– Northern Lights Chase with Photo Package Included

The best part of this Tromsø night is the chase itself. Your guide watches the clouds, checks conditions, and may move the bus across Kvaløya or farther away when the sky closes in. On successful nights, groups have seen the lights at two or three locations, sometimes after driving all the way toward Finland. Flexible routing matters far more than a fixed sightseeing stop.

I like two things here. First, the guides do more than point at the sky: Kira, Bjørn, Elisabet, Alberto, Manuel, and others have helped with camera settings and explained the science and old stories behind the Aurora. Second, snacks and hot drinks make a long wait in the cold much easier. The catch is simple: this is a natural show, not a theater booking, and some nights bring only clouds, a faint glow, or nothing at all.

Key points at a glance

• Cloud chasing is the main strategy: The driver may change direction and visit several areas around Tromsø, Kvaløya, or beyond.
• Photo help is included: Guides can help with camera and phone settings, and guide-taken photographs are provided after the tour.
• The night lasts six to seven hours: This is a serious evening outing, not a quick drive outside town.
• Groups can be large: The maximum is 40 people, although smaller departures may use a minibus.
• Warmth is partly your responsibility: Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks are supplied, but thermal suits and tripods cost extra.
• There is no Aurora guarantee: Poor weather or weak activity can mean no lights and no automatic refund.

How the Northern Lights chase works

The tour begins at Tromsø Havn Prostneset on Samuel Arnesens gate 5. Departure time changes at the beginning and end of the season because daylight lasts longer then, so check the time printed on your voucher rather than relying on a standard schedule.

From there, an English-speaking guide and driver take you away from Tromsø in either a large bus or a minibus. The exact route is not fixed. The crew tries to find the clearest sky available at that moment, which can mean several stops around Kvaløya, another part of the region, or a long run toward Finland.

That flexibility is the reason to choose a chase tour instead of simply walking outside your hotel. Cloud cover can vary sharply over short distances. A good driver may decide to keep moving when one viewpoint is blocked, or stop when a clear patch opens. Several successful outings involved two stops, while one group saw the Aurora in three separate areas.

The tradeoff is time on the road. A six-to-seven-hour evening can include long stretches of driving and waiting. You are paying for the search as much as for the final sighting. If you want a short, relaxed evening with a guaranteed return time, this format may feel demanding.

Why the guides matter after sunset

The guide can make the difference between standing under a dark sky and understanding what you are seeing. The strongest feedback centers on guides who kept groups calm, explained the Aurora clearly, and shared the reasoning behind each change of location.

Kira and Bjørn were praised for combining route decisions, stories about Norway, and practical photo help. Elisabet was singled out for her preparation and ability to help the group use a professional camera. Alberto and Elizabeth assisted with difficult camera equipment, while Manuel and other guides worked with colleagues to choose clearer areas.

You should expect a mix of science and folklore. Guides explain the solar activity and the way charged particles interact with gases in the atmosphere, but they may also share stories from Norway and other cultures about why the lights appear. That gives the waiting periods some purpose.

Service can vary by guide and by group. One mixed-language departure created frustration when Spanish-speaking participants did not receive the attention they expected. This particular activity is offered in English, so book it only if you are comfortable following explanations in English. If you are offered a different language departure, confirm what language the guide will actually use.

What happens at the stops

The stops are chosen for sky conditions rather than for a standard list of sights. You might get a viewpoint around Kvaløya, a darker area farther from Tromsø, or a location reached after a long drive. The appeal is the open sky and reduced city light, not a named attraction.

At each stop, the guide gives you time to look, take photographs, and wait for changes overhead. Reflective vests are supplied and must be worn outside the vehicle. This is useful safety equipment in dark roadside areas, and it also makes it easier for the guide to keep track of the group.

Be careful underfoot. The places used for viewing can be slippery, and you may need a flashlight to walk safely. Wear shoes with good grip and bring clothing suited to standing outdoors. A thermal suit is not included, but you can rent one from the operator’s office at Storgata 77 in Tromsø. Tripods are also available there for an additional charge.

The large bus offers more capacity, but it may not reach every narrow or remote place as easily as a minibus. If you care more about access to smaller roads than about space, ask what vehicle is planned. A minibus may have no toilet onboard, especially when the group is under 15 people, so plan accordingly.

Photo support, cameras, and the included images

The photo package is a useful part of the price, especially if you do not know how to photograph a dark sky. Guides have helped people adjust phone cameras, digital cameras, and professional equipment. You can also receive photographs taken by the guide during the outing.

Bring your own tripod if you have one, or rent one locally. The tour does not include a tripod. A steady camera is helpful for night images, but the guides can still give practical advice if you are using a phone or handheld camera.

Set realistic expectations about the included photographs. They are uploaded to a third-party platform after the tour, not necessarily handed to you before you leave. Delays have occurred during busy periods, and some people have had trouble finding their images. If the pictures do not appear, contact the operator and provide the tour date and guide name.

