Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours

Northern lights, planned like a photo shoot. In Tromsø, this small-group aurora chase takes you out past town lights and helps you actually capture what you see, not just hope. You’ll get photo help from guides who think like photographers, and the small-group vibe keeps things relaxed.

I love two things most: first, I like how the team actively searches for the best viewing spot, not just one stop and a prayer. Second, I like that comfort is handled for you, with winter suits, warm boots, and a real dinner spread that makes the cold part of the night feel manageable.

One thing to consider: the sky is never guaranteed, and you are signing up for a long, weather-dependent evening. If clouds or poor conditions roll in, you may need to roll with their plan for a new date or a refund.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group, max 8 travelers: less crowd pressure, easier moving at photo stops, and more one-on-one help.
• Professional aurora photography coaching: tripods provided, plus help setting up your camera so you get usable shots.
• Fjord night driving to multiple spots: you don’t stay parked in one place the whole time.
• Warm gear plus dinner: winter suits, warm boots, and a hot meal plus soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies during the evening.
• Aurora science talk, not just sightseeing: expect explanations about the aurora and the magnetic field.
• A couple souvenir photos by email: the guides send a few images of you with the aurora after the tour.

Tromsø at night: why this aurora chase feels different

Tromsø is one of Norway’s best hubs for northern lights chasing, but the real trick is what you do after you arrive. Instead of staying in town and hoping the sky cooperates, this tour takes you out around the Tromsø fjords where the darkness is better and the view is wider.

The whole idea here is simple: the aurora is hard to see, and even harder to photograph. So the team focuses on positioning and timing, then gives you the tools to record the moment. One review called it a UFO and UAP themed tour, and while your main focus is the aurora, the tone is fun and curiosity-driven, not rigid or classroom-only.

This is also the kind of tour you’ll appreciate if you like quieter outings. With a stated maximum of 8 travelers, you’re not wading through a massive group at every stop. That matters because good aurora photos rely on calm, steady tripod placement and people moving without chaos.

How the 6:00 pm schedule plays out (and why the timing matters)

You start at 6:00 pm at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø. From there, you head out and spend the night chasing the aurora, with a total duration of roughly 6 to 10 hours.

What the night feels like in practice is a cycle of:

1. driving to a new viewing location,
2. setting up tripods and getting your camera ready,
3. waiting for the sky to show something worth photographing,
4. then moving again if conditions look better somewhere else.

Reviews describe 3 to 4 spots before finding the best one. That matches the logic of aurora chasing: cloud cover, wind direction, and light pollution all change minute to minute. Your goal is not just to see lights, but to see them clearly, with room to shoot.

At the end, the tour returns and typically drops you at your hotel or Airbnb within about 30 minutes of town. That’s convenient after a long night, when you’d rather not scramble for transport in winter darkness.

The photographer-led aurora part: tripods, camera setup, and real results

This is not a generic northern lights tour where someone waves and says, there it is. The guides bring photo expertise into the experience. You’ll get help with camera setup and tripod use, and they actively adjust the flow so you can capture what’s happening in the sky.

Here’s what I’d pay attention to as you get ready:

• If you bring a camera, you’ll have a better time. You don’t have to be a pro, but having a camera lets the instruction actually pay off.
• If your phone is your tool, still plan to learn something. One review mentioned the guide troubleshooting a misbehaving phone, which tells you they’ll try to help you get usable images even if technology throws a tantrum.
• Tripods are provided, so you’re not stuck improvising with a backpack or a shaky stance.

You’ll also hear an explanation of the aurora and the magnetic field, plus other light-related science and history. That’s valuable because it helps you read the night. When you understand what impacts the display, you stop thinking of aurora watching as random luck and start thinking of it as a set of conditions you can respond to.

One thing to note: the guides will be shooting too. That popped up in a review as a minor downside, where the science focus felt a bit lighter than expected. Still, the overall takeaway was strong: the photo guidance led to great results.

Fjord viewpoints and “best spot” hunting after the first dark

Your tour area is the Tromsø fjords region, and the team makes a point of moving to improve your odds. Some nights include a longer drive. One review described driving about an hour out to a private beach spot with warmth inside a campfire hut area. Another mentioned beach viewing with a fire pit to stay warm.

Those details matter because aurora viewing is not only about sightlines, it’s about comfort and time. Waiting under cold skies drains patience fast. The more you can reduce wind chill and give yourself a warm pocket, the longer you’ll stay focused and ready to shoot when the aurora turns on.

You should also expect the group to settle at the best spot long enough to work with the camera settings you’ve been taught. The best aurora moments can be brief, so the tour structure is meant to keep you from constantly packing and repacking gear.

Staying warm the right way: suits, boots, food, and hot drinks

This is where the tour earns repeat praise. You get winter gear and warm boots, which removes one major headache: trying to dress correctly when you arrive from warmer climates.

