Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours

Tromso can be amazing for the Northern Lights, but the real trick is getting far enough out, finding the right sky, and then photographing what you see. Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours is interesting because it’s built around aurora hunting with a photographer’s eye, not just a quick night drive.

Two things I really like: it’s guided by pro photographer hosts who help you dial in camera settings on the spot, and the tour includes the big cold-weather stuff like winter suits, warm boots, and a tripod setup. One possible drawback is the part you cannot control, even with the best plan: you need good weather for a strong aurora night.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Small group (max 8 people) so you get more hands-on attention at photo stops
• Photo-first guidance from pro photographers, including tripod use and camera setting help
• Cold-weather kit included, from winter suits and warm boots to tripods
• Multiple viewing spots as the team works toward the best odds that night
• Warm dinner and hot drinks built into a long evening schedule
• A few follow-up photos by email, sent after the tour

Why this Tromso aurora chase feels different than a basic night bus

This tour is designed around one job: increase your chances of seeing the lights and then capturing them without turning your camera into a mystery box. Tromso Fjords area nights can be brutally cold, and aurora spotting is picky. What helps most here is that the team works like photographers, not just drivers, so you are usually moving with a purpose and stopping where the sky and conditions make sense.

I also like that the focus is practical. They give you the gear you actually need to stand still and aim your camera for long exposures, then coach you through the setup. That combination matters because the aurora is fast to fade, and the best shots often come from patience plus correct settings, not luck alone.

Meeting at Smørtorget and how the evening gets moving

You meet at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø. Start time is 6:00 pm, and the tour typically runs 6 to 10 hours depending on what the sky is doing and how the evening plays out.

Transportation is part of the plan. The tour is based out of Tromso, and the team handles getting you out from town to better viewing areas. At the end, they drop you back at your hotel or airbnb apartment locally, with a max of about 30 minutes from town, so you are not stranded miles out after a late night.

One detail I appreciate: they keep it small enough that the start and regrouping feel organized rather than chaotic. On nights when the lights are active, you want smooth transitions, not everyone scrambling after the fact.

The included cold-weather gear that actually makes a difference

This is one of the highest-value parts of the experience. You’re not just told to dress warmly. You get tripods, winter suits, and warm boots included, plus dinner and hot drinks during the night.

Why this matters: for Northern Lights photography, you often stand still for stretches of time, sometimes on cold ground. If your feet and legs are cold, your body will make you move, and your photos will suffer. A properly insulated setup helps you stay steady, and it also keeps your mood up while you wait.

A couple extra gear notes from the experience: it’s best if you bring a camera, and the team asks for your snow suit and boot size in advance. If you do bring your own camera gear, you will still rely on their tripod setup and guidance, but having your camera ready saves time once you arrive at a viewing spot.

Pro photographer coaching, from tripod basics to real camera settings

The guides are pro photographers, and that shows in how they teach. The goal is simple: you should be able to take your own photos of the lights, not just watch someone else frame the shot.

Here’s what the coaching tends to cover:

• tripod setup and stability for long exposures
• camera settings so the aurora doesn’t look like a dim smudge
• how to adjust your framing when the lights shift

In one case, a small group had two guides working closely, and the instruction focused heavily on getting the right camera settings. The difference you feel as a first-time aurora shooter is huge. Instead of guessing, you are adjusting with a clear reason behind each change.

Also, the tour isn’t only about your gear. The team works to find the best spots to view the aurora and helps you plan where to stand and aim. Expect to drive to a few different locations during the evening. The hunt style is built on the idea that the first spot might not be the winner once clouds move in or the sky activity shifts.

Food on a cold night, and why it’s not just a nice add-on

On a 6 to 10 hour night, you need fuel. This tour includes dinner, plus warm comfort food like soup and sandwiches, and hot drinks such as hot chocolate.

From the experience descriptions and how the night is structured, the food moments are timed to keep you warm and able to keep photographing. For many people, the biggest problem on aurora tours is not the cold itself. It’s the fatigue that sneaks up when you’re waiting in silence for long minutes.

Having warm food and drinks means you can take breaks without losing time you need for the lights. It also helps with morale, especially on nights when the aurora is subtle at first and you’re hoping it ramps up.

What the night driving actually looks like, and what you should plan for

This is an aurora chase tour, so you should think in terms of an evolving plan. You start in town at 6:00 pm. Then you head out, stop, assess the sky, and move again if needed.

The pattern you should expect:

• a drive out from Tromso to fjord-area viewing spots
• a few different stops as conditions change
• settling at a spot where the team thinks the odds are best

In at least one described night, the team drove about an hour out to a more secluded viewing area with warmth provided on-site. The key takeaway for you is that they are willing to go farther when it improves the experience, rather than staying in the easiest, most crowded option.

