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Alaska Northern Lights Adventure

6 days

Embark on a Northern Lights winter adventure in the far north of the United States on this 6-day group tour in Alaska. Enjoy three nights of dedicated Northern Lights excursions, including an aurora photography class and an evening in a yurt with 360 degree views. Go snowmobiling, take a husky sleigh ride and enjoy a spot of ice fishing. Relax in the Chena Hot Springs, visit the city of North Pole where Christmas is every day, and discover the Aurora Ice Museum on this tour which starts and ends in Fairbanks.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

6 days

Starts

Fairbanks

Ends

Fairbanks

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 6 / Max 14

Minimum age

6 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Mondays

Hotel Rating

3-star hotels

Countries

USA

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 5, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 3

Physical Rating

Serious
Per person from
£3,065.00
Total From
£6,130.00
Deposit From
Final payment
£1,839.00
£5,210.50

Tour Highlights

Fairbanks - Start and end your trip in this frontier city, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore
Alaskan wilderness - Enjoy all manner of included outdoor activities, such as snowmobiling, dog sledding and ice fishing
Northern Lights - Boost your chances of seeing the Northern Lights with a dedicated 3-night program including a photography class
Chena Hot Springs - Relax in the therapeutic waters of the hot springs during a 2-day stay at this popular resort
Aurora Ice Museum - Join an included visit to this unique facility, kept at -7 degrees Centigrade and home to an ice bar, ice sculptures and more
North Pole - Take a day trip to the city where Christmas is celebrated every day - the street lights are even made like candy canes!

Included

5 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners
5 nights 3-star hotels
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 6 (hotel shuttle)
Escorted by a knowledgeable local tour guide
3-night Northern Lights viewing programme
Snowmobile Tour
Dog Sledding Tour
Ice Fishing Experience
Entrance fees to museums and attractions as listed in the itinerary
All relevant transfers and transportation in private vehicles
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go

Not Included

International flights & visas
Any meals or drinks not specified in the inclusions
Items of a personal nature
Optional activities, including rental fees of snowshoes or cross-country skis
Tips for your tour guide - an entirely personal gesture!
Please note: This tour involves a lot of walking and hiking, and a decent fitness level is required. Please speak to us before booking your tour if you have concerns or questions about your level of fitness.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Alaska

Welcome to Alaska! On arrival in Fairbanks, take the complimentary hotel shuttle to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this frontier city at your own pace. If there's any winter gear you still need to purchase then head out to the local shops, or do some sightseeing in this remote settlement. At 16:00, meet our tour guide in the lobby of the hotel, who will be on hand to brief you about the tour and answer any questions you may have. The hotel has an Aurora Wake Up Call, which means that should the Northern Lights become visible during the night, the hotel reception will call your room to ensure you don't miss them.

Please note: This tour involves extensive hiking on uneven terrain, covering an average of 5 to 8 kilometres at a time, but sometimes more. Elevation changes range from 50 to 1,000 feet, and both touring and overnight locations are situated at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. Due to the physical demands of this itinerary, participants should be prepared for significant activity.

Overnight: Fairbanks

Day 2 - Fairbanks sightseeing, snowmobiling & Northern Lights

Begin today with some group sightseeing in Fairbanks. We visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center and the Museum of the North, where we can learn about Alaskan native cultures, the state's unique biodiversity and the stories of Arctic dinosaurs.

After a break for lunch, we head out of the city to a snowy forest where we enjoy an included guided snowmobile excursion. All gear and training is provided, so no prior riding experience is necessary.

We have an included group dinner tonight before heading north to an Aurora Viewing Lodge far from the city lights. Relax in the warm with a hot drink as we wait for the Northern Lights to appear and enjoy an aurora photo class to learn how to take the best photos. When the lights appear, we head outside to take in the sights and snap photos. Northern Lights viewing will continue into the early hours, and we return to Fairbanks at around 2:30 in the morning.

Overnight: Fairbanks
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - Dog sledding, hot springs & Northern Lights

Fairbanks - Chena Hot Springs. Enjoy a lie in this morning after our late night, we'll ensure breakfast is put on late for you. Mid-morning, we depart Fairbanks and head for a dog sledding adventure. Meet some Alaskan huskies and their handlers and enjoy a thrilling sled ride around the boreal forest. Back at the kennels, learn more about this hardy breed and life in the wilderness of Alaska.

Continuing to Chena, we have some free time for you to unwind in the area's natural hot springs and explore the resort. There's an included dinner before we head out for another Northern Lights excursion. Taking a military-style snowcat to the top of Charlie Dome, we can enjoy a 360° unobstructed view, heated yurts to warm ourselves in, outhouses, and complimentary hot beverages and snacks as we wait for the Aurora Borealis to appear.

Overnight: Chena
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Aurora Ice Museum

Created from over 1,000 tonnes of ice and snow, the Aurora Ice Museum is the world's largest year-round ice environment, and was made using ice only from this area. Kept at a cool -7 degrees Centigrade by a patented absorption chiller, the museum is home to all manner of ice sculptures, an ice bar and even a number of hotel rooms! We have an included visit to the museum this morning.

The rest of the day is at leisure in the Chena Hot Springs resort. You can take a winter hike through the forest, enjoy cross-country skiing, book a massage or simply unwind in the therapeutic hot springs - the choice is yours!

Overnight: Chena
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Ice fishing & North Pole

Chena Hot Springs - North Pole - Fairbanks. Our final full day begins with a traditional ice fishing experience. From the toasty warmth of an icehouse, a seasoned local guide will help you land a fish, and will even cook it for you so you can taste the freshest Alaskan seafood!

After fishing, we head to the small Alaskan city of North Pole, known for its year-round Christmas decorations, candy-cane street lights included. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and can even meet Santa Claus, whilst there is also free time to shop for any souvenirs for folk back home. We then make our way back to Fairbanks.

Enjoy a group farewell dinner and a final Aurora excursion to hopefully see the Northern Lights one last time.

Overnight: Fairbanks
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Fairbanks

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before taking the complimentary hotel shuttle to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Springhill Suites Fairbanks
Fairbanks

This hotel offers views of the Chena River, this relaxed hotel is 3.2 km from Pioneer Park and 9.7 km from the Georgeson Botanical Garden at the University of Alaska. The cosy suites include kitchens, desks, and separate living areas, along with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Guests enjoy complimentary parking and continental breakfast. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness room, and coin-operated laundry facilities.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Chena Hot Springs Resort
Chena

Situated in a remote wilderness with seasonal views of the Aurora Borealis, this century-old rustic lodge and resort complex is located 98 km northwest of downtown Fairbanks. The straightforward rooms and 2-bedroom suites, decorated in traditional Alaskan style, are equipped with coffee makers and TVs, Some rooms do not have phones. Amenities include on-site hot springs, a heated indoor pool, hot tubs, an ice museum, and a massage centre. A casual restaurant serves produce from the on-site greenhouse, and there is also a lounge.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with 6 travellers. 'Twin / Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Single Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
2 Dec - 7 Dec
£3,065
£3,325
9 Dec - 14 Dec
£3,065
£3,325
2025
Twin/Double
Single
6 Jan - 11 Jan
Sold Out
Sold Out
13 Jan - 18 Jan
£3,065
£3,325
20 Jan - 25 Jan
£3,065
£3,325
27 Jan - 1 Feb
Sold Out
Sold Out
3 Feb - 8 Feb
£3,065
£3,325
10 Feb - 15 Feb
£3,065
£3,325
17 Feb - 22 Feb
£3,065
£3,325
24 Feb - 1 Mar
£3,065
£3,325

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