Northern Lights Iceland / Tromso- Looking for recommendation

[3sixty]

Hi

For my wife's 40th I wanted to take her to see the Northern Lights as its been one of her dreams for a while. We're from UK originally, but now live in Malaysia so am planning a trip back to UK in December to visit family. The plan being to fly to UK, spend a week there, out to see the lights for a week and then back to UK for Christmas itself.

Looking online, I understand there is no guarantee to see the lights, but appears that Iceland or Tromso are the best places. Personally looking more towards Iceland in that there are other things to do there compared to Tromso.

I'm basically looking for recommendations of any tour guides people have used before and personal recommendations of which is the best place to view / visit. Also wanted to get opinion on how long to stay there. I see there are 3/5/7 day tours and I understand it depends on your luck but with wanting to also see family in UK, would 5 days be sufficient?

We'll continue to research ourselves, but am always astounded by the PH membership and someone always knows someone or can recommend - so over to you guys! Cheers

[Crook]

Hi
We went to Iceland first and didn’t see the Northern lights in any significant way then went to Tromso and saw them several times.

We’ve subsequently been back to Iceland a few times but not gone out on any tours as we tend to rent a car and do our own thing.

There is definitely more to do in Iceland (particularly if you like hot outdoor floating about) but if you want the best chance of seeing the lights then go to Tromso. I couldn’t tell you which tour company we used I’m afraid as it was quite a while ago but someone else may be able to help or check trip advisor but they all stay in touch with each other and so will know where the best activity/clear skies are.
Good luck.

[craig1912]

We’ve used these a few times

https://adventures.is/

As for how long…I’d say 3/5 days. If you are going in December then bare in mind it’s winter and the weather is completely unpredictable. We went last November and had an excursion cancelled the day before due to a storm. We were there 6 nights and didn’t see the Northern Lights.
Lots to do in and around Reykjavik though.

[NordicCrankShaft]

Tromsø being further north than Iceland will give you a better chance of seeing them.

[rallye101]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Handy thread here...

[Boringvolvodriver]

We have been to Tromso in early December and whilst only there 2 nights, we did see a spectacular show of the lights.

I was told in one of the trips that in winter then you have a one in five chance of seeing the lights, so we were very lucky indeed.