5-Day Tour to See the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska (Fairbanks)

Itinerary details

Today you’ll arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city. Its favorable location and climate have earned it the nickname “Aurora Capital.” After arrival, check in to the hotel and rest (hotels in Alaska allow check-in after 16:00). As night falls, to avoid the city's light pollution, plan to take the Northern Lights shuttle at 22:00 to our carefully selected Northern Lights viewing cabin. Its excellent location increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Our professional aurora guide will introduce you to the Northern Lights, help adjust your camera settings, and share Northern Lights photography tips so you can capture stunning photos. The cabin offers complimentary hot drinks and coffee, as well as a Northern Lights monitoring screen, where you can wait in warmth for the aurora (first Northern Lights viewing session, included). Arrive at the hotel at approximately 02:00 the following morning to rest. ★ Northern Lights upgrade: For a more off-the-beaten-path and private Northern Lights viewing experience, you can upgrade from the standard viewing cabin to an overnight stay in a mountaintop glass cabin for Northern Lights viewing (at your own expense), giving you the freedom to watch the aurora at any time throughout the night. Airport pickup information: ※ Fairbanks Airport – Complimentary pickup service to designated hotels: 1. One complimentary pickup from Fairbanks Airport is provided per booking on the day of arrival. Please book when placing your order. We cannot provide pickup unless it is explicitly booked and flight details are provided; 2. Pickup location: Fairbanks International Airport, Baggage Claim 1; 3. Pickup sign: Alaska Journey; 4. Guests whose flights arrive at similar times will share the same shuttle, so you may have a short wait at the airport. Thank you for your understanding; 5. T-Mobile SIM cards work in major cities in Alaska, but may not work in some areas. If you use T-Mobile, please contact your carrier in advance or provide an alternative contact method. ※ Fairbanks Airport – Paid pickup service to designated hotels: 1. Guests arriving outside the complimentary pickup hours may choose our paid pickup service: €90 per person, per trip. Please book when placing your order; we cannot arrange it at short notice if it was not explicitly booked. ※ Fairbanks Airport taxi information: 1. Taxi pickup location: outside the Arrivals doors at Fairbanks International Airport; 2. A taxi from the airport to most hotels in Fairbanks costs approximately US$20–30 per taxi. ※ Fairbanks hotel information for reference: 1. Hotel name: Hyatt Place Fairbanks (or equivalent) Tel: +1 907-328-1100 (direct airport dial: 10) Address: 400 Merhar Avenue, Fairbanks, AK99701 2. Hotel name: Westmark Fairbanks Hotel (or equivalent) Tel: +1 907-456-7722 Address: 813 Noble St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 3. Hotel name: Bridgewater Hotel (or equivalent) Tel: +1 907-452-6661 Address: 723 1st Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 ※ Recommended Anchorage hotels: 1. Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Anchorage Midtown (or similar) Phone: +1 907-222-9000 Address: 5060 A St, Anchorage, AK 99503 2. Hotel: Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport (or similar) Phone: +1 907-257-7975 Address: 4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517

Meals

Breakfast: at your own expense Lunch: at your own expense Dinner: at your own expense

Accommodation

Hyatt Place Fairbanks; Bridgewater Hotel; Westmark Fairbanks Hotel or similar

Attraction details

Fairbanks

Fairbanks

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Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city with a population of 100,000, is a transportation hub for exploring Alaska’s interior and the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks is one of the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights, with clear night skies on more than 243 days of the year when the aurora can be seen. Located just 310 kilometers from the Arctic Circle and sheltered by mountains, Fairbanks avoids severe weather. As a result, aurora seekers flock to this city, where the lights are easiest to observe. Many newlyweds also choose it as a honeymoon destination because of the old saying, “Those who see the aurora will be happy for the rest of their lives.”

Itinerary details

Enjoy a leisurely day in Fairbanks today. Arrange your own activities or join a local winter activity at your own expense. As night falls, to avoid city light pollution, we plan to depart at 22:00 by Northern Lights shuttle for our carefully selected Northern Lights viewing lodge*, in an ideal location that increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Our professional aurora guide will introduce you to the Northern Lights, explain camera settings, and share aurora photography tips to help you capture spectacular photos. Complimentary hot drinks and coffee are available inside the lodge, along with a Northern Lights monitoring screen, so you can wait in warmth for the aurora (second aurora viewing; cost included). Arrive at the hotel at approximately 02:00 the following morning to rest. Optional activities at your own expense (choose 1 of 3): 1. Chena Hot Springs Tour (approximately 7 hours round trip) 2. Castner Glacier Ice Cave Tour (approximately 8 hours round trip; available from late December onward) 3. Denali National Park hiking tour (approximately 7–8 hours round trip) Chena Hot Springs Tour Depart from a designated hotel at around 11:00 a.m. and travel to Chena Hot Springs Resort. The resort is renowned for its century-old hot springs, said to have remarkable healing properties; its charming and fascinating Ice Museum; and its advanced, eco-friendly renewable energy projects. It has become a must-visit attraction for almost every visitor to Fairbanks! Relax in the natural outdoor mineral hot springs and experience the contrast of “snow and ice all around, yet warm as spring” as you soak in the steaming water. You can also visit the world’s only ice museum open year-round (admission at your own expense), built from 1,000 tons of ice and snow. It displays intricately carved works by past champions of world-class ice-sculpting competitions, with everything from the tables and chairs to the utensils made of ice. If you’re interested, enjoy an Apple Martini at the ice bar, served in a beautifully carved glass made of ice (at your own expense; guests must be at least 21 and present valid ID).

