Aurora hunting feels like a road trip. From Sortland, you chase the sky in a heated Mercedes Vito or Sprinter with up to 8 people, and your guide keeps the route flexible to chase clear openings. You’re not stuck in one spot all night.

I especially like the weather-driven flexibility and the hands-on help: your guide assists with camera settings and takes aurora photos for you. The main thing to consider is that the sky doesn’t always cooperate, and you’re responsible for bringing warm clothing since it’s not provided.

Key things I’d prioritize

• Heated, small-group chase: Up to 8 people in a warm vehicle during the hunt.
• Flexible route every night: You follow changing conditions, sometimes near Vesterålen and sometimes farther inland.
• Your guide does the hard work with photos: Aurora images are taken by the guide and sent after.
• Warm drinks during the chase: You get hot drinks to help you stay comfortable.
• Local aurora stories and practical camera help: You learn as you go, with on-the-ground assistance.

How the Northern Lights Chase Works From Sortland

This is a 3-hour Northern Lights chase by car, based out of Nordland County, with the mission kept refreshingly simple: find the aurora and make the experience memorable. Instead of promising a fixed itinerary, the tour is designed around what matters most that night—cloud cover and aurora visibility.

You’ll set off from Sortland with a local English-speaking guide (Norwegian is available too). The route is flexible, so you can move when the weather shifts, rather than hoping the sky clears where you happened to park.

There’s also a real sense of momentum to the experience. You’re not just waiting for the lights; you’re actively chasing them with the group, which helps if you’re visiting the North for only a short time.

Inside the Heated Mercedes Vito or Sprinter (Up to 8 People)

One of the smartest parts of this tour is the vehicle setup. You ride in a heated car built for comfort during long stretches of searching, with room for up to 8 guests. That matters in Northern Norway where the cold is not the only challenge—waiting through weather changes can wear you down fast.

The pickup is straightforward. You wait outside and look for the Vesterålen Tours logo on the car, either a Mercedes Vito or Sprinter. The vehicle plates you might see are listed as Mooose or Whale, so if you’re arriving early, it’s worth taking a quick look at the parked vehicles.

This is a small-group format, so you’re not fighting for viewing angles or competing for camera help. If you want the guide to actually adjust your approach for aurora photography, a group size like this makes it far more likely.

Your Guide Finds Clear Skies With a Flexible Route

Here’s the big difference between a “viewing” tour and a “chase” tour: you move. Each evening plays out differently depending on conditions. Sometimes you stay closer to Vesterålen. Other nights, you drive toward inland valleys to find clearer skies.

Your guide follows the weather and the sky activity to maximize the odds. In plain terms, that means the plan can change quickly, and you’re better off going with the flow. If the clouds look bad in one area, you’re already in motion toward a better chance.

From the experience perspective, this flexibility is the value driver. Even when the aurora isn’t dramatic, your odds improve because you’re not locked into a single location while conditions worsen.

Also, don’t overlook the human part here. You’re not doing this alone. Your guide is sharing local knowledge and stories as you go, so the drive doesn’t feel like dead time.

Stops, Viewing, and Photo Help When the Sky Starts Moving

During the chase, you’ll use the stops to actually observe the sky. The format is designed so you can get out, look up, and take in what the aurora is doing—then return to warmth and reassess when conditions change.

If you’re bringing a camera, you’ll get help with camera settings. That’s a big deal if you’re new to aurora photography. The sky can look underwhelming on your first try if your settings aren’t right, and aurora photos often depend on getting the basics working. Having someone there to help you dial in the approach improves your odds of coming home with images you actually like.

Your guide also assists the group in real time—meaning you’ll hear what to look for and you can adjust while the opportunity is still there. Some aurora nights may feel subtle rather than showy, and in that case the guide’s guidance helps you notice what’s happening.

One practical consideration: the tour lasts 3 hours, so your viewing windows are limited. The pace can feel a bit fast because the route is flexible and the guide stops where they think the sky has the best chance of cooperating.

What You’ll Actually Get: Photos, Hot Drinks, and Local Stories

You’re not just paying for driving and standing outside. This tour includes real “experience support.”

