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.
Posted By : Fanial
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
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Posted On : 2024-03-31 15:54:24 
Posted By : heathervcollier
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.
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Posted On : 2024-03-26 03:44:21
Posted By : 773stevee
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.
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Posted On : 2024-02-23 20:57:51
Posted By : Cumbrianbackpacker
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!!!
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Posted On : 2023-12-10 04:10:31
Posted By : Ilse_B
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.
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Posted On : 2023-10-27 14:27:25 
Posted By : Aygarcia823
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.
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Posted On : 2023-10-19 11:08:13
Posted By : 761cassidyh
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!
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Posted On : 2023-09-30 14:09:33
Posted By : Christa_P
Even though the conditions weren’t in our favor that night, we enjoyed learning about the northern lights and talking with our guide and other guests.
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Posted On : 2023-02-24 14:50:06
Posted By : Chris P
After 2 "failed" trips to see the Aurora (the bus trip was cancelled due to snow - good information and fast, full refund from Reykjavik Excursions, then a night boat with Special Tours - no lights that night), we saw a trip with RE to this basecamp - for our last night, our last chance.
Bus took 30 mins, and waited 2 hours for our experience - we were very lucky to get a good show that night. The huge, dimly-lit tent (with plenty of seats, benches, and a nearby toilets) is perfect for taking shelter from the cold (-15 Celsius) when needed, and for observing the sky through the transparent north side. There is free self-serve hot chocolate, no intrusive shops or guides - definitely the most comfortable and civilised way to see the lights (if they appear, of course)
Important note - we travelled by an organised bus tour with RE - others we chatted to that night had travelled by taxi. Its about 30 mins to Reykjavik, and they had no plans as to how to return - I'm not sure how they got back - so plan your journey carefully, and make sure you have a return trip booked!
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Posted On : 2023-01-05 12:15:00
Posted By : janice t
We visited the basecamp on the last day of our stay at Iceland. Like what others have said before, we should have visited on the first day of our trip. We were given tips on how to look for Northern Lights and I have gained a more in-depth understanding of the Northern Lights.
It was a bit pricey but hey that's Iceland for you as everything is expensive. I think it is well worth the experience though. We tried to catch the Northern Lights at the Grotta Lighthouse in Rekyjavik the night before we went to the Basecamp. But it was so windy and cold outside my sister and I couldn't leave the car. At the basecamp, we were in the dome, warm an cosy, and went out when someone spotted the Northern Lights.
I managed to catch it ,not the big trailing kind if you know what I mean, which apparently doesn't appear often but it was good enough to for me to leave Iceland with a happy and satisfied heart having seen the northern Lights with my own eyes.
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Posted On : 2022-12-29 17:36:27
