Green light hunting has a plan. This Tromsø aurora safari pairs a modern coach (Wi‑Fi and onboard toilet) with guide-taken aurora photos you can download after the tour, plus a warm stop at a heated private camp with toilets and a real meal. It’s built for comfort while you do the one thing everyone comes for: watch the sky.

The main drawback is the obvious one: the Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed. If clouds win, you’ll still get warmth, food, and a guided chase, but you should treat the lights as the bonus, not the promise.

Quick hits

• Guide-shot aurora photos included: you’ll get downloadable images shortly after from Best Arctic
• Heated private camp with toilets: warm overalls/thermal layers, hot drinks, and soup or stew at the stop
• Weather-aware chasing: the guide monitors conditions and may move you to a better location
• Comfort on the road: onboard toilet, Wi‑Fi, charging stations, and even a Northern Lights film while driving
• Lots of camp options across Troms: 15+ private locations means more chances to find clearer sky

Tromsø bus terminal start: comfort before you freeze

Your evening begins at the bus terminal Prostneset in Tromsø, in the upper floor check-in area for Best Arctic. I like this style of setup because it avoids the “wake up and wait” chaos that sometimes comes with hotel pickup. You’re already in the right place, with staff ready to get you moving.

Once you’re onboard, the coach is the unsung hero of this tour. You’ve got an onboard toilet, Wi‑Fi, and charging stations. Translation: you don’t have to ration your phone time or worry about finding facilities during the long hours. You also get a Northern Lights informative film during the drive, which helps you understand what you’re looking for before you step outside.

From there, you’ll start heading along the Troms region with scenic views and a scheduled photo stop. This matters more than it sounds. On an aurora night, the “waiting” happens in bursts—sometimes you’re ready to shoot, sometimes you’re learning, and sometimes you’re just trying to stay sane while the sky decides what it wants to do.

The road trip feel: scenic drives plus real “wait time” management

Expect a long stretch where the plan is part education, part skywatching. The tour runs about 7 hours, which can feel like a commitment, especially if you’re visiting Tromsø for only a couple days. But the time is used on purpose: driving to better odds, settling in, and keeping you warm.

During the ride, the tour also builds in breaks you can feel in your body. You’ll stop for coffee/tea and dinner (with regional food) at some point during the evening. I appreciate that this isn’t just candy and hot air. It’s structured so you’re not trying to stay focused on the aurora while you’re hungry and cold.

And if you’re someone who needs to keep busy, the bus environment helps. The whole goal is to make sure you’re not exhausted before the sky show begins.

Heated private camp: where your body stops bargaining with the cold

The tour’s biggest comfort move happens when you reach a private Aurora location. This is where the “safari” part starts to feel civilized.

You’ll arrive at a heated camp that includes:

• hot drinks and sweet snacks
• hot soup or stew for dinner (vegetarian option available)
• toilet facilities at the camp
• warm overalls to use during your time outside

This is exactly the sort of thing that makes an aurora hunt work for real people, not just for hardcore winter photographers. In reviews, I’ve seen repeated praise for how warm and spacious these stops are, and how practical the camp setup feels when you’ve been outside long enough to start losing feeling in your fingers.

At the camp, you’ll also get a warm welcome from the local host and learn what makes that Aurora camp approach different. If weather allows, there’s even an outdoor bonfire area. That small detail—being able to sit near heat while you wait—turns “standing around in the dark” into something you can actually enjoy.

Some tours include a bit of extra charm too. One example from guide-led experiences is the chance to spot baby huskies at a stop, which adds a fun break from pure skywatching.

The photos: how you actually get good aurora shots

The tour doesn’t only chase the aurora. It chases better results for your camera roll.

A key included benefit is that you’ll get pictures taken of you with the Northern Lights by your guide. These are provided on the provider’s website and can be downloaded for free shortly after the tour. There’s also an option for higher-resolution photos for purchase.

Why this is a smart value:

• Most people struggle with aurora settings, focusing in darkness, and timing the moment the lights flare.
• Having a guide take your photo means you spend less time fiddling and more time looking up.
• The best aurora moments are brief. If you’re stuck operating your camera manually, you’ll miss the peaks.

In practice, guides also tend to help with smartphone capture techniques. You may get tips on camera settings, and at least some guides are known for being patient and proactive about taking group shots and individual photos when the sky cooperates.

You’ll also have time to watch the sky directly. The best nights are the ones where you’re not only chasing images but also just enjoying the green movement across the dark.

How the guide hunts: weather checks, multiple locations, and a plan B

Northern Lights tours live and die by weather. This one is designed around the truth that clouds can ruin your night.

Best Arctic uses weather monitoring to decide when to stay put and when to move. If conditions aren’t right, you drive to another private location to chase clearer sky. The company also lists 15+ private locations throughout the Troms region, which increases your odds compared to tours that rely on one fixed viewing spot.

I love this because it turns “hope” into “systems.” You’re not just crossing your fingers. You’re being guided to the best available options based on the forecast and what the sky is doing in real time.

And even when you get lucky, you still need good timing. Some guide-led nights go well past the first sighting. In a number of experiences, people mention intense aurora activity at the end of the evening, with enough time for the guide to keep shooting and get everyone positioned.

Food and warmth: dinner isn’t an afterthought

Let’s talk food, because it affects everything.

