Itinerary
- Day 1
Fairbanks
You'll arrive in Fairbanks and have the day to explore downtown on your own schedule. This gives you time to get oriented, grab lunch somewhere local, and rest up before the evening picks up the pace. Around 10:00pm, you'll get picked up for a Northern Lights hunting tour heading to Murphy Dome, which sits northwest of the city at a higher elevation. From there you'll have 360-degree views of the sky, so there's plenty of horizon to scan for the lights if conditions cooperate.
Included Activities
- Northern Lights viewing tour at Murphy Dome
Optional Activities
- Explore Fairbanks downtown
Landmarks Murphy Dome - Day 2
Fairbanks
You'll start by checking out the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center to get a feel for Alaska's history and people. After that, head over to the Museum of the North on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus to dig deeper into the region's past and natural world. Later in the day, you'll drive to North Pole to visit Santa Claus House, which is exactly what it sounds like. By evening, you'll head to an Aurora Lodge where it's warm and comfortable while waiting to see if the Northern Lights make an appearance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center
- Museum of the North
- Alyeska Pipeline viewing and education
- Santa Claus House visit in North Pole
- Aurora Lodge Northern Lights viewing tour
Landmarks Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center Museum of the North Santa Claus House Alyeska Pipeline - Day 3
Chena Hot Springs
This morning you'll travel about 60 miles east to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Once there, you can tour the Aurora Ice Museum to see the sculptures and ice architecture. If you're interested, the outdoor hot springs pool and hot tub are available for soaking (keep in mind this is for adults 18 and older). Grab a hot beverage at the Activity Center while settling in to wait for the lights. You'll have plenty of time and setup for photography if the Northern Lights show up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Aurora Ice Museum tour
- Chena Hot Springs outdoor rock pool or hot tub access
- Hot beverage in Activity Center
Landmarks Chena Hot Springs Resort Aurora Ice Museum - Day 4
Denali National Park or Arctic Circle
Today offers a choice between two big adventures. Option one is a full day in Denali National Park, where you can explore six million acres of wilderness and hopefully spot wildlife like moose, bears, and caribou. Option two takes you north on the Arctic Circle tour, crossing the actual Arctic Circle line and visiting the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Yukon River Bridge, and Finger Mountain. Both routes include Northern Lights viewing opportunities throughout. Pickups start at 2:00pm. Note that the Denali park tour is seasonal, so availability depends on when you're traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Snack and hot drink at Arctic Circle)
Included Activities
- Denali National Park sightseeing OR Arctic Circle day tour
Landmarks Denali National Park Mount McKinley Arctic Circle Trans-Alaska Pipeline Yukon River Bridge Finger Mountain - Day 5
Fairbanks
Your tour wraps up this morning with breakfast at your hotel. Check-out typically happens by 11am, so you'll want to arrange your return flight with that timing in mind. Make sure to pack up the night before so checkout goes smoothly.
- Meals
- Breakfast
