Chase the Northern Lights

No operator can guarantee the aurora — it's a natural phenomenon. What we can guarantee is putting you in the best possible position to see it. We schedule trips around new moon windows for maximum darkness, monitor real-time solar and weather forecasts throughout, and your guide knows exactly where to go and when. Multiple aurora viewing opportunities are built into every night of the trip.

International flights are not included in the trip price. You'll fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — the main gateway into Iceland, served by direct flights from across the US and Europe. Once you land, we handle everything: your guide meets you at the airport and you won't need to think about logistics again until departure day.

The price covers boutique hotel accommodation throughout, a full-time local guide and driver for the entire trip, all ground transportation, all breakfasts and four dinners, and multiple guided aurora viewing nights. International flights are not included, nor is the Mývatn Nature Baths entrance fee (~$55).

Groups are intentionally small. This isn't a coach tour — it's a personal, guided experience with a handful of like-minded travellers. Small group sizes mean flexibility in the itinerary, personal attention from your guide, and access to places that larger groups simply can't reach.

A reasonable level of fitness is helpful — some days involve walking on uneven terrain and aurora hikes in the evening. That said, this is not a strenuous adventure trip. The pace is relaxed and your guide adapts to the group. If you have any specific concerns, get in touch before booking and we'll be happy to talk it through.

The northern lights season in Iceland runs from late September through to late March, when nights are long and dark enough to see the aurora. Our trips are scheduled within this window and timed around new moon periods for the darkest possible skies. The winter months of November through February offer the longest nights and the best odds.

The aurora can occur at any time, but you need darkness to see it. Activity tends to peak around the spring and autumn equinoxes — March and September — when solar activity increases. In midwinter the nights are longer, which gives you more viewing hours even if activity levels vary. The key factors are clear skies, darkness and low light pollution — all of which your guide monitors throughout the trip using real-time aurora apps and local weather forecasts.

Solar storms send electrically charged particles hurtling towards Earth. When they collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they produce light — and that light is the aurora. Green is the most common colour, caused by oxygen at lower altitudes. Higher solar activity brings flashes of blue, purple and red. The movement, shape and intensity all depend on the strength of the solar wind at that moment. It's science — but standing underneath it, it really doesn't feel like it.

Iceland sits within the aurora belt — a band of maximum solar activity encircling the globe between 65 and 72°N. It's one of the most consistently active aurora zones on the planet. North Iceland, where our trips are based, offers something the south doesn't: dark skies far from Reykjavík's light pollution. On the shores of Eyjafjörður fjord, on a clear night, the aurora can fill the entire sky. Your guide knows exactly where to position the group based on each night's forecast.

Layers, and plenty of them. Iceland's winter weather is unpredictable, and aurora hunting means standing outside at night — sometimes for a while. Thermal base layers, a fleece mid-layer, a windproof and waterproof outer jacket, warm trousers and waterproof boots with good grip are all essential. A hat, gloves and a scarf are non-negotiable. A flask of something warm is highly recommended. Your guide will always brief the group on what conditions to expect before heading out each evening.

A $500 deposit secures your place. The remaining balance is split into two equal payments: $1,213 due 60 days before departure, and $1,213 due 30 days before departure. If you'd prefer to pay in full at the time of booking, that's absolutely fine too. The instalment plan is there to make the trip more accessible — no hidden fees either way.

Absolutely — and it's worth getting familiar with your camera's manual settings before you travel. A DSLR or mirrorless camera on a tripod gives the best results. Set your ISO to 400–800, your aperture as low as it goes (f/3.5 is typical), and your shutter speed to 15–30 seconds. A remote shutter release helps avoid camera shake, and bring spare batteries — the cold drains them faster than you'd expect. A head torch is useful for adjusting settings in the dark. Your guide will help with timing and positioning on the night.