Aurora hunting starts long before the lights. Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours is a small-group northern lights and UFO/UAP spotting outing built around serious photo help, with pro photographers guiding you to capture what you came for. You get taken out from Tromsø into fjord-area darkness, with equipment and cold-weather comfort handled so you can focus on the sky.

Two things I especially like: you’re not just dropped at a viewpoint, you’re taught how to photograph the aurora with a tripod and camera setup tips, and you’re kept warm with winter suits, warm boots, and hot food/drinks during a long night. The group stays small (max 8), which makes it easier to hear instructions and keep your attention on the sky.

One possible drawback: seeing the aurora can’t be guaranteed. This tour depends on good weather, and you’re signing up for hours outside in serious cold—worth it for many people, but plan for the long haul.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Max 8 travelers: a calmer, more focused night than big bus-style crowds
• Photo coaching built in: tripod use and camera settings guidance so your shots improve fast
• Full cold-weather kit: winter suit, warm boots, and warm layers so you’re not improvising
• Fjord-area hunting with multiple stops: you’ll drive to a few spots before the best viewing point
• Warm meals and drinks: soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies keep energy up
• A couple of emailed aurora photos: your guide sends images after the tour

Tromsø at 6:00 pm: the night starts at Smørtorget

The meeting point is Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, Tromsø. You start at 6:00 pm, which is early enough that you’re settled and ready before the darkest hours hit. The tour ends back at Smørtorget, then you get dropped off at your hotel or Airbnb within about 30 minutes of town.

That timing matters. In northern Norway, the sky is a moving target—clouds, wind, and darkness all change minute to minute. Starting in the early evening helps you avoid feeling rushed when it finally gets clear and the aurora activity starts.

Small-group aurora chasing with pro photographers

This is built for people who want more than a quick look at the sky. The tour runs with a small group (maximum 8), and it’s led by guides who are professional photographers. That makes the whole experience feel more like a night workshop in the cold, not a generic sightseeing drive.

What you’ll notice right away is how the guides manage the hunt. They’re not just watching the sky and hoping. They’re actively searching for good conditions and better sightlines, then helping you adjust so you can actually photograph what you see.

One detail I like from guest experiences: the guides work hard to find aurora, sometimes driving farther than you expect. On at least one night, they headed about an hour away to a secluded private beach with a fire pit area to stay warm. Even if your night doesn’t go that far, the approach is the same: try, check conditions, move, then try again.

Your cold-weather kit: what winter suits and boots change

Northern lights tours can fail in two ways: clouds hide the sky, or the cold makes you quit early. This tour fights the second problem hard.

You’re provided with winter suits and warm boots, plus a tripod for aurora photography. That means you don’t have to spend your trip juggling layers, renting gear, or guessing whether your gloves will survive contact with Tromsø winter.

In the better-night reviews, people repeatedly mention comfort. Hot drinks and warm food help, yes, but the real win is that you’re not battling numb fingers while trying to focus a camera lens in the dark. If you plan to take photos (and most people do), that matters more than you’d think.

A small extra note: one review mentioned snowshoes being encouraged and fitted to their sizes. You won’t see that in every listing detail, but it’s a clue that the guides think beyond the basics when the terrain gets tricky.

How tripod, settings, and coaching turn guesswork into shots

You’ll get the best results if you bring a camera, but you don’t need to be an expert. The guides focus on practical photography help: tripod setup, camera settings, and how to adjust as conditions change.

Aurora photography is more about timing and settings than fancy gear. When the lights move, brightness shifts, and clouds drift in, your best shot can come fast. With instruction in the moment, you’re more likely to capture something you can actually use later.

Also: you don’t just set up and freeze. On tours like this, the guides typically keep you moving through the basics—how to stabilize the camera, where to aim, and what changes to make if the sky brightness looks different than the last spot.

One more nice touch: the guide emails a couple of pictures of you and the aurora after the tour. That’s great if you struggle to get yourself into the frame, or if you want a quick souvenir without sorting through hundreds of photos.

The Tromsø fjord-area route: several spots, then the best one

A big part of value here is that you don’t stay in one place all night. The tour takes you around the Tromsø Fjords area, and the plan includes driving to multiple viewing spots. On one described night, the group visited about three to four spots before landing on the best option.

Here’s why that matters: the aurora can be visible in one direction while clouds or light pollution ruin it five minutes away. Fjords also affect how darkness spreads, and some shorelines give better angles than roads close to town. Moving to a better location can mean the difference between faint streaks and a show you can photograph.

