Northern lights with a real photo plan. I love the Kiruna to Abisko chasing strategy when conditions look better, and I love that a photographer is part of the team so you’re not left with just shaky phone shots. One possible drawback: visibility depends on weather, so it’s more of a hunt than a guaranteed fireworks show.

What also makes this feel worth it is the way the night is paced. You start at 7:00 pm, you get kept warm with snacks plus coffee and/or tea, and the group is small (max 7), which helps everyone get time at the viewing spot. Expect a bit of real Arctic walking and moderate fitness demands as part of the deal.

Key things that make this Kiruna lights tour work

• Kiruna meet-up, then an Abisko move when the sky looks promising
• Photographer-led photos so you can focus on the aurora instead of fiddling with settings
• Snacks and hot drinks included for the long, cold wait
• Small group size (up to 7) for better attention and easier spotting
• Warm layers are commonly used so you’re not freezing mid-chase

Kiruna to Abisko: how the aurora hunt really gets planned

This tour runs roughly 4 to 6 hours, starting at 7:00 pm, which is smart. Later evening hours usually mean darker skies, and darker skies mean you can actually see what you came for.

You begin in Kiruna, where the guide meets you and the chasing starts right away. The pacing matters here. Instead of sitting in one place and hoping for a miracle, you’re actively responding to cloud cover and aurora activity.

Then, if conditions in Abisko look good, your guide drives you there. Abisko is part of the plan for a reason: in aurora country, clear sky beats wishful thinking every time. The tradeoff is that you’re spending some time in transit, but that’s what increases your odds of a strong show.

There are two practical takeaways for your expectations:

• Dress for cold while you wait and while you move.
• Stay flexible. If the weather shifts, the tour shifts with it.

What you pay for: photographer, snacks, and the real value at $223.72

At $223.72 per person, you’re paying for more than a ride to the sky. The biggest value is the photographer component plus the fact that the tour is designed around chasing conditions, not just a scenic stop.

Included basics help you stay in the game:

• Snacks
• Coffee and/or tea

Dinner is not included, so if you’re joining late evening, plan a solid meal beforehand. Also, the included food matters more than you’d think. In extreme cold, you don’t want your night to revolve around hunting for a warm drink.

The reviews underline a pattern: people remember the fire and hot drinks as much as the lights. One reviewer talked about biscuits, chocolate, and tea served in a warm setup during the night. That kind of break is what turns a freezing wait into an enjoyable evening.

And the photos are a major part of the value equation. Many guests mention that guides and the photographer took multiple pictures of everyone with the lights and of the aurora itself, then shared them shortly after (often via Dropbox). If you want a souvenir that looks like it belongs on your wall, this tour is aiming at exactly that.

Meet-up and pickup: the 5-minute rule and where you actually stand

Pickup is offered, and it’s handled pretty tightly. The key instruction: wait outside of the hotel at the designated pickup time, not inside the reception. You get a 5-minute waiting period, and if they can’t reach you, they may need to leave to respect other pickup times.

A few specific pickup setups are listed, which you’ll want to match to your hotel:

• If you’re staying at Best Western Arctic Eden, pickup is in front of Arctic Thai, directly in front of the hotel (since the car can’t reach the hotel).
• If you’re staying at Elite Frost Hotel or Scandic, pickup is at the Kiruna Tourism Office (Malmvägen 9B), about a 200-meter walk.
• If you’re on Airbnb, Camp Alta, Aurora Camp Kurravaara, or Reindeer Lodge, pickup/drop-off isn’t available. You’ll need to meet at a designated pickup point instead.

You’ll also want to keep your phone handy for the mobile ticket and the meeting point details, since confirmation is received at booking time and you’re effectively working from that info in the moment.

Bottom line: set a timer, stand outside, and don’t assume the guide will find you if you’re still inside.

What the night looks like on the ground: cold weather, walking, and staying steady

This is an aurora tour, but you’ll also be doing Arctic outdoors work: standing still, then walking in snow, then standing still again. The tour notes a moderate physical fitness level requirement, and reviews back up that you may walk through deep snow to reach a viewing spot.

Some guests recommend bringing or using good snow shoes for grip in deep, dark conditions. Even when warm gear is provided, traction matters. If you can move safely on snow in the dark, you’ll enjoy the experience more and get fewer minutes wasted on struggling.

You may also be given cold-weather clothing like thick snow suits or extra layers based on what people reported. Still, I’d treat this as a layering exercise for you:

• Wear insulating base layers.
• Add warm middle layers.
• Pack proper gloves and a hat that covers well.
• Use boots or snow footwear you trust.

