Aurora night planning gets simpler fast. Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours in Tromsø blends Northern Lights hunting with serious camera help, plus UFO/UAP spotting, all in a small group built for night photography. Start at 6:00 pm and you’ll be out long enough to chase real dark-sky conditions, riding out of town to where the view has a better shot.

I love that you’re guided by pro photographers who focus on how to photograph the lights, not just where to stand. I also love the practical comfort: tripods, winter suits, warm boots, and dinner/soup and hot drinks mean you spend less time fiddling and more time actually enjoying the night.

One possible drawback: the whole game depends on weather, and if conditions don’t cooperate you may need to reschedule. Also, since the focus leans hard toward photographing, if you’re hoping for a deep lecture on aurora science, you might find the energy more geared to camera settings than theory.

Key Points at a Glance

• Small-group tour (max 8 people): easier viewing and more hands-on photo guidance.
• Pro photographer coaching: help with camera setup for aurora shots.
• Gear and warmth included: tripods, winter suits, and warm boots.
• Food to keep you going: dinner plus warm soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies.
• Secluded fjord-area stops: multiple spots before the best one is chosen.
• Follow-up photos: the guide emails a couple of images from your night.

Northern Lights and UFO/UAP Spotting from Tromsø, Without the Chaos

This tour is built for night sky people who don’t want a big bus herd. You’re working with a small maximum group, and that matters when darkness hits and everyone’s trying to line up tripods without stepping on each other’s boots.

What makes it different is the mix of goals. Yes, the headline is Aurora Borealis chasing. But the tour also frames the night as a UFO and UAP spotting session, which gives the experience a curious, story-driven edge while still keeping the main focus on what’s above you—especially when your eyes are tired and your brain wants something to notice.

Also, the setting is all about Tromsø and the surrounding fjord-area at night. Even when the sky is only partly cooperative, you still get a real “northern Norway at 9 p.m.” feeling—cold air, long shadows, and those dramatic places you normally only see in daylight.

The 6:00 pm Start and the 6–10 Hour Reality Check

The tour starts at 6:00 pm, with a total time of about 6 to 10 hours. That long window is not an excuse—it’s the practical truth of aurora chasing. The lights aren’t on a schedule. Good timing means you stay out long enough to catch the lights when they decide to show up.

You’ll be picked up from Smørtorget (Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø) and then you’ll be transported around during the chase. When the night ends, you’re dropped off back locally (up to 30 minutes from town), which is handy if you want to walk straight back to your warm bed or kitchen.

The “long night” part can be a joy or a test, depending on your tolerance for cold and waiting. The good news is that they build in warmth and food, so you’re not just standing there shivering while you hope the sky changes its mind.

Included Warm Gear and Dinner: Why This Tour Feels Easier Than DIY

This is where the value starts to show. You’re not expected to arrive as a winter gear expert. The tour provides tripods, winter suits, and warm boots—plus dinner, including warm, cold-weather friendly food.

That matters because aurora nights punish small mistakes:

• A slightly wrong setup leads to blurry photos.
• Wearing the wrong layers leads to a numb face before the sky even heats up.
• Being cold makes everything slower—your hands, your patience, your ability to enjoy the moment.

They also ask you for your snowsuit and boot sizes. That’s a small detail, but it’s a big deal for comfort. If you’ve ever tried to layer winter gear over regular clothes in a cramped rental bathroom, you’ll appreciate that someone else solves the sizing puzzle.

Food details show up in multiple ways: warm soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies. It’s the kind of meal plan that keeps you functional during long viewing—less “grab something quick” and more “stay warm and keep your energy steady.”

Pro Photo Coaching: How You’ll Actually Get Better Aurora Pictures

The best aurora photos aren’t about luck alone. They’re about settings, stability, and knowing what to do the moment the sky lights up.

This tour is guided by pro photographers who help you capture images of the phenomenon. If you bring a camera, you’ll be in good shape—this experience works best when you can use their coaching directly. If you don’t bring a camera, you might still enjoy the show, but the “photo chase” part of the night will be less fulfilling.

They provide tripods, which is huge. Aurora photography often requires longer exposures, and handheld shots usually come out disappointing. With a tripod in place, your chances go way up that the lights show clearly rather than turning into streaks or grain.

One neat touch: after the tour, the guide emails a couple of pictures of you and the aurora. That’s not just a souvenir. It’s also a helpful safety net if you were busy trying to learn the camera settings while the lights were active.

