NLRA04 Arctic Circle Aurora Trip - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage

NLRA04 Arctic Circle Aurora Trip - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage

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The polar lights are a phenomenon that takes place all year round. But in summer, when the sun hardly sets or does not set at all, they are practically invisible. This is quite different in winter, when the Northern Lights put on a breathtaking show on dark, clear nights. Although the Aurora Borealis can also be seen in the cities, the best way to see the Northern Lights is far away from towns, especially the area around Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle are considered the strongholds. Join our Arctic Circle & Railroad combo tour and experience the famous northern arctic region above the Arctic Circle. Board the Alaska Winter Train in Anchorage and enjoy the winter wonderland of Alaska’s backcountry from the comfort of a warm railcar, complete with comfortable seats, large picture windows and onboard dining. Travel via Talkeetna and Denali National Park towards Fairbanks. During the winter month, Fairbanks hosts the World Ice Art Championship, exciting Sled Dog Races and a variety of winter carnival activities. The next day, follow the Dalton Highway, which has also become known to us through the "Ice Road Trucker" series, in the direction of the Arctic Circle. During the trip your guide will introduce you to the history of Alaska and the peculiarities of life in Alaska. Enjoy the impressive landscape of Central Alaska, such as the Yukon River, Finger Mountain or the Trans Alaska Pipeline and look out for moose, lynx and foxes that are at home here. Your guided tour includes the overnight in Coldfoot. The hotel is rustic by urban standards, the hotel is clean and each room has a private bath, a luxury in the wilderness. At night admire the natural spectacle of the aurora borealis with its colourful shining veils.

  • Itinerary

  • Prices & Dates

  • Attractions & Add-ons

  • Accommodation

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Anchorage ( Overnight: Anchorage )

Upon arrival transfer to your downtown hotel. The remaining day is at leisure. Explore Alaska's largest city and visit the many points of interests. Take a walk on the Coastal Trail along Cook Inlet to Earthquake Park with a magnificent view of the snow capped Alaska Mountain Range in the distance, visit Alyeska – Alaska's largest Ski Resort or have a delicious dinner at one of Anchorage's top seafood restaurants. During February and March Anchorage hosts the annual Fur Rondy, Ice Carving Festivals, the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and other fun winter events.

 

Anchorage - Fairbanks | by Alaska Railroad ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Depart Anchorage at 8:30 AM for a scenic full-day rail tour to Fairbanks onboard the Alaska Railroad. You'll get fantastic views of the snow covered Alaska Mountain Range, a glimpse of Talkeetna and Denali National Park before arriving in Fairbanks at 8:00 PM. Transfer to your hotel near the banks of the beautiful Chena River. Known as the Golden Heart City of Alaska, Fairbanks is tucked into miles of unexplored wilderness only 120 miles from the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks offers many winter activities; from the Open North Sled Dog Race Championship to the World Ice Art Championship - Ice Alaska. Relax during your first evening and get ready for a few days of winter fun and adventure within the Last Frontier. You may watch the Aurora Borealis at night dancing on the northern sky.

Fairbanks – Van Tour to Coldfoot / Arctic Circle ( Overnight: Coldfoot )

Depart from Fairbanks in comfortable tour van and travel along the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline. You'll follow the famous Dalton Highway, the solitary land route of Alaska's Arctic wilderness. Traverse the frozen Yukon River and enjoy the snow-sculpted forest. Cross the Arctic Circle in ceremonious fashion and receive an official Arctic Circle Certificate. Appreciate the low light on the horizon as it shines on the windswept Arctic Tundra. Arrive Coldfoot in early evening and watch the Aurora Borealis at night dancing on the northern sky. Accommodation: Coldfoot provides an excellent base for travelers in Alaska's Brooks Mountain Range. Although rustic by urban standards, the hotel rooms feature two twin beds and a private bath, a luxury in the remote wilderness of Alaska's Arctic.

Coldfoot / Arctic Circle ( Overnight: Coldfoot )

Depart for an adventurous drive into the Brooks Range to Atigun Pass. This is the northernmost pass in the world that is kept open year-round and the highest year around pass in Alaska. Enjoy an evening aurora viewing expedition to historic Wiseman – an old gold rush town established in 1907 - for a unique cabin visit and an opportunity to enjoy the solitude of the Brooks Mountain Range as you scan the northern sky for Northern Lights activities. Enjoy the spectacular show as they are flipping and waving through the sky in shades of green, purple and red. A spectacle you’ll never forget. Cabin visit includes complimentary hot beverages. Departs at 10:00 PM and returns at 2:00 AM.

Coldfoot / Arctic Circle – Flight to Fairbanks ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Breakfast at the Truckers Cafe in Coldfoot. Time for another sightseeing activity trip: Dog Sledding Adventures: Enjoy an experience with real Alaskan sled dogs. Learn what it takes to have a dog team in Alaska and enjoy. Fly back to Fairbanks with eagle views of the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline, symbolizing the immense changes brought to Alaska's Arctic by the discovery of oil over 30 years ago. Rest of the day at leisure. You can visit this afternoon the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, offering knowledgeable cultural programs and an interpretive exhibit gallery featuring the land, seasons and people of Interior Alaska and the Arctic.

