REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Northern Lights 4×4 Super, Photos, Hot Cocoa, Pastries
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Glaciers and Waterfalls ehf · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A night drive in search of the Aurora is magic. This Northern Lights 4×4-style tour trades Reykjavik glow for darker countryside, and you get hot cocoa, Icelandic pastries, and cozy blankets while your guide hunts for a good break in the sky. I also like that the tour includes professional nighttime photography so you’re not stuck doing awkward self-timer experiments in the cold.
One thing to consider: the trip is sometimes described as a Super Jeep, but the exact vehicle can vary, and one recent booking noted getting a larger regular multi-row vehicle instead of a smaller “super” off-road rig.
In This Review
- Key Things I Think You’ll Notice Fast
- Leaving Reykjavik Glow Behind
- Your Super-Jeep Ride and What Actually Comes With It
- Aurora Hunting: How the Guide Improves Your Odds
- Blankets, Hot Cocoa, and Icelandic Pastries During the Wait
- Professional Aurora Photos: Getting the Shot Without Struggle
- A 4-Hour Night That Feels Short (Because It Is)
- Price and Value: Is $162 Worth It?
- Who This Tour Fits Best
- Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Aurora Night
- Should You Book This Northern Lights 4×4 Super Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Northern Lights tour?
- Where does the pickup and drop-off happen?
- Do I need a car to join this tour?
- What’s included for food and drinks?
- Is Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?
- What happens if I don’t see the aurora?
- What photo services do I get?
- Is there Wi‑Fi onboard?
- Is the guide English-speaking?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Things I Think You’ll Notice Fast

- Reykjavik to darker country skies with pickup and drop-off built in
- Off-road access to vantage points that bigger vehicles may miss
- Hot cocoa, Icelandic pastries, and blankets during the wait
- Pro nighttime photos of you with the aurora (not just scenery shots)
- Small-group setup for easier comfort and flexibility during the hunt
Leaving Reykjavik Glow Behind

The Northern Lights are easier to see when the sky is darker, and that’s the whole reason you leave Reykjavik. This tour starts with pickup in Reykjavík and then heads out into the Capital Region’s countryside after city lights fade.
The practical win here is simple: the guide isn’t just taking you somewhere scenic. You’re going where your odds improve, and you’re doing it in a short 4-hour window. That matters, because aurora nights can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to waste half the evening stuck in traffic or sitting under strong light pollution.
You’ll also notice the tour is designed around waiting. The plan isn’t a one-and-done stop with a quick photo and out. You’re in “search mode,” and that’s why the comfort extras matter so much.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
Your Super-Jeep Ride and What Actually Comes With It

The experience uses off-road capable transport to reach spots big vehicles may not access. In the details, the pickup is described as a Super-Jeep from Reykjavík, and the provided pickup vehicle is a Mercedes Sprinter mini bus marked Glaciers and waterfalls.
In other words, you’re not necessarily guaranteed one specific shape of vehicle. One verified booking mentioned that the vehicle received was a large regular multi-row car rather than the smaller off-road Super Jeep the title suggested. That doesn’t change the overall value—pickup, dark-sky driving, and the ability to reach vantage points are still the goal—but it is worth mentally prepping for a vehicle swap.
On the bright side, the ride includes free Wi‑Fi onboard, which is handy for maps, warm planning, or just killing time without draining your phone battery. And since it’s described as a small-group experience, you should feel less like you’re herded than on mass coach tours.
Aurora Hunting: How the Guide Improves Your Odds

Here’s the honest truth about chasing the Northern Lights: you can’t lock it in like a museum ticket. The tour is dependent on conditions on Earth and on the sun, and a sighting can’t be guaranteed.
What you can control is how efficiently you hunt. The guide uses knowledge of weather patterns to find a viewing location that maximizes your chances. That means you’re not just hoping. You’re being actively guided toward conditions that make aurora visibility more likely.
This is where an expert guide earns their keep. In Iceland, cloud cover can make a strong aurora practically vanish from view. Wind and visibility matter too. Even small changes in where you stop can mean the difference between thin, faint bands and something more dramatic.
The tour also includes access to hidden Northern Lights vantage points, which is a big deal. Standard viewpoints are sometimes obvious, crowded, and bright. Hidden spots help reduce light interference and give you a cleaner look at the sky.
Blankets, Hot Cocoa, and Icelandic Pastries During the Wait

