Tromso Northern Lights Minibus Chase Small Group Tour With Photos

We came to Norway to see the Northern Lights and they didn't dissapoint! What an amazing night with our wonderful guides, Sanne and Dimitar who were both knowledgeable and helpful in terms of explaining what we were seeing, being on hand with tips for taking our own photos and also taking photos of individuals and the spectacular display of lights to download upon our return. The insulated suits and boots provided meant we were toasty warm all night. The fire pit for cooking sausages and toasting marshmallows, and washed down with hot chocolate, was a lovely way to end a perfect night. Having arrived back in Tromso at around 3 am, we were glad of a lie in and a quiet day planned around the town. Thank you so much Sanne and Dimitar in helping to create an incredibly memorable night.

Mother Nature is Mother Nature and she is unpredictable and as such she can lead to frustration. Whether it be clouds or the sun doesn’t want to cooperate with solar storms. My frustration isn’t over the weather it is the chance you take booking a tour like this. My frustration is you have forecasting tools for these types of events. If you know there are clouds or low probability of solar storms why not give the customer that information and give them an option to opt out. Versus spending hours “chasing a cloudless spot in the sky”. Maybe that is part of the adventure but 6 hours driving around for maybe 30 minutes of actual experience for a 2+ hour return. What we did experience in 30 minutes was pretty cool not huge colors but nice greens. We probably got about 15 pictures out of it, my iPhone pictures were better than those provided by the company. Would I do it again yes. I like the small bus with some personal experience vs large bus and just being a number.

Had great guides in Sonna and Alex who were knowledgeable and interactive. The lights took some finding and we learned a lot about patience! It paid off with a good display eventually 💚 We loved the campfire setting cooking sausages and marshmallows and learning about the lights and also about the members of the group. A fantastic experience and memories to last a lifetime! Thanks for the memories and photos

Unforgettable experience. Even with cloudy skies, our guides Sanne and Aleksander knew exactly where to lead us to see the aurora. They were very engaging and informed and we learnt a lot about how the lights work. The ambiance was very warm and we ate and drank around a campfire, getting to know everybody in the group. The materials (suits and boots) supplied in the minibus tour were very useful.

Our experience with Arctic Explorers was absolutely fabulous. Our tour guides, Aleksander and Sanne, were the best; they were so knowledgeable about the Northern Lights! They truly knew how to guide us and find the best spots for the Lights, even on a pretty cloudy day. I highly recommend the minibus tours. We had a very warm atmosphere during the campfire, and some great stories were told around the bonfire. The tour guides were very enthusiastic and engaged in the experience. I would do it again 100%. This is great for any type of group. I was with my family, and it was perfect. It's a small group, and you get to know everyone personally. Even though we stayed up pretty late that night, you have ample time to sleep on the bus. The tour guides energized us during the whole experience!

Was a fantastic experience a great tour guide with great experience and knowledge was a wonderful night

Magical evening watching the northern lights with family and the rest of our little tour group! We were extremely fortunate to have clear skies and high activity this evening, so we were able to experience the most brilliant display of lights for our entire tour. Our guides were Sanne and Aleksandar!!! Both are lovely individuals with fantastic energy and knowledge, ensuring our group had the best experience from the minute of meetup, to our travel back to the city centre. They created such a friendly and cozy atmosphere, making the experience even more spectacular for us all. It was especially heartwarming to see that both were as excited to see the lights as the rest of the group - they showed us great respect and appreciation for nature, not taking these experiences for granted. Would highly recommend!

Everything about this tour was wonderful. If you are looking for an intimate and unique experience where you have access to knowledgeable and friendly guides, the right clothing, a chat with your fellow travellers (there were just 6 of us on our tour), cosy campfire, and amazing locations to see the incredible lights - plus - great professional photos of your experience - this is the tour for you. Thanks to Sanne, Dimitar, Alex and Youny for creating exactly the experience we were hoping for.

