GuideGunnar
GuideGunnar
4.5
Night ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursFood ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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About
One of Norway’s most innovative and experienced tour guides, GuideGunnar is known for his energy and enthusiasm, sharing generously his in-depth, local knowledge of heritage and country. Educated mountain guide, GuideGunnar was one of the first in Arctic Norway to give global travelers a unique experience under the northern lights. Always a forerunner and quality conscious, GuideGunnar presents new tour concepts that combine outdoor activities in Norway’s amazingly pristine environment with the very best in local, nordic food and acccommodation.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
311 reviews
Excellent
266
Very good
24
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Arthur M
9 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Book your Northern Lights tour with Guide Gunnar! We had an amazing tour with Gunnar from start to amazing finish. He is thorough, knowledgeable, in tune with when the Lights will appear as well as an awesome cook. Gunnar picked us up on time and was prepared for us with all necessary equipment to keep us warm and comfortable. Once he found “our viewing spot” along the beautiful fjord he cleared a path in the snow for us to get settled at a campfire area with chairs. It was fun to sit around the campfire and chat with Gunnar while he prepared a delicious dinner for us. He told us the lights would appear at 9:30 and that’s precisely when the “show” began. We had 2 amazing hours viewing the Aurora borealis dancing and giving us a magnificent show.
Please do not hesitate to book your excursion with Guide Gunnar. He is passionate about his guests being delighted and he has amazing stories to share as well. He provided us with his photos of our evening, complimentary with our excursion. It’s a night we’ll never forget. Thank you Gunnar! Arthur & Shelley Miller
Please do not hesitate to book your excursion with Guide Gunnar. He is passionate about his guests being delighted and he has amazing stories to share as well. He provided us with his photos of our evening, complimentary with our excursion. It’s a night we’ll never forget. Thank you Gunnar! Arthur & Shelley Miller
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Shelley & Arthur.
Thank you for joining my Aurora Chase Dinner and your lovely company.
And thanks your lovely words about my work as a Aurora Guide.
See you next time...
Written December 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bunkerhunt1
London, UK9 contributions
Jan 2020
Gunnar is THE guide that you need for a Northern Lights experience. We joined a small group that he drove expertly around from his base in Tromso, Norway, looking for the best spots to see the Aurora Borealis. We ended up in Finland for a while! He provides body suits, boots etc to keep out the extreme cold as well as some warming hot drinks and snacks. He was also constantly keeping in touch with people all over the place in order to find the best places to view and at the end of a long night he also dropped us all off at our respective hotels. I can’t recommend him highly enough. And for the photographers amongst you, he even had a spare tripod and helps you with the correct camera settings. I can’t recommend him highly enough..
Amanda
Amanda
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Amanda.
Thanks for joining my Aurora Chase and for your lovely words about my work as an Aurora Guide.
After 14 seasons in the Northern lights business and with over 1600 nights out in the night for finding clear sky for my guests it begin to be a routine of experience for knowing the area between all the mountains and fjords in all kind of weather..;)
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simone
2 contributions
Dec 2019
The tour with Gunnar was great! Gunnar makes it possible that we could see the northern lights and therefore we travel far to Finland. There is also very tasty food and drink (soup, bread, dried lamb) around a campfire. :-) At Gunnar you can also get boots and thermo suits.Again and again with pleasure! Very recommendable. Gunnar tries very hard!
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello.
Thank you for joining my chase and for your lovely words about my Aurora Chase Dinner, where I am not only acting like a guide, but chef too..;)
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PANDANS
Jakarta, Indonesia218 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
My last chance to catch the Lady Borealis, we booked a tour with Guide Gunnar because of recommendation from Scandinavian Facebook page. Since he only arranges a small group, we directly book via Facebook and got discount. Yay! Gunnar is serious but fun. He took care of group to avoid from freezing. He’s so experienced where to find The Lady and he brought us to near the Finland border. There she goes, the Lady Aurora was dancing perfectly. Gunnar helped to setting the camera, even to take your picture!
Thanks Gunnar, I hope I could join for next chasing lady Aurora!
Plus, I highly recommend you to choose GuideGunnar as your provider!
Thanks Gunnar, I hope I could join for next chasing lady Aurora!
Plus, I highly recommend you to choose GuideGunnar as your provider!
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello.
Thank you for joining my chase, and thanks for your lovely company and your feedback..;)
See you next time.
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Allison G
Brisbane, Australia15 contributions
Feb 2020
We booked with Gunnar after reading highly rated reviews and he did not disappoint. Gunnar is professional and goes above and beyond for his clients. He is an amazing and caring guide with a great sense of humour.
We saw the lights every time we went out with Gunnar and he was very helpful with tips on other activities too.
We recommend Gunnar if you want the best chance of seeing Aurora Borealis
We saw the lights every time we went out with Gunnar and he was very helpful with tips on other activities too.
