Arctic Circle & Northern Lights Tour

From$363
12 hours – 14 hours
Fairbanks, USA

About this activity

Experience a full-day adventure from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, featuring a scenic drive along the Dalton Highway and a chance to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights at the Arctic Circle.

Highlights

  • Scenic drive along the Dalton Highway
  • Crossing the Arctic Circle
  • Northern Lights viewing at the Arctic Circle
  • Expert commentary from knowledgeable guides
  • Comfortable round-trip transportation from Fairbanks

Full description

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, traversing the iconic Dalton Highway—a route renowned for its rugged beauty and historical significance. Along the way, enjoy captivating commentary from your expert guide, who will share insights into the area's rich history and unique landscapes. Upon reaching the Arctic Circle, prepare to be awestruck by the vast, untouched wilderness and, if conditions permit, the mesmerizing Northern Lights illuminating the night sky. This full-day excursion offers a rare opportunity to experience the remote beauty of Alaska's interior, all while traveling in comfort and safety. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combines natural wonders with cultural exploration.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Fairbanks
  • Guided tour along the Dalton Highway
  • Northern Lights viewing at the Arctic Circle
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

With sweeping views of mountains and valleys, you will see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System (one of the largest pipeline systems in the world), transporting thousands of gallons of oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, up close.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

A quick stop to allow guests to purchase souvenirs & a slice of the market's famous pie(s).

Duration: 20 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

Enjoy the journey across the Yukon River, as you catch a glimpse of the wildlife that inhabits Sub-Arctic Alaska. Meals available for purchase.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Upon reaching the Arctic Circle, you will be met with glorious views, presented with your personalized Arctic Circle Certificate, and the opportunity to photograph the aurora borealis.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

A quick stop at the Dalton Highway Sign to allow guests to take photos and enjoy the scenery. You will then travel the remote Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle Campground (mile 115).

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Important information

Know before you book

  • This tour operates seasonally; check availability for your desired dates.
  • Meals and beverages are not included; consider bringing your own snacks and drinks.
  • The tour involves a full-day commitment; plan accordingly for the duration.

Know before you go

  • Dress in layers to accommodate varying temperatures throughout the day.
  • Bring a valid ID for check-in purposes.
  • Ensure your camera equipment is ready for low-light conditions if you plan to photograph the Northern Lights.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

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

Good to know

  • Adult pricing applies to all travelers. We do not recommend this tour for children under the age of 10 years due to safety concerns
  • Please dress appropriately. The temperatures can reach extreme conditions during the winter month and we recommend to dress in layers.
  • Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and therefore cannot be guaranteed! (no refund possible)
  • The weather conditions are in no way predictable in our area and we will not offer a refund in the case of too many clouds.
  • Exact schedule and itinerary of stops are subject to change based on daily conditions and Northern Lights activity on the day of your tour.
  • There is a possibility of cancellation due to dangerous weather and/or road conditions. If this occurs, an alternative date or full refund will be offered.
  • Type of transportation: climate controlled van
  • The group size is limited to 8 people for each passenger van.
  • Customers are strongly encouraged to rotate seats at least a few times on the tour to give each person the opportunity of having a different view.
  • This tour requires being able to enter and exit our van with limited assistance. Please contact us if you have any concerns about mobility.
  • 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.

Traveler reviews

4.6
952 reviews
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45

TERRIBLE LONG DRIVE

It was horrible and tragedy full experience. Driver saved tea / coffee / water bottle and snakes what ch were supposed to be served to us. There was NO facility of these things on the way of 200 miles (Appx).. The van was totally third class and outdated. Each and every part of the body of the van was shouting and noising. The interior was totally miser and even safety handles were also not fixed. The space between rows and seats were most uncomfortable. All 8 passengers were Senior Citizens and experienced great physical difficulties. This trip was NOT a pleasant tour but a terrible long ride. I think I will never recommend to anyone. Sorry.

28niranjansMay 13, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Enjoyable

We took the the Arctic Circle tour. Shannon was our guide. She made the trip interesting and she was confident driving Dalton Hwy that helps put your mind at ease. My friend and I enjoyed her very much. Also Caitlin , who was taking photos for the social media aspect . Took nice pictures and was informative also. We would do another tour with Alaska WildLife tours.

lisadQ4278NRMay 5, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Poor communication & disorganized experience

I’m disappointed with my experience with this tour agency. Unfortunately, we ran into multiple issues across two separate bookings. For our most recent excursion, the tour was cancelled just two hours before it was supposed to start. We were told it was due to a driver emergency, which is understandable, but the short notice was very frustrating because it was too late to pivot to other plans. They were also unable to offer alternatives or help us rebook something else. We had also booked a tour with them a few days earlier, and that experience had problems as well. We were told we would receive a call or email with our pickup time, but never heard anything. I tried calling multiple times on the day of the tour and couldn’t reach anyone. No one returned my calls. My group waited in our hotel lobby for about 30 minutes unsure of what was happening, until a driver eventually arrived. Once on the van, we found out that none of the other guests had received pickup information either. I understand that unexpected situations can come up, but the overall lack of communication and organization made this a very disappointing experience. I would not recommend this company.

Jasmine MMar 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR

So great!!!

Jessica was fantastic!!! Great tour! I learned a lot and she is very smart! Learned a lot about Alaska and the land and the aurora’s. Super safe and comfortable!! I was nervous before trip about no service and transportation. It felt like a new adventure and road trip and reassuring to know we had a great guide! Def a tour worth taking!!

Arianna_OMar 29, 2026VIATOR

Up to the circle with Jessica.

First we would like to start with our guide Jessica. She was extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, accommodating, adaptive and prepared. She kept us very informed of the route we were going on and what to expect. Unfortunately, the Northern Lights did not accommodate us but Jessica tried. She stopped so many times to see if they were showing and did everything possible to find them but it was not to be. Her driving was extremely safe. The condition of the highway with the snow and ice could have made the drive trechararous but at no time did we feel unsafe. As far as how to dress, check the weather and dress appropriately. It was -11 and we had on thermals, coats, gloves and scarves and were as comfortable as could be. The only negative we have to say is, because it was so cold out, except for the windshield and front side windows, all the others were iced over on the inside so we couldn't see out at all. We tried the scraping with a credit card as Jessica suggested but it really didn't work. Maybe wipe them down with shaving cream or have a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and rags to wipe them with. This was a bucket list that we definitely will remember and was totally worth it!

Elaine_HMar 27, 2026VIATOR

Additional information

Adult pricing applies to all travelers. We do not recommend this tour for children under the age of 10 years due to safety concerns Please dress appropriately. The temperatures can reach extreme conditions during the winter month and we recommend to dress in layers. Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and therefore cannot be guaranteed! (no refund possible) The weather conditions are in no way predictable in our area and we will not offer a refund in case of too many clouds. Exact schedule and itinerary of stops are subject to change based on daily conditions and Northern Lights activity on the day of your tour. There is a possibility of cancellation due to dangerous weather and/or road conditions. If this occurs, an alternative date or full refund will be offered. Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required. We are not able to provide gluten free or vegan options as there is limited availability of these items in Alaska. Type of transportation: climate controlled van The group size is limited to 8 people for each passenger van. Customers are strongly encouraged to rotate seats at least a few times on the tour to give each person the opportunity of having a different view. This tour requires being able to enter and exit our van with limited assistance. Please contact us if you have any concerns about mobility.