SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More

4.8
(810 reviews)
Fairbanks, USA

5 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

The Northern Lights don't come with a fixed address, so neither does SkyChase™. Before every night, our guides compare forecast models, satellite views and live sky cameras, then head for the clearest skies we can reach, with insight from SkyCommand, our in-house sky intelligence system.

Once we arrive, the night is yours: ask for as many photos as you like, including individual and family portraits under the aurora, delivered unedited. Between displays, warm up by the fire with Borealis Brew hot drinks and Alaska reindeer sausages (vegan option), or step into our Mobile Lodge, which comes with us most nights. When activity builds, we call you out for it.

Aurora Guarantee: if conditions look very challenging, we'll explain what we're seeing and let you cancel for a full refund, reschedule (subject to availability), or go ahead without the guarantee. It's guest protection, not a promise that the Northern Lights will appear.

What's Included

Aurora Guarantee* (refund or retry if no lights are seen)
Help with your own camera; complimentary tripods on request
Twilight Campfire meal (Alaskan reindeer sausage or vegan option)
360° night-lapse video when conditions allow
Your personal Auro-meteorologist - predicts northern lights' visibility blending aurora and weather.
Keepsake Media - professional photography included, downloadable images
Solo Stove Fire Pits (most nights)
Hotel/B&B pickup & drop-off (within 5 miles of downtown Fairbanks)
Borealis Brew Drink Bar - Featuring 8+ hot/cold drink options
Mobile Aurora Lodge - Most nights our mobile heated lodge follows the vans.
Forecast-guided chase for clear skies, powered by SkyCommand
Local Expert - ensure your in the best spot to view the lights for the night
Optional hand-edited photo gallery
Please note our Primary goal is Aurora viewing. Weather and other variables may remove extras
Meals beyond the included fire-cooked meals we provide
Transportation is not private and can have up to a max of 14 guests in one van.
RAW files and watermark-free originals are not included in the base package

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Tours begin right at your Fairbanks hotel, so you don’t need to plan how to get to us and you will save additional taxi costs.
Free guest pickup from 9pm to 10pm. Your guide will call/text when they are 10 min away from pick up.

OR
Meeting point
425 Merhar Ave

Please let us know if you need meeting point details.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 5 hours (approximately)
  • Fairbanks (Pass by)

    As our home base, Fairbanks is one of the best locations in the world for Northern Lights viewing — located directly under the Aurora Oval. Each night, our SkyChase™ tour departs from Fairbanks and uses the Lights-for-Life™ Formula to determine the optimal location outside the city for clear skies and strong activity.

    Admission ticket free
  • Murphy Dome (Pass by)

    Murphy Dome is one of the highest accessible points in the Fairbanks area and occasionally used on clear-sky nights for its panoramic views and low light pollution. It’s a prime example of the remote high-elevation locations our team accesses while chasing the Aurora.

    Admission ticket free
  • North Pole (Pass by)

    While not our final destination, North Pole, Alaska is located along our route and adds charm to the adventure. Guests love passing Santa Claus House and seeing this quirky, festive town en route to darker skies.

    Admission ticket free
  • Chena Hot Springs (Pass by)

    Chena Hot Springs region is often considered when skies to the east are favorable. These peaceful, forested areas offer a quiet backdrop for Northern Lights viewing with excellent visibility when cloud trends push us in that direction.

    Admission ticket free
  • Aurora Viewing Area (Pass by)

    c, northeast of Fairbanks, is one of the elevated points we use on select Aurora nights. When conditions are right, it offers excellent visibility and sweeping skies, especially during high activity nights.

    Admission ticket free
  • Denali National Park and Preserve (Pass by)

    While not a nightly destination, Denali National Park is visible on rare clear-sky nights from certain elevated viewpoints. Guests occasionally glimpse the Alaska Range from afar, especially during strong Aurora activity. This region highlights the vast scope of Alaska’s night sky and our commitment to chasing the most breathtaking views whenever possible.

    Admission ticket free
  • Felix Pedro Monument (Pass by)

    This historical stop marks the first major gold discovery in Alaska and is located along one of the routes we sometimes take while chasing clear skies. Though we typically pass by, it showcases our access to remote, scenic locations far from city lights. It’s a meaningful part of the Alaskan landscape and history.

    Admission ticket free
  • Chena River State Recreation Area (Pass by)

    The Chena area is one of many regions we travel toward when skies are favorable. It offers forested backdrops, river reflections, and lower light pollution — making it a frequent route on strong Aurora nights. This region represents one of many weather-based destination options included in our flexible SkyChase™ route strategy.

    Admission ticket free
  • Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point (Pass by)

    One of many high-elevation stops that we utilize on clear-sky nights for its vast visibility and iconic Alaska scenery. Our flexible route often includes this point or others nearby when it offers cloud-free conditions and great Aurora potential. We use dozens of pre-approved locations in all directions based on real-time sky data.

    Admission ticket free
  • Pleasant Valley (Pass by)

    The Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley region is often considered when skies to the east are favorable. These peaceful, forested areas offer a quiet backdrop for Northern Lights viewing with excellent visibility when cloud trends push us in that direction.

    Admission ticket free
  • Ester (Pass by)

    Ester Dome is a frequent direction for clear-sky nights. Its elevation, low light pollution, and distance from city glow make it a strong candidate in our flexible SkyChase™ route system.

    Admission ticket free
  • Nenana (Pass by)

    On nights with clearing trends to the west, we may head toward the Nenana Hills region, exploring lesser-known sites that deliver expansive skies and beautiful terrain far from city lights.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • No more than 1 backpack per guest
  • All persons joining are required to purchase a ticket, despite their age.
  • Please visit our website for a full cancellation policy and information
Supplied by Aurora In Alaska

Tags

Day Trips
Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Night Tours
Excellent Quality
Adventure Tours
Northern Lights
Best Conversion
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.8 Based on 810 810 reviews
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