We recommend Gunnar if you want the best chance of seeing Aurora Borealis
Written April 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Allison for a lovely review of my work as a guide and the chases you joined..;)
Have a great summer and maybe I see you back north in the Arctic a day... or night...
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written July 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
theflyingcamba
Dublin, Ireland7 contributions
Apr 2023
I could not recommend Gunnar enough.
We had pushed our luck with visiting Tromso at the very end of March and the weather wasn't too promising. The day of the tour, the sky opened a bit and Gunnar made sure the group found a spot where weather would open during the night (by a frozen lake two hours away from Tromso).
We saw the lights for four hours! Unique experience and it shows how above and beyond Gunnar will go to provide with the best Aurora chasing experience and the best chance to see the lights.
We had pushed our luck with visiting Tromso at the very end of March and the weather wasn't too promising. The day of the tour, the sky opened a bit and Gunnar made sure the group found a spot where weather would open during the night (by a frozen lake two hours away from Tromso).
We saw the lights for four hours! Unique experience and it shows how above and beyond Gunnar will go to provide with the best Aurora chasing experience and the best chance to see the lights.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rachel r
18 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Gunnar nailed it! Our family of 7, three generations including my 79 year old dad, all rate this tour 10 out of 10! It was on my dad's bucket list to see the Northern Lights, and this trip delivered. We booked a private tour so were picked up at our rental home right on time, in a fabulously comfortable spacious van. Gunnar found us a wonderful spot to enjoy the beach, nature, the mountain scenery was stunning, and for hours of gorgeous light show by a warm fire Gunnar built for us. He put up with all our silly family antics the whole time as well. The fire along with his garden sourced tea really provided a hygge experience. The snow suits and boots Gunnar provided kept us so toasty and we were able to lay in the snow and just stare up at the sky as it lit up and danced around us. Thank you Gunnar for all the photos you expertly took of our group (ones attached here are ours not Gunnar's!). Love this it is a must do.
Written November 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sgwhiteowl
15 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Chasing with the Professionals
Everyone needs to be aware that chasing the aurora is a risky business with zero guarantee of success. Your best bet is to use an experienced and professional guide that can read the weather; has local knowledge and is prepared to optimise the chase time to achieve the best chance of success. That’s what you get with Guide Gunner . Expectations are managed; and with luck you should be able to get / feel the experience of chasing and seeing the aurora …even if only for a few minutes . It needs patience but you will not regret the experience.
Everyone needs to be aware that chasing the aurora is a risky business with zero guarantee of success. Your best bet is to use an experienced and professional guide that can read the weather; has local knowledge and is prepared to optimise the chase time to achieve the best chance of success. That’s what you get with Guide Gunner . Expectations are managed; and with luck you should be able to get / feel the experience of chasing and seeing the aurora …even if only for a few minutes . It needs patience but you will not regret the experience.
Written January 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ishy C
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Couples
We booked "GuideGunnar's Aurora Chase - The Guides with GuideGunnar" first Gunnar was not part of the trip only one of his guides. Bus arrived ~5minutes late and everyone started to wonder if we are on the right pick up spot.
Guide initially said we will drive near the Finland border to have better chances but after the 1st stop announced we'll park soon in 10 minutes as there are already stars.
There were probably 1 or 2 stars in the spot and very faint white streak in the sky but it was gone in less than 20minutes. We thought he'll drive further near the Finland border after that but we still stayed there for around 1.5hr.
Everyone just got bored and stayed in the bus. There are no other buses to where we stopped, not sure where the rest went and if they saw anything.
Trip didn't feel like a "chase" at all.
Guide initially said we will drive near the Finland border to have better chances but after the 1st stop announced we'll park soon in 10 minutes as there are already stars.
There were probably 1 or 2 stars in the spot and very faint white streak in the sky but it was gone in less than 20minutes. We thought he'll drive further near the Finland border after that but we still stayed there for around 1.5hr.
Everyone just got bored and stayed in the bus. There are no other buses to where we stopped, not sure where the rest went and if they saw anything.
Trip didn't feel like a "chase" at all.
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn S
Wakefield, UK20 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We booked through the Tourist Information Centre and Gunnar came highly recommended as a long-standing and knowledgeable guide who would chase the Lights. You can book direct and I would support this. Gunnar was timely and well prepared. We covered more than 400km between 18:00 and 02:45 and ended up in a fabulous vantage point. Our host built a fire, there were snacks, a warm drink and thermal suits to shield us from the sub zero temperature. We chose not to take photos of our own but to live the experience yet we still have wonderful photos for posterity thanks to his superlative camera skills and equipment - all as part of the service. No hidden extras. We came to Tromsø for the Northern Lights and had the most fantastic experience.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ich wüsste gerne warum man immer irgendwo hinfahren muss um die Nordlichter zu sehen,geht es nicht vom kreuzfahrtschiff aus
Written December 13, 2019
Hello Sylvia.
Thanks for your message.