There is also an important privacy point. Arctic Guide Service holds full copyrights to photographs taken by the guide. Images may be published on the company’s platform. If you do not want your photograph taken or published, tell the guide at the start and avoid standing in front of the camera when group photographs are being taken.

Staying warm for a seven-hour evening

The tour includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks. These are small comforts, but they matter when you are waiting outdoors in Arctic conditions. Cookies and other light snacks have been appreciated during long drives and stops.

Do not treat the hot drink as a substitute for proper clothing. Thermal suits are not included, and the tour can last seven hours. Wear several warm layers, protect your hands and head, and use footwear that can handle slippery ground. You can rent a thermal suit from the Storgata 77 office if your own winter gear is limited.

The bus gives you a place to warm up between viewing attempts. That is especially valuable on nights when the group must relocate several times. Still, the experience is built around patience. You may spend time outside with no immediate result, then suddenly have only a short window when the sky clears.

Group size, comfort, and meeting point details

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is a substantial group for a night when everyone wants darkness, quiet, and room for a tripod. One large-group issue is practical rather than serious: flashes and torches can disturb people trying to watch or photograph the sky. Lights are sometimes needed for safe walking, but use them only when necessary.

Smaller groups may travel by minibus. This can feel more personal and may make remote stops easier, but a minibus may not have a toilet. The larger bus can be more comfortable for a full evening, although it may be less nimble on smaller roads.

The meeting point is Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5. Several tour companies gather in the same area, and the operator’s identification may be easy to miss. Arrive early, read the voucher carefully, and look for the correct bus rather than assuming the first vehicle is yours.

There have also been cases of confusing meeting-point information and a late-arriving bus. Most problems can be avoided by checking the exact instructions before leaving your accommodation. If you are bringing children, provide their ages in advance so the correct child seat can be arranged. The driver may refuse boarding if this information was not supplied.

Is the $104.50 price good value?

At $104.50 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a six-to-seven-hour Northern Lights outing, particularly because transportation, snacks, hot drinks, safety vests, an English-speaking guide, and photographs are included.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you need help with camera settings, do not have a car, and want a team watching cloud conditions across the region, the price is easier to justify. A successful evening may include several viewing areas and photographs you could not easily produce alone.

The value is weaker if your only measure is seeing a bright Aurora. No company can control cloud, solar activity, or timing. One group traveled for hours and saw nothing. Another reached Finland and saw only a brief glimpse after a long evening. The operator says tours canceled for poor weather may be moved to another date or refunded, but a departure that runs without a sighting is not automatically refundable.

The company has stated that it may offer a 50 percent discount when conditions are poor but not hopeless. That is not the same as a guarantee, so ask about the policy for your specific booking if the forecast looks doubtful.

Who should book this Tromsø Aurora tour?

I would choose this tour if you have only one or two nights in Tromsø and want a dedicated search rather than a casual look from town. It also suits photographers who want guidance, families who need transport and warm drinks, and first-time Northern Lights watchers who appreciate explanations while they wait.

It is a good fit for people who can accept uncertainty. You need patience, warm clothing, and the willingness to spend much of the night in a vehicle. The best outings may involve long drives, several stops, and a late return.

I would think twice if you dislike large groups, need a quiet photography session, or have reduced mobility. The activity is not recommended for children under three and is not recommended for people with reduced mobility. Slippery stopping areas and dark outdoor paths can make the evening difficult for anyone who needs steady, easy access.

The free cancellation policy is helpful: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings. Travel insurance is your responsibility.

Final verdict: book it for the chase, not a promise

I would book this Northern Lights Chase if I wanted a serious attempt to find clearer skies and valued photo help. The strongest part is the team’s willingness to keep searching, sometimes across several areas and as far as Finland, while guides such as Kira, Bjørn, Elisabet, Alberto, and Manuel help turn waiting time into a useful evening.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed show or a perfectly quiet, small-group outing. The group may contain up to 40 people, the bus can arrive close to departure, and included photos may take time to appear.

For the best chance of enjoying it, check the meeting instructions, ask about the vehicle, bring serious winter clothing, and tell the operator about children or photo privacy before departure. At $104.50, it is a fair buy for the transport, search effort, drinks, guidance, and photos, as long as you understand that the Aurora makes the final decision.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Chase start?

It starts at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tromsø.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English with an English-speaking guide.

Are photographs included?

Yes. Photos taken by the guide are included and are uploaded to a third-party web platform after the tour.

Is a tripod included?

No. Tripods are available to rent from the office at Storgata 77 in Tromsø.

Is a thermal suit included?

No. Thermal suits can be rented from the operator’s office at Storgata 77.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

The Aurora is a natural phenomenon, so visibility is not guaranteed and there is no refund simply because the lights are not seen. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Can children join the tour?

Children under three are not recommended for the activity. If you bring children, provide their ages in advance so the correct child seat can be arranged.