Chasing Around the Tromsø Fjords: Multiple Stops, Better Odds

You’re not just parking at one spot and praying. The tour runs a chase format: you’ll drive to different viewing areas around the Tromsø Fjords, then reposition until you land where the sky and horizon give you the best shot.

Expect a few stops during the evening. Some nights may mean three or four photo spots before the best viewing setup is found. That “move until it works” approach is a common reason people leave aurora tours feeling satisfied rather than frustrated.

There’s also the comfort angle. At least one night includes a stop at a private beach area with a warm campfire hut, and another stop type includes a beach with a fire pit. I love this setup because it gives your body a break. Cold weather turns your fingers into frozen tools; warm up time lets you reset before another round of photos and watching.

One more reason the fjord-area approach makes sense: the lights can look amazing even with cloud breaks, and fjord-side darkness can reduce stray light. You still want clear skies, but when the night is mixed, being willing to move helps.

Small-Group Viewing: Crowds Don’t Rule Your Tripod

When you’re chasing something as specific as the Northern Lights, crowd control becomes a photography issue.

With a group capped at 8 travelers, you’re less likely to deal with a sea of tripods blocking each other. In practice, that means you can:

• find a comfortable spot to set up,
• keep your camera stable,
• and get corrections from the guide without shouting over a crowd.

That also changes the vibe. It’s quieter. You notice sounds more. You talk less. When the aurora finally shows itself, you get a moment that feels focused instead of chaotic.

UFO/UAP Spotting Meets the Real Sky: A Fun Twist

The tour name includes UFO and UAP spotting, and that changes how some people experience the night. Instead of treating the sky like a single-task mission, you’re invited to look for other strange sightings too.

I like that this makes the experience feel like a real expedition. When the aurora is slow to appear, you’re still paying attention—watching the same darkness that might hold lights, but also staying curious about shapes and motion you can’t quite explain.

Just keep your expectations grounded: the aurora is the main event. The “UFO/UAP” angle is best as an added layer of wonder, not a guarantee of aliens. If you go with that mindset, you’ll have more fun.

Price and Value: Is $291.52 Worth It?

At $291.52 per person, this isn’t the cheapest aurora option. But the cost makes more sense when you add up what you’d otherwise rent or struggle to manage.

Here’s what you’re getting that lowers your “hidden costs”:

• transportation from Tromsø and local drop-off,
• tripods,
• winter suits and warm boots,
• dinner plus warm drinks and snacks,
• and hands-on coaching for aurora photography,
• plus emailed photos after the tour.

If you’ve ever tried to piece together an aurora night by yourself, you know the real expense isn’t only money—it’s time and stress. You need the gear, the know-how for camera settings, and the nerve to chase spots when conditions aren’t perfect. This tour pays someone else to manage those moving parts.

Also, the tour is frequently booked about 60 days in advance on average. That’s a signal. Places with limited night capacity fill up, and the best chance at the right date means booking early.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This tour fits you if you:

• want a small-group aurora chase with less crowd friction,
• care about getting photos (or learning fast),
• prefer included warmth and food instead of guessing how you’ll survive the night,
• enjoy rural fjord-style viewing rather than only staying in town.

You might want to look at another style of tour if you:

• want a longer, more lecture-style breakdown of aurora science rather than camera guidance,
• dislike the idea of being out for a long stretch (6–10 hours),
• or are extremely picky about group size staying perfectly consistent every single night.

Should You Book Marianne’s Heaven On Earth Aurora Chaser Tours?

If your top goal is Northern Lights photos and you want the night to feel organized instead of improvised, I think this is a strong bet. The big advantages are the included photo gear and warmth, the pro photographer coaching, and the fact that you’ll be moving to better spots instead of treating the sky like a single parking lot.

Book it if you can commit to a cold-weather evening and you’ll use the camera help. Skip it if you’re only looking for a casual stroll view and you’d rather do aurora hunting with zero instruction.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point, and where do you get dropped off?

You meet at Smør­torget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø, Norway. At the end, you’re dropped off at your hotel or Airbnb apartment locally, within a maximum of 30 minutes from town.

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 6:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 6 to 10 hours.

How big is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 8 travelers, and it allows service animals.

Do I need to bring a camera?

Bringing a camera is strongly encouraged. The guides help with photographing the aurora, and you can also use provided equipment like tripods.

What warm gear and food are included?

You get tripods, winter suits, and warm boots. Dinner is also included, along with warm items like soup and hot chocolate, plus sandwiches and cookies.

Will I receive photos after the tour?

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

What happens if 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. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, with a different date/experience or a full refund offered.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

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

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