5 Best Northern Lights Tours from Fairbanks, Alaska

Selecting a Fairbanks Northern Lights tour doesn`t have to be a difficult process. While there are various options to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, some have distinguishing features that make them stand out from the rest: dog sledding, hot springs visits, Arctic Circle treks, and more.

Going on Fairbanks northern light tours are perfect ways to seek adventure while also making sure to see the aurora when in Alaska. After all, the guides have great expertise and will stay updated on the aurora forecast, taking visitors to spots most likely for Northern Lights viewing.

Naturally, seeing the Northern Lights relies on natural phenomena occurring, so there is never a full assurance of observing them, but participating in a Northern Lights tour arranged from Fairbanks and journeying to Alaska during the optimum time for viewing the Northern Lights will favorably incline the chances.

Ultimately, all of the highest rated Fairbanks aurora excursions I`ve selected effectively blend engaging elements and diversions with the unforgettable experience of viewing the aurora, allowing guests to have fun, embark on an adventure, and enjoy one of nature`s most beautiful spectacles.

Best Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks, Alaska

There are numerous Fairbanks Northern Lights excursions to choose from. To assist in narrowing down the options and selecting one, here are some of the top Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks:

1. Northern Alaska tour including the Arctic Circle and Aurora Borealis
2. Northern Lights tour in Fairbanks including dog sledding
3. Fairbanks Northern Lights sightseeing with Chena Hot Springs visitation
4. Auroral observation tour with photography in Fairbanks
5. Northern Lights excursion from Fairbanks including campfire

1. Arctic Circle and Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks, Alaska

If you’re craving an stimulating adventure, an Arctic Circle and Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks will undoubtedly deliver one. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to visit some of Alaska’s most distant spots.

After boarding from Fairbanks, you and your small grouping will be driven down the remote, difficult Dalton Highway, past the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, to the Arctic Circle. Along the route, your guide will tell you all regarding the sights and point out the imposing Yukon River Bridge.

When finally reaching the Arctic Circle, you’ll obtain a commemorative certification to mark the event. After all, it’s not everyday that one ends up so far north. If fortunate enough to spot the Northern Lights during the journey, the guide will stop the vehicle so you can get out and admire this natural wonder.

There will be several stops throughout this Fairbanks aurora borealis tour, so warm beverages, sandwiches, and snacks are available throughout to help you maintain your energy levels.

• Noteworthy activities: Aurora hunting, scenic drive to the Arctic Circle, sandwiches and snacks
• Duration: 14 hours
• Number of participants: 8
• Cost: $260+

2. Aurora borealis tour in Fairbanks with dog sledding

Enjoy dog sledding under the moonlight and a tasty meal in a yurt on this top-rated experience.

After getting picked up at your Fairbanks lodging, you’ll be whisked away on an exciting dog sled ride. You might even get fortunate enough to see the northern lights overhead as you glide through the snow on this trip in Fairbanks involving dog sledding to view the aurora borealis.

Once the sledding experience had ended, traveling to a comfortable yurt to eat a home-cooked meal and await the appearance of the northern lights would occur. If the Aurora Borealis became visible, the yurt`s windows facing north would serve as an excellent location to watch the display unfold, or braving the cold temperatures to observe the show outside could also be an option.

• Activities: Aurora viewing from a yurt, dog sledding, homemade dinner
• Duration: 6 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Cost: $310+

3. Fairbanks Northern Lights tour with Chena Hot Springs visit

Explore the Aurora Ice Museum where you can unwind and relax in the warm mineral waters of the Chena Hot Springs on this experience filled tour.

As part of this Fairbanks northern lights excursion combined with a visit to Chena Hot Springs, your busy day will begin with a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, where you’ll see incredible ice sculptures and wander through a building made of ice and snow. Then, if you’re hungry, head to the Chena Hot Springs Resort’s restaurant for a delicious meal featuring locally sourced ingredients.

After fully enjoying your meal, spend some time relaxing in the hot mineral waters of Chena Hot Springs. Once nightfall arrives, you can head up to the Aurorium to watch any displays of the aurora that appear.

• Highlights: Aurora sightings from Aurorium, guided tour of Aurora Ice Museum, visit to Chena Hot Springs
• Duration: 10 hours
• Number of participants: 14
• Cost: $185+

4. Fairbanks aurora viewing tour with photography service

Whether you’ve viewed them previously or not, it can be fairly challenging to photograph the Northern Lights. Make the process simpler by booking this tour, which includes professional group photos.

Once picked up from your Fairbanks hotel, you’ll chase the Northern Lights through the rural Alaskan wilderness in an SUV. As soon as the aurora is spotted, you’ll stop to watch the colors dancing overhead, the highlight of this photography journey focused on viewing the Fairbanks auroras.

To commemorate the moment, your guide will take images of you and the group with the Northern Lights and share them with you after the trip. Additionally, if you’d like to take any photos yourself, the guide can provide tips and respond to questions.

• Highlights: Aurora hunting with SUV, photography service
• Duration: 3 hours
• Number of participants: 14
• Cost: $189+

5. Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks with campfire

If you wish to learn more about Alaskan culture while gathering around a campfire, this excursion, a Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks involving a campfire, is for you.

Exchange the hustle and bustle of Fairbanks for the serene solitude of the Alaskan wilderness as you search for the Northern Lights in a heated van. Once camp is established, gather around a crackling campfire for hot drinks and reindeer hot dogs.

As night falls and you wait beside the flickering flames for the glowing northern lights to arise, your guide will share knowledge about the Aurora Borealis and Alaskan culture. Should fine scenes of the dancing lights shine, the guide will photograph you all with the magnificent display in frame. Pointers for photographing the spectacle can also be offered if helpful.

• Highlights include searching for the aurora borealis in small groups around campfires with snacks, drinks, and photography services provided.
• Duration: 5 hours
• Number of participants: 14
• Price: $269+

Fairbanks Northern Lights tour prices

Seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska might be priceless, but excursions certainly aren’t. As such, the costs of the highest quality Fairbanks Northern Lights tours range from around $180 to $300.

These price points are based on several aspects, like the duration of the tour, the group size on tour, and the number of included services and activities covered. Below is a chart comparing some of the top Northern Lights excursions out of Fairbanks showing their costs and highlights to facilitate comparisons.

Whether you’re leaning towards a tour with an Arctic Circle visit or one where you make some new canine friends, I hope this article has helped you choose the best Fairbanks aurora tour for your budget and needs.

Regardless of the Fairbanks Northern Lights tour you opt for, you’ll already have improved your chances of seeing the aurora by visiting Fairbanks, which is deemed among the top places to see the Northern Lights globally. Add in an experienced tour guide who understands the best spots for aurora observation, and you’ll end up with a rather high possibility of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights yourself.

Be sure to consistently reference the Northern Lights prediction, even when participating in an aurora chase excursion from Fairbanks. Additionally, lodging at one of Fairbanks’ premier Northern Lights accommodations will only improve your experience.

Good luck with your aurora hunting in Fairbanks!