Experience the aurora in the way it was meant to be seen guided by a native Alaskan! Bookings open for 2024-2025!
For this aurora tour, you'll travel to a remote/private location and come back with your very own incredible photos. Avoid the crowded uncomfortable vans, big group tours, overcrowded pullouts, overcrowded lodges, and when possible, the cloudy skies. You will chase the lights only when necessary, otherwise enjoying the comfort of a beautiful Alaskan lodge and its amenities and most of all, the aurora!
Quick facts:
- $275 (solo traveler)
- $265 per person (groups of 2+)
- All ages 8+
- (ALL ages on private tours)
- 9 hours
- Hotel pick up/drop off
What to expect:
- Pickup from a hotel or Airbnb in Fairbanks around 8 pm
- Drive to the Aurora Viewing Lodge
- Snacks, coffee, drinks, and aurora viewing 10-3 am
- Drive back to Fairbanks. Drop off at hotel around 5 am
Depending on cloud cover and auroral activity, you may travel futher south into the Alaska Range. The goal of the tour is to see the aurora, so be prepared to chase the aurora all night long! If you're a photographer, you will have lots of chances to take photos of the northern lights, and your guide will help you! Aurora portraits are included in the tour! Photo packages are also available!
Make sure to read the FAQ section below if you still have questions, or contact me!
What makes this tour unique?
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Learn how to photograph the northern lights!
If you want to leave Alaska with a beautiful, professional photo of the aurora, then this tour is right for you! Need help with your camera settings? No problem. Your Alaskan guide is a professional photographer who will help you with your settings. Face The Outdoors will make sure you get the best photos to capture your experience.
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Learn local knowledge from an Alaskan native!
You'll be guided by a local Alaskan native who knows the area and where to go and has grown up experiencing this natural phenomenon.
Your local guide will teach you how to set up your personal camera equipment so that you go home with excellent northern lights photos of your own. You can choose to rent cameras at the time of booking if you don't have your own.
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An unparalleled location under the lights!
The Aurora Viewing Lodge is a secluded Alaskan homestead built for the sole purpose of northern lights viewing. Lodge tours are common in Fairbanks to give guests the luxury of staying warm while witnessing nature's beauty. However, Face the Outdoors is the only lodge tour that chases the lights when conditions get cloudy or the northern lights retreat north. This is crucial. Face The Outdoors puts in the effort and will maximize your chances of seeing the lights!
An unforgettable experience
What makes this aurora tour special is the beautiful lodge and location. You will travel to a beautiful homestead located in an area with dark skies and zero light pollution. This makes seeing even the faintest aurora possible with the naked eye.
Located less than 100 miles from Fairbanks in Delta Junction, the Aurora Viewing Lodge sits under the auroral oval, a section of the Earth's atmosphere where you can see the northern lights every night!
Face The Outdoors offers uncrowded, unhurried, small group tours to view the aurora borealis in comfort and style at the Aurora Viewing Lodge, and they are the only viewing lodge that chases when the clouds become a factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is pickup and drop off?
Our team will call/text you at least six hours before the viewing to confirm that the weather is good for your trip. We will pick you up between 8-8:30 pm and will call/text you on the day to let you know the exact time. We will usually return by 5 am and drop you at your hotel, but sometimes we may need more time than that if we are chasing something. We appreciate your understanding and can’t wait to have you on board!
Can I get picked up from my AirBnb?
We do provide pickups from Airbnb’s in addition to hotels in Fairbanks. However, some Airbnb’s are located in areas that are difficult for our shuttle to reach. In such cases, we’ll arrange a meeting point for pickup after reaching out to you.
What should I 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. 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. 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. One of them is Akarcticwear, and you can contact them to arrange for your rental.
How far away from Fairbanks is the lodge?
The lodge is located in Delta Junction Alaska, and it takes about an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes to reach us, depending on the road conditions. Although it might seem like a long drive, it’s similar to the time it takes to get to Chena Hotsprings. If you’re willing to spend a night chasing the northern lights, this drive will be nothing in comparison. In fact, if you book a tour to chase the lights, half of the time you’ll end up in the Delta area anyway, with no restrooms for the night. The secluded location has been called a “hidden gem” by visitors and is well worth the trip. Some of the most amazing places and experiences are found off the beaten path. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey and the unique experience we offer.
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 6) from the tour vs the small group tour only has 1 “group” aurora portrait included; additional photos are extra. 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. If you have a bigger group please contact us about accommodation. We look forward to providing you with exceptional service.
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 is the difference between chasing the lights and a viewing lodge?
Our guests can rest assured that they will fully experience the breathtaking spectacle of the aurora borealis, even when the sky is not completely clear, thanks to our unique “chasing the lights” option. In addition to our comfortable viewing lodge, which is an ideal location to witness the northern lights under clear skies, our home provides all the necessary amenities, including a bathroom. We understand that the weather can be unpredictable, and our team is always prepared to take our guests on a nighttime adventure in our van if clouds limit visibility. Our ultimate goal is to provide a world-class experience, allowing guests to take in the majestic beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Even on nights when unfavorable conditions are forecasted, we will embark on a search for clearer skies, which may be up to four hours away. While it may seem like a long drive, we are committed to ensuring that our guests enjoy an unforgettable glimpse of the aurora borealis during their stay.
Is lodging offered?
We do not provide lodging for our aurora tour as our home is the base of operation and it is not feasible for us to provide such facility due to logistical constraints and the tour’s unique nature.
Is there a booking minumum?
We absolutely love sharing the amazing experience of viewing the northern lights. It’s what makes Alaska so special during the fall and winter months! While we do sometimes have limitations on bookings, we are happy to take one person for the night. So don’t worry, we’re here to make sure everyone has a chance to witness this breathtaking sight.
Are there any discounts?
We don’t offer any discounts for individuals due to the type of service we provide. However, we offer group discounts for 10 or more people traveling together. If you have a larger group, please contact us to discuss details and accommodations. Please visit our contact page for more information. Since our groups are small in nature, we only have 10 spots available on any night, therefore the cost is the same regardless of age. We do offer 10% off for multiple nights, contact us for with questions.
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.
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 deposited 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.
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.
Will you be on our tour?
No, I wil not physically be on your tour and I am not directly employed by Face The Outdoors. I am just partnered with them to give you the best experience and chances to see the aurora if you are visiting Alaska!