Fairbanks

This morning you have time to visit the Alaska University Museum with the States largest collection of gold nuggets, gold mining history and Alaskan heritage artifacts and the nearby Geophysical Institute - recognized as the best in the world for its Aurora Borealis research activities. You may join a Bush Mail Plane Flight to a remote native village above the Arctic Circle. Downtown Fairbanks offers a variety of excellent gift shops and art galleries such as the "Roseberry Art Gallery" with some tasteful items for your friends at home. Stroll through thedowntown court before returning to the airport for your individual return flight. Tour extension is avaiable upon request.
Rates in US $ / per Person
Comfort Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad
August 20 - September 19 $2620 $1930 $1775 $1645
October 08 - December 19
January 01 - January 31
February 11 - February 27
April 01 - April 21    		 $2105 $1690 $1620 $1540
September 20 - October 07
December 20 - December 31
February 01 - February 10
February 28 - March 31		 $2380 $1850 $1840 $1710

What’s included

3 Nights ***/**** Hotel Accommodation

2 Night Basic Hotel in Coldfoot (Triple/Quad = 2 Rooms)

All Local Taxes

Deluxe Continental Breakfast in Fairbanks (First Class only)

Escorted Van Transportation Fairbanks - Coldfoot

Full Day Brooks Range Sightseeing Tour

Brooks Range: Northern Lights Viewing Tour including Hot Beverages

Flight Coldfoot – Fairbanks

Alaska Railroad Transportation from Anchorage – Fairbanks

Reserved Seating

Fairbanks Railroad Station & Airport Transfers

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Tour Departures

From  August 21  – September 17  |   Tour Start : Daily

From September 18 – April 21 | Tour Start : Every Friday**

**increased departures : During Peak Season, please contact us. 

Fairbanks: Northern Lights Viewing Tour

You will be picked up at 10 PM for your northern lights viewing tour. Enjoy the transfer to a prime aurora viewing lodge, located in the hills about 20 miles north of Fairbanks – far away from any city lights. Enjoy spectacular 270-degree aurora displays through large picture windows from the comfort of the lodge or outside. Once the lights are out, you want to step outside onto the large deck to soak in the view. And if you get cold, just go back in and help yourself to a cup of hot coffee, tea, or cocoa, available self-serve. Return to your hotel at 2:30 AM.

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Coldfoot: Visit Sled dog kennel & sled dog ride

Enjoy an afternoon with real Alaskan sled dogs. Learn what it takes to have a dog team in Alaska. Enjoy a ride, and, if you wish, drive a team of your own. Times will vary and will be arranged by the guide in Coldfoot to fit within your schedule - experience takes approximately 1 hour.

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Fairbanks: Snowmobile Tour (1 hr)

Guided Snow Machine Tour around the Chena Lakes Recreational area only accessed by snowmachine. On this snowmobile tour, your guide will lead you through a true winter wonderland you haven't seen before. Explore Fairbanks’ breathtaking surroundings by snowmobile through a beautiful winter wonderland, crossing frozen lakes and rivers, scenic mountains, endless remote trails and hopefully wildlife such as moose, fox or snowshoe hare. The Chena Lakes Recreation area offers a variety of beautiful and well-maintained trails, lakes and rivers ensuring an adventure of a lifetime. No experience is necessary.

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Fairbanks: Ice Fishing

Your Ice Fishing day trip begins with the pick up from your hotel. While catching fish in a warm hut on a beautiful lake you can still safely enjoy the brisk, clear air and peaceful environment of Interior Alaska, the home to some of the best ice fishing this state has to offer. Learn the old native skill of ice fishing from our experienced ice fishing guides. Hot drinks and grilled fish for a late lunch are served while fishing. Warm arctic gear is available and our heated van is always close by. Please provide each participant’s height, weight, and shoe size for the arctic gear. The tour price includes: hotel transfer, arctic gear, fishing license, tackle, hot beverages and lunch.

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Remy, Australia: Just to tell you how happy we are after our northern lights viewing trip to Alaska. Our family enjoyed the wonderful railroad journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks and it is worth every second and every cent. The twelve hour trip was beautiful the entire time. We enjoyed great views of the Mt. Denali and we did have great views of the whole mountain range. Many people moved to the restaurant car, leaving space to look out the other side if something was interesting there. Everything about the trip to the Arctic Circle was fabulous. I can’t even express how interesting Coldfoot is. And what a bonus that we took the trip to see the Aurora, and were rewarded by a spectacular display. Everything about this tour was perfect. The staff in Coldfoot were welcoming and quirky ( consider who would choose to live with a population of 26 and weather that is often below -20 for months of the year. We loved them!