– Northern Lights Chase with Photo Package Included

The best part of this Tromsø Northern Lights chase is the willingness to keep moving. Your guide and driver watch the clouds, consult conditions, and may take you around Kvaløya or farther east toward Finland rather than simply stopping at the first dark roadside. That flexibility matters when the sky is patchy.

I like the included photography help, especially if your camera usually produces a black rectangle where the aurora should be. I also like the hot chocolate, coffee, tea, snacks, and reflective vests, small comforts that make a long wait outside much easier.

The catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. A full coach can also feel busy, and a minibus may not be available. Some departures have had unclear meeting instructions or delayed photo uploads, so you should arrive early, read your voucher closely, and keep your expectations realistic.

Key points to know before booking

• A real moving chase: The route changes with cloud cover and conditions, with some trips reaching Finland.
• Photo package included: Guides take night photos and offer help with phone and camera settings.
• Up to 40 people: A larger bus is common, while groups under 15 may use a minibus without a toilet.
• Warmth is partly your responsibility: Snacks and hot drinks are included, but thermal suits and tripods cost extra.
• A long Arctic evening: Allow about 6 to 7 hours from Tromsø and expect time outdoors in slippery places.
• No aurora refund: Poor weather can lead to cancellation and a refund, but seeing no lights during a running tour is not refundable.

Why a moving chase works better than a fixed viewpoint

Tromsø is a strong base for seeing the aurora, but clouds can spoil one area while the sky is clear only a short drive away. This tour is built around that problem. The crew’s stated mission is to go where the chances are best at that moment, rather than promise one scenic lookout in advance.

That can mean several stops around Kvaløya, a longer run into the countryside, or a drive toward Finland. The route is not a sightseeing circuit with a set list of attractions. It is a weather-led search, so the most important view may be the one you reach after an hour or more on the road.

I like this approach because it gives your guide some room to make decisions. Several departures have reached two or three areas, and one especially determined group continued toward Finland before finding a glimpse of the lights. On another night, clouds forced the group to move again, and the guide found a clearer patch.

Still, you should understand what chase means here. You may spend a large portion of the evening seated on a bus. A long drive does not guarantee a better show, and sometimes the sky begins to clear only after the group has started back toward Tromsø. The tour improves your odds, but it cannot control the aurora.

What the 6 to 7 hour evening looks like

You meet at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, at Samuel Arnesens gate 5. This is a busy departure area used by several operators, so finding the correct vehicle can take attention. I would arrive early, look for the Arctic Guide Service identification, and check the exact meeting time on your voucher.

Departure times change near the beginning and end of the season because daylight lasts longer. Do not rely on a time remembered from another booking or another month. The voucher is the final word.

Once everyone is aboard, the guide explains the plan and begins watching the conditions. The bus or minibus then heads away from Tromsø, with the exact route decided during the evening. Guides such as Kira, Bjørn, Elisabet, Alberto, Elizabeth, Pedro, Muhamad, Manuel, and Esmeralda have led different departures, though you should not book expecting one particular person.

The evening usually develops around one or more outdoor stops. You get out, put on a reflective vest, and wait in the dark while the guide checks the sky. The vests are not decorative. Roadsides and open areas can be hard to see at night, and one past participant specifically appreciated this safety measure.

Your guide may explain the science of the aurora, share Norwegian stories, or tell traditional explanations from different countries. The strongest guides combine this with practical decisions: when to wait, when to move, and where the clouds are likely to thin.

If the lights appear, the group may stay for photographs and viewing before moving again. If the sky closes in, the bus becomes your warm shelter while the driver searches for a better position. The return is to the original meeting point, usually after roughly six to seven hours.

The chase stops: dark skies, waiting, and slippery ground

The exact stopping points are not fixed, which is part of the point. You might visit viewpoints around Kvaløya, open areas with broad views, or more distant places where the sky is darker and cloud cover is lighter.

The most rewarding stops give you two things at once: a clear view above and enough room to appreciate the scenery around Tromsø. When the aurora is strong, it may show green color to the naked eye, with brighter displays producing a much more dramatic effect. On weaker nights, the camera can record more color than you see directly.

You should bring sensible footwear. The company warns that stopping places can be slippery, and darkness makes uneven ground harder to judge. Use a flashlight when needed, but avoid shining it toward people who are trying to photograph the sky. Safety comes first, yet bright phone lights can spoil another person’s exposure.

Cloud is the great spoiler. One departure saw the lights at two stops despite poor conditions. Another saw them only once before turning back. I would treat each stop as a chance to look, not as a promised performance.

Photography help that makes the package worthwhile

The photo package is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. Guides use professional cameras to take pictures during the night, then upload them to a third-party website. They also help you set up a phone or digital camera, which can make a real difference when you have never photographed the aurora before.

You may get a better result by following the guide’s instructions rather than relying on automatic mode. Guides have helped with camera settings and positioning, and some have taken photos of individuals and groups beneath the lights.

There are two details you should understand before posing. The operator holds full copyright to photographs taken by the guide, and the pictures may include you in the online upload. If you do not want a photo taken or published, tell the guide clearly and avoid standing in front of the guide when photos are being made.

