– Northern Lights Chase with Photo Package Included

If you want the Northern Lights but do not want to gamble on one dark pull-off, this Tromsø chase tour is built for motion. The crew’s mission is simple: keep driving to improve your odds, then help you actually photograph what you catch. I also like the photo package angle, with the guides taking pictures for you, plus on-the-spot camera coaching (I’ve seen guides like Kira and Bjørn work hard even when clouds roll in). The one drawback to keep in mind is that the Aurora is still nature, so bad sky can mean a night without lights, and that is not a money-back situation.

You meet at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, then head out for an evening that usually runs about 6 to 7 hours. You stay warm with snacks and hot drinks, and you wear reflective vests when you step off the bus, which matters when the ground gets slick.

One more thing before you go: the tour does not include a tripod or a thermal suit. You can rent them at the office in Storgata 77, but if you show up underprepared, you will feel it in the long wait between stops.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• It is a real chase, not one fixed viewpoint, and the plan changes with sky conditions
• Photo package included, with the guide taking pictures and practical tips for your camera or phone
• Warm-up breaks built in, with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks while you wait
• Transport and safety gear included, reflective vests and bus or minibus, with care on slippery spots
• No guaranteed Aurora, and there is no full refund just because the lights were not visible
• Limited group size, max 40, with smaller groups sometimes using a minibus without toilet onboard

Start at Prostneset, Then Let the Guide Drive the Plan

Your evening kicks off at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, at Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø. It is a straightforward meeting point, and the area is near public transportation, which helps if you are juggling dinner plans before the tour.

A small but important detail: the exact departure time can shift at the beginning and end of the season. Daylight changes, so check your voucher for the meeting time you are assigned that night. You also get a mobile ticket, so you do not need to hunt for paper.

If you want extra context on the weather or Aurora activity before you board, the operator directs you to their office in Storgata 77, Tromsø. That is a useful move when your own forecast app looks promising but local conditions might not match your expectation.

The Aurora Chase: Multiple Stops and Fast Reroutes

The core idea here is that the guides treat the sky like a moving target. Your crew has one mission, to go where the chances for the Northern Lights look best at that moment. In practice, that often means hitting more than one area during the night.

You might start with viewpoints around Kvaløya, then change course if clouds block the show. Some groups even get routed farther out, and in at least a few cases, the chase went as far as Finland when conditions in and around Tromsø were not cooperating. That flexibility is a big part of why this type of tour beats the old-school approach of waiting in one place for hours.

The trade-off is that you are outside and in motion for a long stretch. Expect stops where you walk and stand in darkness. The operator explicitly warns that it can be slippery at those locations, so watch your footing and do not rush.

What the Guides Teach You About the Lights

This tour is not just driving and waiting. The guides explain what the Northern Lights are and how to think about them while you are out there in the cold.

They also share practical ways to interpret forecasts. For example, they mention the KP index as an auroral activity indicator that runs from 0 to 9, with a higher number suggesting aurora visibility in places beyond Tromsø. But they also stress the uncomfortable truth: not all relevant factors can be calculated, because the aurora depends on solar wind and atmospheric conditions that do not line up perfectly every night.

That matters because it changes how you should plan your expectations. You go in with a plan to chase and a plan to photograph, not with a promise that the lights will appear on schedule.

The Photo Package: How You Get Images Even If Your Camera Fights You

The headline for photographers is the photo package. You get photos taken during the tour, and the operator says the images will be uploaded to a third-party web platform.

Even better, you get guidance on how to shoot. The tour includes helpful tips for setting up your camera or phone, and you should expect the guides to work with you on timing, focus, and framing while you wait for the sky to cooperate. People have also specifically praised how guides helped with camera problems, which is comforting if you arrive with a camera body that loves to behave only at home.

Two practical notes to keep you out of trouble:

• The operator has full copyrights for any photo the guide takes. That is not unusual, but it is good to know.
• If you do not want your photo published or taken, you should tell the guide and avoid standing in front of the guide during their shots.

What is not included is a tripod. If you want one, you can rent it at their office in Storgata 77. Without a tripod, you can still shoot, but you will be relying more on your camera’s low-light settings and your ability to stabilize.

Also, plan for real life timing. During the busiest time of year, the upload process can lag. If your pictures do not show up when you expect, you can contact the operator to check directly with your guide.

Hot Drinks, Snacks, and Aurora Hunting Etiquette

This tour does not make you choose between comfort and the chase. You get snacks plus hot drinks like coffee or tea and hot chocolate, which is exactly what you want during those long minutes when the sky decides to be stubborn.

At each stop, you typically get time to take in the scenery and try for the lights. You might catch aurora at one location, or you might only get partial luck until the next reroute clears the way. People have described seeing lights at multiple areas in the same night, which is a huge win if you get at least some clear sky.

One detail I really appreciate from the way these nights play out: darkness etiquette matters. In practical terms, that means being careful with flashlights and camera flashes. Bright light ruins your own night adaptation and can annoy others trying to watch the sky in peace. You are going to be out there in low light, so use lights only when needed for walking safety.

