Overview

Ages 10+ • Small Group Tour Private Viewing!

Duration: 8-9 Hours
Cancellation Summary: Cancelations made 30 days in advance have a $50 fee; less than 30 days gets a 50% refund. No refund if canceled a week prior. Full refund if we cancel for severe weather. No refund for illness during stay due to business costs.
Meeting Point: Fairbanks, Alaska
Min Age: 10
Group Size: 10
Accessibility: Contact us if someone in your group has mobility issues. We'll try our best to accommodate, but it may not be possible.
Description: Discover the magic of the aurora with our intimate tour, designed for those who crave a unique and personal experience. Say goodbye to crowded vans and big tour groups; we take you to remote, private locations ensuring you capture breathtaking photos of the northern lights. Enjoy the cozy comfort of our lodge when the skies are clear, and we chase the lights only when it's necessary. With us, it's all about comfort, options, exclusivity, and the majestic beauty of the auroras, making each moment special and unforgettable.
What is Included: Light Snacks

Hot and Cold Drinks

Camera assistance

Transportation ( we pick up from all the hotels in Fairbanks and Airbnb's within the city limits )

1 aurora portrait of your booked group ( 5 photos on our private tours )

Explanation of the science behind the aurora

Private viewing locations away from the crowds and light pollution

The option to chase when weather dictates unfavorable viewing at our lodge

We will chase up to 4 hours from Fairbanks if need be

Local knowledge of the area and where to go when weather is questionable

Bathrooms when we're able to view at the lodge, when we chase these become limited

Rescheduling if weather is an issue on the night you've booked

The comforts of home

Alaska born and raised tour guide
What is not Included: SD card for our camera rentals ( regular size card not a micro unless it has a regular size sleeve it inserts into )

Camera Rentals

Appropriate clothing for the time of year ( winter/fall for viewing outside. If visiting during the winter months renting winter gear is recommended and a quick Google search will provide a list of business for this service )

Additional photos other than what's included. ( additional photos are charged for. Option for a 3 additional photo package for $150 can be added on later )

Pickups at Airbnb's outside of the city limits of Fairbanks, ( for folks staying in Airbnb's outside the city limits we meet at the Morris Thompson Visitor Center downtown )
Itinerary: 1. 8-9pm pickup from your hotel lobby, Airbnb ( inside city limits ), or Morris Thompson Visitor Center.

1. Drive to the aurora viewing lodge provided skies are clear, if it is forecasted not to be clear we will chase to clearer skies. If the lights are out during the drive to the lodge we will stop along the way taking in the views and pictures.

2. 3am begin our return back to Fairbanks stopping along the way if the lights decide to come back out. We can delay our departure from the lodge if everyone's schedule allows to take in more of the show.

3. Return back to Fairbanks by 5am.
   Highlights: Experience the magic of the northern lights with us at the Aurora Viewing Lodge, ideally positioned in Alaskan dark skies for optimal aurora viewing. Our small-group tours ensure a personalized and relaxed atmosphere, where you can comfortably enjoy the captivating beauty of the aurora borealis.

Join us in our cozy 15-passenger van for a smooth ride under the aurora oval. You'll have the guidance of a local Alaskan expert familiar with the area and a professional photographer to help you capture stunning photos of your adventure. Whether you bring your own camera or opt to rent one from us, rest assured you'll receive top-notch tips and support to maximize your photo results.

Our lodge offers a unique experience with zero light pollution, allowing even the faintest aurora lights to dazzle the night sky. Additionally, if clouds threaten to obscure your view, we're the only lodge that adjusts its route to chase the best aurora sightings. Book your tour with us for an unforgettable northern lights adventure that combines beauty with comfort and expertise.
Check in Details: You'll receive a reminder email 24 hours before your scheduled tour, so you'll be all set for your upcoming adventure. No need to give me a call about the pickup time since I’m usually catching some Z's during the day.

I’ll get in touch with the details on when and where we'll meet. If you’re staying within the city limits, expect to meet in your hotel lobby. For those staying outside the city, we'll meet at the meeting point Morris Thompson Visitor Center.

If the weather looks iffy, I'll contact you a day or two ahead to chat about options, just in case we need to reschedule for the best possible experience. Looking forward to an unforgettable adventure with you!