Important notes

Important notes: 1) Lockers are available for rent at Chena Hot Springs Resort: $0.50 per use. Towels are available for rent for $5 each. Please bring your own swimsuit; you may also bring slippers if you wish. 2) For safety reasons, visitors under 18 are not permitted in the outdoor rock pools. They may use the indoor hot tub and swimming pool. 3) If you are unable to enjoy the hot springs on the day of your visit for personal reasons, this will be considered a voluntary forfeiture of the activity, and the fee is non-refundable. 4) The Ice Museum has set opening times. If you plan to visit, please make a reservation in advance at the resort. Castner Glacier Ice Cave Tour Depart from Fairbanks by vehicle in the morning and head south along the Richardson Highway to Castner Glacier Ice Cave. Enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. After getting out, follow your guide on a hike of about 2 miles to reach the largest valley ice cave in North America. Located in the eastern Alaska Range and connected to Castner Glacier, the cave’s immense size and depth can only truly be appreciated when you stand at its entrance. This stunning blue ice cave is a masterpiece of nature. The entire cave is covered in layers of ice accumulated over thousands of years, sparkling and translucent. After minerals from the mountain have seeped through the ice over a long period, the captivating blue layers have become as beautiful and graceful as jade set in gold. As you take in the breathtaking sights, pause to reflect on the encounters between nature and humanity over the course of history. Important notes: A. Due to the highly changeable climate in the Blue Ice Cave area, this activity can only be booked with the tour after guests arrive. B. There are no weather stations in the Blue Ice Cave area, so local weather conditions cannot be assessed in advance. If weather prevents you from reaching the cave entrance after arrival, no refund will be issued. C. If road condition advisories indicate that it is unsafe to travel when departing Fairbanks, the day’s tour will be canceled and the cost refunded to the original payment method. D. The Blue Ice Cave is a naturally formed feature and presents certain hazards. Please follow your professional guide’s instructions throughout the tour! Denali National Park Walking Tour Depart from the designated hotel at approximately 10:00 a.m. and travel to Denali. The route from Fairbanks to Denali is incredibly scenic. The magnificent Alaska Range accompanies us south, with snow-capped mountains stretching into the distance and colorful forests on either side. If it snows, branches covered in white create the feeling of traveling through a fairy-tale world. With luck, you may even spot wildlife hidden in the forest. These gifts from nature offer a profound sense of healing. Denali National Park was the second national park established after the creation of the U.S. National Park System, and is the world’s longest continuously protected ecological reserve. When weather and conditions are suitable, a professional guide who has completed official national park training and is licensed to work will lead you into the park for a short outdoor hike, bringing you closer to the highest peak in North America and letting you experience its unique allure.

Meals

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: At your own expense Dinner: At your own expense

Accommodation

Hyatt Place Fairbanks; Bridgewater Hotel; Westmark Fairbanks Hotel or similar

Attraction details

Chena Snowy Hot Springs Resort

Chena Snowy Hot Springs Resort

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Chena Snowy Hot Springs Resort combines hot springs and aurora viewing beautifully, making it one of the world’s most unique destinations for seeing the Northern Lights. In this 100-year-old resort, far from the bustle of the city, soak in warm springs beneath a night sky where starlight and the aurora shine together. Look up to see ethereal ribbons of green, red, blue, yellow, and white, like motionless waves floating lightly across a star-studded sky. It feels like being in a dream—truly enchanting!