At camp, you’ll get hot drinks and a hot meal—hot soup or stew—plus snacks. There’s a vegetarian alternative. For an aurora chase night, this matters because your body burns energy staying warm while you wait outdoors, and you’ll focus better (and enjoy it more) if you’re not running on caffeine and willpower.

Reviews include examples of fish soup and reindeer stew, and the general message is consistent: the camp food hits the spot. Even when it’s extremely cold (one experience notes around -15°C), people describe the warmth and access to heated facilities as making the night manageable.

This is one of the reasons I think this tour offers decent value. You’re paying for transportation, guide time, and the camp setup—and the camp isn’t just a “come here, stand in the snow, leave” arrangement.

Timing details that affect your night

Here’s what you should plan for in real terms.

You’ll spend time driving from Tromsø into the Troms region and back. You’ll also spend time at multiple stops: a photo stop and scenic viewing earlier, the dinner break during the evening, and then one or more camp stops for skywatching.

That “multiple stops” structure is why the tour feels like a long day. But it also gives you a rhythm:

• you’re transported in comfort
• you eat and warm up
• you wait at a camp designed for comfort
• then you go chase again if needed

Also note that the camp has toilets, and the bus has a toilet too. That may sound like a basic detail, but it’s a huge quality-of-life factor when you’re trying to stay outside for the aurora peaks.

What to bring: the items the tour does not provide

The tour gives you warm overalls/thermal layer for your time at the private camp, so you’re not totally on your own. Still, you’ll want your basics covered because the cold is real.

What the tour suggests bringing:

• warm clothing
• a hat
• gloves
• waterproof shoes
• warm shoes

And it also calls out items not included: warm boots, hat, mittens or scarf. Don’t treat that as optional. If you show up with thin gloves or shoes that aren’t truly warm and waterproof, you’ll cut your outside time short. Then you’ll miss moments.

If you’re using a smartphone (many people do), keep your gear easy to reach. Your biggest enemy isn’t the cold itself—it’s the hassle of managing gear while you’re bundled and walking on dark ground.

Price and value: why $124 can still feel worth it

At about $124 per person for a 7-hour guided chase, you’re paying for three things that are harder than they look:

1. Transportation in a modern coach with Wi‑Fi, charging, and an onboard toilet
2. Guide expertise and time, including monitoring the sky and helping you get photos
3. A heated private camp experience with toilets, hot drinks, and a proper hot meal

The photos are a big part of the value equation. With aurora tours, the lights might be subtle, fast, or faint. Getting your own portraits taken with the aurora is often what makes the trip feel like a win even if you’re not a camera expert.

Could you find a cheaper tour elsewhere? Probably. But this one spends money where it counts: comfort and practical camp logistics.

Also, the company notes that tour income supports local bus drivers, guides, and camp owners, who use local suppliers for food. If you care about your money supporting the region where you’re hunting the aurora, that’s a plus.

Who should book this aurora safari (and who should skip it)

This tour makes the most sense if:

• you want a guided experience with active weather-based chasing
• you’d rather be comfortable than fight discomfort for hours
• you care about getting photos you don’t have to figure out from scratch
• you want hot drinks and a real warm meal at a private camp

It may not be the best choice if:

• you have mobility impairments (it’s listed as not suitable)
• you’re traveling with young children (not suitable for kids under 4)
• you’re the type who refuses to travel long hours for a sky show that can be unpredictable

That last point is worth respecting. An aurora safari is partly an astronomy event and partly a winter logistics event. If you can handle that, the night tends to feel like it has a story—even when the lights go shy.

Should you book Best Arctic’s Aurora Safari Chase?

My take: book it if you want the most comfortable, photo-forward version of an aurora hunt from Tromsø.

This is a strong choice for value because it combines heated camp comfort, onboard coach facilities, and guide-shot aurora photos. The chasing approach matters too; having 15+ private locations and a plan to move when the weather shifts improves your chances.

But book with clear expectations. You’re not buying a guarantee of the Northern Lights. You’re buying effort: guided searching, warm camp infrastructure, and a motivated team that tries to maximize the odds.

If you’re prepared for cold, hungry-proof for the evening, and excited to look up as much as you shoot, this tour is a practical way to chase the sky from Tromsø.

FAQ

How long is the Tromsø Aurora Safari Chase?

The tour duration is 7 hours.

What’s included in the experience?

Included are an English-speaking guide; transport by a modern coach with onboard toilet, Wi‑Fi, and charging stations; a private aurora location with toilets; a Northern Lights informative video on the bus; hot chocolate/coffee/tea and sweet snacks; hot soup or stew (vegetarian alternative available); warm overalls for the private camp; and tour photos you can download for free shortly after the tour.

Where do I check in?

You check in at the Best Arctic desk inside the Bus Terminal Prostneset (Samuel Arnesens Gate 1, Tromsø), on the upper floor.

Does the bus have toilet access and Wi‑Fi?

Yes. The coach includes an onboard toilet and Wi‑Fi, along with charging stations.

What should I bring for warmth?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, waterproof shoes, and warm shoes. Warm boots and a hat/mittens/scarf are not included.

Is the tour suitable for kids and mobility needs?

It’s not suitable for children under 4 years old, and it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments.