Leave Reykjavik’s glare behind on a three-hour small-bus aurora chase that heads to the darkest skies available each night. Cozy blankets, hot chocolate and guide-taken photos complement a flexible hunt for the Northern Lights.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A cold wind off the North Atlantic cuts through Reykjavik as the small bus pulls away from the sodium glow of the city. Tire tracks crunch on gravel, headlights sweep low hills and farmland, and the guide steers toward darker skies. You trade city light for open horizons, wrapped in a blanket with hot chocolate steaming between your hands while the guide scans cloud cover and geomagnetic forecasts for the telltale green sweep.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves minimal walking and standing in cold conditions
Wildlife
History
Reykjavik grew from Viking Age settlement; the surrounding landscape features volcanic plains and glacial rivers that shaped settlement routes and folklore.
Conservation
Tours minimize impact by using established roads and stopping only where permitted; limit light use, pack out all waste, and avoid trampling fragile moss and vegetation.
Reserve your spot on the Small Bus Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik at 9:30 pm today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Temperatures can drop quickly at night—wear insulated base layers, a warm midlayer and an outer shell to stay comfortable during long periods of waiting.
Bring a tripod or steady surface
For meaningful aurora photos use a tripod and a wide-aperture lens; without stabilization long exposures will blur.
Keep batteries warm
Cold drains camera and phone batteries fast—carry spares in an inner pocket close to your body.
Follow your guide’s location advice
Guides choose stops based on cloud cover and safety—stay with the group and respect private land boundaries.
Insulated jacket and warm layers
Keeps you warm during extended night exposure when temperatures can be near or below freezing.
winter
Insulated, waterproof boots
Protects feet from cold, wet ground at roadside viewing stops.
winter
Tripod and camera with manual mode
Allows long-exposure shots to capture the aurora’s movement and color.
fall
Headlamp with red light option
Hands-free light for safety that preserves night vision when moving around the vehicle.