Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure

About This Experience

The Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure is Northern Alaska Tour Company's winter and shoulder-season version of its long-running Arctic Circle drive, with an aurora watch added to the end of the day. Check-in is between 9:00 and 9:15 am at the company's building on the East Ramp of Fairbanks airport, and the coach or van leaves at 9:45 am for the Elliott Highway and then the Dalton Highway, the 414-mile gravel road from Livengood to Deadhorse.

The guide narrates the pipeline, the road and the homesteads as you go. Stops include the Arctic Circle Trading Post at Joy, the Yukon River bridge at milepost 56 with about an hour and a half at Yukon River Camp, and the open tundra beyond. The turnaround is the Arctic Circle sign at milepost 115, about 198 road miles north of Fairbanks at 66 degrees 33 minutes north, where each guest receives an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. Food is not included, but Yukon River Camp sells meals.

After dark the group drives back south to the trading post at Joy, about 60 miles from Fairbanks, for roughly 90 minutes of aurora watching. There is a heated building and hot drinks to warm up between looks at the sky. The lights are never guaranteed, and the operator notes that depending on the month much of your day may be night. The coach returns to the check-in point between 3:30 and 4:30 am.

Two things to weigh before you book: this listing is all sales final, with no refund for cancellations other than a weather cancellation by the operator, and there is no hotel pickup, with a paid parking lot across the street. Rated 4.6 from 33 reviews, from $369 per person.

Highlights

• Trans-Alaska Pipeline alongside the Dalton Highway, the gravel haul road to Prudhoe Bay
• Yukon River bridge at milepost 56, with about 90 minutes at Yukon River Camp
• Arctic Circle Trading Post in Joy, Alaska, a 20-minute homestead stop on the way north
• Arctic Circle sign at Dalton Highway milepost 115, about 198 road miles from Fairbanks, with certificates
• Aurora watch of about 90 minutes at the heated trading post in Joy on the way home
• Return to Fairbanks between 3:30 and 4:30 am in a tour coach or van

What's Included

• ✓ Professional guide
• ✓ Driver and live commentary on board
• ✓ Official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate
• ✓ Heated building and complimentary hot drinks at the aurora stop in Joy
• ✓ Coach or van transport from the Fairbanks check-in point and back

Not Included

• Parking fee at the check-in lot, payable on the day
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks (meals can be bought at Yukon River Camp)

What to Bring

• Warm layered clothing: the tour operates in all weather and the aurora stop is outdoors
• Insulated boots, hat, gloves and a scarf
• Snacks, plus cash or card for meals at Yukon River Camp
• Camera and a small tripod if you want your own aurora photos
• Payment for the parking fee if you drive to check-in

Good to Know & Caveats

• Aurora season: Viator's calendar lists departures from September 19 to April 21.
• All sales are final: there is no refund for cancellations. If the operator cancels for weather you are offered another date or a full refund
• The aurora is never guaranteed and a cloudy night is not grounds for a refund
• Check-in opens at 9:00 am and closes at 9:15 am; guests not there by 9:15 am risk missing the tour
• The return is between 3:30 and 4:30 am, so plan a late checkout or a rest day afterwards
• No hotel pickup; parking is in Lot 2 across the street and costs extra
• Most of the 17 to 18 hours is on the Dalton Highway, a rough gravel road with no cell service
• Daylight varies a lot across the season: in midwinter much of the drive is in darkness
• Collapsible wheelchairs can be carried if the guest travels with someone who can help them board

Meeting Point

Northern Alaska Tour Company at the East Ramp of Fairbanks airport, 3820 University Avenue South; paid parking in Lot 2 across the street.