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Aurora Basecamp: Enhance Your Northern Lights Experience
4.4
18 Ratings
Hafnarfjörður
Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland with a guided experience at Aurora Basecamp Observatory. Get expert tips and maps for a successful search!
Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland with a guided experience at Aurora Basecamp Observatory. Get expert tips and maps for a successful search!
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hafnarfjordur - Aurora Basecamp experience is designed to help you identify the natural Northern Lights right from the start. Using our expertise as Northern Light guides, we take you through our small exhibition where we teach you about the different phases of the lights. We also show you the activity of the Natural lights in the unique Northern…
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Hafnarfjordur - Aurora Basecamp experience is designed to help you identify the natural Northern Lights right from the start. Using our expertise as Northern Light guides, we take you through our small exhibition where we teach you about the different phases of the lights. We also show you the activity of the Natural lights in the unique Northern Lights Plasma Tubes that accurately mirror the activity of the Aurora Borealis in real-time.
As a Northern Lights Observatory, the real magic happens outside when the conditions are right. The outdoor area is low lit with benches around firepits to help you stay warm while admiring the endless space, simply enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
The experience includes access to the low-lit Aurora Lounge, furnished with tables and benches and with plenty of hot chocolate for warming up on the cold winter night. The Lounge is fully staffed with experts that will tell you everything you need to know to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights
What's Included
- Hot chocolate and tea available.
- Hot chocolate and tea available.
Additional Information
A visit to Aurora Basecamp increases the chance of visitors to have a positive experience of the Northern Lights during their stay in Iceland. Many of our guests, who after having no luck hunting for the Aurora Borealis on their own, have expressed the opinion that they wish they had visited the Basecamp at the start of their trip so they would have had…
A visit to Aurora Basecamp increases the chance of visitors to have a positive experience of the Northern Lights during their stay in Iceland. Many of our guests, who after having no luck hunting for the Aurora Borealis on their own, have expressed the opinion that they wish they had visited the Basecamp at the start of their trip so they would have had a better idea of what to look for. Therefore, we strongly recommend visitors come to us before heading out on their own to increase the chances of a successful search. The Aurora Basecamp should therefore be a priority stop once you have arrived during winter in Iceland.
We also provide a series of maps we call Aurora Trails. Customers can find useful information about how to safely look for the aurora, as well as good driving routes and accessible parking for those who plan to continue their search after visiting us at Aurora Basecamp.
Location
Aurora Basecamp
417
From Krísuvíkurvegur, turn into Leidarendavegur, formerly known as Bláfjallavegur. You will find Aurora Basecamp on your left, close to the intersection.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(18 Ratings)
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Gjrw
Oct 13, 2024
Amazing Experience - I think everyone that goes to Iceland wants to see the Aurora Borealis (aka Northern Lights). There are plenty of ways to do this, like the Aurora Basecamp, bus tours, boat tours, private tours, exploring on your own and many more. After doing a bunch of research we decided to go with the Aurora Basecamp and we are very happy we did.
The Basecamp is located in the perfect location, nice and far from various sources of light pollution. The facilities are very nice, clean, and well kept. The two guides were friendly, knowledgeable and informative. Once everyone arrived, the guides introduced themselves and provided a brief presentation about the Northern Lights. After checking the Aurora forecast, the group headed outside to see if we would be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights dancing in the skies.
While we were waiting for the Northern Lights to show up, the guides used that time to go over astrology as well as tips on how to see them.
Luck definitely was on our side and we were able to see the most amazing Northern Lights. The colors are breath taking and it truly is an experience of a lifetime. I would highly recommend the Basecamp and would suggest doing it in the beginning of your Icelandic adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yuan_f
Oct 7, 2024
Good experience - The instructor is amazing.
We saw northern light!
This place is good for family to visit.
Recommend for tourists.
Review provided by Viator
Fanial
Mar 31, 2024
Fantastic activity - So helpful! We had transfers booked but unfortunately basecamp had to cancel due to not enough uptake. They were really helpful in ensuring we could still visit. On arrival the dome is toasty warm and the option to wander in and out is great. Added bonus of onsite toilet too. Very knowledgeable guide and we were lucky to see the lights
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heathervcollier
Mar 26, 2024
A Great Alternative to the Horrible Bus Tours - I've previously been on a Northern Lights bus tour on a prior trip to Iceland and had a terrible experience, and spent that entire time wishing we'd done our own research and gone out in a car.
