Banner Image

Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour

Duration
Full Day
Season
Winter, Spring
Activity Type
Northern Lights, Photography
ABOUT OUR FAIRBANKS NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR

Embark on our popular Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph the aurora borealis in and around the greater Fairbanks area. We pride ourselves on offering intimate, small-group trip experiences with an experienced local guide team.

Tour Description

The aurora borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth, and we invite you to view and photograph these stunning displays of lights in and around the greater Fairbanks area.

Our team uses innovative technology to forecast aurora viewing conditions based on weather forecasts, aurora strength, and the drive time from Fairbanks. Each night’s tour location is chosen to maximize the chances to view the lights, and your guides will get you to the most strategic site possible to see this natural phenomenon.

You will receive a forecast call from our aurora team between 3 and 5 p.m. on the day you have the tour booked to let you know what time pickup will be that night, as well as driving distance and expected return time. We will also discuss anticipated cloud cover and any other potential challenges we might face that evening. If conditions are unfavorable and a tour is not recommended that night, we will work with you at that time to rebook to another night, based on availability.

Choose your preferred date via our online booking platform. We will ask for your arrival and departure date/time, and any potential additional nights you have available to join a tour during the booking process. We gather this information from all of our guests so we may help to maximize your chances of seeing aurora while visiting Alaska!

This tour is designed for anyone visiting the Fairbanks area with an interest in viewing the northern lights.  Our tours include web quality aurora portraits and basic photography instruction.

We use our fleet of comfortable tour vehicles as traveling base camps. Tours generally depart between 8 and 11 p.m. and return between 3 and 6 a.m., depending on the season and forecasted conditions.

The minimum age to join this tour is 13.

Season: August 28 – April 14

Want to make this Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour a private experience for you and your close friends and family? Explore our Private Northern Lights Tour option.

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we no longer provide single-use plastic water bottles. Please bring a reusable water bottle to be refilled throughout the tour.

Book This Adventure

Book direct. Best price guarantee!*

  • Small group experience
  • Experience the star-filled beauty of Alaska winter nights away from city lights
  • Create lasting memories with portraits and photos
  • Personalized forecast service. Know before you go!
  • Services of a professional Alaskan Aurora Guide
  • Aurora Forecasting Service
  • Web quality Photographs and portraits
  • Transportation in a clean and comfortable tour vehicle
  • Snacks and hot drinks
  • $325 per person + taxes and fees

Maximize your aurora-viewing experience by booking multiple nights with us! Here’s how it works:

  • Book your preferred night of the Northern Lights Tour
  • When you receive a confirmation email, look for the discount code and link for booking additional nights
  • For additional nights, book with a 20% discount
  • Or, add your name to the standby list for a 50% discount if space becomes open (all standby seats will be offered after 5 p.m. on the available day)

NOTE: These discount offers are only available after booking your first fully-paid aurora tour with Greatland Adventures

  • Departure Time: 8-11 p.m.
  • Duration: 8 Hours

Gratuities for Guides (Recommend $20 per person)

Please Note:

  • We require 2 guests minimum to operate a tour

The aurora can be visible anytime we have adequate darkness; from late August through mid-April.  The main obstacles to finding auroras are cloud cover and light pollution. We will drive up to 3 hours outside Fairbanks to find clear, dark skies.

 

Understanding the Moon’s phases and chasing aurora

A common question among interested aurora viewers relates to the Moon and its many phases each month. Lunar cycles may affect one’s ability to view the northern lights, but not necessarily in a negative way. Greatland Adventures aurora guides are experts at positioning guests in the optimum location for the best chance of viewing the lights, and the Moon can provide a stunning backdrop for shadows and wintery nighttime photography!

Below is a breakdown of the Moon’s lunar phases, what they mean, and how they may affect your aurora viewing experience:

New Moon – The new moon phase lasts for 10 days when the Moon is positioned directly between Earth and the Sun. Illumination of the Moon is less than 20% during this time and as such there is minimal light cast on Earth’s landscapes, making aurora and stargazing excellent when forecasts are positive for clear skies and solar storms. However, landscape photography and videography are generally more difficult during this phase due to the diminished lighting of the moon.

Mid-Moon – A mid-moon phase is the period of the moon cycle when the Moon’s illumination is between 20-80%. During this 10-day phase, the moon has minimal effect on aurora viewing or stargazing.

Full Moon – A full moon happens over 10 days when the Moon’s illumination is 80-100%. During this phase, the Moon lights up a night landscape and mild auroral activity will be difficult to see. However, when auroral displays are strong, a full moon phase allows our eyes to more easily perceive the true colors of the aurora, especially the greens and pinks. Additionally, landscape photography and videography are enhanced during this phase due to the extra ambient light from the Moon.

Vacations to Alaska don’t always fall on the calendar’s “perfect” time for spotting aurora, but rest assured that our local guides take into account the lunar phases and will make every effort to find the best viewing locations to maximize your aurora adventure.

*Book direct with confidence. We guarantee you will receive the best price when booking directly on our website or we will refund the difference + $10! Must show proof of a lower price found elsewhere for the same product and the same departure. Offer valid for tours operated by Greatland Adventures only. Offer not valid for 3rd party products.

#greatlandadventures

Reviews

Related Trips