The northern lights, often known as the aurora borealis, are a breathtaking display of whirling color. While seeing the lights is most likely in the dead of winter, when days are at their longest and coldest, it is possible to do so from around the middle of September up to about the middle of April.
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, go no further than Alaska. We’ve compiled a list of the best tour companies and locations to visit so that you can have an unforgettable experience.
1. Wild Alaska Travel
Wild Alaska Travel is based in Fairbanks, and they provide guided aurora excursions that last a week and include lodging, transportation, food, and activities galore. Guests will have the opportunity to witness some of Alaska’s most breathtaking landscapes as the journey passes via the Arctic Circle and the Dalton Highway.
You get expert guidance on how to photograph the aurora borealis for the whole amount. If you’re available for a little more time, the firm also runs a 10-day tour where you can witness polar bears in their native environment and take pictures of them. The firm frequently fills up to a year in advance, so reservations are essential.
- 4033 Brentwood Cir, Anchorage, AK 99502 Phone: 855-294-5325
2. The Aurora Chasers
The Aurora Chasers is a one-of-a-kind tour company that was founded by Ronn and Marketa Murray, two avid aurora watchers. They transport tourists to rural areas outside of Fairbanks where they may see the auroras dance unimpeded by light pollution. Included in the basic tour are transportation both ways, hot beverages, and stunning portraits of the aurora borealis shot by Ronn or Marketa.
- 3875 Geist Rd STE E, Fairbanks, AK 99701, Phone: 907-888-6055
3. Salmon Berry Tours
Salmon Berry Tours is the best option for those who wish to see Alaska like a local because they specialize in small, personalized tours. While customers have the option to create their custom itineraries, the company also provides some pre-planned journeys, such as an all-day excursion that visits Chena Hot Springs Resort.
A 2.5-hour dog sled ride, dinner, and an overnight stay at the Talkeetna Roadhouse make up the overnight tour, another popular choice. Reservations are highly suggested for the tours that run from August 21 to April 21.
You may arrange a northern lights tour from Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Coldfoot with Pursuit Alaska Collection, where all of the staff are local specialists. You can choose from a variety of tours, travel by train, aircraft, cruise ship, or automobile, and see the sights from a modest camp outside the picturesque village of Coldfoot to the secluded Denali Backcountry Lodge.
- Phone: 888-868-6138
5. Planet Earth Adventures
Guests may enjoy the finest that Alaska has to offer on an all-inclusive 7-day journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage offered by Planet Earth Adventures. Everything you need for an unforgettable aurora trip, including lodging, transportation, and the services of a professional photographer and guide, is included in the tour price.
The vacation includes all winter gear and spends the last two nights at the private Chena Lodge, where visitors may enjoy exciting activities like cross-country skiing and a dog sled tour, or just rest in the hot springs.
- Phone: 907-717-9666
6. Northern Alaska Tour Company
Gondwana Ecotours provides more than just a chance to witness the northern lights; it also gives you the chance to fully embrace the local culture. On each trip, you’ll hear from two knowledgeable locals who will fill you in on the history of the aurora and surrounding attractions.
Go Alaska Excursions is an expert in four-to eight-day aurora excursions, and they offer a variety of trips departing from both Fairbanks and Anchorage. A heated log house hidden in the trees above Fairbank, the tranquil Chena Hot Springs spa facility, and the secluded Bettles Lodge are just a few of the options available to guests.
Traveling by rail via the Alaska Railroad is another popular choice; not only does this provide breathtaking countryside views and several chances to see the aurora, but it also allows passengers to participate in sports like dog sled tours, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Two lodges with contemporary conveniences and a rustic cabin for watching the aurora borealis are available at the 1951-built Bettles Lodge, which is located on a picturesque mile-long lake. Two kilometers from the lodges, in a dark-sky region, lies the cabin; visitors have the option of taking a round-trip shuttle there, or they can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing if they’d rather.
With some of the tour packages offered by the company, guests can enjoy guided snowshoes or ski excursions, village tours, nightly bonfires, and all the necessary cold-weather gear.
- 1 Airline Dr, Bettles, AK 99726, Phone: 907-692-5111
10. Aurora Borealis Lodge
The Aurora Borealis Lodge, about 20 miles from Fairbanks, is the perfect spot to unwind and watch the northern lights twinkle in the night sky. The lodge’s location on a ridge, along with its huge north-facing windows and outside viewing deck, provides visitors with an unimpeded view of the night sky.
Guests can opt to be picked up by the firm or bring their transportation to the lodge; both options come with complimentary hot beverages. A reservation is necessary to visit the lodge from the end of August to the beginning of April.