Make sure to grab a nap before the start of your tour during the day.
What to Bring: When venturing into the outdoors to view the aurora, it is essential to dress warmly in appropriate clothing such as a hat, gloves, boots, jacket, and pants. Depending on the time of year you’ll want much warmer clothing four our winter months. Winter clothing bought in your home state isn’t rated for Alaska’s winters, so we suggest renting your winter gear while visiting Fairbanks. We strongly recommend that you layer your clothing for maximum warmth and comfort. A headlamp can be beneficial but not vital, especially when using a camera. If you plan to bring your camera, do not forget to pack a durable tripod. It is an indispensable tool for capturing the aurora and avoid cheap flimsy plastic tripods. As Alaska’s weather can be much colder than your hometown, prepare accordingly. Renting cold-weather clothing from local suppliers is also a reasonable option.
Special Requirements: For families with children under the age of 10, we have our private tour option, since the nature of our tours aren't suited for young children due to the length of time and the nature of the tour.
Restrictions: If anyone in your group has any mobility issues or concerns please reach out to us with those questions prior to booking.
Extras: Camera rental with tripod and assistance and instruction $80

You can decide on the 3-photo package add-on during the tour. If you choose to get it, the $150 will be charged to your card the next day. We won't charge you upfront, so you can add it later if you think the show was fantastic.

We are committed to ensuring you have the best chance to witness the Northern Lights. That’s why we’re willing to go the extra mile—literally. If necessary, we’ll travel up to 4 hours from Fairbanks to find the perfect spot for viewing. Our dedication to chasing the lights as far as needed reflects our passion for creating unforgettable experiences and helping you see the spectacular Aurora Borealis you came for.
Disclaimers: The unpredictability of weather and space weather makes it difficult to ensure optimal viewing conditions. While we cannot control cloud cover or the intensity of the aurora, we will endeavor to improve the chances of successful viewing.

The best opportunity to witness the aurora is to spend time outdoors under the night sky. Our lodge holds a commendable success rate, attributed to its fortunate positioning under the aurora oval and a wide expanse of sky for guests to observe.

Meanwhile, amidst clear skies and while waiting for the aurora to appear, one can appreciate the splendor of the myriad of stars and constellations above.

Expectations when it comes to the northern lights should be low and realistic. This is a natural occurring phenomenon we are witnessing and there is no guarantee of a sighting and therefore there are no refunds or discounts if the aurora doesn't show or put on a grand display.

Faqs: Does the moon affect the ability to see the northern lights?

The luminosity of the moon does not in fact hinder visibility of the aurora. Rather, the brightness of the moon’s light on a night of full moon may slightly impede the perception of subtle auroral activity in comparison to a night of a new moon. Nevertheless, if the aurora forecast is favorable and coincides with a full moon, the auroral lights can still be observed, and, in fact, can aid those with cameras possessing f-stops slower than 2.8 with increased lighting, as well helping us see more color within the aurora with our eyes.

Will my cell phone take a picture of the aurora?

Depending on the phone model, it may be possible to capture the aurora using your phone’s camera. However, please note that the quality of these pictures may not compare favorably to those taken with a dedicated camera. While phones may incorporate camera functionality, they are primarily designed for telephony and other purposes. For this reason, we recommend renting a camera from us to ensure you get the best possible shots of the northern lights. Our rental cameras are of high quality and will produce pictures worthy of showing off to your friends and family. If you are interested in renting a camera, please note that availability is on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved when you book your tour.

Will we see the aurora?

The unpredictability of weather and space weather makes it difficult to ensure optimal viewing conditions. While we cannot control cloud cover or the intensity of the aurora, we will endeavor to improve the chances of successful viewing. The best opportunity to witness the aurora is to spend time outdoors under the night sky. Our lodge holds a commendable success rate, attributed to its fortunate positioning under the aurora oval and a wide expanse of sky for guests to observe. Meanwhile, amidst clear skies and while waiting for the aurora to appear, one can appreciate the splendor of the myriad of stars and constellations above.

What is the cancellation policy?

Our company will still operate viewing tours even during overcast skies. However, if the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse, we reserve the right to cancel the tour for your safety. Oftentimes, the lights can still be seen through the clouds or if there is an opening in the sky. Our guests often have better chances of seeing the lights while on our viewing tours than spending the night in a hotel room. In the event of cancellations, we follow a specific policy. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Cancellations made 30 days prior to the scheduled tour incur a $50 cancellation fee, as well as any booking fees that may apply. Cancellations made less than 30 days before the tour are subject to a 50% refund of the paid amount, while cancellations made a week prior to the scheduled tour are non-refundable. If we cancel a night tour due to severe weather, we will issue a full refund. We regret to inform you that we cannot provide refunds to guests who become ill during their stay. We understand that falling sick during a vacation is not expected; however, given the operational costs associated with our business, we cannot allow last-minute cancellations and refunds. See our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Guests can also reschedule their tour to another night/month without any additional costs. We encourage our guests to opt for travel insurance to cover any unexpected issues or cancellations that may arise during their trip. We highly recommend Travelex as an insurance option for travelers.

