Stop guessing where to look. Marianne’s Heaven on Earth Aurora Chaser Tour in Tromso is a small-group night hunt that blends Northern Lights chasing with photography coaching, plus UFO and UAP spotting.

You get a guide team that knows how to help you aim, steady, and capture the sky, not just stand in the dark.

I also love that the tour removes the usual cold-weather friction. Included gear like winter suits, warm boots, and tripods means you can focus on the lights, and the night comes with warm food and hot drinks.

One thing to consider is that the aurora depends on weather and cloud cover, and the outing can run up to about 10 hours.

You’ll meet at Smørtorget and start at 6:00 pm, then spend the evening riding out to better viewing spots around the Tromso fjords. The best bonus, for me, is that you’re emailed a couple of photos after the tour so you have something polished even if your own shots are still figuring themselves out.

Key things I’d pack mentally for this aurora chase

• Small group size, serious focus: Maximum 8 travelers, so you are more likely to get hands-on help with your setup.
• Photo-first guidance: Guides help with camera setup, tripod use, and getting your shots looking sharp instead of smeary.
• Warmth you do not have to shop for: Winter suits, warm boots, and cold-weather essentials are included so you do not arrive unprepared.
• Several attempts, not one view spot: You typically drive to multiple locations before settling where the sky looks best.
• UFO and UAP spotting angle: Along with aurora hunting, the sky talk leans into curiosity, not just science lectures.

Tromso fjords at 6:00 pm, then straight into aurora mode

This tour starts early in the evening, with a 6:00 pm meet at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9 (9008 Tromsø). From there, you spend the night doing what aurora tours are really about, chasing the best combination of dark sky, low clouds, and timing. With a total duration of about 6 to 10 hours, plan for a long night rather than a quick sunset stroll.

I like that the plan is built around movement. Tromsø is a smart base, but the real issue is visibility, and the aurora can show up differently depending on where you are and what the clouds decide to do. Transportation from Tromsø is included, and you are dropped back locally after the tour, within about 30 minutes of town.

And because it is a winter outing, comfort is not a side quest. You are given winter suits and warm boots so you are not spending the evening doing the classic move where you keep warming your hands on your camera strap. You can focus on watching the sky, and then photographing it.

Northern Lights, UFO, and UAP spotting, how the tour stays fun while you wait

The highlight list is not just Northern Lights, it explicitly includes UFO and UAP spotting too. That matters, because waiting for aurora can get repetitive if the evening is only framed as an on and off switch. Here, the sky talk includes curiosity as well as the practical hunt.

I would treat this as a tone choice. You are still there for the aurora borealis, but the tour adds a playful layer while you wait for conditions to line up. If you love stories about sightings and the mythology that surrounds them, this format feels more like a night out with sky nerds than a lecture you tolerate.

That said, if you want very heavy science every minute, you might find the balance varies from guide to guide. One guest noted that the photo team leaned a bit more into getting the lights and their own pictures than into deep explanation of the science. Still, the overall theme is supportive, and the guides do help you with the part that matters most, getting your own images.

Pro photographers in the mix, and what you should expect from their help

This is a photography-focused aurora chase. Your guides are professional photographers, and it shows in how they think about the night: tripod first, steady framing, then camera settings that make the aurora look like more than a dim green smear.

In practical terms, that means you should expect hands-on help with setup. They provide tripods, and they guide you on camera configuration for aurora photography. If you show up with a camera that you are not totally familiar with, you are not stuck. You get the kind of step-by-step nudging that helps you get past the “I hope this works” stage.

One review praised the guides for camera settings advice and for adjusting your setup as needed. Another mentioned troubleshooting when a phone was misbehaving. That is a helpful sign: the guides are watching what you are doing and responding, instead of just pointing and saying good luck.

Also, the tour is meant to stay small. Even though the booking info caps the group at 8, one person said the night they went felt larger than expected. Still, compared with bigger coach-style aurora tours, you should expect less crowd pressure and more time for one-on-one support.

Gear included, why it changes everything in the Tromsø cold

Aurora tours sink or swim on comfort. This one gives you the gear that usually turns a fun chase into a miserable endurance test.

You can count on:

• Winter suits to keep your core warm
• Warm boots for traction and heat
• Tripods for steadier long exposures
• A warm meal during the night

The included warmth is not just nice, it affects your photos too. When you feel cold, your hands shake, your posture changes, and you stop adjusting the camera. With the suit and boots taken care of, you can stay still longer, which is exactly what you want for aurora shots.

I also appreciate that you are encouraged to bring a camera. They can help you regardless, but having your own camera means you are in charge of framing and speed. You do not have to rely on someone else’s camera to make your memories.

If you have never used a tripod in winter, this is a great place to learn. It is one of those skills that sounds complicated until someone shows you where to place it, how to lock things down, and what to check before the aurora appears.

The night’s rhythm, multiple viewing spots and the “best sky” plan

A key part of aurora chasing is the idea that you keep moving until you find a better pocket of sky. On this tour, you typically drive to several spots before settling where the aurora is most promising.

