Reviewed · TROMSø TOURS

Northern Light Chase Tour

5.0 · 4 reviews 6 hours (approx.) From $191 Operated by Northern Light Travel · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

If you like your Northern Lights hunt to feel active, not passive, this Northern Light chase tour around Tromsø is made for you. The night runs on a simple idea, go where conditions look better, then settle in and watch.

I love how the experience is built around actual time outdoors, including a campfire and a longer camp window. I also like that the guides work like problem-solvers, including a proven knack for finding clearer skies when other areas are clouded.

One possible drawback is the obvious one, it depends on weather. The tour is designed for good aurora conditions, so if clouds and poor weather roll in, your night may change plans.

Key highlights to know before you go

Northern Light Chase Tour - Key highlights to know before you go

  • A guide-led search across the Tromsø and Troms area, focused on better odds
  • A real camp setup, with a campfire vibe and time to settle in
  • Food and beverages included, so you are not just freezing and waiting
  • Small group size (up to 16), which makes the experience feel more coordinated
  • English-speaking format for an easier, clearer aurora night

Tromsø aurora chases feel different when the plan can move

Northern Light Chase Tour - Tromsø aurora chases feel different when the plan can move
Tromsø is one of Europe’s best bases for the Northern Lights, but you still run into the same thing every aurora fan knows, clouds can ruin your view fast. That is why I like the way this tour is structured. Instead of treating the night as one fixed viewing spot, it’s set up as a moving search with stops that build momentum.

You start with a welcome and quick orientation in Tromsø, then you head out to set up camp where the guides think your chances are strongest. The experience is designed for patience, but it also understands the sky does not cooperate on your schedule.

Other ways to spend a day around Tromsø

From Kaigata 4 to the lights, the 6-hour rhythm

Northern Light Chase Tour - From Kaigata 4 to the lights, the 6-hour rhythm
Plan on roughly 6 hours total, with the tour running in a loop that starts and ends at the same place. The meeting point is Kaigata 4, 9008 Tromsø, and the activity finishes back at the meeting point.

Timing-wise, it follows a simple flow:

  • A short start in Tromsø to meet your guide and get oriented
  • Travel out, then campfire time
  • A longer camp stop in the Troms region (about 3 hours)
  • Travel back to Tromsø for a final arrival period

The practical value here is that you get clear pacing. You are not stuck guessing when the action starts. You also get enough time at the main camp stop to actually have an aurora moment, not just a quick look.

Stop 1 in Tromsø: meeting your guide, then heading out fast

Northern Light Chase Tour - Stop 1 in Tromsø: meeting your guide, then heading out fast
The first stop is a welcome and introduction from your guide in Tromsø. It’s short, about 10 minutes. This matters more than it sounds. In an aurora situation, you want to understand how the night will work and what the team is looking for, so you can relax once you are outside.

After that intro, you drive out and the group makes camp with a campfire. This first outdoor stretch is a good “settling in” phase. You get to arrive, warm up, and get your gear ready before the longer viewing time.

One thing to keep in mind, you will likely spend time outdoors right away. So treat this like a proper evening out in cold weather, not a quick stroll.

Stop 2 in the Troms region: the 3-hour camp window for a real chance

This is the core of the night. You reach your spot somewhere in the Troms region, then you make camp and settle in for about 3 hours. That length is what separates a decent aurora watch from a memorable one.

Why 3 hours matters:

  • Auroras do not always show up instantly. Waiting is part of the deal.
  • If conditions shift, you need enough time to catch changes in cloud cover or sky clarity.
  • A longer window lets you take breaks without losing your entire view time.

The guides also play a key role here. One of the standout pieces of praise is how, on nights when many areas were covered with clouds, the guides found an area that wasn’t and produced a fantastic light show. That is exactly the kind of skill you are paying for, turning a cloudy forecast into a workable viewing situation.

During this phase, food and beverages are part of the experience, and that’s a big deal on an aurora night. Your body does not perform as well when you are hungry or chilled, and having drinks and food available helps you stay comfortable enough to actually watch.

Different weather, different plan? Tromsø also runs these:

Stop 3 back in Tromsø: wrap-up and back where you started

After the main camp stop, you drive back to Tromsø. The final stop is a return arrival period of about 15 minutes.

This short closing time is practical. You get back to the meeting point area without the stress of trying to navigate late in the evening. Since the tour ends where it starts, you can plan the rest of your night with less friction.

Price and what $191.14 buys you in real aurora value

At $191.14 per person, this is not a budget “quick tour,” but it also is not an outlandish splurge for a 6-hour, guide-led aurora chase. The value sits in three places you can feel right away:

  1. Guided movement across the Tromsø and Troms area

That search is the whole point. If the sky is cloudy, a fixed plan can turn into a frustrating night. A mobile approach increases your odds.

