Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

The night ride is the whole point. This Reykjavik ATV adventure puts you in the drivers seat, heading out with a local guide to hunt the Northern Lights.

I love that you get pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik, which matters at 9:30 pm when the city is quiet and dark. I also like the small-group limit (max 10), so you are not stuck behind a wall of headlights.

One thing to weigh is that the aurora is never guaranteed. On some nights, low cloud or rain can mean no lights, but you still get a real ATV night in the countryside plus great lookout time.

Key things I think you will care about

• Small group, max 10 people, which keeps the pace relaxed and the guide easier to follow
• Self-drive ATVs at night, so you get the adrenaline and freedom, not just a seat on a coach
• Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell viewpoints, where the aurora can reflect in the water and glow over the skyline
• Pickup around Reykjavik, with multiple bus stops listed and a start time of 9:30 pm
• Stargazing while you wait, including shooting stars and wish-making when the lights are delayed
• Beginner support is real, with guides who help you get comfortable with starting, turning, and stopping

Northern Lights, but make it an ATV night run

If you want the classic Northern Lights tour experience, you can do that. But this is different because the highlight is not only what you might see in the sky. The main event is riding an ATV outside Reykjavik after dark, with a guide who knows where the best chances are.

You start with a hunt, and then you get the payoff in two ways. First, the aurora itself can light up the sky above rugged terrain. Second, when the timing works, those lights can glow over Lake Hafravatn and around the silhouette of Mount Hafrafell, which turns a plain night drive into something picture-perfect.

I also like that the guide is actively hunting, not just hoping. If skies are clear enough, the route and lookout stops are built around getting you away from city brightness and into better viewing angles.

Reykjavik pickup timing at 9:30 pm, and why that matters

This tour runs in the evening, starting at 9:30 pm. That timing is on purpose. Late night is when Reykjavik’s glow is fading, and it gives you a better window to catch the aurora before the sky changes again.

Pickup is included, and you are given many options across central areas, including well-known bus stops like Hlemmur, City Hall, BSI Bus Terminal, and others around Reykjavik and nearby towns. In practice, you should plan to be ready where the tour tells you, then double-check the message you receive later, since pickup details are stated as not known yet and will be sent to you.

The duration is about 2 to 3 hours, so you are not committing to an all-night bus tour. You are out long enough for the hunt and the ride, then back at the meeting point area before your sleep schedule gets wrecked.

Suiting up at the ATV base camp, then briefing mode

Once you meet the team, the next stretch is straightforward: you head to the ATV base camp and get suited up. You receive safety equipment, then you get a briefing before you ride.

For me, the value here is the combination of safety talk plus actual time on the machine. You are not just learning theory. You are learning how to control the ATV in real darkness, on trails that are outside the road network.

One more detail that I think you should take seriously: drivers need a full driver license to operate the ATVs. Passengers can be 6 years old and up, so if you bring kids, double-check whether you are planning to have them ride as passengers rather than drivers.

The tour also expects a moderate physical fitness level. Even if you feel fine in the day, night riding on uneven ground uses different muscles, and you will be outside while you look up.

The ATV ride itself, rugged trails and real freedom

After the briefing, you ride along a trail into open country outside Reykjavik. This is not a slow, scenic parade. It is active quad biking on rugged terrain, with the guide leading the way and watching for aurora conditions.

There is a key emotional shift that I really like about this kind of tour. You go from waiting for nature to doing something. If the lights are delayed, you still have motion, scenery, and the sense that the whole group is working toward the same moment.

That is why this adventure is so often rated highly. People tend to walk away talking about the thrill of riding at night and the guide’s effort to keep the hunt going.

Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell: where the aurora can glow

When the sky cooperates, the route focuses on the best natural viewing spots near Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell. The idea is simple and smart: dark skies plus dramatic terrain equals stronger visibility and better photo potential.

If the aurora appears, you are guided to watch how it can reflect in Lake Hafravatn while the Mount Hafrafell skyline frames the lights. That is a big reason this tour is not only about seeing green ribbons. It can also look like the landscape is lit from below.

If conditions allow, the guide may also try for a view from higher ground. That gives you a different angle, including glimpses back toward Reykjavik and nearby towns like Mosfellsbær. In plain terms, you get both the sky show and the city-at-night contrast.

A practical drawback to expect

You are outdoors on ATVs in cold air, and you are stopping to look and take pictures. Even with warm gear, your fingers and face can get cold. If you are the type who hates waiting in the cold, you may feel the chill more than you expect.

When the lights are late: shooting stars and stargazing breaks

Here is a big plus: if the aurora does not show right away, the plan does not stall. The tour includes starchasing and watching for shooting stars while you wait.

That matters because the Northern Lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon. The aurora can surge fast, then fade, then return. A guide who keeps people engaged during the waiting time turns an uncertain night into a full experience, even if the big moment takes longer.

