Northern Lights tours of Iceland
Witness the Northern Lights on a multi-day Iceland tour package, with accommodation, transport, and daily breakfast included. Our packages are available from October through March and combine aurora hunting with daytime activities including ice cave tours, glacier walks, and visits to geothermal pools.
Choose a self-drive tour if you want the flexibility to follow aurora forecasts at your own pace, or a guided group tour if you prefer an expert to handle the route and conditions. Our Reykjavík-based team monitors forecasts throughout your trip and is available around the clock if conditions change.
Save 10% on Select Northern Lights Tours
Use promo code SAVE10 to save 10% on select Northern Lights tours with travel dates through October. Chase the aurora borealis across Iceland's winter landscapes for less. Offer ends soon!
- Northern Lights excursion included on multi-day and guided group tours
- Free repeat excursion if you do not see the aurora first time
- Choose from self-drive, multi-day, or guided group travel styles
- Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
About our Iceland Northern Lights packages
Seeing the norðurljós is one of those things that stays with you. But chasing the aurora is also genuinely unpredictable, which is why our packages are built around giving you the best possible chance rather than making promises the weather cannot keep.
On a self-drive package, you have the freedom to head out whenever conditions look good, check the aurora forecast on your phone, and drive away from cloud cover if you need to. This is probably the most flexible way to hunt the lights, and our winter self-drive routes are designed to take you through areas with naturally low light pollution.
On a multi-day tour based out of Reykjavík, you will join a guided Northern Lights excursion on one of your evenings, with a free follow-up excursion offered if the aurora does not show. Your days are spent on some of Iceland's most visited attractions, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, ice caves, and geothermal pools included depending on the package.
On a guided group tour, a local guide takes care of everything from driving to aurora spotting strategy. You travel with the same group throughout, which suits those who want a more social experience alongside the landscapes.
All packages include accommodation, transport, and breakfast. You can add extra nights, glacier hikes, snowmobile excursions, or a Blue Lagoon visit at checkout.
- Free repeat Northern Lights excursion if conditions are not right first time
- Combine aurora hunting with ice caves, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and more
- Add extra activities and nights at checkout
- Lock in your trip today with just a 5% deposit
FAQs about Iceland Northern Lights tour packages
The Northern Lights are one of Iceland's most sought-after winter experiences, but they come with questions. Here are the answers to the most common ones. For a deeper look at the aurora and how to see it, check out our guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light phenomenon caused by solar wind particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field. They appear as ribbons of green, blue, purple, and occasionally red light across the night sky. The colour and intensity depends on solar activity and the altitude at which the particles enter the atmosphere.
Find out more about them in this guide to the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights require darkness to be visible. The main season runs from October through March, when nights are long enough for reliable sightings. They can appear as early as late August and as late as mid-April, but the shorter nights at either end of the season make sightings less consistent.
Iceland has plenty to see and do in winter regardless of aurora conditions.
Any location with low light pollution gives you a good chance. In practice this means getting away from Reykjavík and the populated southwest. The areas around Lake Mývatn, the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and the more remote stretches of the Ring Road are all well suited. On a strong night, the lights can be visible from almost anywhere in the country.
Guided Northern Lights excursions take you to locations chosen based on that evening's cloud cover and forecast. If conditions are not right on the first attempt, our multi-day tour packages include a free follow-up excursion.
Find out more about the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Three conditions need to come together: a clear sky, sufficient darkness, and strong enough solar activity. Cloud cover is the most common obstacle. The Icelandic Met Office publishes an aurora forecast at en.vedur.is with activity levels on a scale of 0 to 9 alongside cloud cover predictions. A rating of 3 or above on a clear night gives a reasonable chance of a sighting.
A camera that allows manual settings gives the best results. Set your exposure time to at least 15 to 30 seconds, use a wide aperture, and keep the ISO as low as possible while still capturing light. A tripod is essential to avoid camera shake on long exposures. Most modern smartphones also have a night or pro mode that can produce reasonable results with a tripod.
The Northern Lights season coincides with winter, when Iceland also offers:
- Ice cave tours inside glaciers
- Marvel at icicle-covered waterfalls on the south coast
- Geothermal swimming pools and hot springs
- Watch the Strokkur geyser erupt on the Golden Circle route
- Join a glacier snowmobiling or hiking tour
- See icebergs drift out to sea at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Go whale watching off the coast of North Iceland
- Walk between the tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park
- Dive into culture at Reykjavík’s museums and galleries
For even more ideas, see this guide to Iceland winter must-sees and must-dos.
Temperatures in Iceland in winter are cold but not extreme by northern European standards. In Reykjavík, December averages around 1°C (34°F), dropping a few degrees in rural areas. Snow and ice are common on higher ground and in the north.
Wind is the main factor to prepare for. Layering is more effective than a single heavy coat, and waterproof outer layers are worth prioritising. The weather can change quickly, which is one reason our team monitors conditions throughout your trip.
Geothermal pools are open year-round and are a practical way to warm up after a day outside, including the Blue Lagoon.
All Iceland Tours Northern Lights packages include:
- Accommodation
- Local transport
- Breakfast
- Detailed itinerary
- 24/7 helpline whilst you’re in Iceland
All multi-day tour packages include a guided Northern Lights excursion, with a free follow-up excursion if conditions are not suitable on the first attempt.
Some of these packages also include ice caving or lava caving. Use the filters above to find these activities included.
Browse the packages above and filter by travel style, duration, and any activities you want included. Self-drive tours, multi-day tours from Reykjavík, guided group tours, and private tours are all available.
On a self-drive package, you set your own pace and can follow aurora forecasts in real time. On a multi-day tour, you join guided day excursions and a Northern Lights hunt on one evening, with a repeat excursion available if needed. On a guided group tour, a local guide handles driving and aurora spotting strategy throughout the trip.
Not sure how long your trip should be? See this guide to how many days you need in Iceland in winter.
On self-drive packages, you can choose your rental car and accommodation level at checkout. You can also add extra nights in Reykjavík before or after your trip, and additional activities such as glacier hikes or snowmobile excursions.
If you would like further customisation beyond what is available at checkout, get in touch and we will be happy to help. A customisation fee applies in this case. See our terms and conditions.
Booking a few months in advance is recommended, particularly for winter travel. Accommodation in more remote areas fills up quickly during peak aurora season, and guided group tour departures have fixed dates that can book out early.
We accept bookings up to one week before your planned start date. If you book with less than 30 days' notice, the full trip price is payable at the time of booking rather than the 5% deposit.
Christmas and New Year's tours book up particularly early so plan ahead if those dates are on your wishlist.
Pack for cold, changeable conditions:
- Sturdy walking boots
- Warm winter coat
- Thermal layers, sweaters, and fleeces
- Waterproof trousers
- Scarf, hat, and gloves
- Sunglasses (for low winter sun)
- Moisturizer and lip balm
- Swimming gear
Wind and low temperatures are the main conditions to prepare for. Layering is more effective than a single heavy coat, and waterproof outer layers are worth prioritising.
Find out more about what to pack for Iceland in wintertime.