Northern Lights Superjeep Tour from Reykjavik

A northern-lights hunt in a giant, lifted Superjeep has a different feel from sitting on a coach and watching the city lights fade. Your driver follows the forecast out of Reykjavik, searching for clear sky and a good place to wait while the aurora does what it pleases.

I like the flexible route, which lets the guide respond to clouds instead of sticking to one fixed stop. I also like that photos are included, and that you can try again without an extra tour charge if the lights do not appear.

The catch is the price, $254.07 per person, and the fact that no vehicle or guide can promise an aurora. Group size and seating can vary, too, so ask yourself whether the off-road outing and second-chance option are worth paying for even if the sky stays dark.

Key points

• A forecast-led search: The guide chooses stops based on weather and aurora conditions, not a fixed sightseeing route.
• A proper Superjeep: Oversized wheels are built for challenging Icelandic terrain, and fold-down steps help you get in and out.
• Free tour photos: The guide may photograph you beneath the lights when conditions allow, and the photos are included.
• A second attempt is possible: If you do not see the aurora, you may rebook for another evening at no extra charge, subject to availability.
• Plan for a cold, late night: The tour lasts about four hours, starts late in the evening, and includes time outdoors waiting for the sky.

Leaving Reykjavik in a lifted Superjeep

Pickup is offered at hotels in the Reykjavik area. In parts of downtown, streets are too narrow for the Superjeeps, so you may be asked to meet at a bus stop instead. Confirm your pickup point and call the operator around 5 pm on the tour date to check whether the trip is running.

Once aboard, you leave the city’s lights behind and join other vehicles searching for a suitable patch of dark sky. The big wheels are not just for show: they are designed for Iceland’s difficult terrain and year-round conditions. That can let the vehicle reach places that ordinary buses cannot, though the route still depends on weather and road conditions.

The tour vehicle is equipped with leather seats, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, GPS, a first-aid kit and other safety equipment. The fold-down steps are a useful touch when climbing into a high vehicle, especially in bulky winter clothing.

Do not assume you will have a small private outing. Some departures have been intimate, while others have included several passengers in one vehicle and a second Superjeep travelling alongside. The stated maximum is 99 people, so the actual group can vary. Reports of back-row seats with limited access and visibility are a reminder to ask about seating if that matters to you.

Chasing clear sky, not a fixed itinerary

There is no set list of stops. Your driver checks the forecast and takes you to places where the odds look better, sometimes moving between several locations as cloud cover shifts. The search may take you toward the Blue Lagoon area, as it has on some outings, but you should not count on any particular destination.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s real advantages. A bright aurora can appear through a break in the clouds, and a guide who knows local routes can keep looking rather than settling for the first dark pull-off. Some guides have stayed out longer when conditions were expected to improve. Still, the aurora is unpredictable, and a clever route cannot make it appear.

You may meet other Superjeeps at stops. That can mean more people sharing a popular viewing spot, but a guide may also take the group to a quieter location if access and conditions allow. The best stop is not always the one with the most dramatic name. It is the place where the sky is dark and clear enough to give you a chance.

Expect to wait outside, sometimes for a while. You can warm up in the vehicle between checks, but repeated stops and starts make warm layers, gloves and a hat essential. The tour operates in all weather conditions when it goes ahead, so dress for cold and wind rather than relying on the vehicle to keep you comfortable all evening.

The aurora, and what the camera can show

The point of the outing is to see the northern lights, but the experience is more than a quick photo stop. You are out under a dark sky, watching for a glow to strengthen or a gap in the clouds to open. Even without a display, the night sky and the drive beyond Reykjavik can make the outing feel like an adventure rather than a simple transfer.

If the lights appear, give your eyes time to adjust. The camera may capture stronger colours than you can see with the naked eye, so do not judge the display only by the photos. The guide may take pictures of you with the aurora behind you when conditions permit, and those photos are included in the price.

Guides have included Thomas, Chrissy, Kristenn, John and Nick on different outings. Names and staff change, of course, but the guide can shape the night: choosing stops, explaining what you are seeing and helping with photos. Some have also shared local information along the way.

Hot chocolate has been served on some trips, sometimes with vodka. It is a welcome extra when you are standing in the cold, but it is not listed as an included feature, and food and drinks are not included. Bring your own expectations accordingly.

