(c) Jody O. All rights reserved.
If a private, guided Northern Lights adventure is what you are looking for, especially if you love photography, this is the classic Alaska bucket list trip for you! Learn how to capture these dancing lights with help from a professional photographer guide and practice your new skills while you spend numerous evenings watching for “aurora borealis” from Anchorage to Talkeetna, Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle.
Welcome to Anchorage, known as the City of Lights during the darker months. You will find your friendly driver waiting for you upon landing. Take in the winter wonderland during a private transfer to your Anchorage hotel.
Overnight in Anchorage, your home for the next two nights.
See all that Alaska’s largest city has to offer with a tailored tour of the city. Watch for moose along the Coastal Trail, take in panoramic views of the city at scenic overlooks, or try one of America’s favorite Anchorage pizzerias.
Tonight, embark on an exciting photography trip to scenic locations with the best views of the “aurora borealis” or Northern Lights (weather permitting). Whether you want to learn how to photograph this dynamic celestial lightshow, or simply enjoy viewing it, this northern lights tour is for you! Led by a professional photographer and guide, this private tour also provides you with insightful information about the science behind the aurora borealis.
Continue your Northern Lights adventure as you travel northward, into Alaska’s interior, to Talkeetna. In the afternoon take off by small plane and travel high above Denali National Park for a panoramic view of Denali. As your flight departs Talkeetna, you begin to see how the last ice age has shaped the land. Moments later enter a world of rugged high mountain peaks and wide glacier filled valleys. Listen as your pilot describes the natural wonders of Denali National Park. See the Denali’s West Buttress and North Face, Wikersham Wall, and the Peters, Muldrow, and Traleika Glaciers. After landing back in Talkeetna check into your hotel for the evening.
Overnight in Talkeetna.
Today will start with a relaxing morning in tranquil and scenic surroundings. You will have ample time to stroll through Talkeetna’s charming downtown prior to your departure to Fairbanks via the historic Alaska Railroad. By rail, enjoy the beautiful winter scenery from large picture windows as you travel north to Fairbanks. Upon arrival, a private transfer will be provided to your Fairbanks hotel.
Overnight in Fairbanks, your home for the next four nights.
(c) Jeanne L. Baker. All rights reserved.
Start off your day with a customized sightseeing tour of Fairbanks with your private driver/guide.
Later, partake in two classic Alaskan activities, ice fishing and aurora borealis viewing (weather permitting). Arrive at a nearby lake where tents will be set up complete with chairs where you can sit, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy the beautiful aurora borealis while you wait for a bite on the line. Your host will show you how to cook up your catch after which you will be free to enjoy it for dinner.
After a relaxing morning at your hotel travel outside of Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. Soak in the healing hot spring waters, the heated indoor pool, or the outdoor hot tubs. You may wish to partake in other activities offered at the resort (not included).
This evening, learn to dogsled as you try your hand at “mushing” with your friendly team of sled dogs while you enjoy a peaceful ride down a gentle, winding trail. Warm-up in a Mongolian yurt while enjoying local snacks and waiting for the aurora borealis to appear. Tonight offers another opportunity to practice your northern lights photography skills with a local photographer while the lightshows dance overhead (weather permitting).
(c) Jody O. All rights reserved.
After breakfast, enjoy spectacular views of Alaska from land and air on a guided round-trip Arctic Circle tour. Depart from Fairbanks by plane and land across the Arctic Circle in ceremonious fashion and receive an official Arctic Circle certificate. Take a walk on the arctic tundra, which will give you a sense of the vast scale of Alaska’s arctic regions. Return to Fairbanks by van along the historic Dalton Highway. Once the sky gets dark, you’ll make whatever stops you wish to scan the northern sky for the aurora borealis.
(c) Kenji Sato. All rights reserved.
Today, say farewell to Alaska and receive a private transfer to the Fairbanks Airport for your departure flight.
(c) Chris McLennan. All rights reserved.
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Peter Parsons-Young