Tromso: Aurora Hunt Campfire Tour & Pro Photos Pickup

4.95

(139 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I was honestly nervous waiting outside the Scandic Ishavshotel — not sure if it was the cold or just that jittery feeling you get before something you’ve dreamed about. Our guide, Marek, showed up right on time, bundled up but grinning like he’d seen this all a thousand times and still loved it. The minibus was warm inside. Someone cracked a joke about “aurora luck” and I remember thinking, yeah, let’s hope. We drove out of Tromso as the city lights faded behind us, heading toward Kvaloya or wherever the sky looked clearest — apparently that’s how real aurora hunting works.

Marek kept checking weather updates and talking to other guides on his radio (it sounded like a secret club). He explained how sometimes they even drive towards Finland if that’s where the clear skies are hiding. I didn’t expect to learn so much about clouds and solar winds — or that I’d be so invested in chasing patches of open sky. When we finally stopped, it was quiet except for boots crunching snow. They handed out thermal suits (mine was slightly too long but honestly I was grateful) and set up a small bonfire. The smell of wood smoke mixed with something sweet — marshmallows getting roasted — kind of made me forget my toes were numb.

The soup they served tasted way better than I expected for “expedition food.” Marek said it’s made in Tromso just for these nights. Someone tried to pronounce its name in Norwegian and we all laughed (no one got close). While we waited for the northern lights, Marek told us old Sami legends about lady Aurora — his voice low over the crackle of fire. Then suddenly someone gasped and there it was: green ribbons flickering above us. I almost forgot to breathe. The photographer helped us pose (awkwardly at first), but after seeing those photos later… well, I still look at them sometimes when I need to remember what awe feels like.