These guys were so professional. Unlike the other companies at the meeting point who were just loading their clients into buses, we were taken to their office first for a briefing, with a map etc, then to change into their ultra warm boots and suits. Our guide was really friendly and informative, and was using technology to get us good sightings. We stopped at gorgeous fjord beach, and saw an amazing Northern lights show for hours, and had hot dogs, then (amazing) hot chocolate sitting on reindeer skins around a fire. Dimitri's pictures with his camera and tripod, of us, and the lights were of amazing quality, and all downloadable for days after. We got back to Tromso at 1.30 am. They were really chill about cancelling and refunding the second back-up trip we had booked. Would HIGHLY recommend these guys. Top tip: take a portable chair/stool with you.

We got very lucky on a day with little cloud cover and managed to see a breathtaking display of the lights. They were fully dancing above us and were very bright. One tip for tourists - the lights appeared white or faintly green to the naked eye so don’t expect to see bright green or red as you may have seen in pictures, because the camera picks up information differently to the human eye. Sanne and Alex were great tour guides and took care of us with hot chocolate, grilled hotdogs over the open fire and marshmallows for dessert. We also had endless opportunities for photos which was lovely. Thank you for a great tour!

My husband and I did the tour with Alex and Symon as our guides. Our experience was EXCELLENT!!! Our guides were very knowledgeable and fun! And we saw spectacular Northern Lights views - 3 different times - it was BEAUTIFUL!!! They worked very hard to find the perfect spot (which they did) - and we got great photos, along with the ones they took for us that we were able to download for free. The bonfire, hot chocolate and grilled meal was wonderful! There is not one thing we would have done differently. We picked the right company, got the best guides, and had the experience of a lifetime! Thank you Viator and Arctic Explorers for a night we will always remember!!!!

Great tour with the super and humorous guide youny

The guides Szymon, Dimitri and Barbara were simply amazing. They really care about what they do. Highly recommend this experience.

I can’t express how much fun I had. Barbora, Dimitar, Alex were very efficient, highly coordinated in tracking the northern lights and provided amazing informative and fun facts and stories to share around the campfire. We got really lucky to experience a strong aurora that night and the team had been fantastic in capturing the moment for us. But most of all they were very professional and a joy to share the adventure with. 10 out to 10. Recommend

They described a small group despite more than 15 people, and the event felt disorganized and rushed. I recognize the weather is unpredictable; however, I heard from others that they saw the northern lights that same night, while we seemed to be chasing clouds instead.

You will have to walk into an area away from the bus to see the lights. The ground can be uneven and a little slippery.

