Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Fairbanks, USA

17 to 18 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Fairbanks, Alaska is situated right below the Arctic Circle. Embark on a driving tour from the city to explore the area and see how people live in the frozen tundra. Travel along the James Dalton Highway and see the Trans Alaska Pipeline, stop at the Arctic Circle Trading Post, and more. At the endof the day, travel to a remote location for a chance to see the colorful northern lights (not guaranteed).

Receive an Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate
Learn about Alaskan culture and history
Enjoy views of Alaska’s rugged scenery
Sit back and relax while someone else drives

What's Included

Driver/guide
Live commentary on board
Professional guide

The listed price does not include a parking fee, payable at the time of tour check-in.
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

3820 University Ave S, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
This area is known as the East Ramp Airport -- the side of the airport where small aircraft depart from. There is a large sign above our roof for Northern Alaska Tour Company. Parking is just past us across the street in Parking Lot #2. There is a fee for parking there.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.9:45 am

Itinerary

Northern Alaska Tour Company

16 hours • Admission Ticket Free

James Dalton Highway

11 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Arctic Circle Trading Post

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Yukon River Bridge

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

BLM Arctic Circle Monument Sign

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Arctic Circle Trading Post

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Most travelers can participate

Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
CHECK IN TIME - Check in opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 9:15 AM for this tour. Guests not here by 9:15 AM risk missing this tour.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 26 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.6

based on 33 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Once in a lifetime!

Carol_W, Oct 2025

We absolutely loved this tour to the Arctic Circle. It took a very long time to get there while riding on a very bumpy road. I read previous reviews about the road, so we were prepared and not surprised. We made several stops along the way, but there's no place to grab lunch or dinner so you have to bring it with you which was fine. The skies had been very cloudy all week long, but once we reached the Arctic Circle, the clouds cleared and we were treated to stunning sunset views. On our return trip to Fairbanks, no one on the tour was optimistic about being able to see the Aurora lights that night because of the cloudiness. But suddenly the lights were visible, so our driver Sabrina, pulled off the road and we were able to see the lights and many shooting stars. What a once in a lifetime moment!!! I highly recommend this tour, and thank you to our excellent driver Sabrina who kept us safe.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We are so glad you had good expectations about the experience and that you had a chance to see the wonderful Aurora. And, thank you for recognizing your guide Sabrena -- they really can make your adventure!

Ultimately, the worst experience ever!

Trish_B, Sep 2024

I don't even no where to start. I booked this trip for my boyfriend and myself. September 18th, my 50th Birthday! I was so excited for this trip and said these words to my boyfriend daily for a week plus before. We arrived 30 minutes early at 8:30 am so, I could be first in line to get on our shuttle/tour bus. The lady that greeted us first couldn't find me on the paper and then had me look for my name on the paper. It was there, right in front of her. She gave me a paper for food selection for lunch, which was a turkey or a ham sandwich for $10.00. I really did not like either choice and asked if there was other options and she said "yes" you can purchase other items off the menu when you arrive. People started arriving and the room got full quick. Another lady came out and was going over a few small things and she stated to everyone, if you don't want sandwich you can order other items up there off menu. She also was talking about restroom breaks, that we could not use bathroom on coach. We had to tell driver and he would pull over and we could go. Now remind you, I'll itinerary strictly stated we had to arrive by 9:00 and if we were any later than 9:15 we would forfeit our seats. We'll guess what? Three women were late which put us 50 to 60 minutes late right off the bat. We had to wait on them, even though their strict rules stated we were leaving at 9:15 and your seats were forfeited. So, an hour late to start it. I of course was second on the bus, an older couple jumped in line before us and they also set in front. We on left and them on right. Remind you, I got there first so I could get FRONT SEAT! I had it, 2 hours in to our trip we stopped at what they called the trading post, owned by them, for outside bathroom break. 15 min later we boarded the bus and the driver said get up and move to the back of the bus, I was like what???? He said we were told in the briefing by the woman that we had to rotate seats, which was an utter lie. So, I was forced to go to the back of the bus, where I couldn't see anything and I was deathly sick because of how bumpy the rode was. When I say bumpy our butt's were coming up out of seat. Then we hit a 45 min wait for road construction. I was so deathly sick when I arrived at the Yukon River that I was ready to eat to calm down my stomach and the first thing the cashier said, nope I can't serve you, you are on tour bus. So I was forced to starve or buy a bag of chips. Bull! Finally after being 2 hours behind schedule we made it to the Artic Circle where we picked up several more passengers coming from coldfoot. We had to stop at all the same stops and listen to our driver repeat the same stuff all the way up. This tour company booked to flipping trips in the same day! Finally at 12:36 am the next day, we arrived back at the trading post to view the Aurora lights. It was raining, fog set in and you could not see 5 feet in front of you, over casted, KP 2 reading and both drivers went on to say we should be able to see them. Which was a joke! I left and lost my money for that tour finally arriving back to my hotel at 3:00 am. The most miserable trip ever! The trading post and the Yukon River Camp is owned by the same company. A big racateer! I want a full refund. The trip was miserable and they lied throughout the whole trip and forced us to set in the back. It was a complete disaster and a horrible 50th Birthday. You should be ashamed of yourself. There was other couples there complaining as well. I want a full refund!!!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Trish, As mentioned in your Google Review - we are sorry that we did not meet your expectations. Also as mentioned, there are some items that do not match with what we promote and sell and to what you were expecting -- again, we know that not all of our adventures are for everyone and we wish we had been able to connect with yours or catch that this was not the adventure for you. Check in is open 9 AM to 9:15 AM. We are not scheduled to leave until 9:45 and for that day we left at 9:50 AM. only 5 minutes late. Yes, guests risk missing the tour if they are not there by closing; however, we were in communication with the guests and we do all we can to get them there to not affect others and we made the call that 5 mintues was worth it. As, I am sure you would have felt the same way had it been you. There are times we are in contact with the guest but where they are and the situation we can't and we do leave them behind -- also not a good situation to be in but we have done it. Food Options -- We appreciate and understand how you heard what you did - but no, MEALS ARE PUCHASED IN ADVANCE. some guests bring their own food and yes, they can purchase SNACKS once they get to the Yukon River -- but all meals must be ordered in advance. Road conditions -- we cannot control the weather or construction. We are very clear in our information that you are traveling on a gravel road - which is why we take our time and we don't get back until late because we are not speeding down the highway like other tour operators. Construction - we cannot control and since you were there you know that yes, we had to wait for the pilot car. We cannot go around it. Seat Rotation is something we are to practice on the coach and is outlined in our orientation and in our tour program. Darned if you do and darned if you don't. Aurora is a natural phenomena - and if you are not out looking for them I can guarantee you that you won't see them. Weather does change and yes, it can clear - either at the trading post or on the way in -- you need to stay out to give it a chance. Unfortunately, it sounds like it didn't work for you - thus scientists do say the odds in Fairbanks is 90% if you give it at least 3 nights. This would have been just 1 night for you. So I do hope you tried other nights and we hope you had better luck on those nights. Yukon River Camp is owned by Sukakpak Inc. Northern Alaska Tour Company is an LLC We work very closely together. We are sorry you didn't enjoy the day. We operated the tour as we have for many others who have provided a vast different review from yours. Again, we try to talk to as many guests in advance to insure they have choosen the right adventure we are sorry we missed getting a better connection with you. Best wishes for a wonderful winter.

Extremely tiring and pointless

Priscila_F, Sep 2024

what the tour is about: seeing a sign in the arctic pole and staying in a cabin waiting for the northern lights. It is really really tiring and you stay most of the time inside a bus on a terrible road. We were also unlucky because the day was too cloudy and we couldn’t see the aurora. I am sharing this info because I think it was not clear for me when I booked. It is really really tiring. The landscapes are not that beautiful (much more beautiful on the way to Denali). The ONLY positive thing for me was the tour guide. He was really Knowledgeable and shared many nice info. However, for me, the whole trip is extremely tiring and pointless. You spend 12 hours on a road to see a SIGN. And after that, you are inside a cabin waiting for the lights (you do not go chasing them).

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Priscilla, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We do have many different adventures and it is absolutely true that not all adventures are right for everyone. I see you booked via Viator which means we didn't have a chance to ask you -- what was your goal in choosing this adventure -- which is what we do ask (or similar) when guests book direct to insure you are picking the tour that best meets your needs. Many guests do call and say they want to go to the Arctic Circle -- so a conversation does need to take place to insure that of our many adventures the right one is picked -- we are open to receive e-mail or calls even if one is booking via a travel agent or on line site to ask questions about their adventure to insure it is the right fit. We hope the rest of your adventure to Alaska met your expectations.

Life’s bumpy road leads to adventure

Jenny_V, Aug 2024

What an incredible experience!! Thank you so much for spending the entire day with us. Will and Avery did such a great job narrating the ride and keeping things interesting and fun for us all. Both were friendly, knowledgeable, and positive throughout. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share with others about your experience with us. We are so glad you enjoyed the experience.

Excellent experience

Arun_K, Apr 2024

Best Tour, especially guide is super knowledgeable and they keep talking to u through out the trip. Excellent experience. Susen was really helpful.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you so much for your review. We appreciate you choosing us for your Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure.

Arctic Circle worth it

William_B, Mar 2024

This experience was definitely made by our Guide Avery, (sp?) who was very knowledgeable and experienced driving this road. Something I wouldn't have done by myself as the weather changed about six different times on the trip, knowledge of the road, the unwritten rules and stops along the way. With that said, I don't know if the Extra for the Aurora was worth it due to the Tree line.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for joining Avery on your Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure. So glad you enjoyed your time out with her. Best wishes for a bright spring!

Worth the long day for incredible sights

Jaime_D, Jan 2022

This trip showed up some truly incredible sights along the Dalton Highway. We made several stops with photo opportunities (Arctic Circle trading post, Dalton Highway sign, enchanted forest, Yukon River Camp and frozen river valley, and pipeline viewing stop), in addition to the arctic circle stop. The Aurora viewing was great the night we went! Our drivers Ryan and Sabrina (for day and night legs of the tour) were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional tour guides, and were very safe drivers. It was a long day of incredible sights you can’t see any other way in the winter!

Response from Host, Jan 2022

Thank you Jaime_D for joining Ryan and Sabrena for your Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure and thank you for sharing your experience with others. We appreciate you taking the time to do so and wish you a happy 2022!