SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More

4.8 (807 reviews) 5 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

807 reviews

4.8

A light show from the cosmos. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Caught between the stars and the earth. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

We don’t just take you to the Northern Lights — we chase them.

At Aurora In Alaska™, our exclusive SkyChase™ Northern Lights Experience uses our Lights-for-Life™ Formula to track weather, clouds, and solar activity in real time to take you to the clearest skies, at the best time.

Travel in a heated, winterized Mercedes Sprinter van, relax at our mobile Aurora lodge, enjoy a twilight campfire meal, and sip drinks from our Borealis Brew Bar. Receive unlimited Aurora portraits from our pro photographers, plus night-lapse video and tripod rentals.

We’re the only tour with an Aurora Guarantee: If no Aurora is visible to the eye or camera on a “guaranteed night,” you get a 50% refund or free rebooking.

Disclaimer: A guaranteed night is based on real-time conditions. If any Aurora is visible by eye or camera, the night is considered fulfilled.

Day Trips Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Night Tours Excellent Quality Adventure Tours Northern Lights

At a glance

Duration: 5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 60 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English
Operated by: Aurora In Alaska

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: 360° time-lapse video of the night
Included: Aurora Guarantee* (refund or retry if no lights are seen)
Included: Twilight Campfire meal (Alaskan reindeer sausage or vegan option)
Included: Your personal Auro-meteorologist - predicts northern lights' visibility blending aurora and weather.
Included: Hands-on camera support & tripod rentals
Included: Keepsake Media - professional photography included, downloadable images
Included: Real-time Aurora tracking with Lights-for-Life™ Formula
Included: Solo Stove Fire Pits (most nights)
Included: Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.): Hotel/B&B pickup & drop-off (within 5 miles of downtown Fairbanks)
Included: Borealis Brew Drink Bar - Featuring 8+ hot/cold drink options
Included: Mobile Aurora Lodge - Most nights our mobile heated lodge follows the vans.
Included: Local Expert - ensure your in the best spot to view the lights for the night

Not included

Not included: Edited Pictures - unlimited download of edited photos
Not included: Please note our Primary goal is Aurora viewing. Weather and other variables may remove extras
Not included: Meals beyond the included fire-cooked meals we provide
Not included: Private transportation: Transportation is not private and can have up to a max of 14 guests in one van.
Not included: RAW files and watermark-free originals are not included in the base package

Itinerary

Fairbanks

Passing by

As our home base, Fairbanks is one of the best locations in the world for Northern Lights viewing — located directly under the Aurora Oval. Each night, our SkyChase™ tour departs from Fairbanks and uses the Lights-for-Life™ Formula to determine the optimal location outside the city for clear skies and strong activity.
Murphy Dome

Passing by

Murphy Dome is one of the highest accessible points in the Fairbanks area and occasionally used on clear-sky nights for its panoramic views and low light pollution. It’s a prime example of the remote high-elevation locations our team accesses while chasing the Aurora.
North Pole

Passing by

While not our final destination, North Pole, Alaska is located along our route and adds charm to the adventure. Guests love passing Santa Claus House and seeing this quirky, festive town en route to darker skies.
Chena Hot Springs

Passing by

Chena Hot Springs region is often considered when skies to the east are favorable. These peaceful, forested areas offer a quiet backdrop for Northern Lights viewing with excellent visibility when cloud trends push us in that direction.
Stop 5

Passing by

c, northeast of Fairbanks, is one of the elevated points we use on select Aurora nights. When conditions are right, it offers excellent visibility and sweeping skies, especially during high activity nights.
Denali National Park and Preserve

Passing by

While not a nightly destination, Denali National Park is visible on rare clear-sky nights from certain elevated viewpoints. Guests occasionally glimpse the Alaska Range from afar, especially during strong Aurora activity. This region highlights the vast scope of Alaska’s night sky and our commitment to chasing the most breathtaking views whenever possible.
Felix Pedro Monument

Passing by

This historical stop marks the first major gold discovery in Alaska and is located along one of the routes we sometimes take while chasing clear skies. Though we typically pass by, it showcases our access to remote, scenic locations far from city lights. It’s a meaningful part of the Alaskan landscape and history.
Chena River State Recreation Area

Passing by

The Chena area is one of many regions we travel toward when skies are favorable. It offers forested backdrops, river reflections, and lower light pollution — making it a frequent route on strong Aurora nights. This region represents one of many weather-based destination options included in our flexible SkyChase™ route strategy.
Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point

Passing by

One of many high-elevation stops that we utilize on clear-sky nights for its vast visibility and iconic Alaska scenery. Our flexible route often includes this point or others nearby when it offers cloud-free conditions and great Aurora potential. We use dozens of pre-approved locations in all directions based on real-time sky data.
Pleasant Valley

Passing by

The Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley region is often considered when skies to the east are favorable. These peaceful, forested areas offer a quiet backdrop for Northern Lights viewing with excellent visibility when cloud trends push us in that direction.
Ester

Passing by

Ester Dome is a frequent direction for clear-sky nights. Its elevation, low light pollution, and distance from city glow make it a strong candidate in our flexible SkyChase™ route system.
Nenana

Passing by

On nights with clearing trends to the west, we may head toward the Nenana Hills region, exploring lesser-known sites that deliver expansive skies and beautiful terrain far from city lights.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please let us know if you need meeting point details.

End point

Please let us know if you need meeting point details.

Pickup points

Billie's Backpackers Hostel
Bear Lodge At Wedgewood Resort
Rivers Edge Resort
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport
Sophie Station Suites
Comfort Inn
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
Travelodge Fairbanks
Fairbanks Bed and Breakfast
Holiday Inn Express Northern Lights Inn
The Villages

and 19 more pickup points

Tours begin right at your Fairbanks hotel, so you don’t need to plan how to get to us and you will save additional taxi costs.

Free guest pickup from 9pm to 10pm. Your guide will call/text when they are 10 min away from pick up.

Using your ticket

Please present your ticket upon pick up

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.