My friend took this exact tour ten years ago, in Tromso, with the company, Arctic Explorers Norway, and told me that was the ONLY company I should book with. She did three consecutive nights with them and loved every night. So, obviously I booked with this company! They are fabulous! I would 200% recommend this company and here is why: 1. Extremely professional. I had booked this tour on my arrival night in case something changed. I was in Tromso for 4 nights, so this would give me a chance to re-book if necessary. That is exactly what happened. I received an e-mail from the company during my first afternoon, telling me it was not a good night to see the Lights. It was not expected to be a clear sky and the odds of seeing the Lights were very low. They gave me three options: Re-schedule for another night at no charge; Full Refund or continue that night and hope for the best. I re-scheduled for the next night and we were very successful at seeing the Lights! Excellent decision! Perhaps other companies might not have told their customers this and taken them on the tour anyway, knowing their chances were slim. The fact that this company put the customer first before their own profits made a huge impression on me with their professionalism. 2. They were very friendly and kind throughout the entire experience! When you first arrive at the meeting place, they ask you to go to their offices (very close) and change into Snow Suites. It wasn't super cold, but it is to protect your clothing and, believe me, you're going to need it! You also change into their super insulated snow boots because you need that protection on your feet while you are walking through the terrain. I needed lots of help pulling on the boots, pulling them off, etc., and their staff was going around the room, helping everyone until we were all outfitted. When we were at the chosen location (on a hillside by a beautiful lake), I needed a lot of assistance in walking to the site. Every step, one of their staff either offered me their hand for support or directly held my hand so I was secure in my walking. At one point, two of the men helped me up onto a rock so they were extremely aware I needed extra help which I certainly appreciated. They also provided me with another place to sit rather than on the ground at the campfire. I could never have sat on the ground so thank you to the Explorers for giving me another option. I had noted I was a vegetarian and when they passed out reindeer hot dogs, they had another dinner just for me and prepared it on the spot. Thank you! It was fun when they passed out hot chocolate to everyone. By then, there was a camaraderie between all of us and the hot chocolate was just perfect! 3. Their professional photos were top notch! They truly know how to frame you/your family with the Lights in the background and will help you know where to stand so they get the best shot. They really know what they are doing and even if your phone/camera fails, you will still have great photos of yourself that the Explorers took. The finished photos are on the site a few days later for you to access. They helped people set their cameras/phones to get the best pictures of the Lights and gave advice of the best way to shoot the photographs. FYI: You do not need to bring a camera for the Lights. Some of us got the best photos directly with our cell phones. But consider bringing an extra battery as two people ran out of battery while the Lights were still overhead which obviously frustrated them. 4. The crew are knowledgeable, considerate and just plain fun! It was a tremendous night and one I will remember forever. I will only book with this company, Arctic Explorers Norway, and highly recommend you do, too! Have fun!

The tour staff were incredibly professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Their experience and dedication made it possible for us to witness the Northern Lights for the very first time in our lives. And yes—we saw them! Not just a glimpse, but lots of them, dancing across the night sky and reflecting beautifully on the calm waters of a remote beach, with majestic mountain peaks forming the perfect backdrop. It was an absolutely unforgettable experience!

Wonderful experience. The team is very professional but very friendly. Very well organised and coordinated tour. Everyone in team was photographer. They help you in setting professional camera as well as the mobile phones. Though the light phenomenal depends on many factors but they selected best spot just covering the chilli wind and bright moon light. They gave every one with warm.shoes and full jacket which keep you warm. Helped with taking photographs. Though it was full moon bright light we could see northern lights. Highly recommended tour with the service provider. Thank you team.

Awesome experience with dmitar and youni.. professional caring and value for money

Did this tour on 14 Feb. Changed into a thermal suit and boots at the office before boarding the minivan. Local stew and hot chocolate were served at the campfire.

We took the midnight safari. We were told to be realistic about setting expectations with no promises about getting to see the lights. It was en experience totally worth it .

It was safari totally worth it. The wait at the meet point was long , then the walk to the office and change up activity was all a slow process to begin. But it was all worth the experience at the end. The guide was realistic about setting expectations of whether we would witness the northern lights or not. I’m not too sure if all tours get to see the lights. We definitely did and lasted for quite a period. Walk on the snow to the observation point was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced as an explorer. Food wasn’t great but who cares. We got to see the northern lights clear and loud

We had an excellent experience with the company. They were very dedicated to finding a location where we could see the lights intensely, especially since it was a cloudy day with a full moon, which directly impacts the experience. Petra, our guide, calmly explained the phenomenon, took beautiful photos, and let us appreciate the aurora for as long as we wanted. We enjoyed it so much that we repeated the tour. We had a minor inconvenience, but after contacting the company, it was promptly resolved. We intend to return to Tromsø and will choose this company again. Congratulations.

Was very lucky to view the lights the first night in Tromsø. Artic Explorers are a great company. They efficiently communicated pre-booking making the decision to choose Artic Explorers an easy choice. Highly recommend this company for anyone searching the Northern Lights in Tromsø.

