Chase the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Troms og Finnmark - Book Your Aurora Experience

Summary: On October 21st, I went on tour with Oli & Ryan for the tenth time. The tenth time!!! That says it all, really. I don't need to write any more... The guys are so good that I don't even want to go on a different tour. What makes Northbound so good: The Aurora knowledge. The knowledge of the area/nature (to see Aurora from beautiful places). The personal approach. The humor. The interaction between Oli & Ryan. The small groups. The photos and time-lapse afterwards The help with taking photos. The organization. The simple things like remembering people's names during the tour. The equipment (like thermal suits, headlamps, tripods etc.). Hot tea/chocolate as much as you like. I don't eat them, but people say that the sausages are good. So, I've been three times from the Netherlands to Tromso this year. I don't think I will go again this year, but if I go again, before I book a flight, I'll first check the availability of a tour with Oli & Ryan.

Summary: I have previously seen the northern lights in Lapland and in Iceland but after spending two consecutive nights with Northbound, I feel like I truly experienced the northern lights in all their glory for the very first time. Oli and Ryan really go the extra mile to ensure that their guests have the best possible experience. On a very rainy day in Tromso they drove us over the border into Finland where they knew we would have the best chance of seeing the lights. They don't just stop the bus by the side of the road like some tour companies do, but find private stunning locations, away from light pollution, where they set up a fire and we settle in for a few hours to watch the lights unfold. Thermal suits are provided, hot chocolate, cookies, sausages cooked on an open fire. Heated van to return to if you're getting cold, one camera recording time lapse video, another camera to capture still photos of us in front of the lights. All images shared with us within 24 hours. And they provide the best explanation of what is happening as the lights move and and dance and explode over the course of the evening. Look no further, these guys are the best.

Summary: Oli and Ryan delivered an exceptional tour. They are a great team and aim to give the best experience possible given the conditions of the day. These guys are beyond passionate about the Aurora, photography...and their business Northbound. It certainly shows. They have wonderful stories to share. Highly recommend you spend the extra to travel with these guys - their focus on safety and their genuine nature are key for solo travellers such as myself. Thanks guys...

Summary: Incredible experience from two of the most professional (and fun) tour guides! Every aspect of this tour exceeded our expectations - booking, transportation, communication, location and so much more. Ryan and Oli are very knowledgeable about the aurora and traveling with a smaller group was worth every penny. Only wish we would have booked them for every night we were in Tromso. Would also like to give a call out to their attention to safety and industry regulations. Thank you for making this one of the most memorable nights of my life!

Summary: Oli is a wealth of knowledge and his explanation of how the aurora would progress and why it works the way it does was amazing. And he was spot on with everything!!! The group was small and fun and Oli provided everything we needed for a magical night. We will be back to view the northern lights with you & Ryan in the future.

Summary: I had the best time with Oli & Ryan on my northbound tour in October. I was so lucky that a last minute spot was available on one of the two days I was in Tromso on my last minute trip all the way from Australia. It’s not an easy job to try and predict the weather, to get us in the best spot to see the lights! We were fortunate enough that our first stop by the beach had some gorgeous lights! With Oli doing some yapping and Ryan doing some snapping (of pictures) they really do make the best pair. After about 30 minutes the clouds rolled in and they made the difficult decision to move us to this gorgeous lake! When we first got there it was snowing, with no lights to be seen, however, with some patience and some expert cooked hotdogs, the lights opened up in a spectacular fashion. With so many tour companies out there, it can be challenging to choose one. I would 100% come back to Northbound, their dedication to getting each person on their tour to have the best experience on the given day with the weather available is unmatched. Coupled with their amazing expertise, kindness, banter and photography skills (they send you all the incredible pictures they take within 24hrs!!). Also amazing was Oli’s Norwegian snack recommendation (yes I bought 3x bags of them on my way out of the country).

Summary: This was our first time chasing the northern lights, and Northbound Northern Lights Adventure set the bar unbelievably high. Even though they’ve only been in business for about a year, Oli and Ryan run their company like seasoned pros. Both owners go on every trip, and it’s clear how much they care about each guest’s experience. They’re incredibly personable, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. They stay in constant contact with other tour companies throughout the night, sharing real-time updates on weather and solar activity, which gives you the best possible chance of success. What really impressed us was how data-driven and patient they are. They know when to wait and when to move on, combining experience with science. They never make false promises—but if they take you out, it’s pretty much a sure thing (though they’ll admit a little luck always helps!). We had terrible weather in Tromsø that night, but instead of giving up, they drove us all the way to Finland. We waited nearly four hours, and just when we thought it might not happen, the sky erupted in color—one of the longest aurora displays they’d ever seen, lasting about 20–25 minutes. It was absolutely incredible. Oli and Ryan went above and beyond to accommodate everyone, teach us about the lights, and capture beautiful photos for us to take home. If you’re serious about seeing the northern lights, book with Northbound. You won’t find a more dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate team anywhere.

Summary: Our family of 4 has nothing but praise and appreciation for the night we spent with Oli and Ryan. They are the right choice for an amazing tour because they are true northern lights enthusiasts who want to share their love of it with you. When you pick a tour, consider this - you will be driving a distance in the dark (potentially hours) with your guides - Oli's experience behind the wheel put us at great ease, especially since we had our kids with us. Safety is their #1 priority and that is followed closely by laughter and of course the best opportunities to see the northern lights. They took care of everything from set up, to amazing pictures (Ryan works so hard to get them perfect and they were!), to take down, and everyone in our group felt welcome. Our 12 year old raved about his (3!!) hot dogs and said it was the most amazing night of his life. Having been around the world, that's a big compliment to these guys! Thank you for making this such a wonderful experience for us! We will be back!

Summary: Northbound was a perfect choice for our first aurora chase. When the weather threatened to make the trip a bust, Oli and Ryan got us to a perfect place to see the lights just as the clouds cleared. During the long drive to Finland, Oli provided an interesting tutorial on light science, tips for tracking the lights and using the apps, and what to expect when we disembarked from our minivan. Ryan took great time lapse photos of the evening and group and individual shots. While the cookies were not actually homemade, the hotdogs were freshly and expertly grilled and the lights were gorgeous. Use these guys!

Summary: Oli and Ryan were great guides—fun and kind. They shared cool facts about the Northern Lights and took awesome photos. The hot dogs were yummy! They helped make my proposal perfect, and we’re so thankful. Highly recommend Northbound!