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Fairbanks North Star
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Fairbanks
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Arctic Circle and Northern Lights Tour from Fairbanks
1 day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point, 1671 Steese Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99712
We begin our 14-hour long journey to the Arctic Circle with a convenient pick up at any hotel or address inside the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. Settle into your seat and relax on the 200 mile (322 km) journey down the back roads of Interior Alaska. We provide free snacks and drinks to ensure your utmost comfort in our climate-controlled vans.
Take a trip back in time as you travel down the Dalton Highway. Featured on the TV show Ice Road Truckers, the Dalton Highway (technically Alaska Route 11) runs north-south through Alaska, nearly all the way to the Arctic Ocean, and parallels the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. It’s one of the most isolated roads in the United States and provides some beautiful Alaskan scenery for you to enjoy during the ride.
With sweeping views of mountains and valleys, you will see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the largest pipeline systems, transporting thousands of gallons of oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, up close.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dalton Highway Sign, N Slope Haul Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99790, USA
The Dalton Highway Welcome Sign
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Hilltop Restaurant & Marketplace, 3711 Elliott Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA
Stop at Hilltop Restaurant & Marketplace. You can purchase extra drinks, snacks and food there but please order it for takeout.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: YUKON RIVER CAMP, Dalton Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99706, USA
Enjoy the journey across the Yukon River, as you catch a glimpse of the wildlife that inhabits Sub-Arctic Alaska. With sweeping views of mountains and valleys, you will also see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the largest pipeline systems, transporting thousands of gallons of oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. You'll have the chance to get out for quick photos. Then a bit further down the road, stop for another photo op at Finger Mountain, where views of the alpine tundra await.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Arctic Circle Sign, Alaska, USA
Upon reaching the Arctic Circle, one of the five markers of latitude, (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Equator and Antarctic Circle), at which the sun never rises during winter solstice and never sets during summer solstice, you will be met with a glorious site.
Hop out and stretch your legs, take a short walk and and learn some interesting facts about the cultures of the Indigenous people whom have inhabited this remote area for more than 9.000 years.
Your guide will set out free sandwiches, coffee, hot chocolate and tea for you to sip while you take in your surroundings. At this point, it'll be about two to three hours before midnight — start watching for the Northern Lights, which hopefully Mother Nature won’t keep to herself on the night of your tour. If they appear, your driver will pull over at a few different locations, so you have plenty of time to snap photos and stare up in wonder at this natural phenomenon. (No guarantee) Your guide can explain what causes this mystifying and incredible atmospheric event.
• We hope you understand that we cannot guarantee a natural phenomena like the Northern Lights or a clear sky. Therefore we are not able to give out refunds in case of the non occurrence of the Aurora or a cloud covered sky Then hop back in your tour vehicle to start the return journey to Fairbanks. Free unlimited beverages and other snacks are provided. Your tour ends with hotel drop-off in the early morning hours of the next day.
Duration: 1 hour
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This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point, 1671 Steese Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99712
We begin our 14-hour long journey to the Arctic Circle with a convenient pick up at any hotel or address inside the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. Settle into your seat and relax on the 200 mile (322 km) journey down the back roads of Interior Alaska. We provide free snacks and drinks to ensure your utmost comfort in our climate-controlled vans.
Take a trip back in time as you travel down the Dalton Highway. Featured on the TV show Ice Road Truckers, the Dalton Highway (technically Alaska Route 11) runs north-south through Alaska, nearly all the way to the Arctic Ocean, and parallels the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. It’s one of the most isolated roads in the United States and provides some beautiful Alaskan scenery for you to enjoy during the ride.
With sweeping views of mountains and valleys, you will see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the largest pipeline systems, transporting thousands of gallons of oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, up close.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dalton Highway Sign, N Slope Haul Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99790, USA
The Dalton Highway Welcome Sign
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Hilltop Restaurant & Marketplace, 3711 Elliott Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA
Stop at Hilltop Restaurant & Marketplace. You can purchase extra drinks, snacks and food there but please order it for takeout.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: YUKON RIVER CAMP, Dalton Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99706, USA
Enjoy the journey across the Yukon River, as you catch a glimpse of the wildlife that inhabits Sub-Arctic Alaska. With sweeping views of mountains and valleys, you will also see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the largest pipeline systems, transporting thousands of gallons of oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. You'll have the chance to get out for quick photos. Then a bit further down the road, stop for another photo op at Finger Mountain, where views of the alpine tundra await.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Arctic Circle Sign, Alaska, USA
Upon reaching the Arctic Circle, one of the five markers of latitude, (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Equator and Antarctic Circle), at which the sun never rises during winter solstice and never sets during summer solstice, you will be met with a glorious site.
Hop out and stretch your legs, take a short walk and and learn some interesting facts about the cultures of the Indigenous people whom have inhabited this remote area for more than 9.000 years.
Your guide will set out free sandwiches, coffee, hot chocolate and tea for you to sip while you take in your surroundings. At this point, it'll be about two to three hours before midnight — start watching for the Northern Lights, which hopefully Mother Nature won’t keep to herself on the night of your tour. If they appear, your driver will pull over at a few different locations, so you have plenty of time to snap photos and stare up in wonder at this natural phenomenon. (No guarantee) Your guide can explain what causes this mystifying and incredible atmospheric event.
• We hope you understand that we cannot guarantee a natural phenomena like the Northern Lights or a clear sky. Therefore we are not able to give out refunds in case of the non occurrence of the Aurora or a cloud covered sky Then hop back in your tour vehicle to start the return journey to Fairbanks. Free unlimited beverages and other snacks are provided. Your tour ends with hotel drop-off in the early morning hours of the next day.
