September to March
4 Hours
20.30 and 21:00, at designated bus stops, hotels and guesthouses in the capital area.
Embark on a Thrilling Northern Lights Search with Arctic Travel Experiences. Get ready to uncover the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights. We offer small a group experience with a limited number of participants to ensure a more personalized experience and better interaction with the guide. You’ll be accompanied by experienced guides who are knowledgeable about the local weather patterns, optimal viewing locations, and the science behind the Northern Lights.
In our tours we strive for takin our small groups to picturesque locations away from light pollution, increasing our chances of seeing the Northern Lights clearly.
Since the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and depend on various factors like weather conditions and solar activity, tour itineraries may be flexible. Guides might adjust plans to maximize the chances of seeing the lights.
We offer comfortable vehicles equipped for the Icelandic terrain, ensuring a smooth and safe journey to the viewing locations.
Guides often provide interesting information about Icelandic culture, folklore surrounding the Northern Lights, and tips for capturing the best photographs.
We provide amenities such as hot drinks and snacks to keep you warm during the outdoor viewing sessions.
If you’re interested in capturing the Northern Lights on camera, guides may offer tips and assistance to help you get the best shots. In our tours our guides use professional cameras and if we get Northern Lights everybody get a photo with the Northern Lights in the background.
Beyond just seeing the Northern Lights, these tours aim to create a memorable experience, often incorporating storytelling, folklore, and local traditions to enrich your journey. Overall, an Iceland Northern Lights tour with a small group experience offers an intimate and immersive way to witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays in one of the world’s most beautiful settings.
The Northern Lights can be visible throughout Iceland, in areas away from light pollution and with expansive views of the northern horizon. We need a place that is dark with as little light pollution as possible. Then we need as clear and cloudless skies as possible. Before our guides choose their location to search for the Northern Lights, they carefully study the cloud forecast to find an open spot in the sky.
The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the dark hours of the night. In Iceland, this generally means between late August and mid-April, when nights are the longest. The hours around midnight are often considered prime viewing time for the Northern Lights, but they can appear anytime from dusk until dawn.
The Northern Lights are caused by solar particles colliding with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Higher solar activity increases the likelihood of seeing a stronger and more widespread display. Our guides carefully study the predicted activity before they go on a search for Northern Lights.
When preparing for a Northern Lights tour in Iceland, it’s crucial to dress warmly and in layers, as temperatures can drop significantly, especially during the winter months when the auroras are most visible.
Here’s a suggested clothing list:
Base layer: Start with thermal underwear made of moisture-wicking material to keep you warm and dry.
Insulation layer: A fleece or down jacket provides insulation to trap heat close to your body.
Outer layer: A waterproof and windproof jacket and pants are essential to protect you from Iceland’s unpredictable weather conditions.
Warm accessories: Don’t forget gloves or mittens, a hat that covers your ears, and a scarf or neck gaiter to protect your face from the cold winds. Consider bringing disposable hand and foot warmers for extra warmth, especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Footwear: Wear thick wool socks and waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry. Make sure your boots have good traction for walking on icy or snowy terrain.
Remember that it is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed when venturing out into Iceland's chilly nights. When waiting for the Northern Lights we keep the heaters on inside the cars,and youare welcome to sit inside. Participants will get blankets to use during the tour, but westill need to dress in warm clothes.
In some cases, we might be unlucky and the conditions are not in our favor. In cases where we don’t see northern lights you are welcome to rebook the tour and make a second attempt. To reebok of for further information contact us via email, or by clicking here and please provide us with your booking reference.
