Northern lights hunting is mostly waiting in the dark, staring at a cloud and wondering whether it's green. The trick is to do that waiting with someone who knows where the clear skies are likely to be, and who'll take your picture when the show starts.

What you'll do on this northern lights tour from Reykjavík

Arctic Adventures picks you up in Reykjavík in a minibus, which keeps the group small, and heads out of the city's light pollution into the countryside after dark. On the way you travel through Icelandic countryside at night with an informative guide. The tour lasts about four hours and is rated 1 out of 5, very easy.

Whenever the lights appear, the guide takes photos, so you'll come home with a shot of yourself under the aurora rather than a blurry phone picture of a dark field.

What's included

• Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík
• Minibus transport with free WiFi on board
• Expert, English-speaking guide
• Northern lights photos

What if the lights don't show?

The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and hard to predict, and the tour depends heavily on the weather. The guides do everything they can, but nothing is certain. If the tour goes ahead and no northern lights are seen, you can join another evening's departure free of charge, subject to availability. You need to contact Arctic Adventures yourself to rebook.

Everyone signs a waiver before the tour, as with all of the operator's outdoor trips.

Pro tip: Dress far warmer than you think you need: warm layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat, gloves and a scarf. The operator also insists on sturdy hiking boots, and these, along with waterproofs, can be rented when you book. Bring water and a snack for the long stretches of sky-watching.