Local operator · Skansegata 7, Tromsø
This is a tour by land, not a cruise: a minibus that drives out of Tromsø to wherever the forecast shows the clearest sky, with a guide, thermal suits and a photographer. Pick it when clouds sit on the coast, or when you only have one night, because a road can reach inland gaps that a boat cannot.
The honest weakness of any boat is that it can only go where the water goes. When low cloud sits over the coast around Tromsø, a minibus can drive inland or along the valleys to find a gap. That is why this chase is the land alternative on this site, and it is the most reviewed trip here, with 4.8 stars from 7,015 reviews. It runs about 6 hours, depending on the conditions, the distance and the timing of the lights. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before.
The evening starts with an honest briefing from your guide on the night's conditions. The team checks weather forecasts and aurora activity to pick the viewing spots, and the operator says the tour goes out even in bad weather, for guests with only one night. You ride in a new Mercedes-Benz minibus, which the operator says is more flexible than a big bus. At the spot you put on a thermal suit, drink hot chocolate around a bonfire, and wait. When the time is right, your photographer takes professional portraits and photos of you under the lights, included in the price.
Guides help with camera settings and questions, and guests name Mattia and Brynjar for their photos and their sense of where to go. At the end you are dropped off at your hotel in the city centre. It is not suitable for children under 10. Use the restroom before you leave, as there may be none at remote spots. The lights are never guaranteed, and the chase has no retry offer. Its strength is that it keeps moving until it finds the best sky of the night.
Find the guides in orange jackets outside The Dock Hotel in central Tromsø.
Your guide explains the forecast and the aurora activity, and where the team plans to go.
The minibus drives to the best spot, and moves on if the sky closes in.
Put on a thermal suit and drink hot chocolate by the bonfire as you watch the sky.
The photographer takes portraits and photos of you with the aurora.
The minibus brings you back to your hotel in the city centre.
★★★★★Our guide, Mattia, was very knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful. He even took the time to help my son individually with the settings on his SLR camera. We saw the Northern Lights at four different locations [...]
★★★★★Truly a northern lights chasing experience, not one, but many different spots to with different background for the unexpectedly beautiful lights. No rush, spot to spot, with great surprises The guide was a pro in bringing us the great experience.
★★★★★Seeing the lights in action was such an amazing experience! It was made even better by having a knowledgeable and friendly guide, Mattia. He shared both scientific and mythological facts about the lights and was open to answering all questions. He is also a skilled photographer. I would highly recommend a northern lights tour with him!
★★★★★Perfect for an introvert who doesn’t like to engage with the group nor the guide, just listen and enjoy the aurora the whole night. I am an extrovert and were enjoying it. The vehicle is super comfy and they dropped us back at our hotel doorstep, which is very helpful in a cold midnight.
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A bus can drive inland to find clear skies when clouds sit on the coast. A boat gives you the fjord, a warm lounge and no road lights. On a clear night both work.
About 6 hours, depending on the driving distance, the weather and the aurora activity.
Yes. A photographer takes professional portraits and photos of you under the lights, included in the price.
Yes, at your hotel in the city centre of Tromsø. You meet at Skansegata 7, outside The Dock Hotel.
Ready to book
A minibus that drives to clear skies, with a bonfire, hot chocolate and pro photos.
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