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Northern lights and Aurora Photgraphy with Warm Geodesic Dome
Fairbanks, USA
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Seek out the colorful northern lights on a shared tour near Fairbanks, Alaska. Set out with your private guide to an off-grid location—with little to no light pollution—or choose to chase the lights by van. Once you’ve locked eyes on the natural phenomenon, get your photography gear out to capture what you’re seeing with tips from your guide.
- Enjoy hot chocolate and snacks while watching the lights
- A shared tour ensures a personalized experience
- Warm up around a bonfire at the homestead location
- Hassle-free hotel transfers included from Fairbanks
What's Included
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Covid-19 Health and Safety measures
- hand sanitizer
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- 3873 Elliott Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA
Located directly off the main road with an easy drive from Fairbanks!
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Start time
09:00 PM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
We pick up from all Fairbanks city locations with good access.
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.5
41 reviews
Donald_O, Mar 2024
The communication and execution of this tour was terrible. Started when we arrived on time at designated meeting place on Viator tickets (see attached). Tour guide was not present. After attempts to call she responded by saying she was picking other customers up and would arrive 30 mins later (approx 950 pm). After starting tour, communication was lacking ( no microphone used, no educational facts of route, Alaska, northern lights were shared). Temp in van was extremely cold and never asked if we were comfortable and adjusted to provide more heat after being out in -17 degree weather. Tour advertised Northern lights and Aurora photography with warm Geodesic dome. Also coffee and/ or Tea-Hot chocolate. There was no dome and no hot beverages! Tour guide finally offered water, after being asked. On return trip, tour guide made two stops; one to check on “traps” she stated someone had placed off the road and the second to secure water from a mineral spring along the side of the road ( mentioned she had no water in her home and proceeded to fill one empty 12 oz. Water bottle from the spring). Clearly poorly executed trip and guide was less than professional. While I have used Viator prior (primarily in Europe) this tour will have me reconsider using or recommending in the future.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Greetings, my apologies that your experience was not everything that you expected in seeing the Northern Lights that evening.
It is clearly stated in the tour description that transportation is included in this tour from hotel and Airbnb within Fairbanks city limits. There were multiple attempts through Viator and directly by phone to obtain your pickup location prior to tour time even. This information is recorded.
When contact was made, it was stated that as per tour description, I was in Fairbanks picking up a group and we would be 25min to your location. It was also communicated that due to weather conditions we would be travelling north of Fairbanks to see the Northern Lights, which is also listed in the tour description. This evening we drove almost 80 miles one way to make sure all guests had the best opportunity of viewing the Northern Lights and we were successful. The temperature was about -5F, which is common at this time of year. And the storage of your additional outdoor gear was accomidated in the van.
During our drive, it was communicated that due to the long travel time of over 1hr, multiple stops to: either use public restroom facilities, or to "stretch legs," as well as adjust temperature in the van or switch seats was offered. Multiple guests voiced their needs, and they were met upon request. Information about the Northern Lights was shared freely with all guests during our 2 hr viewing time/stop.
Viewing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed, but I do try my hardest to find the best opportunities based on the knowledge base that I have, therefore if we had stayed at the dome location we would have had no success that evening.
Dale_W, Mar 2024
Tabitha was a wonderful guide and went out of her way to make our experience so good. She kept going to enable us to see the Northern Lights.
Kat_R, Dec 2023
The aurora viewing at the geodesic dome was canceled due to lack of participants. However Tabitha offered an alternate trip to Chena Hot Springs. The drive up was nice. She gave us info about the dog sledding community and other bits of history about the area.
The hot springs were lovely, dinner was good but the wait was a bit longer than expected. On the way back to Fairbanks we stopped several times to potentially get pictures of the auroras. She found some nice spots with interesting foreground so the auroras popped. Unfortunately the auroras weren't very bright, but it was great to see them nonetheless.
I highly recommending a tour with Tabitha. Even though it wasn't the tour I planned, it was worth the time and money.
Barbara_K, Oct 2023
Awesome experience. Northern lights are a must see! Fabulous warming hut! Wonderful knowledgeable group. Safe drivers for hotel pick up and drop off.
Julie_N, Nov 2022
We were able to see the aurora from different remote areas throughout the night. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Photos were taken and were included within the flat fee upfront. It was a pleasant experience that I’d recommend!
Matthew_R, Nov 2022
Excellent experience Kevin took time to help with camera setting and find the lights. Cloud cover came in, but he found a clear spot to view them.
Mukta_J, Oct 2022
I think the dome was good, they did their best to show us the lights but this should have been a weather cancellation. It was already known that the skies would be very cloudy but they didn’t cancel the tour. Felt like I spent for nothing
John_C, Sep 2022
Very educational and personal experience. The geodesic dome provides for some heat, coffee, and other snacks. The family is very hospitable and welcoming. A five-star experience!
Claire_B, Sep 2022
Excellent experience, Kevin did a great job and we were able to see the Northern Lights. Definitely recpmmrnd!
Flavia_P, Sep 2022
Excellent private tour. Tabitha was warm, inviting and went the extra mile to make it the best experience for us! We will be back
From $225.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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