Price and Value: Does $104.50 Include Enough?

At $104.50 per person, you are not paying just for the drive. This price covers transportation (either a big bus or a minibus), an English-speaking guide, and the included warm-up items: snacks and hot drinks.

You also get reflective vests for safety when you step off the vehicle. Add the photo package on top, and this is not a barebones Aurora gamble. For many first-time visitors to Tromsø, that is the value sweet spot: you outsource the driving, you get help with what to look for, and you do not need to master night photography from scratch to leave with images.

What you still have to budget for, if you want them, is a tripod and/or a thermal suit. Tripods and thermal suits are available for rent at Storgata 77, but they are not included. If you are the type who underestimates Arctic cold, that is the part you should fix before you arrive.

Also, the tour has a maximum group size of 40 travelers. That is big enough to keep costs down, but small enough that the guides can still coordinate fairly well at stops.

Bus vs Minibus: Comfort, Access, and Toilet Reality

You are transported in either a big bus or a minibus. When the group size is under 15 people, the operator may run it as a minibus, and that minibus may not have a toilet onboard. That matters because you are gone for hours, and sometimes you do not have the chance to stop as often as you would like.

A bus can feel cozy on the ride, and many people find it comfortable for the long evening. The other side of the coin is access. When a route requires small pull-offs and narrow roads, a minibus can often reach places a big bus cannot. That is one reason smaller groups can feel a bit more flexible on where you end up.

If you hate ambiguity, know this: the meeting area can have many tours running in the same general space. People have said it can be a bit hard to identify the correct agency quickly. My advice is simple: arrive early, double-check your exact meeting point and time, and look for tour signage or the group lead.

Weather, Clouds, and the Honest Aurora Expectation

If there is one lesson the Northern Lights teach you, it is humility. This operator is upfront that the activity depends on nature. The data also says there is no refund applied if the lights are not visible.

So go in with a plan that treats the night as a chase, not a performance guarantee. You can still boost your odds by checking sky conditions in advance and arriving dressed for waiting. But even strong forecasts can lose to cloud cover, and the aurora can be unpredictable.

To help you understand forecast talk, the operator explains the KP index but also makes clear why KP alone cannot promise results. They frame it as a useful indicator, not a crystal ball.

Who This Tour Fits Best in Tromsø

This tour is built for most travelers, but it is not for everyone.

You should strongly consider it if you want:

• A dedicated Aurora chase with multiple stops instead of one long wait
• Photo help and a photo package so you are not stuck with empty camera memory
• A guide-led explanation of what you are seeing and why it happens

You might want to skip it if:

• You need step-free access or you have reduced mobility, since stops can be slippery and the format involves getting on and off at viewpoints
• You are traveling with very young children, because it is not recommended for kids under 3 years old
• You are the kind of traveler who needs a guaranteed outcome (the lights are natural, not scheduled)

Should You Book This Northern Lights Chase With Photo Package?

Book it if you want a better odds setup and practical Aurora support. The combo of transportation, warm snacks and drinks, reflective safety gear, and a photo package makes this feel less like a lottery ticket and more like a guided night out. The fact that the crew chases across multiple spots, and sometimes farther out when Tromsø skies are clouded, is the core reason this tour earns strong marks for results.

Skip it if your main goal is guaranteed lights, or if you are not comfortable with long cold waits and uneven ground at night. Also make a point to handle gear in advance. Rent the tripod or thermal suit if you need it, because waiting in Arctic conditions without proper warmth can ruin the whole experience.

If you want your Tromsø Northern Lights night to be active, guided, and photo-oriented, this is a very solid choice. Just go in knowing the lights are never fully under human control, and you will enjoy the night for what it is, the chase and the sky doing something rare.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

You start at Tromsø Havn Prostneset, Samuel Arnesens gate 5, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the Northern Lights chase last?

The duration is about 6 to 7 hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes snacks, coffee and/or tea (hot chocolate is also listed), reflective vests, transportation (big bus or minibus), and an English-speaking guide, plus photos from the tour.

Is a tripod included?

No. A tripod is not included. You can rent a tripod at the office in Storgata 77, Tromsø.

Are thermal suits included?

No. Thermal suits are not included, but they are available for rent at Storgata 77, Tromsø.

Will I receive the photos taken during the tour?

Yes. Photos from the tour are uploaded to a third-party web platform. If you do not want any photo of you published or taken, tell the guide and avoid standing in front of the guide while they are taking photos.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

The operator states that no refund is applied if the Northern Lights are not visible, since it is a natural phenomenon.

What language is the guide?

This experience is offered in English, and it includes an English-speaking guide.

Is the tour suitable for children or reduced mobility?

The tour is not recommended for children under 3 years old. It is also not recommended for people with reduced mobility. If you travel with children, provide the children’s ages so the team can try to provide the correct child seat. The driver can refuse to board if you did not inform them.