One more reality check: a few reviews mention situations where walking could be harder than expected, especially in pitch black with snow depth. That’s part of why you should listen during the orientation and follow the group lead carefully.

The guides and photographer: what their approach tends to feel like

This is the kind of tour where your night rises or falls with the team’s energy and planning. The reviews here are strongly positive, with guests calling out specific guide duos and their effort to keep things moving.

Names that come up include:

• Bernard and Robin (praised for attentiveness, smooth running, and taking lots of pictures)
• Onur and Iris (praised for enthusiasm, finding spots, and creating a cozy fire break)
• Iris and Bernard / Iris and Onur (praised for picture quality and extra effort when conditions changed)

Even when one night isn’t perfect, the best reviews point to the same behavior: guides stay active, they reposition when needed, and they help you understand what you’re looking at. People mention explanations about aurora science, and at least one review notes added cultural context about Sami people.

A fair note, because reviews are mixed in that area: a small number of comments mention communication issues, including one case where a guide spent more time speaking with someone else in a different language. Another review mentions a preference for having two guides or a different communication style. So if you’re picky about group interaction and constant commentary, keep that possibility in mind.

Still, the overall pattern is clear: this tour is built around teamwork—guide for chasing and hosting, photographer for getting you the shot.

If the aurora shows: what you should actually expect from the experience

When the sky cooperates, this tour is exactly what you want: you find a darker spot, you gather near a fire, and the aurora starts doing its thing.

Reviewers describe aurora activity ranging from a strong show above lakes and mountains to clear moments where the sky opens up after cloudy conditions. The common thread is that the guides keep searching until the sky gives you something worthwhile.

Because the team is photographing, your time at the viewing spot is structured. You’re more likely to:

• get posed shots without sprinting around
• have aurora photos that keep your faces and the sky in the same frame
• avoid constantly switching between phone settings and watching the sky

And the campfire break isn’t just comfort. It’s also a practical reset. It gives you a chance to thaw fingers, warm up, and keep your eyes ready for the next burst.

When clouds or wind show up: how to protect your night

Aurora tours are weather-driven. The tour itself states that it requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Even without a full cancellation, you should expect that some nights are better than others. One guest noted they didn’t see lights as strongly as hoped, even though they still took photos and had a warm night out. That’s not a failure of the tour so much as the Arctic being the Arctic.

My advice to you: go in with a flexible mindset.

• Don’t plan your whole vacation around a single aurora moment.
• Bring warm gear because wind and cold can be intense even when visibility changes.
• Treat the hunt as part of the story, not a waiting room.

Also, be patient with the logistics. This tour is set up for repositioning. You may end up walking and changing spots as the conditions improve or worsen.

Who this Kiruna photographer aurora tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you want:

• Photo help more than a DIY night of trial and error
• A guided hunt that actively considers conditions in Kiruna and Abisko
• A small-group night out with snacks and hot drinks included

It’s also a decent fit if you’re comfortable with cold and can handle dark, snowy walking. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness and doesn’t recommend it for people younger than 15.

It may be less ideal if you:

• struggle with deep snow walking
• want zero transit and zero outdoor movement
• want a guaranteed aurora every time (no tour can promise that)

Should you book Lights of Vikings in Kiruna?

I’d book this tour if you care about getting home with real aurora photos and you prefer a team that actively searches for clearer skies. The combination of photographer support, warm breaks, and small group size makes it feel like a polished aurora night rather than a bus trip to nowhere.

I’d skip it or choose carefully if you’re sensitive to uneven ground and snowy walking in the dark. You’ll be outdoors for the hunt, and traction plus layering make a big difference.

If your goal is to come back with photos you’ll actually use and memories you can feel even if the sky is moody, this one is a solid bet.

FAQ

What time does the Kiruna Northern Lights Tour start?

It starts at 7:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 4 to 6 hours.

Is pickup available, and where do I meet the guide?

Pickup is offered. You wait outside your hotel at the designated pickup time (not inside reception). A few hotels have specific pickup points, including Arctic Thai in front of Best Western Arctic Eden, and the Kiruna Tourism Office for Elite Frost Hotel and Scandic.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What’s included during the tour?

You get snacks, and coffee and/or tea.

Is dinner included?

No, dinner is not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 7 travelers.

What if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What’s the minimum age?

The tour isn’t recommended for guests younger than 15 years old.