One review highlighted a beach setup with a fire pit and an indoor campfire hut for warmth. That’s exactly the kind of “comfort + optics” pairing you want on a long night. When the sky doesn’t cooperate immediately, you still have a reason to stay calm and wait.

Food and warmth breaks that actually help you last

Aurora chasing can become a slow grind: wait, cold, repeat. This tour builds in comfort stops with real food, not just a snack.

Expect things like tomato soup, cheese sandwiches, lamb sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies. It’s the kind of menu that makes sense for cold weather: warm liquids, salty sandwiches, and a sweet finish so you can keep going without losing your energy.

In multiple accounts, warm drinks and soup are called out as appreciated during the cold. That’s a good sign because it means the food isn’t an afterthought. When you’re out for 6 to 10 hours, you want meals that help your body function, not just calories for show.

UFO and UAP spotting: how it fits with the aurora focus

The tour name includes Northern Lights, UFO, and UAP spotting. But in practice, the night still centers on the aurora borealis and learning how to read it.

Guides share science and context about what you’re seeing—magnetic field talk came up, plus general explanation and historical tidbits about aurora activity. That matters because a lot of sky sightings have natural explanations, and learning the basics helps you enjoy the mystery without getting lost in rumor.

If you’re hoping for a pure “UFO-only” night with a lot of theoretical discussion, you may find the aurora remains the main event. If you’re excited by the sky in general and want the lights plus a guided, grounded approach to interpreting unusual visuals, this format makes sense.

Price and value: what $291.52 really buys

At about $291.52 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement aurora ticket. But it also isn’t just a ride to a turnout.

For your money, you’re paying for:

• A small group experience (max 8)
• Photography-led guidance with tripod use and camera settings help
• Warm winter gear (winter suit and warm boots)
• Food and hot drinks during the night
• Transportation from Tromsø and local drop-off after

Gear and comfort are usually where cheaper tours cut corners. Here, the basics that make aurora viewing work—warmth you can rely on and equipment that supports long exposures—are included. That can save you time and hassle even if you already own winter layers.

The other value angle is persistence. Multiple-stops planning, and guides willing to keep searching for clear conditions, increases your chance of a good show compared with companies that only drive once and call it a night.

Logistics you should plan around (without the headache)

Start time is 6:00 pm, and the tour runs roughly 6 to 10 hours. That’s a wide range because weather and aurora timing decide how long you stay out. If you have a packed itinerary afterward, keep your next day easy.

It’s also a good idea to dress for the fact that you’ll be outside. Even with winter suits and boots provided, you’ll still want to wear layers you’re comfortable moving in. If you use your own camera bag or personal items, keep them simple enough that you can pull your camera out quickly.

Mobile tickets are used, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking. The meeting point is near public transportation, so it’s not hard to get to if you’re staying centrally.

Two practical considerations from how tours like this usually run:

• Aurora success is weather-dependent, so keep expectations flexible.
• Group size is small, but one account said the night’s group size ended up larger than expected based on what was advertised. Still, the vibe stays more intimate than mass tours.

When this tour is a great fit

This tour suits you if:

• You want a photo-friendly aurora experience, not just a lookout
• You hate big crowds and prefer quiet, focused guidance
• You want winter gear and warm food handled for you
• You’re excited by the night sky and like learning what you’re seeing

It might be less ideal if you:

• Can’t handle long hours outside in cold conditions
• Need a guaranteed outcome (nobody can guarantee the aurora)
• Prefer a low-touch tour with no camera instruction

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

If your priority is a better chance at seeing the aurora plus real help capturing it, I think it’s an easy yes. The combination of small-group searching, pro photographer guidance, tripod support, and staying warm with suits, boots, and hot food makes the experience feel both practical and genuinely exciting.

Book it when you can give the night time to work. If you’re traveling with someone who hates crowds or you’re the person always asking how to get better night photos, this is the kind of tour that turns that question into results.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

You meet at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. Google Maps listing is available for the start location.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

How long should I plan for the tour?

Plan for about 6 to 10 hours, depending on conditions.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What cold-weather and photography gear is included?

Tripods are provided, and you also get winter suits and warm boots. Dinner and warm drinks/food are also provided during the tour.

Do I need to bring a camera?

It’s best if you bring a camera. The guides help with how to set up and photograph the aurora.

Will I get photos after the tour?

Yes. The guide will email you a couple of pictures of you and the aurora after the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

If I cancel, is it refundable?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.