Photo delivery has not always been immediate. During a very busy holiday period, uploads were delayed by more than ten days, and one person had trouble reaching the company online. Take a little patience with you, and keep your own photos as the main record of the night.

A tripod is not included. You can rent one at the office on Storgata 77, along with a thermal suit. If you already own a tripod, bring it, but do not assume one will be available on the bus.

Staying warm without renting a thermal suit

The tour includes snacks and hot drinks, such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. That is welcome when you are standing outside waiting for a thin green arc to appear. The refreshments also add value to a tour that can involve long pauses.

They are not a substitute for winter clothing. Thermal suits are available to rent at the Storgata 77 office, but the tour does not provide them automatically. You should dress for a long Arctic night and prepare for repeated exits from the bus.

If you are sensitive to cold, I would consider renting the suit. You will enjoy the aurora more if you can stand outside without worrying about your hands and feet. A warm coat, gloves, hat, and sturdy shoes remain important even if you choose the rental option.

Reflective vests are supplied and should be worn outside the vehicle. The group may also use flashlights to move safely, though keeping light pointed at the ground helps preserve the dark-sky mood for everyone.

Big bus or minibus: a meaningful choice

The maximum group size is 40 people. That makes this a shared outing rather than a private expedition. A full bus can keep the price reasonable and gives you a social evening, but it may take longer to load, unload, and move everyone between viewing spots.

If fewer than 15 people book, the tour may operate in a minibus. The smaller vehicle can feel quieter and more personal, and it may be easier to reach remote areas. It does not have a toilet onboard, so plan accordingly.

One practical point is easy to miss: the vehicle type may affect your night more than the low headline price suggests. A large bus is comfortable for the ride, but a minibus may suit you better if you value a smaller group and more direct contact with the guide. You cannot necessarily choose the vehicle after booking, so check what is available for your date.

The tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility. Children under three should not take part. If you bring older children, provide their ages when booking so the correct child seat can be arranged. The driver can refuse boarding if the required information was not supplied.

Is $104.50 good value in Tromsø?

At $104.50 per person, this tour is priced as an accessible group chase rather than a premium small-group outing. For the money, you receive transport, an English-speaking guide, hot drinks, snacks, reflective vests, photography assistance, and photos taken by the guide.

That package can be good value if you do not have a rental car, do not know how to read changing cloud conditions, or want help using a camera. The driver’s ability to cover several areas is the main value, not the refreshments.

The price is less attractive if you expect a private experience, a guaranteed show, a thermal suit, or a tripod. Neither equipment is included, and the maximum group size can reach 40 people.

I would also avoid judging the value only by the number of aurora minutes you see. A nature chase can end with clouds, even when the forecast looked hopeful. The operator says it may cancel when conditions offer no realistic chance, but a running tour is not refunded simply because the lights remain hidden. In some cases, a 50 percent discount may be offered after an unsuccessful night, but you should not treat that as a guaranteed remedy.

Meeting point, weather rules, and sensible planning

You receive booking confirmation at the time of purchase, and the activity is near public transportation. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easier to plan dinner or a hotel walk afterward, though the late return means you should avoid scheduling anything tight.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, you cannot receive a refund or make changes. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

That distinction matters. An operator cancellation is different from a disappointing but completed chase. If the bus goes out and the aurora does not appear, there is no automatic refund.

You are responsible for your own travel insurance. Most people can participate, but the company specifically excludes children under three and people with reduced mobility. Slippery outdoor stops, cold temperatures, and a long evening make this a poor match for anyone who needs frequent indoor access or easy ground conditions.

Who should book this Northern Lights chase?

I would choose this tour if you want a practical first attempt at seeing the aurora without arranging a car, reading forecasts, or learning night photography alone. It also suits couples, families with older children, and friends who are happy to share a bus and accept an uncertain route.

It is especially useful for photographers who want a guide to help with settings and a set of professionally taken images. It also works for casual sightseers who mainly want to look upward, hear explanations, and stay supplied with hot drinks.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet, intimate outing, guaranteed small-group transport, or a private photographer. You may prefer a smaller tour if that option is important to you, but the supplied information does not guarantee a minibus on request.

My verdict: book it for the chase, not the promise

I would book this Northern Lights Chase if I had one or more clear nights in Tromsø and wanted to improve my chances through movement. The strongest value comes from the guides’ willingness to relocate, their camera help, and the included photos and warm drinks.

Book it early, as the experience is commonly reserved well ahead of time, but do not make it your only chance. The aurora is a natural event, and even a hard-working guide cannot order it onto the sky. Arrive early at Prostneset, confirm the time on your voucher, rent thermal clothing if needed, and regard any appearance of the lights as a bonus earned through patience.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Chase begin and end?

The tour begins at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transportation by bus or minibus, an English-speaking guide, snacks, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, reflective vests, and photos taken during the tour.

Are thermal suits and tripods included?

No. Thermal suits and tripods are not included, but both are available to rent from the office at Storgata 77 in Tromsø.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

There is no refund if the tour operates but the Northern Lights are not visible. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can children take part?

The activity is not recommended for children under three. If you bring children, provide their ages when booking so the correct child seat can be arranged.