northern Lights hunter. Since the lights were being 'shy' due to the fu…”
FAQ
What time does the tour leave and return?
The scheduled departure is 8:30 pm, with a planned return to Reykjavik at 11:59 pm. Traffic and weather may affect the timing.
Where is the meeting point?
Pickup is available from a Reykjavik hotel or personal address. Bus Stop #1 is at Vonarstræti 101, Reykjavík. Arrive 10 minutes early if meeting there.
What is included in the tour?
The package includes an English-speaking guide, WiFi on board, Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, transport in a Super Jeep, Northern Lights photos, hot cocoa, chocolate, and hand and foot warmers.
What should I wear?
Wear warm, waterproof clothing, hiking shoes, headwear and gloves. A warm winter jacket and hiking shoes are available to rent on-site.
Is a Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?
No. Sightings depend on weather and aurora conditions. If the tour runs but no lights are seen, you may join a minibus version on another evening at no charge, subject to availability.
Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?
Yes. The operator may cancel a departure up until 6:15 pm on the day of the tour because conditions affect the chance of a successful search.
What are the age rules and cancellation terms?
Participants must be at least 6 years old. Children aged 6 to 15 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children aged 16 or older pay the adult rate. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.