What the second-attempt promise really means

If you go out and do not see the lights, you may rebook for another evening without paying again. That is useful if you have several nights in Reykjavik, and it is a good reason to reserve this tour early in your stay. If the first night is a blank, you still have a chance to try again.

But a free retry is not the same as a guaranteed sighting or a guaranteed seat on the night you want. After several weather cancellations, demand for available vehicles and drivers can build, and a later departure may be full. If your Iceland stay is short, do not assume you will be able to fit in a second attempt at the last minute.

Weather cancellations work differently from a tour that operates without an aurora. If the operator cancels and you do not take the tour, you may be offered another date or a refund. If you have already gone out and simply did not see the lights, the tour price is not refunded. If your only opportunity matters a great deal, allow more than one evening in your schedule.

The tour operator may cancel based on weather and sky conditions. Check the status around 5 pm on the day rather than heading to the pickup point without confirmation. If you cancel for your own reasons, the stated policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure; cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded.

Is $254.07 good value?

This is a premium-priced evening tour. You are paying for hotel-area pickup and return, a driver-guide, a high-clearance vehicle, local taxes, national park fees and free photos. The main value is not simply the ride. It is the chance to search several locations with someone who can adapt the route and the no-extra-charge option to try again if the lights do not show.

The price makes less sense if you expect a private vehicle, a fixed itinerary or a guaranteed display. The maximum group size is 99, and the tour’s actual vehicle setup can vary. Some outings have felt personal; others have been crowded, with limited views from rear seats or awkward access in and out. If travelling as a couple or family and sitting together matters, ask the operator about the vehicle and seating arrangement before you commit.

The tour lasts about four hours, though a search can run longer. That extra time may pay off if the sky clears late, but it also means a cold, tiring night and no quick way to leave a remote stop early. There is no food or drink included, so eat beforehand and bring what you need.

For a northern-lights outing, the free photos add practical value. Night-sky pictures can be difficult to take on your own, and it is a treat to have a family or couple photo without asking a stranger to manage a camera in the dark. Still, the images depend on what the sky gives you, and the camera may show colours more strongly than your eyes do.

Who should book this night out?

I would put this tour high on the list if you want more than a bus ride, enjoy a bit of off-road adventure and have enough nights in Iceland to use the second attempt if needed. Families with children aged five and up can join, and the vehicle itself may be part of the fun. One guide, Chrissy, was especially patient with young children, though no particular guide can be promised.

It may not suit you if you need a guaranteed return time, dislike waiting outdoors, or would be unhappy sharing a vehicle. The tour is also a less comfortable choice if you have only one evening free and would rather avoid spending a substantial sum on an uncertain natural event.

Book for your first night in Reykjavik if you can, then keep another evening open. Check your pickup details, dress warmly and go in knowing that the real purchase is a guided search, not a promise of green lights. If that sounds like a fair trade, the Superjeep, dark-sky stops and second chance make this a compelling way to hunt the aurora.

FAQ

How much does the Northern Lights Superjeep Tour cost?

The listed price is $254.07 per person. It includes the driver-guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area, free photos, local taxes and national park fees.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is approximately four hours. The search can run longer, depending on conditions and where the guide needs to go.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are offered at hotels in the Reykjavik area. Some narrow downtown streets cannot accommodate the Superjeeps, so you may be asked to meet at a nearby bus stop.

Are the northern lights guaranteed?

No. The guide chooses locations based on the weather and aurora forecast, but the lights are a natural event and cannot be guaranteed.

Can I try again if the lights do not appear?

You may rebook for another evening at no extra charge if you do not see the lights. Availability can be limited, especially after several weather cancellations.

What happens if the operator cancels because of bad weather?

You may be offered another date or a full refund if the tour is cancelled and you do not take it. Call the operator around 5 pm on the tour date to check whether it is running.

Are photos included, and is hot chocolate provided?

Photos taken by the guide are included when conditions allow. Hot chocolate has been served on some outings, but food and drinks are not included, so do not count on refreshments.

What is the minimum age, and how far ahead should I book?

The minimum age is five. The tour is booked about 42 days in advance on average, so booking early is sensible, especially if your stay in Reykjavik is short.