Our company has implemented a refund policy in order to cover the operational costs associated with our unique tour. We understand that not everyone may have a large group to book with, which is why we happily take bookings for just one person. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who joins us has the opportunity to experience the phenomenon of our tour. Therefore, we strive to make every effort to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for all of our guests. Thank you for considering our tour and we look forward to having you join us.

Do you offer discounts?

We do offer 15% off when booking 3 nights or more on multi-night bookings. Contact us for details.

Do you pickup from Airbnb's?

We do provide pickups from Airbnb’s in addition to hotels in the Fairbanks area. However, some Airbnb’s are located in areas that are difficult for our shuttle to reach and spread out all over so to save on time when picking up everyone we’ll arrange a meeting point for pickup which is the Morris Thompson Visitor Center parking lot for folks staying outside of town.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?

If you’re planning to visit between August 20th and April 20th, you’ve got a great chance to witness the stunning northern lights! Our skies are wonderfully dark during that period, allowing you to witness the aurora with your naked eye. As you may know, the intensity and color of the aurora depend on how the solar flares interact with the earth’s atmosphere. Although green is the most commonly seen color, you might just get lucky and witness a vibrant and colorful display! We suggest keeping an eye on space weather and data to better plan your trip. For helpful information, be sure to check out auroranotify. We can’t wait for you to witness this breathtaking phenomena in person!

What time does the aurora come out?

The aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon that exhibits varying timing and is influenced by solar activity. The onset is typically gradual, with activity building up over the course of the night. In colloquial terms, “aurora time” is similar to the expression “island time,” conveying a sense of relaxation and flexibility. Patience is essential for successful viewing, as the timing cannot be fully predicted. While the aurora may test one’s patience, waiting for optimal conditions on certain evenings can be highly beneficial. The most concentrated activity is typically observed between midnight and 3 am, as the center of the aurora oval is usually situated over Alaska. Nevertheless, due to the prevailing conditions, activity may occur before or after this timeframe. That’s why we stay out as late as we do to maximize your chances of catching show. It’s best to rest up and nap during the day so that you can stay up late enough to catch the show, we don’t end the night early due to bedtime. Remember why you came all this way and if it’s really that important for you to see, then know that northern lights viewing is/can be an all night affair to see anything.

Can you see the aurora if it's overcast?

The visibility of the Aurora Borealis is affected solely by the presence of thick clouds. Thin and wispy clouds have a marginal impact on the definition of the Aurora, but visibility remains largely unobstructed. Weather conditions are known to vary significantly between Fairbanks and the lodge, thus the weather in Fairbanks cannot be used to infer the conditions at the lodge. Our team constantly monitors the weather situation, and in the event of unfavorable viewing conditions, we have the means to relocate to areas with better visibility. Prior to the commencement of the tour, guests will be notified if such relocation is necessary. Our facility is unique in its proactive approach to cloud-chasing, and we stand out as the only viewing lodge that provides such a service.

What's the difference in a Private Tour and a Small Group Tour?

Thank you for considering our services. We are pleased to inform you that we offer a private option for your traveling group to ensure that you have an exclusive experience during your tour. Our private tour is only available on nights that a small group tour isn’t already booked. The private tour has more included photos ( a total of 5 ) from the tour vs the small group tour only has 1 “booked group” aurora portrait included; additional photos are extra ( for example, if there are 5 of you under 1 booking your portrait is of the 5 of you together on the small group tour ).

In case you opt for our small group tour, please note that we limit the maximum to 10 people to provide an enjoyable and personalized experience. We do not operate like other lodges, as we value your privacy and do not allow other companies to bring their groups to our viewing location. Rest assured that our viewing location is exclusively for your group’s use, ensuring a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. We prioritize quality over quantity and strive to avoid overcrowding, which is why we limit the size of our tours as well primarily operate our tours from the comforts of our home. If you have a bigger group please contact us about accommodation. We look forward to providing you with exceptional service.