Salmon Berry Tours Northern Lights Excursions

Wondering how folks up here deal with Alaska’s long winter days? It’s easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis. Braving the cold is nothing if you get a chance to see the lights dancing and waving overhead. Combine your aurora viewing trip with a few other highlights planned out by Salmon Berry Tours, and you’ll experience the best of winter in Alaska.

How to See the Aurora

It takes a mixture of planning and luck to see the Northern Lights. The planning is covered by Salmon Berry Tours, folks who’ve put a lot of thought into just what makes an Alaska vacation satisfying. And the luck? You’ve got a good start by coming in winter. The rest depends on Mother Nature and how long you can stay (a longer stay means more chances for clear skies combined with an active aurora).

6-Day Anchorage to Fairbanks Getaway

Ninety percent of those who visit the Fairbanks area during winter for at least three days see the Northern Lights! Here's what the trip includes:

• Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage, and overnight.
• Day 2: Sled dog adventure (drive your own dog sled!) at Seavey kennels in Matanuska Valley; dinner at Denali Brewpub and aurora viewing.
• Day 3: Hop on the Alaska Railroad for a relaxing and scenic ride to Fairbanks. Check in at the downtown Fairbanks Hotel then get ready for our aurora snowshoe evening program tonight with a local couple and their canine companions.
• Day 4: Free morning and afternoon. Pack your swimsuit this evening for a trip to Chena Hot Springs. You can soak in the soothing mineral hot springs, tour the ice museum and watch for the Northern Lights again. Arrive back at Fairbanks Hotel at 3 a.m.
• Day 5: Take advantage of the hotel shuttle to see a bit more of Fairbanks. Ideas include the Museum of the North or the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. In the afternoon, an optional the Arctic Circle Air Adventure will take you north to see the Trans-Alaska pipeline, the Yukon River and to officially enter the Arctic Circle! Arrive back to the Fairbanks Hotel at 2 a.m.
• Day 6: Say goodbye to Fairbanks and fly back to Anchorage (or customize and fly directly home.)