The whole experience was incredible!! Me and my friend booked a one day trip to see the northern lights and we were lucky enough to experience it!! We were given the necessary equipment to handle the cold and I want to give a special shoutout to our guide Angel who was incredibly kind, answered all our questions and took sooo many photos of us without any complaints! He was so happy to be there and it elevated the experience for us!! Would highly recommend 😊

We had a wonderful time on this adventure! After having the chance to borrow heavy duty boots and cold suits, we got in the minibus and were driven to a beautiful spot of public land. We walked down a short distance and sat on reindeer hides to wait for the sky to darken. The lights came out on the early side. They were not as intense or dancing as much as we’ve seen photos of but we definitely saw them. Our guide, Alberto, was friendly and knowledgeable. He prepared a lovely bonfire and you could try reindeer soup by adding g hot water to a packet and/ or some delicious hot chocolate. Alberto took as many pictures as you wanted with the lights and they were available online before we walked back to our hotel!

We did the Northern Lights minibus chase 2x on our trip to Tromso, and both times were great! The tour itself was well timed, well organized, and the guides were terrific. On both nights we saw the lights, and got some great photos. Thanks!

Miguel was extremely nice, he explained us a lot about the auroras, we got food, hot chocolate, marshmellows, photos, we lauged, learned, got to see the auroras and it was an amazing experience, even before we got to see the auras the experience was incredible!

At the start of the tour We were told , the aurora attracts positive vibes .. I guess we had the right vibes. We saw the northern lights several times in different shape and sizes. The tour guide Miguel was a funny lively good story teller and kept the group engaged the entire night. It was overall a good experience

Very exotic and very interesting info from guides

My husband and I had an excellent experience. Our guide, Dimitar, was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive to all the guests. I especially appreciate his pointing out an excellent location for photos, as it was my first time photographing an Aurora with my mirrorless camera. The company cares about its guests by offering special warm clothing, boots, and a warm meal and drinks on the tour. I highly recommend it.

The northern lights were spectacular, I liked the food and the hot chocolate. It was a great experience.

Awesome trip, happy trip, good companion and best guide ever

Great way to chase the Northern Lights. Everyone is provided a snowmobile suit and boots to keep warm while outdoors. Guide took lots of pictures to share with us. It was just a fun evening and we were blessed to see the beautiful Northern Lights.

In my Opinion, this was the worst tour we have ever booked. It started with witing 15-20 Minutes in the rain for the pick up (they were late). Then at the headquarters it was very stressfull and crowded (45 minutes to 1 hour). The service was advertised as an “Aurora Hunt”, which implies actively searching for clear skies and locations with the highest possible chance of seeing the Northern Lights. However, this core aspect of the service was not delivered. Before the tour even started, the operator was already aware of the following facts: * Nearly 100% cloud coverage in the entire reachable area around Tromsø * No possibility to travel to alternative locations (such as Finland) due to known restrictions (military activity) * Very low solar activity, significantly reducing any realistic chance of seeing the Aurora Instead of an “Aurora Hunt”, the actual service consisted of transporting participants to a single location and waiting under almost fully overcast skies, without any meaningful attempt to search for clearer conditions. At least our guide was friendly. In my opinion the tour should have been canceled or at least give the customers the option to decide if they want to cancel.

Really bad experience. They don´t go anywhere, just 1 hour from Tromso. Normal bus past us going far away. No need mini bus with them. No chasing anything, just let us close to a main road for hours for nothing and come back to Tromso.

Found Arctic explorers, it appears all the tour groups use Scandic Hotel as their meeting point so it can get confusing. Left Tromso in minibus and arrived at Lake after an hour and half drive. Miguel was an enthusiastic guide who tried hard to keep the mood of the tour upbeat (not easy at times late at night). The thermal overalls and boots supplied kept us nice and warm in negative temperatures even at 0100. We found a good spot near a lake, the dry food rations supplied didn't work well. Maybe pre-make them? This group use scanners to predict weather patterns and Northern Light activity and they got it. Nice patterns and "dancing lights"