  1. Meaningful time outdoors

The night is built around a roughly 3-hour camp stop. You are paying for time at the viewing spot, not just a short photo stop.

  1. Food and beverages included

This is part comfort, part performance. You get to stay focused on the sky instead of constantly thinking about warming up, eating, or managing hunger.

If your goal is a guided aurora night with real watch time and comfort support, this fits the bill.

The guide’s job is more than pointing up

Northern Light Chase Tour - The guide’s job is more than pointing up
When it comes to the Northern Lights, everyone can stand outside and look. The difference is in how your guide handles uncertainty.

The most highly praised aspect in the feedback is the guide’s success finding clear sky conditions when clouds affected other areas. That tells you how the operation works in practice. They are actively responding to what the sky is doing, then setting you up where you have a better chance to see the lights.

With a maximum of 16 travelers, you are also likely to get a more organized experience than larger groups. Smaller groups tend to be easier to manage during driving transitions and camp setup, and that usually means less chaos and more watching.

Food, beverages, and the campfire comfort factor

An aurora night can feel long, even when it is exciting. That is why I pay attention to food and beverages, and this tour includes them. One review called them great, which lines up with the overall design of the evening, camp time plus comfort.

The campfire angle also helps you “stay in the moment.” You are not just sitting in the cold with a camera. There is a natural rhythm, settle in, eat and drink, watch, then repeat. It makes the night feel like an event, not a waiting room.

Practical advice for getting the most from your aurora night

The tour requires good weather to run well, so go into it with flexibility. Here is what I would do to make the most of your time, based on how the evening is paced:

  • Dress for long outdoor time. You have campfire time and a main camp window of about 3 hours.
  • Plan for changing conditions. Since the tour involves driving and moving between spots, expect the weather to shift.
  • Use the guide’s timing. Once you are at camp, your best work is watching and staying patient. The lights are unpredictable, but the schedule gives you enough time to catch them.

Who this tour suits best

This Northern Light Chase Tour fits best if you:

  • Want a guide-led aurora search instead of a fixed viewing stop
  • Like having comfort built into the evening, including food and beverages
  • Prefer a small group (up to 16) with an organized flow
  • Travel in English and want everything explained clearly

If you hate cold and long waits, you might find the outdoor camp time challenging. But if you accept that aurora nights are a mix of waiting and rewarding moments, this tour’s structure is a strong match.

Should you book the Northern Light Chase with Northern Light Travel?

I’d book this if your priority is a focused aurora night with real watch time and an active plan to chase clearer conditions. The strongest signals are the guide-driven success in finding clearer skies on cloudy nights, plus the comfort factor of food and beverages during the waiting.

I would hesitate only if you cannot handle being outdoors for extended periods, or if your schedule does not allow flexibility when weather requires a change.

If you want one night in Tromsø that feels like a serious attempt, with camp setup and a guide managing the hunt, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Northern Light Chase tour?

The tour starts at Kaigata 4, 9008 Tromsø, Norway, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 6 hours.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is a mobile ticket provided?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

What happens during the Troms region stop?

You reach a spot somewhere in the Troms region, make camp, and spend about 3 hours at that location.

Is there food and drink included?

Food and beverages are included as part of the experience, and guests have praised them.

What if the weather is poor for seeing the Northern Lights?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

More like this

Tromsø Tours, compared.

The full Tromsø Tours list →
Northern Lights Safari with Expert Guides and Photos
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 6,654 reviews· from $61

Northern Lights Safari with Expert Guides and Photos

Read our review →
Reindeer Sledding & Feeding with a Sami Guide
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 6,417 reviews· from $198

Reindeer Sledding & Feeding with a Sami Guide

Read our review →
Northern Lights Pioneer Tour with Photos Included
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 6,048 reviews· from $165

Northern Lights Pioneer Tour with Photos Included

Read our review →
Arctic Fjord Cruise & Fishing Experience
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 4,588 reviews· from $152

Arctic Fjord Cruise & Fishing Experience

Read our review →
Self-Drive Husky Dog Sledding Adventure
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 4,162 reviews· from $351

Self-Drive Husky Dog Sledding Adventure

Read our review →
Fjords and Sommarøy Islands Tour with Salmon Picnic
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 3,922 reviews· from $112

Fjords and Sommarøy Islands Tour with Salmon Picnic

Read our review →
Northern Lights Chase with Photos and Bodysuits
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 3,378 reviews· from $125

Northern Lights Chase with Photos and Bodysuits

Read our review →
Reindeer Camp and Sami Cultural Tour with Lunch
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 3,326 reviews· from $141

Reindeer Camp and Sami Cultural Tour with Lunch

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Norway

Every kind of day out on this coast, and the best of each.