Arctic Circle and Northern Lights Tour from Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
Rating: 
Trip Type: Nature & Wildlife
Duration: 14 hours
Travel along one of the world’s most isolated roads from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle on this memorable 14-hour tour through the Alaskan wilderness. In the company of an experienced guide with a passion for Alaska, journey up the Dalton Highway, passing by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, crossing the Yukon River and reaching the edge of the Arctic Circle. On the drive back, watch for the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). Snacks, sandwiches, warm drinks and hotel transport are included. This tour is limited to eight people, ensuring you enjoy a small-group experience.
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Travel along one of the world’s most isolated roads from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle on this memorable 14-hour tour through the Alaskan wilderness. In the company of an experienced guide with a passion for Alaska, journey up the Dalton Highway, passing by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, crossing the Yukon River and reaching the edge of the Arctic Circle. On the drive back, watch for the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). Snacks, sandwiches, warm drinks and hotel transport are included. This tour is limited to eight people, ensuring you enjoy a small-group experience.
Your 14-hour adventure to the Arctic Circle starts with hotel pickup in Fairbanks by your experienced guide. Head north out of town in the afternoon, traveling along 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.
Learn from your guide about the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, one of the world’s largest pipeline systems, built in the 1970s to carry crude oil from Prudhoe Bay 800 miles (1,287 km) south to Valdez. Stop for a photo op along a portion of the pipeline in the community of Fox, and get an up-close look at its construction while hearing about its controversies and environmental effects.
Continuing along the Dalton Highway, cross the Yukon River on the E. L. Patton Bridge, the only bridge in Alaska that crosses this legendary river. With a length of 2,295 feet (700 meters), the bridge carries not only vehicle traffic but the pipeline, as well. You'll have the chance to get out for a quick photo op here. Then a bit further down the road, stop for another photo op at Finger Mountain, where views of the alpine tundra await.
Finally, arrive at the edge of the Arctic Circle and pose for celebratory photos around the sign displaying your latitude of 66°33’ north, the southernmost latitude at which the sun never rises during winter solstice and never sets during summer solstice. Your guide will set out sandwiches, coffee and homemade hot punch for you to sip while you take in your surroundings. Then hop back in your tour vehicle to start the return journey to Fairbanks.
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, including the Tolovana River and Wickersham Dome, so you have plenty of time to snap photos and stare up in wonder at this natural phenomenon. Your guide can explain what causes this mystifying and incredible atmospheric event.
Throughout your tour, keep your eyes open for Alaskan wildlife like foxes, moose, or possibly even bears, wolves or lynx. Beverages, cookies and other snacks are provided. Your tour ends with hotel drop-off in the early morning hours.
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.
Learn from your guide about the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, one of the world’s largest pipeline systems, built in the 1970s to carry crude oil from Prudhoe Bay 800 miles (1,287 km) south to Valdez. Stop for a photo op along a portion of the pipeline in the community of Fox, and get an up-close look at its construction while hearing about its controversies and environmental effects.
Continuing along the Dalton Highway, cross the Yukon River on the E. L. Patton Bridge, the only bridge in Alaska that crosses this legendary river. With a length of 2,295 feet (700 meters), the bridge carries not only vehicle traffic but the pipeline, as well. You'll have the chance to get out for a quick photo op here. Then a bit further down the road, stop for another photo op at Finger Mountain, where views of the alpine tundra await.
Finally, arrive at the edge of the Arctic Circle and pose for celebratory photos around the sign displaying your latitude of 66°33’ north, the southernmost latitude at which the sun never rises during winter solstice and never sets during summer solstice. Your guide will set out sandwiches, coffee and homemade hot punch for you to sip while you take in your surroundings. Then hop back in your tour vehicle to start the return journey to Fairbanks.
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, including the Tolovana River and Wickersham Dome, so you have plenty of time to snap photos and stare up in wonder at this natural phenomenon. Your guide can explain what causes this mystifying and incredible atmospheric event.
Throughout your tour, keep your eyes open for Alaskan wildlife like foxes, moose, or possibly even bears, wolves or lynx. Beverages, cookies and other snacks are provided. Your tour ends with hotel drop-off in the early morning hours.
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