Some nights may include a longer drive for a more secluded setup. One guest described driving about an hour to a private beach area with an indoor campfire hut for warmth. That is not guaranteed every night, but it matches the tour’s logic: if you can trade convenience for a quieter spot and better conditions, your odds feel better.

You can also expect warm waiting moments, not just outdoor freezing. Fire pits and places to warm up show up in the experience, which helps you stay patient when the lights are shy or slow to show.

The biggest practical takeaway for you is this: do not treat the evening as a single shot. Think of it as repeated tries. The tour’s structure gives you more chances to see aurora, and it gives you more chances to get a usable photo even if the sky is inconsistent.

Food and warmth, so you do not waste your best hours shivering

You are out from early evening into late night, and you will be grateful the tour includes food. Hot chocolate is part of the drink lineup, and you also get hearty warm items.

From the experience details and guest notes, expect things like:

• Homemade tomato soup
• Cheese and lamb sandwiches
• Cookies
• Hot chocolate

This is not fancy dining, but it is the right kind of food for the job. Soup and warm drinks help you reset fast, and the sandwiches keep your energy steady while you wait for aurora to form. In the Tromsø winter, being cold is not just uncomfortable, it drains your focus. Warm food keeps your attention on the sky.

One review also mentioned thoughtful birthday touches, with a sweet treat when the group got dropped back. That kind of care is small, but it makes the night feel more personal, especially since aurora tours are often emotionally intense. When you are cold and tired, that extra bit of kindness lands.

Getting photos during and after the tour

Aurora photography is tricky because exposure settings that work for the aurora also highlight motion, camera shake, and clouds. Even if you do everything right, sometimes the sky is only impressive for a few minutes.

That is why I like the double layer here. You get guidance during the hunt, including help with camera setup and tripod use. Then, after the tour, you are emailed a couple of pictures from the guide team.

For you, that means you have backup memories. If you are new to aurora photography and you end up with half your shots that are too dark or too blurry, those emailed images can save the day. If your own photos turn out great, even better.

Price of $291.52, and why it might feel fair for the included effort

At $291.52 per person, this is not a budget activity. But you are paying for the full package that usually costs you time and gear on your own.

What you get that is built into the price:

• A guided aurora chase with professional photo support
• Transport from Tromsø and a drop-off back locally
• A small group setting
• Tripods, winter suits, and warm boots
• A warm meal, plus hot drinks
• Follow-up aurora photos emailed after the tour

If you tried to DIY this, you would still need transportation, winter gear, tripod know-how, and a plan for where to go when the sky shifts. That is the hidden cost most people forget. Here, you are buying someone else’s system, plus the equipment that makes the system work.

The value is strongest if you want photos and you are short on local knowledge. If you already own the right gear, know how to shoot aurora, and feel comfortable driving yourself in the dark, you might compare options. But if you want a guided, photo-focused night with comfort handled, the price starts to make more sense.

Who this Tromsø aurora tour fits best

This tour is a good match if you:

• Want small-group attention instead of a crowd scene
• Care about photographing the lights, not only seeing them
• Do not want to buy or rent winter gear just to stand in the cold
• Like a guide team that supports your camera setup and helps troubleshoot

It also fits solo travelers, couples, and small groups who are okay with a long evening. You meet at 6:00 pm and spend hours out in winter darkness, which is part of the trade.

If you are the type who cannot handle waiting outdoors for long stretches, you might feel the hours. Also, if you have a strict interest in UFO and UAP myths only, note that the tour is fundamentally an aurora chase. The UFO and UAP theme is a framing layer while you hunt the lights.

Quick practical details that affect your comfort

You meet at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, and the tour ends back at Smørtorget. You are also dropped off at your hotel or airbnb within about 30 minutes of town.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is listed as near public transportation. Most travelers can participate, and if you have hidden disabilities, you are asked to let the team know well in advance so they can plan for you.

One more practical tip: your camera and tripod setup matters. If you show up without any idea how your camera handles long exposures, ask questions early in the evening. The guides can help you get your bearings fast, and that means you spend less time fiddling and more time shooting.

FAQ

Where is the tour meeting point?

You meet at Smørtorget, Fredrik Langes gate 9, 9008 Tromsø, Norway.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 6 to 10 hours, approximately.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers.

What winter gear and equipment are included?

The tour provides tripods, winter suits, and warm boots.

Is a camera required?

It is best if you bring a camera, but the tour includes key gear and instruction to help you capture the aurora.

Will I get photos after the tour?

Yes. The guide will email 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 will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What if I cancel my booking?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the tour is canceled because the minimum traveler requirement is not met, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Tromso Northern Lights and photo tour?

If you want a focused aurora chase with small-group energy and serious help getting photos, I think it is a strong pick. The included winter gear and tripods remove the main barriers that stop people from getting good shots. Plus, the extra UFO and UAP sky spotting angle makes the waiting feel less like a grind.

I would book with realistic expectations, though. The aurora is never guaranteed, and the tour depends on weather. If you can handle a long cold night for a chance at lights, and you want someone to handle the gear and photo coaching, this is exactly the kind of tour that can turn Tromsø winter into a story you actually want to remember.