First, there are hot drinks during the chase. That may sound small, but it changes the whole feel of the evening. Instead of enduring the cold in a drained, shaky way, you’re warming up as you search.

Second, you get assistance with camera settings, plus your guide takes aurora photos for you. Those images are sent afterward. This is great if:

• you want at least one solid shot even if your camera approach is still learning,
• you’re traveling without a lot of gear,
• or you simply prefer letting someone else handle the toughest part.

Third, there’s the storytelling. You’ll hear local stories and aurora knowledge from your guide. That adds context to what you’re seeing, especially if you’re curious why the aurora happens and what locals pay attention to when they’re watching the sky.

Two small rules worth noting: smoking isn’t allowed in the vehicle, and drinks aren’t allowed in the vehicle. It’s the kind of detail that keeps the warmth and comfort consistent.

Also, note what’s not included. Meals other than snacks and hot drinks aren’t part of the price. So plan on eating before or after your 3-hour chase.

Price and Value: Is $157 Worth It?

At $157 per person for about 3 hours, this tour is priced for what you’re really buying: mobility, expertise, and comfort. You’re paying for a heated vehicle that can reposition quickly, plus an English-speaking guide who’s focused on finding clear skies.

The included items make the cost easier to justify than many “stand outside” options:

• Heated transport
• local stories and aurora guidance
• help with camera settings
• aurora photos taken by your guide and sent afterward
• hot drinks
• small group size (up to 8 people)

What you provide matters too. You’re bringing your own warm clothing and your camera. Tripods aren’t included, so if you travel with one, bring it if that’s part of your setup.

The simplest way to think about value is this: if you’re chasing the aurora and you have limited time, paying for a guide who actively moves and helps with both observing and photography usually beats spending that time improvising on your own.

You’ll still be at the mercy of the sky. But the structure here is designed to increase the odds that you’ll see something worthwhile in the time you have.

Who Should Book (and Who Might Skip This One)

This tour fits best when you want a guided, comfort-focused Northern Lights chase rather than a solo DIY night.

You’ll likely be a great match if you:

• are visiting Sortland or the wider Nordland area and want a focused aurora experience,
• want help with aurora photography basics,
• appreciate a small group (up to 8) for easier guidance,
• don’t want to spend hours cold-waiting without a plan.

It’s not suitable for children under 6. If you’re traveling with younger kids, you’ll need to look for an alternative that fits their needs and the touring constraints.

If you already know how to photograph the aurora and you’re okay driving yourself to spotting areas, you might not need the guide portion. But if you’re hoping to maximize your chances quickly, the combination of flexible routing, heating, and photo support is exactly where this tour shines.

Should You Book This Northern Lights Tour?

Book it if your priority is a smart, guided chase rather than a passive viewing. The heated vehicle, hot drinks, small group size, camera help, and guide-taken photos are all practical perks that make the night feel managed and worthwhile—even when the aurora is faint.

Skip it if you’re the type who hates uncertainty. Some nights the aurora may be less dramatic than you’d hope, and the best you can do is follow the route changes and use the viewing windows you’re given.

Also, set yourself up correctly: bring the warm clothing the tour expects, and have your camera ready if you want the assistance. When you do that, you’ll get the most out of the guide’s strategy and come away with photos and stories you’ll actually want to keep.

FAQ

How long is the Sortland Northern Lights chase?

The tour runs for 3 hours.

What size is the group?

It’s a small group limited to up to 8 participants.

Is the vehicle heated?

Yes. You travel in a heated vehicle (Mercedes Vito or Sprinter).

Where do I meet the group?

Pickup is included. You wait outside and look for the Vesterålen Tours logo on the car with plates listed as Mooose or Whale.

Are hot drinks included?

Yes. You’ll have hot drinks during the chase.

Is help with camera settings included?

Yes. The guide provides assistance with camera settings.

Do I get aurora photos even if I struggle with my camera?

Yes. The guide takes aurora photos and sends them to you afterward.

Are tripods provided?

No. Tripods are not included.

Is this tour suitable for children?

It’s not suitable for children under 6 years.

Is cancellation free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.