We departed Tromsø eith rain and not high probability to see the auroras, our guide (Petra) tried her best and we ended up in Finland ( Sweden border) the weather in the way was terrible ( hail, snow. Rain) buut we could see them. Got a bonfire and everything. Free pictures. Even though we reserved a small group tour of 16 ppl, I felt we spent way too much time getting ready ( 1 hour aprox - thermals and boots) because two groups were getting ready at the same time. The ride in the vanwas not very comfortable, the van s was small and everyone had the snowsuit on, and since we had to drive a lot to get clear skies it was a lot. Not much info during the ride on the bus, but Petra gave us a great explanation of teh auroras during the bonfire, but honestly to me that took too much time and it was very late, the auroras were very weak at that time and just wanted to get back. We arrived back in Tromsø around 5:15 the next day. Overall it was a good tour.

We had a really nice experience on our Northern Lights tour with Alberto. The whole trip was well organized, fun, and enjoyable from start to finish. We were lucky enough to see some auroras, which made it even more special. Alberto was a great guide — his explanations were clear, interesting, and added a lot to the experience. He created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making sure everyone was comfortable and having a good time. We could never have imagined that a sushi chef would become one of the best guides on our aurora chasing trip — such a unique and memorable touch! A special thank you as well to our driver, who made the journey smooth and safe throughout the night. We also had a very surprising and cozy dinner, with hot chocolate and fire-toasted marshmallows included, which made the experience even more magical. Overall, a very satisfying experience that I would definitely recommend!

Excellent experience! Alberto our tour guide was professional and responsible, he found us a place with clear skies that was not too long of a drive, and we were lucky to have incredible aurora experience. The photos he took were fantastic! The food and hot chocolate by the fire were a great added bonus.

We had the chance to get the Northern Lights mini bus chase on Saturday, March 14 2026 and we were fortunate enough to have completely clear skies for almost 3 hours. We experienced the Aurora in the best possible way, in a nice place southeast of Tromso near a fjord. Our guide, Thomas was an amazing person with nice humour, very knowledgeable and friendly and he contributed to this once in a lifetime experience as best as he could! Thank you very much. It’s been amazing!

Fantastic experience. The guides were very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and enthusiastic about the northern lights!

It was af great experience. Shot out to guides Tomas and Petra, that made the experience better with their enthusiasm.

The experience was amazing and a big part of that was thanks to our guide Tomas C. and our driver. Tomas was energetic, respectful and passionate about his work. He drove us for 3 hours up to a place in Finland chasing clear skies to see the northern lights. During the travel he interacted with us sharing interesting information about Tromsø, Norway and the region. When we finally arrived to the place he found a excellent spot where we could enjoy the magic and mysticism of the auroras. He took amazing photos, provided us with a hot meal, chocolate and marshmallows, as we sit around a bonfire. Coming myself from Argentina to fulfill a longstanding dream, I couldn't ask for more. I truly recommend Artic Explorers and our guide Tomas C. for anyone looking to live this experience!!!!

The weather in Tromsø was terrible all week during our holiday, so we didn’t have high expectations when we booked the Northern Lights tour. But Arctic Explorers completely turned things around. Our guide, Thomas, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate. It was clear that he truly loves what he does and takes pride in helping people experience something special. He was also genuinely friendly and attentive, going the extra mile to make everyone feel comfortable. He even shared his own water with us on the ride back, which was really sweet. They drove us all the way into Finland in search of clear skies. It rained the entire journey, and we honestly thought we were out of luck but somehow, they found the perfect spot. What followed was an unforgettable night, with stunning Northern Lights and amazing photos to remember it by. I’m so grateful we chose this tour and had the chance to meet Thomas. This was hands down the most professional and well-organized tour we’ve ever been on. 10/10. I would recommend it without hesitation. Thank you Arctic Explorers and Thomas. You were the best! <3