The Aurora Basecamp is a great alternative to those bus tours. Instead of standing around in the middle of nowhere with 12 other bus loads of people in -17°c with no control over where you go and when you leave, and no access to toilets or hot drinks, you can hang out at the Basecamp! There is a warm pod with low lighting, seats, toilets, hot drinks, gentle music, and a north-facing window. If you want to wait patiently inside, the staff will tell you if there is an appearance of an aurora so that you can either go to the window or go outside. There are also outdoor seats and a fire pit if you prefer to patiently wait outside. There is also a short lesson in a separate pod, which explains how to spot the aurora in the sky and the signs to look out for, as well as the conditions required to see it. This definitely makes it easier to find it yourself, but it is important to remember that you are never guaranteed to see an aurora, even if you do everything right! They do allow you to return free of charge if you don't see an aurora, and we were very lucky that we saw an aurora on a return visit to the Basecamp. We could also see the current volcanic eruption in the distance!
As a neurodivergent person, I really appreciated the low lighting and quiet atmosphere, as well as the flexibility to come and go as we pleased. The staff were fairly hands off as well, which is just fine with me, but they were always available to talk and answer questions.
I definitely recommend booking this early in your trip to equip yourself with knowledge and understanding needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
773stevee
Feb 23, 2024
Base yourself at Base Camp... Because it's worth it - This place cannot be faulted at all. I booked a trip on 24th February 2024 at short notice and was impressed by everything from start to the finish at midnight.
My guides were David and Afor and they were simply outstanding. Both were friendly, knowledgeable and only too happy to help. It was a real pleasure speaking to them both and I was assured that "there is no such thing as a silly question, only silly answers".
Yes, you can sit outside and watch the lights for free but if you did you would miss... 1) The exhibition 2) The warmth of the facilities on site 3) The hot chocolate 4) The toasted marshmallows 5) The intimacy of like-minded travellers 6) The excitement and joy of the group when Aurora made a brief and tantalising appearance and the whoops of joy that followed 7) The outside and inside fires 8) The chats with the guides and last bit not least 9) The atmosphere within the facility.
It was a great experience and was made even better by finding out about the current research being carried out at the base.
A stunning setting, a stunning facility and a stunning trip. Thank you both 👍.
The photos I took are not the best but give a glimpse of what I might see next time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ilse_b
Oct 27, 2023
Amazing experience! - Went with a small bus tour for two nights, didn’t had any luck.
We saw the aurora basecamp by incident and decided to go there.
There is a dome where you can stay inside, nice and warm. You can also get hot chocolate or tea. They are open untill 12pm. You get some great tips about how to look at the aurora and after hours of waiting we got very lucky!
If you have a rental car I would recommend going to the aurora basecamp instead of a small bus tour.
Really nice people who set up the basecamp with love.
Review provided by Viator
Aygarcia823
Oct 19, 2023
Must go! - This was a must do for our trip in Iceland. It's so hard to see the Northern Lights without a guide to show you what you're looking for. Our guide was so knowledgeable, patient, friendly, and helpful. The dome is warm and comfy with hot chocolate and teas. It was such a cool and different experience and we saw the lights! Thank you! highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
761cassidyh
Sep 30, 2023
Amazing experience - Amazing! Thor was super helpful and very personable. Sweet set up, kept us warm and cozy. We did see the northern lights even when we had no hope with it being a very cloudy night. Wish we had time to go back again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isaac_o
Sep 25, 2024
It doesnt worth the money!! Bad timing and weather - Do not bother go on there if you really want to see northern light because is weather dependent and geomagnetic events. This offer do not include transportation.
It will cost 11k+ isk to get to the site feom Reyjavik and 12k+ isk to return. It is best to go to Grotta lighthouse.
I contacted them to cancel in advance but no response to my call. I send them a message a day latter for refund. No response. Yet they have audacity to send a survey about my experience.
It is best to avoid this booking unless you are certain aurora will show up. Follow icelandic weather forecasts and aurora predicition and associated locations.
Review provided by Viator
Cumbrianbackpacker
Dec 10, 2023
Disappointing and not worth it! - The Northern Lights are down to mother nature but we chose to go here as it appeared to be offering an experience beyond the normal big bus tours.
We arrived to find our own way in and after 10minutes a guy came and said he would be with us soon but in the meantime have a drink and feel free to wander around or sit and wait. 30 minutes later we went into the 'Dark Park' - purely by chance as my partner and I were outside wandering around and just happened to hear the man taking in the lounge so we headed in!
The Dark Park tour involved looking at 3 pictures and being told you could see this, if you're lucky you'll see this and if you're really lucky you'll see this! We were then left to look after ourselves outside or in the lounge.
Customer service was zero and the staff were more interested in staying inside and putting out PhD QR codes for you to do a survey or talking to eachother.
The Northern Lights didn't appear but the night sky was amazing - why staff weren't outside talking to you about what could be seen in the sky I don't know!
We had more information the previous day on a Golden Circle tour about the Northern Lights than what we did here. We would have been much better to go on a bus tour and it is much cheaper!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor