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Northern Lights · Fairbanks, Alaska

Alaska Winter Aurora Escape: 5 Days

Northern lights, sled dogs and a night soak at Chena Hot Springs, on a short winter break. No car needed.

  • 5 days / 4 nights
  • Starts at Fairbanks (FAI)
  • No car needed
Green northern lights glowing over snowy spruce trees

Attractions

What you will see as you travel the route, day by day, and how to make the most of each stop.

4nights to watch for the aurora
1aurora dinner and sled dog tour
1northern lights night at Chena Hot Springs
1museum visit
FairbanksDark-sky campChena Hot SpringsFairbanks
Part of your tripOptional add-on (not included in the trip price)
1Day 1

Welcome to Fairbanks

Your first night under the auroral oval.

Northern lights over Fairbanks

Why it is worth itFairbanks sits under the auroral oval, so the northern lights are often visible on clear, dark nights from late August to April. Away from city lights, the sky can glow green for hours.

Insider tipThe aurora is never guaranteed. Clear, dark skies give you the best chance, so check the aurora forecast and the cloud cover each evening.

2Day 2

Museum and a quiet evening

Learn how the aurora works.

University of Alaska Museum of the North

Why it is worth itThe University of Alaska Museum of the North sits on the university campus in Fairbanks, with exhibits on Alaska’s art, cultures and natural history.

Insider tipAllow a couple of hours, and look for the exhibits on the northern lights before your first aurora night.

Optional add-on

Arctic Circle Aurora Flight

Fly north across the Arctic Circle to the Brooks Range, then ride back with a late aurora stop. 1 PM to about 4 AM.

$1,045 per person

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

3Day 3

Aurora dinner and sled dogs

Sled dogs and dinner under a dark sky.

Aurora dinner at a dark-sky camp

Why it is worth itAway from the lights of Fairbanks, a camp in the boreal forest gives you dark skies for watching the aurora. Dinner and a warm place to wait make the late night comfortable.

Insider tipDress for the cold. You will step outside to watch the sky.

Dog sledding near Fairbanks

Why it is worth itMushing is the official state sport of Alaska. A local musher and team of huskies take you through the snowy boreal forest outside Fairbanks.

Insider tipDress warmly, with a hat, mitts and warm boots, since you sit still in the cold.

4Day 4

Chena Hot Springs by night

Hot springs and a museum made of ice.

Chena Hot Springs

Why it is worth itA resort about 60 miles east of Fairbanks, built around natural hot springs. You soak in the outdoor rock lake while watching for the aurora on a clear night.

Insider tipWear a hat while you soak. Wet hair can freeze in the cold air.

Aurora Ice Museum

Why it is worth itA building made of ice and snow at Chena Hot Springs, kept at about 25°F (-4°C) all year. Inside are carved sculptures, an ice bar and glowing chandeliers made of ice crystals.

Insider tipBring your warm layers inside. It stays below freezing all year.

Optional add-on

Chena Hot Springs Massage

A 60-minute Swedish massage at Chena Hot Springs before your soak. Tip included.

$250 per person

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

The order of stops can shift with the weather, and access to some sites can change with the season or local conditions. See Day by day for the full plan.

Why this trip

A short winter escape made for the northern lights. You stay 4 nights on the Chena River in Fairbanks, right under the auroral oval. One night you meet a sled dog team, ride the trail and watch for the aurora after dinner. Another night you ride out to Chena Hot Springs for a soak in the outdoor rock lake, the Aurora Ice Museum and a late aurora watch away from the city lights. Every pickup is booked, so you never drive on icy roads.

  • Museum and a quiet eveningVisit the University of Alaska Museum of the North to learn how the aurora works (booked).
  • Aurora dinner and sled dogsAn evening pickup for dinner, a sled dog ride through the snowy forest and aurora watching at a dark-sky camp (booked).
  • Chena Hot Springs by nightAfternoon pickup to Chena Hot Springs: a soak in the outdoor rock lake (18+), the Aurora Ice Museum and a late aurora watch, then back to Fairbanks (booked).

