Hot springs first, lights after, sounds perfect. I love pairing a real geothermal soak at the Secret Lagoon with a private aurora hunt guided by Thor, who brings both science and local know-how to the night. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and weather can change plans even if the tour runs in most conditions.

This is built for comfort and focus. You get round-trip pickup, ride in a luxury Jeep, and stop for dinner at a family-run restaurant, so you are not scrambling to eat before the aurora search. You also get a planned photo moment, with a photo shoot done on a professional camera, so you can walk away with images that look like you meant to be there.

The schedule is all in the evening, with a 5:00 pm start and about 6 to 7 hours total. Plan for cold, dark conditions and bring shoes that work on uneven terrain, because you will be getting in and out around the lagoon and hunting the sky at night.

Key highlights at a glance

• Secret Lagoon soak (Gamla Laugin): Mineral-rich hot springs time before you chase the sky.
• Thor’s guiding style: Clear Iceland explanations with an easy, friendly pace.
• Private transport and hotel pickup: Less waiting, more control over your night.
• Dinner included with soda: A proper meal built into the experience.
• Aurora search, not a promise: You get the full effort, but nature decides the final show.

Private Northern Lights, and why the Secret Lagoon changes the whole vibe

Northern Lights tours can feel like a long waiting game. This one fixes that by giving you a strong plan before the sky show, the Secret Lagoon hot springs. You start the night with warmth, conversation, and a calm body, which makes the aurora hunt feel less like standing still and more like part of a real evening out.

I also like the private format. It is just your party, not a big group herded into the same photo spot. In past outings led by Thor, the experience has been praised for being both informative and accommodating, which matters when you want to ask questions about weather, timing, and what you should actually look for.

The main drawback is the big one for all aurora tours: no guarantee. Even when conditions are right, the lights can be faint or absent, and it is possible to leave with photos that do not match what the sky really looked like. Think of this as a guided attempt plus a great night out, not a guaranteed fireworks show.

Secret Lagoon in Flúðir: the warm start you will be grateful for

The tour heads out from Reykjavik on the Golden Circle route, then turns toward the small area of Flúðir for a soak in Gamla Laugin, the Secret Lagoon. This is not a quick splash. You get time to relax in the hot spring waters, which makes the whole night more comfortable and memorable.

I love that the lagoon visit is not just an add-on. It is the emotional anchor of the trip, so even if the aurora is weak, you still did something special that is distinctly Iceland. The hot springs are known for being mineral-rich, and the practical value is that you are warm, dry, and ready before you head into the night temperatures.

One consideration is logistics around water and getting around. The tour asks you to wear shoes suitable for uneven terrain, which tells you this is not “straight from the car to a perfect boardwalk.” You will want to be prepared for slippery surfaces and short walks where traction matters.

The luxury Jeep drive and time management after pickup

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, and the transfer is handled in a luxury Jeep. That sounds fancy, but it is mostly practical here. Less fuss means you stay focused on the plan, and the guide can manage timing based on conditions outside.

The evening start helps too. Beginning at 5:00 pm gives you daylight and early evening for the lagoon and dinner, then transitions into darkness with time to hunt. For aurora viewing, that timing matters because you need enough night to let your eyes adjust and to get to the best viewing windows.

Also, this is designed to run in all weather conditions. So you should expect rain, wind, or thick clouds at least sometimes. The guide still plans and drives, but you should dress for the kind of Iceland weather that shows up without asking.

Dinner included: real food before you scan the sky

After your Secret Lagoon soak, you eat dinner at a family-run restaurant. Dinner is included, and it comes with a soda drink, with selected options from the menu. There is also hot chocolate included, plus an Icelandic water bottle and chocolate provided during the tour.

This is a smart value choice. Many Northern Lights tours leave you hungry, and then you pay extra for sandwiches at inconvenient times while you are already cold and impatient. Here, you get a sit-down meal built into the flow, so your energy stays up when you are outside looking at the sky.

The only caveat is about what is not included. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and the tour data says food and drinks are not included unless specified. So if you want wine or something stronger, you will need to plan for it separately.

Chasing the aurora: what you are actually doing out there

You are not just driving and hoping. The experience includes an intentional aurora search after dinner and lagoon time, with your guide choosing when and where to look. The operator is clear that Northern Lights sightings cannot be guaranteed, and that photos do not always reflect the actual experience.

That honesty matters. In the real world, you can have strong conditions and still get gaps in cloud cover, or you can end up with faint arcs rather than dramatic curtains. When the lights are active, though, the difference between a random hunt and a guided hunt is huge, mainly because the guide knows how to read conditions and keep you in the right spots.