My Deutsch is not so great, but if you’re looking for a chase for the polarlicht, please book online on GuideGunnar.no
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written January 20, 2020
Hi GG, i am planning to visit tromso and lofoten for 7 days (2019 March 9th to 17th) as follows:
1. Day 1: arrive at Tromso by evening
2. Day 2: Tromso (activities, NL chase)
3. Day 3: Tromso (activities, NL chase)
4. Day 4: Tromso; night Hurtigruten to Svolvaer
5. Day 5: Reach Svolvaer by evening
6. Day 6: Lofoten
7. Day 7: Lofoten
8. Day 8: Flight from Svolvaer to Oslo (before noon flight)
My queries are:
1. Is the itinerary ok?
2. We will stay at Hungeren in Tromso - is it ok to stay on this side of the bridge?
3. On Hurtigruten, if we do NOT book cabin, will there be sleeping beds?
4. How should we use our 3 nights/ 2 full days at lofoten - where should we stay?
5. I have seen flight from Svolvaer to Oslo (via Bodo) - is this recommended?
Written January 25, 2019
Hi.
Thank you for your message.
Please ask your questions out on the forum for the best help..;)
If you like to join one of my package tours, please check guidegunnar.no/ac/arctic-excursions
I am in the Lofoten islands with a group March 7th to 12th...
Have a nice day, and good luck with your planning.
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written January 26, 2019
Hi, i m planning to visit tromso for 2 days in November, precisely 12-14th november; is that a time where we can get lucky about chasing the auroras ?
And how much would it cost to join these tours & what would be the time duration for this ?
Thanks in advance !
Best regards,
Written July 26, 2018
Hello.
Thank you for message.
Yes, November is a great month for chase the Aurora; which season goes from September to April.
Please check out my chases, and book online on GuideGunnar .no
For more info, please send me an email to info@guide-Gunnar.no
Thanks.
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written July 26, 2018
hello we trying to find info ect for guide gunnar and to hopefully get our trips booked for next march 2019
Written April 14, 2018
Hi.
Thanks for your message.
For more questions, please send me an email to info@guide-gunnar.no
Have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written April 14, 2018
Hi Tiago, what was the best Aurora tour you chose? Me and my wife are going to Tromso in September 2016 and have dilemmas choosing the right tour. GuideGunnar is quite expensive though...
Written March 2, 2016
Hello Tiago.
Thank you for yours message.
Please send me an email to info@guide-gunnar.no for more info.
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written March 2, 2016
Hello,
My husband and I are planning a trip to Tromso for 7 days in Feb 2016. We both are excited to see the northern lights . Do you think 7 days is sufficient and is feb the right season to plan a trip to see northern lights?
Written December 1, 2015
7 days are more than enough for Tromsø. Seeing Northern lights is all depends on luck. You need cloud free sky plus northern lights in the sky. I wish you all the luck and able to see the lights. Book Gunnar's tour, he was the best, I had a great time with him.
Written December 3, 2015
Hi Guide Gunnar,
I am visiting Tromso Feb 20th 2016 and would like to book a Northern Lights tour with you. I tried to book it through your website, but it says "no bookings available". Are the tours for this date already booked, or has the booking not started?
Please let me know!
Written November 26, 2015
torunnmomtazi
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Shivani,
Gunnar is touring further north on 18 - 22 Februrary 2016 with his 5D Finnmark Highlights, taking off from Tromsø and venturing into Norway's northernmost county Finnmark for sami culture, dog sledding, ice hotels and of course Aurora View. You'll find more details on the 5D Finnmark Highlights tour under Arctic Excursions on Gunnar's web site.
Next GuideGunnnar's Aurora Chase in Tromsø is Sat 27 Feb (two vacant as of now) and Sun 28 Feb.
Hope this is of help to you and apologies for late reply to your question here on Trip Advisor.
All best for your travels.
Torunn
GuideGunnar PA
Written December 21, 2015
Dear GuideGunnar,
I am looking to visit Tromso in February next year (5th to 12th) could you please let me know whether you are running any northern light tours during that time? Thank you Sally
Written November 23, 2015
torunnmomtazi
Melbourne, Australia
Dear Sullah,
Gunnar does his 5D Soft Adventures tour 4 - 8 February 2016 with accommodation, dog sledding, ice fishing, Polar Park and Aurora View. See 5D Soft Adventures under Arctic Excursions on guidegunnar's web site for more details should this be of interest to you. The next scheduled GuideGunnar's Aurora Chase in February is 27 and 28 February. There's also the possibility to book a Private Aurora Chase tour at a date of your choosing, subject to Gunnar's calendar availability.
Best wishes,
Torunn
GuideGunnar PA
Written December 21, 2015
I will be In Quality Saga Hotel from 01/01/2015 till 05/05/2015 (familly with two kids(11 and18 year olds). If i want to do the tours, do I have to book before or can I Book when we arrive in the hotel?
Written December 27, 2014
Hello.
Thanks for yours message.
Please send me an email to info@guide-gunnar.no and you will get the answer you are looking for.
Kind regards, Gunnar Hildonen.
Written December 27, 2014
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.