Waited outside the Scandic hotel as per our instructions and were greeted by Miguel and when all customers were accounted for, we headed around the corner to their office (of sorts) where you were kitted out with arctic suits and arctic boots. I would recommend taking both the suits and boots as I watched a young couple who I think felt their outer gear was warm enoughb and only wore the boots provided. But what was so good about taking the suits was when we got to our viewing site and the lights decided to play for us, you could just throw yourself on the powdery snow and watch the lights play out above your head - and still stay nice and dry and warm. The aurora is a very fickle thing and on this night Miguel's second choice was spot on. We got a very good show, I could not place it as my number one, as I've been fortunate to see the lights in full colour and display with my own eyes rather than through a camera lens, but unfortunately this is only achieved if the sun decides to send a massive flare out towards earth - hence why I keep chasing the aurora. But nevertheless the show we got around 2300 was quite a display, soaring overhead, dancing, curtains - mainly whites, greys and light greens to the naked eye, but still a very very good display of the lights on a starlit night. A bonus, you get a reasonably tasty supper that supposedly the Norwegian army uses - options of chicken soup, beef taco, vegetarian etc. Once rehydrated it was quite tasty and thankfully not too salty. Coffee, tea, and marshmallows for the sweet tooth to round off the evening. But be warned, the lights can make a show when you're about to eat or drink. I found Arctic Explorers a very professional group - the guide and driver efficient and friendly.

If you’re even thinking about booking a Northern Lights trip—just do it. This experience was absolutely unforgettable. They found conditions that were perfect after a 2 hour drive; clear skies, crisp air, and the aurora dancing across the sky in the most surreal way. The location was spot on—far from any light pollution, so the colors felt incredibly vivid and almost unreal. What really made the evening special was the atmosphere. Standing around a warm fire, sipping hot cocoa, and enjoying a delicious, comforting soup while waiting for the lights—it felt cozy, relaxed, and almost magical in itself. Everything was so well organized, and our guide, Alberto, was so nice and helpful. The winter suites and boots kept us warm on the very cold night!! Honestly, one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments that I’d relive in a heartbeat. Highly, highly recommend! (I was nervous about booking but I am so glad I did).

I can’t say whether there are cheaper options out there, but I can confidently say this experience was absolutely worth it. From the research phase, Arctic Explorers were thorough and transparent. Their website provides a lot of useful information, and they were honest about setting expectations, which immediately built trust. After booking, I received a detailed email with clear instructions and additional guidance. One important tip was to book multiple nights to maximise your chances. This is the only thing I wish I had noticed earlier (they may have mentioned it on the website and I missed it). What I really appreciated is that they clearly explained the cancellation policy: if you’re lucky enough to see the aurora on the first night, you can cancel the following tours and receive a full refund as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before the next tour. I personally experienced this and they were completely honest and committed to it. The meeting point instructions, timings, and all logistics were clear, accurate, and easy to follow. They also provided the necessary thermal suit and boots, all in excellent condition. You genuinely feel they take care of you. The minibus group size was perfect — not so large that you feel lost in a crowd, and not so small that you miss the chance to meet people from around the world. It also made it easier to ask questions, interact, and take photos. The tour lasted around 9 hours. About 4 hours were transportation from and to the meeting point, which gives you a clear idea of how far they’re willing to go to find clear skies and increase the chance of seeing the aurora. They absolutely delivered. They found an ideal spot where we spent an unforgettable time watching this incredible phenomenon. They made a campfire, brought food, hot chocolate, and marshmallows, took photos for everyone, and created a genuinely warm and relaxed atmosphere. Lastly, and most importantly, our guide Petra was outstanding. She is experienced, knowledgeable, and answered all questions clearly. She even shared additional insights about the night sky. But what truly sets her apart is her passion. You could see it in the effort she put in throughout the night. She stood in the freezing cold, hands exposed, just to make sure everyone got great photos and a great experience — and her excitement was contagious. She was genuinely amazing. Sorry for the long review, but it was an exceptional experience and I’m truly grateful. Thank you, Arctic Explorers — and thank you Petra.