The included warmth plan typically covers:

• winter suits (your size matters, they ask for snowsuit and boot sizes),
• warm boots,
• and a serious food and hot-drink rhythm.

Food mentioned in reviews includes:

• homemade tomato soup,
• cheese sandwiches,
• lamb sandwiches,
• hot chocolate,
• cookies,
• plus a dinner component as part of the provided meal.

That’s not just nice. It changes how you experience the night. When you’re hungry and cold, you stop caring about photography or learning. When you’re warm and fed, you can actually focus on the sky and spend time adjusting your tripod and camera without rushing.

Some reviews also mention thermal suits and snowshoes fitted to size. Snowshoes weren’t listed in the basic overview you provided, but since they show up in real experiences, it’s smart to be open to extra winter gear if your guide suggests it for moving around safely.

Group size, comfort, and what the small-team vibe means

With a maximum of 8 travelers, the tone stays personal. You’re not competing with a crowd for the same tripod space. That matters because the tour includes hands-on guidance, and the guides can help you make small adjustments quickly.

One review described a night with two guides and a tiny group. Another review mentioned that the group size felt larger than the advertised small number. That doesn’t erase the overall theme, but it does suggest you should expect a bit of variation by night.

Either way, the spirit is consistent: the team wants you to have the best chance to see and photograph the aurora, and they try to keep the experience from feeling like a rushed bus stop.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, so it’s easier to connect to from other parts of Tromsø if you’re not staying right next to Smørtorget.

The aurora reality check: odds, weather, and how you should prepare

Let’s be honest: this is a northern lights chase, not a guaranteed lights show. Aurora viewing depends on solar activity and local weather. You need clear-ish skies and low cloud cover to get the good displays, and winter conditions can shift quickly.

The good news is the tour is built for that reality. They require good weather to run, and if the tour can’t operate due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum traveler count isn’t met, you’ll also be offered an alternate or a full refund.

How should you prepare emotionally?

• Plan for a long evening. Even with good conditions, aurora watching is waiting.
• Dress for cold even though gear is provided. The suit and boots help a lot, but your hands and face will still feel the bite if you run underprepared.
• Bring your patience. If the lights don’t show immediately, you’re not failing. The whole operation is designed to keep searching.

If you’re the type who wants a quick hit of sights and then dinner back at the hotel, a 6 to 10 hour aurora chase might feel like a lot. If you’re the type who enjoys waiting and watching the sky change, this will feel more like a mission than a chore.

Price and value: why $291.52 can make sense here

At about $291.52 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to chase lights. But it’s priced closer to a bundled experience than a basic outing.

What you’re paying for:

• transportation from Tromsø and back, including driving between multiple spots,
• pro photographer guidance that directly affects your ability to photograph aurora,
• winter suits and warm boots sized for you,
• tripods (so you’re not renting or borrowing one at the last minute),
• dinner and warm drinks during the evening.

When you add up those items, the price starts to look less like a “tour fee” and more like you’re buying a complete aurora night package. And when the outcome is good, the photos and the teaching turn it into a souvenir you’ll keep, not just a memory you forget in the cold.

Who should book this tour, and who might prefer something else

Book this if you:

• want a small-group aurora hunt where people aren’t fighting for space,
• care about getting photos, not just seeing lights with your eyes,
• appreciate learning, like explanations of the aurora and the magnetic field,
• would rather have warm gear and food handled than stress about what to wear.

Consider another option if you:

• can’t handle long waits in winter darkness,
• want a tightly scheduled, short sightseeing block with zero uncertainty,
• dislike any chance that your night could be delayed by weather conditions.

Also, if you already have very advanced astrophotography gear, you might still benefit from the guidance. But your biggest gains will be from the basics handled for you and the practical shooting help during the best sky windows.

Should you book Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours?

If your top goal is to maximize your chances of seeing and photographing the northern lights, I think this tour is a strong pick. It has three big advantages: the photo-focused guidance, the practical comfort setup with suits and warm boots, and the fact that the team searches for better spots instead of doing one brief viewing moment.

Your decision should hinge on one thing: whether you’re okay with the uncertainty that comes with aurora chasing. If you can handle a long, weather-dependent night and you want to learn how to shoot the sky, you’ll likely feel you got your money’s worth.

Go in ready to wait, bring the camera you want to use, and give them your suit and boot sizes. Then focus on the night, not on logistics. When the sky finally cooperates, this is the kind of tour that helps you make it count.

FAQ

What time does the Aurora Chaser Tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 6 to 10 hours.

Where do I meet the group, and where do you drop me off?

You meet at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. You end at the same meeting point, and you are dropped off at your hotel or Airbnb apartment within about 30 minutes from town.

What is included for warmth and photography?

Tripods, winter suits, and warm boots are provided. Dinner and warm food like soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies are also included. The guides provide instructions on setting up your camera to photograph the aurora.

What is the group size?

The tour lists a maximum of 8 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers is not met?

The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers is not met, you’ll also be offered a different date or a full refund.