Duration: 1 hour
Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off, within city limits of Fairbanks and North Pole
- free Snacks and water
- free Sandwiches (vegetarian option available, please advise at time of booking)
- free unlimited Hot drinks, like coffee, tea, hot chocolate
- personalized Arctic Circle Certificate
Not included
- Gratuities
- no gluten free or vegan meal option available. You are welcome to bring or buy your own lunch and snacks.
- cold weather gear
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers. Please no small children!
- Please dress appropriately. The temperatures can reach extreme conditions during the winter month and we recommend to dress in layers.
- Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and therefore cannot be guaranteed! (no refund possible)
- The weather conditions are in no way predictable in our area and we will not offer a refund in case of too many clouds.
- Exact schedule and itinerary of stops are subject to change based on daily conditions and Northern Lights activity on the day of your tour
- There is a possibility of cancellation due to dangerous weather and/or road conditions. If this occurs, an alternative date or full refund will be offered
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required. We are not able to provide gluten free or vegan options.
- Type of transportation: climate controlled Van
- The group size is limited to 9 people for each Transit Van and up to 12 people in our mini coach. Bigger group bookings are possible and multiple Van's will be used in this case.
- It is mandatory for every customer to rotate seats at least a few times on this tour.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
65%
Nightlife
15%
Reviews
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Bob is amazing, he was very kind and he is the best aurora chaser! We loved the artic circle, and loved the snow. It was amazing. Thank ñs a Lot.
Our guide Ken was great. He was very knowledgeable about the area and found the northern lights for us to view. Couldn't have asked for a better tour for our trip of a lifetime. Top it off was the scenery in peak fall colors. Magnificent!
Our tour guide, Dave, was very knowledgeable about Alaskan lore, wildlife and history, and answered all our questions. He was very personable and made sure we did not get bored during the LONG drive from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle (~200 miles each way). He stopped a number of times at scenic/historical spots for photo ops. There were 8 of us in the van, but it was roomy so we didn’t feel cramped or uncomfortable. We had been forewarned that seeing the Northern Lights was “up to Mother Nature”. The Kp forecast was only “1-2”, along with cloudy skies and a full moon! So we concentrated on enjoying ourselves on the way, and were determined not to be disappointed if we didn’t get to see the lights. We reached the Arctic Circle as the sun was setting, but there was enough light for us to get great pics at the Arctic Circle Sign. We had our “award ceremony” (got our “official” Arctic Circle certificates and posed for more pics) and then had our dinner. By the time we were done, it was getting dark, the clouds had skittered away, and the moon had still not risen above the tree line! Dave said he was really hopeful about the lights and advised us to wait till after 11:00 pm for a chance to see them, which we were super glad to do. And soon after, the show started, and WHAT A SHOW IT WAS! FYI, the Northern Lights, as seen by the naked eye, are not the expected vivid greens and blues, but a milky white instead. But when photographed with long exposure, those colors pop in the pictures! So initially, it was difficult to identify the wispy streams of milky white we were seeing as the famed Northern Lights. But thanks to Dave’s coaching we were soon able to spot them for ourselves. And then, as time went by, those wisps turned into vast ribbons that weaved and danced and undulated their way across the night sky. And when my husband took long exposure shots with his phone (Samsung), those milky white ribbons morphed into streaming curtains of neon green with bits of blue/purple/pink. What an amazing and awe-inspiring experience! The lights followed us half the way back to Fairbanks, and Dave stopped a couple of times so we could get additional shots (no one wanted the experience to end!). We didn’t see any wildlife along the way but we’re not complaining! Overall, we had an incredible time on the Doyon/Viator Arctic Circle and Northern Lights Tour from Fairbanks, and highly recommend it. THANK YOU Dave and Doyon/Viator!
Ken is super nice, friendly and knowledgeable. We are a group of 4, had our tour on August 30. There only 8 of us in a small van, good to have a small group! We were able to see the northern lights at around 1am. The first hill that we went to was slightly too windy and chill so Ken brought us to another one. He helped us to set up the camera, find a good angle for photos. Overall his guidance and explanation throughout the day was awesome! We've been to many places and really enjoyed the tour. Highly recommended this tour and Ken as your tour guide!
There were only 4 of us on the tour which was nice but with my husband up front and a couple on the first bench seat I actually had the rest of the van to myself but, the windows were small so I had a very hard time seeing anything and the head set didnt work well so I couldnt hear anything over the rattle of the van. I tried pushing on the window trim to silence some of noise but my arm got tired. The lunch was horrible. The veggi was a couple of pieces of cheese and sliced carrots in rolls. I typically dont like plain potatoe chips but I ate them because I was hungry and it was a very long day. The sites were amazing and our guide, Ricky, tried really hard for us to see the lights...with no luck. By the time we got back to our hotel I was clostraphobic and naucious from not having a decent view and crabby from being so uncomfortable.i strongly recommend seeing the arctic and Yukon but would try a different tour company.
The tour was long, but thanks to Ricky’s (the guide) humor and talkativeness, I didn’t feel bored and tired at all. Ricky had so many secret and beautiful places for us to enjoy the auroras, and I had a great time to travel with him.
This is a very interesting tour. Ricky, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the route and he explained a lot of things while on the road. However, his microphone broke down midway so since we were sitting at the back of the van, we could barely hear him. We felt safe and secure driving on the deserted road. We saw some light aurora activity on our way back to Fairbanks so that was also good. On the way back we took in a couple who was saved by a truck as their rental car was stranded in the snow. We had enough stops for food/coffee/toilet which made the trip feel less long. It would be better if we were able to hear Rickly the entire time.