Thor has been specifically praised for being easy-going and amicable, while still knowing a lot about Iceland, science, and the wonders of the aurora. That mix is what you want on a long night outside: someone who can keep things comfortable and also explain what is happening in a way that makes you look smarter when you point at the sky.

Photos, WiFi, and the comfort extras you might overlook

A small but fun inclusion is the photo shoot. The tour includes a professional-camera photo moment of you and your partner, as wanted during the tour. That is especially helpful in the aurora context, because nighttime photos can be tricky and people often end up with blurry shots that do not look like the memories they want.

You also get free WiFi during the tour, though it depends on the satellite network connection. So it might work smoothly, or it might be patchy. I would treat it as a bonus, not a plan.

Then there are the small kindness items: hot chocolate, an Icelandic water bottle, and chocolate for each passenger. These do not sound like “big deal” at first, but on a cold evening hunt they help you keep moving and not burn out halfway through scanning the sky.

Price and value: is $915.90 per person worth it?

At $915.90 per person, this is not a budget option. The value comes from the package structure and what you are not paying for separately.

Here is what you do get included:

• Private Northern Lights experience for just your party
• Hot spring admission at Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Dinner at a selected family-run restaurant, with soda
• Hot chocolate, plus water bottle and chocolate
• A professional-camera photo shoot of you and your partner
• Free WiFi during the tour (connection dependent)

What you do not get:

• Extra food and drinks unless specified
• Alcoholic beverages

So the real question is whether you would otherwise pay for a private guide, transport, hot springs entry, and a meal all separately. If you want a “tight evening plan” with minimal hassle and no group waiting, the price can start to make sense. If you are happy with group tours and you do not mind logistics, you may find lower-cost options, but you would be trading away the privacy and pacing that people seem to love here.

If you are deciding between two options, I would price it like this. Ask yourself what it would cost to combine private transport, lagoon admission, dinner, and professional guidance for the aurora search. If that total is close, then this package becomes much more competitive.

What to wear and bring for a 5:00 pm start

This tour runs in all weather conditions, and it is clear that you should dress appropriately. It is also asking for shoes suitable for uneven terrain, which is a good clue that your evening includes more than a single “stand in one spot” moment.

My practical checklist:

• Warm layers for cold night conditions
• A jacket that blocks wind
• Gloves or something warm enough to keep your hands usable while you look up
• Shoes with decent grip for wet or uneven surfaces
• Something to keep you comfortable in and out of the hot spring area

One more smart move is to plan for “lights uncertainty.” The operator says Northern Lights are natural and cannot be guaranteed. So you should go in expecting a guided night with chances, not a guaranteed performance.

Best for couples, father-son trips, and people who want flexibility

This is a private tour that is only for your party. That makes it ideal when you want time for questions, a slower pace, or a specific kind of night together.

If you are a couple, the included photo shoot is built for you. If you are traveling with a parent, the experience has been described in father-son terms, and that bonding angle makes sense. You share the same warmth at the lagoon, the same meal, then you look for the same sky show together.

It also fits well for people who care about guidance, not just transportation. Thor has been praised for being informative and entertaining, and for being accommodating. If you like asking why the aurora looks the way it does, or you want help understanding what you are seeing, the private format gives you room to do that.

Should you book this private Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want an evening that feels planned from start to finish. The Secret Lagoon soak and included dinner mean you are not stuck in “waiting mode” all night, and the private transport reduces stress. The best part is that even when the aurora is not dramatic, you still get a genuinely Iceland experience in the hot springs plus a guided night search.

Skip it, or at least set your expectations carefully, if you only care about seeing the lights and nothing else. The tour cannot guarantee aurora sightings, and pictures can mislead. Nature decides. Your job is to show up ready for cold, dress smartly, and enjoy the guided hunt.

If you are on the fence, I would decide based on one question: do you value privacy, comfort, and built-in inclusions like dinner and hot springs admission? If yes, this tour is a strong match for your Reykjavik evening. If you are chasing a cheaper ticket above all else, you might prefer a different style of tour.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 6 to 7 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What happens at the Secret Lagoon?

You will go to the Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) and enjoy a rejuvenating dip in the hot springs. Admission is included.

Is dinner included, and what is it like?

Yes. Dinner is included at a selected family-run restaurant, with a soda drink included, chosen from the menu.

Do I get help with photos?

Yes. There is a photo shoot of you and your partner as wanted during the tour, done on a professional camera.

Is WiFi available during the tour?

Free WiFi is included, but it depends on the satellite network connection.

Is Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What is included and what is not?

Included items include hot chocolate, an Icelandic water bottle and chocolate for each passenger, Secret Lagoon admission, dinner with a soda drink, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and other food and drinks are only included if specified.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If it is canceled due to weather and you cannot take other dates available while you stay in Iceland, you get a full refund. Free cancellation is available.