Itinerary details

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel today. Depart from the designated hotel at approximately 13:00 and travel by vehicle to the famous North Pole, also known as 【Santa Claus House】. To create the festive Christmas atmosphere of Santa’s hometown, a 16-meter-tall Santa Claus statue and 2-meter-tall polar bear and reindeer statues have been erected here. Many of the surrounding public facilities also feature Christmas decorations, making it feel like a fairy-tale world. Next, follow your guide to the 【Museum of the North】 on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, the best place to discover the mysterious Arctic world and learn about the lives of the region’s early residents. Its exterior features white lines and curves that evoke the year-round snow-covered Arctic, reflecting dazzling light in the sun. It is one of Fairbanks’ landmark buildings. Inside, the galleries provide detailed information about changes in the Arctic’s geography and history, and display rare Arctic animal specimens that you may have only seen in books, including Blue Babe, a mammoth, and a nearly 3-meter-tall brown bear. These are especially popular with visitors. Afterwards, return to the hotel. (If the Museum of the North is closed, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center instead, and $15 for the Museum of the North admission ticket will be refunded on site.) After nightfall, to avoid city light pollution, we plan to take an aurora shuttle at 22:00 to an area outside Fairbanks. Our professional aurora guide will take you to the best viewing locations based on the weather, the direction in which the aurora is appearing, and their extensive aurora-chasing experience. Along the way, we’ll also introduce you to the aurora, help you adjust your camera settings, and share aurora photography tips to help you capture spectacular photos (third aurora-viewing opportunity, included). Estimated arrival back at the hotel is 02:00 the following morning. Optional activity: Dog Sledding Adventure (approximately 2 hours round-trip, including transfers) Dog Sledding Adventure Depart from the hotel in the morning, and Leslie, a local Alaskan, will take you on today’s dog sledding adventure! Leslie moved to Alaska from the continental United States 20 years ago. This dog-loving woman started with two Alaskan sled dogs and has since built a dog sledding experience and cultural center with as many as 50 dogs. As Alaska’s annual sporting event—the Alaska International Dog Sled Race—has gained popularity worldwide, Leslie has opened her sled dogs’ training grounds, trained young mushers, and offered visitors dog sledding experiences. All proceeds go toward preparing for major international dog sled races! She is also a respected local figure for supporting young mushers and helping them raise funds. While waiting for your sled ride, you’ll also have a chance to get up close to the adorable dogs. Experience the thrill of racing across Alaska’s snowy landscape in person (approximately 20–25 minutes)! The sled dogs are harnessed in pairs, with the lead dogs at the front guiding the way and the strongest dogs positioned near the sled. Two guests ride together on each sled with a musher. The sled races along forest trails, kicking up white snow in an exhilarating and fun-filled experience. When snowfall is insufficient between September and early November, dog sledding will be replaced with a dog-pulled ATV experience. The musher will use soft ropes attached to the dogs’ harnesses to have the team pull a four-wheel ATV instead of a sled. The experience lasts approximately 10 minutes.

Meals

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: At your own expense Dinner: At your own expense

Accommodation

Hyatt Place Fairbanks; Bridgewater Hotel; Westmark Fairbanks Hotel or similar

Attraction details

Santa Claus House

Santa Claus House

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Walking here feels like stepping into a fairy-tale world. Even the streetlights are shaped like red-and-white candy canes, and the town’s ambulances and police cars are painted in the two classic Christmas colors: red and green. The main street is also known as “Jingle Street,” a name inspired by the jingling bells of Santa’s sleigh as he passes by. Santa Claus House is a white single-story building, with a giant statue of a white-bearded Santa Claus standing outside. Its exterior walls are painted with colorful scenes from Christmas stories. Winter arrives early in Alaska, and the first snow falls in the North Pole community in late September. Covered in snow and lit with twinkling lights, Santa Claus House looks as beautiful as a Christmas card.

Arctic Museum

Arctic Museum

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Visitors arriving in Fairbanks by plane, train, or road can clearly see the building’s silhouette on the skyline. It will become one of Alaska’s major cultural landmarks. The building reflects Alaska’s distinctive scenery, with innovative lines and spaces that evoke the contours of the Alps, glaciers, a gap in the Yukon River, and the northern lights.