On some nights, weather can also move into the equation. Reviews include nights with overcast skies or light rain where the aurora did not fully cooperate. In those cases, you still ride, you still get lookout views, and you get the fun of doing something active instead of sitting in a van all night.

Single ride vs double ride: choosing your comfort and control

The standard option is a double ride, meaning two people on each quad. If you prefer to ride alone, you can select single ride during booking and pay a little extra.

I like giving readers this decision point because it changes the whole vibe of the tour. A single ride usually feels more like full control time, especially if you are new and want your hands to do everything. Double ride can feel social and less pressure, and it can be easier if you are traveling with a partner who does not want to watch you struggle with night riding.

Either way, you should expect basic handling practice at the start. One review mentions the guide being especially attentive with first-time drivers, including help with getting started, turning, and stopping. That is the kind of support you want on a night where visibility is low.

Photography and night sky viewing tips for phones

If you want photos, bring your best phone camera, and do not assume every device can handle aurora conditions. The tour recommends using a newer smartphone, such as iPhone 11 or better, or a newer Google phone, and it specifically points to using night mode or a few-seconds open shutter style setting.

I also like that this tour is built around looking longer than most quick photo stops. You will have time at viewpoints, plus you can keep watch while you ride between locations.

Cold hands are the main enemy for aurora photography. Layer up, and consider using handwarmers. If you can keep your fingers working, you can actually grab a few keeper shots instead of just watching with frozen thumbs.

One more nice touch: reviews mention that the guide took lots of photos and shared them afterward. That does not replace your own camera, but it can save you if the aurora moved faster than your settings.

What I’d pack and wear for ATV riding in Reykjavik winter

This is a cold weather activity. Even if you are tough, you are still outside on ATVs at night. The tour strongly recommends layering and warm accessories.

Here is the essentials list the tour calls out:

• Warm layers, including a scarf or good neck buff
• Warm shoes and socks
• Handwarmers and footwarmers

If you want my practical add-on: bring one extra layer you do not mind getting damp. Some evenings can be wet, and you are riding. Staying dry helps your body keep heat longer.

Also, wear what lets you move. You need mobility for the ATV position and for the moments you climb off to look around.

Who this ATV Northern Lights tour fits best

This is best for you if you want Northern Lights with action built in. You should be comfortable being outside for a couple hours at night, and you should enjoy the idea of driving a quad through Icelandic terrain rather than watching from a window.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples who want a shared thrill, especially with the option to choose single or double ride
• Small groups who like a more personal guide experience (max 10)
• People who want Northern Lights views tied to specific natural locations like Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell

It might not fit you if:

• You hate cold waiting times, since you will stop to scan the sky
• You are sensitive to darkness and uneven trails
• You expect the aurora to show on demand, because Iceland does not run on schedules

Value check: is $199 a good deal for this kind of night?

At $199 per person, the value depends on what you want most from Iceland at night.

If you want the cheapest possible Northern Lights outing, this is not the bargain option. But you are paying for two things that are hard to replicate: active ATV driving and guide-led route hunting in a small group.

Think about what that replaces. Many Northern Lights tours move you by bus and you sit and wait. Here, you are driving ATVs yourself, using a guided route that tries to put you near the best viewing spots, like Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell. That means your night has value even on cloudy or disappointing skies, because the ride and viewpoints are still part of the experience.

The booking pattern also hints at demand, with the tour often booked about 44 days in advance. If you are traveling in peak season, that is your signal to lock it in early if this is a priority.

My call: should you book this Northern Lights ATV adventure?

I would book this if you want a Northern Lights tour that does not feel passive. You get Reykjavik pickup, a small-group feel, and the chance to hunt the aurora from a route tied to specific scenery like Lake Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell.

I would skip it only if you are chasing a guarantee of lights. This tour gives you a strong effort and smart viewing stops, but the aurora is still the aurora. Even on a cloudy night, you are signing up for a cold, exciting ATV ride, and the glow in the sky is the bonus.

If you do book, bring layers you trust, use your phone’s night settings, and be ready to be outside watching for a while. When it clicks, this tour can feel like Iceland is showing off just for you.

FAQ

What time does the Northern Lights ATV tour start?

The start time is 9:30 pm.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 2 to 3 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included. Pickup points around the city are listed, and pickup details are said to be messaged to you later.

What is the group size limit?

This tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Do I need a driver license to ride the ATV?

Yes. Drivers need a full driver license to drive the ATVs.

How old can a passenger be?

Passengers can be from 6 years old.

Is the ATV single ride or double ride?

Double ride is the standard setup, with two people on each quad. Single ride is available by selecting it during booking, and you pay an extra fee if you do not want to share.

What should I wear for the ride at night?

Wear all your warm layers, warm shoes and socks, and bring handwarmers and footwarmers. The tour also recommends a scarf or neck buff.

What if the weather is bad and Northern Lights are not visible?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.