One more practical note: this tour is for people who don’t want crowds. It’s marketed as a small group, and that usually translates into quieter stops and less time waiting around behind other tripods. Still, keep your expectations flexible, because group size can vary based on the final bookings.

UFO and UAP spotting: the fun angle, with aurora as the real focus

The tour is advertised as a Northern Lights, UFO, and UAP spotting experience. The most consistent reality here is the main theme, the aurora. The UFO and UAP angle sounds like a thematic add-on that gives the night extra excitement and conversation.

In practical terms, don’t count on this being a science lab moment. Plan for the aurora hunt first, bring your camera, and trust the team’s process for light spotting and photography. If you’re into the broader mystery angle, you’ll probably enjoy the vibe.

Weather reality checks, and how to decide if you can handle the uncertainty

Northern Lights tours are never guaranteed. Even in a city built for aurora watching, the sky can stay cloudy, and aurora activity can be weak that night.

That uncertainty matters for your planning. This tour depends on good weather. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can get offered a different date or a full refund, so it’s not like you lose your money for a weather miss. If the minimum number of travelers is not met, there can also be a cancellation, with the same kind of alternative date or full refund outcome.

One more thing to consider is how long you’ll be out. A 6 to 10 hour schedule means you should eat a normal dinner before heading out if your body needs it, and plan on a late return even if dinner is provided during the tour.

Is the price ($291.52) worth it, and where that value comes from

At $291.52 per person, this is not a budget option. But it’s also not only a drive to the dark. You’re paying for a photographer-led experience with a real teaching component plus included gear, which is where the value can show up fast.

You’re getting:

• pro-guided camera coaching for aurora photography
• included tripods, winter suits, and warm boots
• dinner and warm drinks
• help finding better viewing spots, rather than one fixed location

If you’re traveling as a couple or solo and you care about bringing home actual photos, the gear and instruction reduce the need to rent bulky equipment or waste time guessing settings. The small group size also matters. Better odds and better instruction usually beat a lower price when you want quality results.

If you only want a quick, guaranteed viewing experience, aurora hunting is still the same chaotic sky lottery, so you may decide you’d rather lower your spending and accept that outcome is less controlled.

Who this tour suits best in Tromso

This tour fits best if you:

• want to learn aurora photography basics while you’re outside
• prefer fewer people around you at viewing stops
• like the idea of pro guidance rather than winging it in the cold
• want included gear so you don’t overpack or rent local items

It can also work if you’re visiting in winter and you don’t want to build a full aurora plan on your own. The start time and the pickup and drop-off structure make it feel built for real travelers, not just locals with time to roam.

If you are very sensitive to crowds, the small group angle is a plus. If you need a very strict schedule with minimal driving, you may find the chase style a bit long. The night is built around adjusting to the sky.

A balanced take: what could disappoint, and how to prevent it

The strongest compliments are about the team’s effort to find the lights, the quality of the included warmth, and the focus on helping people take photos. On the flip side, one minor criticism that showed up is that the guides can be very focused on capturing their own images, which can make guest photo time feel a little less front and center at times.

You can solve that by doing one simple thing: be ready. Bring your camera, even if it’s a phone plus a tripod. Ask questions early about settings and keep your gear set up while you’re at each stop, so you’re not scrambling when the lights brighten.

Also remember that even with the best team, aurora spotting is not an assembly line. If you’re the type who needs a lights guarantee, you will always be anxious on aurora tours anywhere. If you can handle the wait and enjoy the experience of hunting, this style works.

Should you book Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours?

Book it if you want an aurora night that treats photography as part of the experience. You’ll like the included tripod and cold-weather kit, the small-group feel, and the fact that the guides help you actually get good settings rather than just pointing at the sky.

Skip it or reconsider if:

• you want a strict, short schedule with one location
• you are hoping for certainty regardless of weather
• you do not care about taking photos at all and would rather spend less

If your priority is a well-run, photo-focused aurora hunt in the Tromso Fjords region, this is one of the better bets in Tromso.

FAQ

Where is the tour meeting point?

The tour meets at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø, Norway, and it ends at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

Start time is 6:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs approximately 6 to 10 hours.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes transportation from Tromso, tripods, winter suits, warm boots, and dinner. It also includes help with photographing the aurora, and the guide emails a couple of pictures after the tour.

Do I need to bring my own camera?

It’s best to bring a camera, since the tour is focused on photographing the northern lights. Tripods are provided, and the guides help with camera setup.

Will I be picked up or dropped off near my lodging?

Yes. The tour drops you off at your hotel or airbnb apartment locally, within about 30 minutes from town.

Is the tour weather dependent?

Yes. Good weather is required. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Confirmation is received at booking time, and the activity also has a minimum traveler requirement.