Itinerary details

Enjoy a leisurely day in Fairbanks today. Make your own plans or pay to join a local winter activity. Due to time constraints, you may choose only one of the following optional activities. Optional activities: 1. Overland Adventure Across the Arctic Circle (round-trip by vehicle, approximately 16 hours total) 2. Aurora Viewing Cabin or Aurora Chasing (approximately 4 hours round-trip): In addition to the 3 aurora-viewing opportunities included in the tour, you may choose one of these activities if you would like another chance to see the aurora. If you need to fly out the day after the tour, please be sure to book a flight departing after 07:00 to avoid the risk of missing it. Overland Adventure Across the Arctic Circle Depart around 10:30–11:00 a.m. aboard a specialized polar bus, heading north along the Dalton Highway, one of Alaska’s most remote and challenging roads, toward the Arctic Circle. The Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles and is one of the “World’s 10 Most Dangerous Roads”; only vehicles with professional operating permits are allowed to travel on it. Along the way, admire the tundra scenery of the Arctic wilderness and look out for wildlife such as caribou, Arctic foxes, wolves, bears, and musk oxen. You’ll cross the Yukon River, the third-longest river in North America, and see another great and challenging human achievement: the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which runs from north to south across Alaska. At the end of the journey, you’ll reach the Arctic Circle landmark in Alaska (latitude 66°33′N) and receive an 【Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate】, making a lasting memory of your travels and a perfect ending to your Arctic Circle adventure. If you’re lucky, you may encounter the aurora unexpectedly on the return trip. Estimated return to Fairbanks is between 02:00 and 03:00 the following morning. If you need to fly out the day after the tour, please be sure to book a flight departing after 07:00 to avoid the risk of missing it. Aurora Viewing Cabin or Aurora Chasing After nightfall, to avoid city light pollution, we plan to take an aurora shuttle at 22:00 to a carefully selected Aurora Viewing Cabin* to wait in warmth for the aurora. If you choose the aurora-chasing activity, we’ll drive to areas around Fairbanks with a guide to look for the aurora. Estimated arrival back at the hotel is 02:00 the following morning.

Meals

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: At your own expense Dinner: At your own expense

Accommodation

Hyatt Place Fairbanks; Bridgewater Hotel; Westmark Fairbanks Hotel or similar

Itinerary details

Today marks the end of your itinerary. Say goodbye to beautiful Alaska. If your flight out of Alaska is scheduled for late afternoon or later, you can also choose to join one of these fun winter activities: a snowmobile driving experience or an ice fishing and barbecue trip at a lakeside cabin (available to guests traveling on or after November 20, 2026; the exact start date depends on local snowfall). Optional activities: 1. Snowmobile driving experience (approximately 2–4 hours round trip) 2. Ice fishing and barbecue trip at a lakeside cabin (approximately 4 hours round trip) Departure reminders: 1. The standard checkout time at local Alaska hotels is 12:00 noon. Please follow the hotel's actual requirements; 2. For domestic flights in the United States, please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance; 3. To avoid the risk of missing your flight, please book a flight departing after 07:00 on the final morning of your itinerary; 4. Each booking includes one complimentary, 24-hour shuttle service from the hotel to Fairbanks Airport or the train station. Please book in advance with hotel staff. You will need to provide your room number, name in pinyin, number of passengers, and departure time; 5. If you plan to stay in Fairbanks after your itinerary ends, you can arrange an extended hotel stay in advance. Snowmobile Driving Experience Try one of the most popular local winter activities: snowmobiling in Alaska! A snowmobile is a stylish ride that lets you unleash your wild side—and the fastest way to get around on snow, with speeds comparable to an ordinary car. Unlike motorcycles and cars, snowmobiles are propelled not by wheels but by rotating tracks. The tracks make them safe, stable, and easier to handle. Ride up snowy slopes and over obstacles while others carefully make their way across the snow; you can speed through a sunny snowstorm! What? No driver's license?! No, no, no! You don't need a license to drive a snowmobile. So come on: step onto the footboards, release the brake, grip the handlebars, and race through snowy forests and open countryside. Show off your snowmobile skills and get your adrenaline pumping! 1. We recommend bringing your own outdoor cold-weather clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hat, gloves, and comfortable, warm shoes to prevent frostbite. 2. Helmets, thermal suits, and other riding gear are provided free of charge as part of the tour. Ice Fishing Tour From November through March, Alaska's rivers and lakes freeze over. Once the ice reaches a thickness of 8–10 cm, you can join an ice fishing and barbecue trip at a lakeside cabin in Alaska! Safety is paramount: the ice must be at least 8 cm thick before you venture onto it, as thinner ice can be extremely dangerous. Because the water is so cold, fish are greatly affected and become semi-dormant. They react slowly to their surroundings and are less wary. The thick layer of ice also reduces the impact of changes in the environment on the fish. Ice fishing is also a popular winter activity among Alaskans. Once you catch a fish, your guide will barbecue one for each guest on the spot, so you can enjoy the freshest fish. Any extra fish caught will then be released back into the frozen lake. *Adults aged 16 and over must purchase a fishing license separately. License fee: $15/person

Important notes

Note: All times shown on this webpage are for reference only. Actual arrival times may be delayed due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, traffic congestion, traffic accidents, festivals or sporting events, civil unrest, or strikes. We appreciate your understanding. If you have onward travel plans involving other transportation to another city, we strongly recommend allowing at least 3 hours of extra time to avoid inconvenience caused by delays. Our company accepts no responsibility for losses arising from travel arrangements you make yourself without allowing sufficient extra time. Thank you for your understanding.

Meals

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: At your own expense Dinner: At your own expense