Waiting in Iceland at night is not a casual activity. That’s why I really appreciate the included comfort layer: cozy blankets, hot cocoa, and Icelandic pastries during the aurora search.
These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They change the whole experience from stressful to enjoyable. When you’re warm and fed, you can actually focus on the sky instead of constantly checking your fingers for numbness.
The tour is built for real-world conditions: some nights take longer for the sky to show anything, and your group may need to pause, look up, and be patient. Having something warm in your hands and snacks to nibble makes that waiting time feel productive rather than miserable.
Professional Aurora Photos: Getting the Shot Without Struggle
If you’ve ever tried to photograph the Northern Lights yourself, you know the pain: long exposure settings, shaky tripods, and the constant problem of getting at least one photo where you actually look like you were there.
This tour includes professional nighttime photography of you and the aurora. In plain terms, that means someone is there specifically to help you get images that look like what you dreamed about. It also means you’re not stuck volunteering to be the friend who always takes pictures but never gets in them.
I’d treat this as part of the value calculation, not a bonus. When a tour includes pro photos, you’re paying for skill and time, not just access to a viewpoint. And since the tour is only 4 hours total, having someone manage the photo side efficiently helps you use your time well.
You’ll want to dress for cold-weather visibility and still be able to move comfortably for photos. Even with blankets, you’ll likely be outside looking up for stretches.
A 4-Hour Night That Feels Short (Because It Is)

The duration is 4 hours, which is a practical length for a Northern Lights chase. Too short and you might miss the moment the aurora appears. Too long and you end up burning a full evening with no guarantee.
In this format, you’ll start with Reykjavík pickup, drive out away from the city, and then spend the evening searching from vantage points while enjoying hot cocoa, pastries, and blankets. As the sky cooperates, you’ll get the photo component timed for the best chance to capture you with the lights.
One more key point: if the aurora doesn’t show, the tour includes a free rebook option. That’s a big safety net when you’re booking something dependent on solar activity and weather. It doesn’t force the lights to appear, but it helps you avoid the total “you lost your night” feeling.
Price and Value: Is $162 Worth It?

At $162 per person for a 4-hour experience, you’re paying for three things at once: remote access, comfort, and the photo deliverable.
Here’s where the value comes from:
- You’re getting Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, so you’re not solving transport at night.
- You’re using off-road capable access to vantage points, which is the real advantage for seeing aurora with less light interference.
- You’re not freezing the whole time thanks to hot cocoa, pastries, and blankets.
- You also get professional nighttime photos, which is often the most expensive part of any “make this memorable” experience.
What’s not included is meals, and that’s normal for a 4-hour tour. But do plan around the fact that you’ll likely eat earlier or later than you usually would.
If you want a Northern Lights outing that feels like a guided experience rather than a DIY mission, this price makes sense. If you already have your own winter gear, car, and patience for experimenting, you may choose DIY. But for many people, the included comfort and pro photos are what convert “cool idea” into “worth my evening.”
Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour makes the most sense for people who want maximum guidance with minimum hassle.
It’s a great match if you:
- want small-group flexibility rather than a giant bus experience
- care about getting photos where you’re actually in the frame with the aurora
- value warm comfort during the wait, not just a quick stop and sprint outside
- don’t want to manage cold-weather logistics on your own
It’s not suitable for children under 5 years, which is an important boundary if you’re traveling with little ones. Also, because viewing depends on real sky conditions, it suits travelers who are okay with uncertainty and plan to bring patience.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Aurora Night

I can’t guarantee the lights, but you can set yourself up for a better experience.
- Dress for cold. Even if you’ll have blankets, you’ll still need to stand or sit looking up at night.
- Bring layers you can move in. You don’t want thick, stiff clothing that makes it hard to shift positions for photos.
- Listen closely when the guide moves. With aurora, timing and location matter.
- Plan your expectations around variability. The tour is designed to hunt and adapt, not to deliver a guaranteed show on demand.
Also, check your mental plan for the vehicle. Since the title mentions Super Jeep but the pickup details reference a Mercedes Sprinter mini bus, expect that the ride might be more about comfort and access than a specific “off-road jeep” look.
Should You Book This Northern Lights 4×4 Super Tour?
I’d book it if you want a guided, comfortable aurora hunt with hot cocoa, pastries, blankets, and professional photos, all in a tight 4-hour window. The best part is how the tour manages the hard parts for you: dark-sky access, weather-aware decisions, and photo help so you don’t miss the chance to be part of the memory.
I’d think twice if vehicle expectations are a big part of the experience for you. Based on at least one verified booking, the ride can be a larger vehicle rather than the smaller off-road Super Jeep implied by the title. If that mismatch would bother you, you may want to confirm what vehicle you’ll get before paying.
FAQ
How long is the Northern Lights tour?
The tour lasts 4 hours.
Where does the pickup and drop-off happen?
Pickup and drop-off are included in Reykjavík.
Do I need a car to join this tour?
No. Pickup and drop-off are included, and you’ll be transported on the tour.
What’s included for food and drinks?
Hot cocoa and Icelandic pastries are included. Meals are not included.
Is Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?
No. The tour depends on weather conditions on Earth and on the sun, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
What happens if I don’t see the aurora?
There is a free rebook option if you don’t see the lights.
What photo services do I get?
You’ll receive professional nighttime photography of you with the Aurora.
Is there Wi‑Fi onboard?
Yes, free Wi‑Fi is included onboard.
Is the guide English-speaking?
Yes, the tour has an expert English-speaking guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
