Trip at a glance

Length
5 days / 4 nights
Starts / ends
Fairbanks (FAI)
Getting around
No car needed (shuttle and tour pickups booked)
Pace
Easy days and late aurora nights
Best time to go
December to late March
Great for
Couples, friends and solo travelers
Accommodations
Comfort Plus
Flights
Not included. You book; timing tips in your pre-trip guide

Day by day

Day 1 and day 5 are travel days. The order of the days in between is flexible and can shift with the weather.

Day 1Welcome to Fairbanks
Land at Fairbanks and ride the free hotel shuttle to your lodge on the Chena River. If the sky is clear, step outside and look north.
Stay: Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks (night 1 of 4).
Day 2Museum and a quiet evening
Visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North to learn how the aurora works (booked). Rest up for the late nights ahead.
Stay: Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks (night 2 of 4).
Day 3Aurora dinner and sled dogs
An evening pickup for dinner, a sled dog ride through the snowy forest and aurora watching at a dark-sky camp (booked).
Stay: Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks (night 3 of 4).
Day 4Chena Hot Springs by night
Afternoon pickup to Chena Hot Springs: a soak in the outdoor rock lake (18+), the Aurora Ice Museum and a late aurora watch, then back to Fairbanks (booked).
Stay: Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks (night 4 of 4).
Day 5Home
Sleep in after your late night and take the hotel shuttle to the airport. Plan flights for midday or later.

Map

Every stop and attraction on your trip, numbered. Optional add-ons are in blue.

Expand map
  1. 1Fairbanks
  2. 2Museum of the North
  3. 3Dog sledding near Fairbanks
  4. 4Aurora dinner at a dark-sky camp
  5. 5Chena Hot Springs
  6. 6Aurora Ice Museum
  7. 7Chena Hot Springs Massage (optional add-on)
  8. 8Arctic Circle Aurora Flight (optional add-on)

Included in your tripOptional add-on

What’s included

Included

  • 4 nights at a Fairbanks riverside lodge, with taxes
  • Aurora dinner and sled dog tour, with pickup
  • Chena Hot Springs northern lights tour, with transport, hot springs entry and the Aurora Ice Museum
  • University of Alaska Museum of the North tickets
  • Airport shuttle both ways
  • A day-by-day plan, and one point of contact from booking to landing

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals and drinks, except dinner on the sled dog night
  • Winter gear rental
  • Tips for drivers and guides
  • Optional activities (dog mushing day, snowmobile, massage)
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending

Your hotels, experiences, transfers and guides are booked for you. Flights are up to you, and your pre-trip guide includes timing tips.

Questions

What if I need to cancel?
Plans change. If you need to cancel, you'll receive trip credit toward another itsTripEasy trip: within 24 hours of payment, 100% trip credit, so you can swap to a different destination; 90 or more days before your trip start date, 100% trip credit; less than 90 days before, no trip credit, unless you added Flexible Cancellation: with it, you get 100% trip credit if you cancel at least 10 days before your trip start date, for a trip you take within 12 months. Other trip credits never expire. To cancel or change your dates, use the cancellation request form. For a date change, choose the reason "I'd like to change my dates".
How many people can share a room?
Up to 4 people share one room with 2 queen beds, and the price per person drops as more people share: 2 sharing saves a little, 3 sharing more, 4 sharing the most. For a larger group, use Plan My Trip.
Do I need a car?
No. The hotel shuttle and every tour pickup are booked, so you never drive on winter roads.
Are flights included?
Flights are up to you, and your pre-trip guide includes timing tips so your arrival and departure fit the plan.
Can the trip be customized?
Yes, right in the booking box: add up to 3 extra nights at the start or end of your trip, pick your hotels (Economy, Comfort Plus or Superior), and choose how many travelers share each room. You can also add optional extras like the Chena Hot Springs Massage or the Arctic Circle Aurora Flight.

Good to know

  • Weather and nature. Weather, road and natural conditions are outside anyone’s control and can change quickly. They may change the plan, close roads, or delay, shorten or cancel tours and activities, and the order of days may shift.
  • Your choices. You are responsible for your own decisions, safety and choices while traveling, including which activities you take part in, and following local guidance, posted warnings and your guides’ instructions.
  • Photos. Photos on this page are for inspiration. They may not show the exact location, hotel, season or conditions of your trip.
  • Not included. Flights aren’t included; you book those yourself.
$3,838
2 travelers · 5 days / 4 nights
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