Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour, Fairbanks

About this activity

Embark on one of our most popular evening adventures to Chena Hot Springs Resort, a renowned Alaskan getaway just 60 miles from Fairbanks. Keep an eye out for moose, fox, or beavers as you travel through the scenic interior.

Your night begins with a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, home to stunning ice sculptures and the famous ice bar, where you can optionally enjoy an Appletini in a hand-carved ice glass. Then relax with dinner or a drink in the cozy resort restaurant, featuring fresh, locally sourced produce (meal not included).

Afterward, soak in the outdoor mineral hot springs, a rejuvenating experience under the stars, or explore the snowy grounds while waiting for a chance to witness the magical Aurora Borealis. Your guide will point out the best spots for viewing and provide tips to make the most of the night.

PLEASE NOTE:

You are eligible for a full refund up to 7 days before your tour.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Private and Luxury 4WD Tours Walking Tours Night Tours Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Nature Walks

At a glance

Duration: 10 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: Alaska Wild Lights

Ages: Children (1–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission to the Aurora Ice Museum
Included: Resort Pool-Passes (outdoor hot springs, hot tubs & swimming areas)
Included: Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off Services
Included: Local Guide
Included: Standing Dinner Reservation

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Resort Restaurant Meal Cost
Not included: Towels

Itinerary

Aurora Ice Museum

45 min Admission included

After being picked up, sit back, relax and enjoy the 60 mile (97 kms) journey out to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Keep a lookout for wildlife that might include a moose, beaver or fox.

Upon arrival, you’ll be given a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, constructed of over 1000 tons of ice and snow. Marvel at magnificent ice-sculptures created by world-renowned ice carvers, sit at the ice bar on a caribou-hide covered bar stool or indulge in an appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass (optional-not included in price). You will then be shown to our table in the restaurant where you can enjoy some dinner and hot or cold beverages (optional and not included in price).

Rejoin your group a little after midnight and head back to Fairbanks. Your guide may make a few stops along the way for further aurora viewing if it is active.

Please note the aurora is an act of nature and it's appearance cannot be guaranteed.
Chena Hot Springs Resort

6 hours Admission included

After arriving at the resort, you'll be taken to the restaurant where you can sample some home grown Alaskan fare (optional and not included in price). Enjoy a hot or cold beverage at the bar or don your bathing suit and head to the hot springs. The revitalizing mineral water soothes muscles with its warm temperatures of 106 degrees F (41 degrees C) year-round. You can soak under the stars in an outdoor hot tub, or indoors in the heated pool.

When ready, join your expert guide for a small-group outing to view the Aurora Borealis. Your guide will lead you through one of the best places on earth to witness the green and purple illuminations loop across the night sky. Wait and witness the celestial wonder in the late evening, when viewing opportunities are the highest. The lights are also visible inside the cafe's Aurora Room, which serves as a comfortable and warm location for viewings.

Note: We can never guarantee the Northern lights sighting.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Billie's Backpackers Hostel
Bear Lodge At Wedgewood Resort
Rivers Edge Resort
Borealis Inn
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport
Sophie Station Suites
Brennan's B&B
Comfort Inn
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
Glacier House Hostel
Sven's Basecamp Hostel
Golden North Inn

and 17 more pickup points

We will contact you the day before your tour with your exact pickup time.

We can only pick up from hotels within the Fairbanks City-Limits.

We cannot pick up from the airport.

If you are staying at an Air BnB or outside of city limits, please contact the office via email or phone call.

Using your ticket

Please provide the provider with your accommodation location as soon as it its known so that they can prepare the pick up schedule for this tour. If you are uncertain if you can be picked up from your accommodation location please contact Alaska Wildlife Guide directly on +1 907 712 4529 (landline so no texts please) between 9am and 5pm Alaska time, Monday to Friday.

If you are planning on going in the hot springs, you will need a bathing suit, towel, 2 quarters (50 cents) for the lockers and photo ID if you wish to purchase an alcoholic beverage. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle.

The tour group has a standing reservation in the restaurant at the resort for dinner. It is not mandatory dining and is not included in the price. You are welcome to bring your own food, drinks and/or snacks.

Pickups will occur between 4pm and 5pm, depending on location. You will be contacted the day before your tour with your exact pick up time or a few days before if your tour is on a Monday so please ensure you provide a working phone number that you can be contacted on at the time of booking. If you do not hear from us, please check your voicemail as we will leave you a message. If your mailbox is not set up or is full we will send you either an email or message in Viator so please remember to check your message for your pick up time.

PLEASE NOTE that visibility of the northern lights (aurora) is not guaranteed. It is a natural phenomenon we have no control over and no refunds will be given if the aurora cannot be seen.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
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.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in cold weather conditions; please dress appropriately
Please don't forget to bring bathing suits, bath towels, at least 2 quarter for each locker and photo ID for purchases at the bar.
The outside rock pool is only allowed for adults 18 years and up. However, children are allowed in the inside pool.
Pregnant travelers are not allowed in the outside rock pool.
We have enough room for a foldable wheelchair. The hot springs are wheelchair accessible.
We can only pick up from inside the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. For other locations, you will need to go to an agreed location (eg Walmart), please contact our office to discuss if you are staying outside the city limits.
Water is not supplied for this tour. We recommending bringing a refillable water bottle.
Every guest must sign a waiver before any tour so they clearly acknowledge the inherent risks of wilderness travel, assume responsibility for their own safety, and confirm they are medically able to participate.