Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Fairbanks, USA
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Set out in search of the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis during your time in Alaska on this nighttime excursion. Depart from Fairbanks after dark and venture deep into the forest in search of locations with little to no light pollution. If you find the colorful, dancing lights, your guide captures photos of your group so you can cherish the moments forever. Hotel pickup from downtown Fairbanks is included for convenience.
- Let someone else capture photos in the tricky lighting
- Chase the northern lights through rural Alaska
- Hassle-free transfers from your Fairbanks hotel included
- A small group means more attention from your guide ;
What's Included
- Photography Service
- Pick you up at a Hotel in Fairbanks downtown
- Gratuities
- Coffee and/or Tea
- We DO NOT HELP with Client's Camera (or Phone) Setting up.
- A Camera Workshop.
- No Restroom because we are chasing the lights. Please let us know before the tour if you need
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.10:30 pm
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Min_s
Cole, Joy, David were our incredible guides. Their knowledge and photography expertise made our bucket list experience so worthwhile. They took many wonderful photos to capture this surreal and spiritual experience. They did not give up until we saw the beautiful Northern Lights. Worth every penny. We couldn't have accomplished this in our own. Highly Recommended.
Reviews
4.8
based on 522 reviews
Mike_J, Apr 2026
What a great viewing of the Northern Lights! Photographer/driver, David and driver, Cole, told us conditions were favorable but also cautioned that one never knows how brilliant the lights would be. We hit pay dirt. Greens, pinks, dancing lights, it was super! Our guides/hosts were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind words. You were so blessed that you saw the northern lights dancing in the sky. Thank you again for your recommendation.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Min_s, Mar 2026
Cole, Joy, David were our incredible guides. Their knowledge and photography expertise made our bucket list experience so worthwhile. They took many wonderful photos to capture this surreal and spiritual experience. They did not give up until we saw the beautiful Northern Lights. Worth every penny. We couldn't have accomplished this in our own. Highly Recommended.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you took off one of your bucket lists. You were so blessed that you got beautiful photos that we took. Thank you again for your recommendations.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Esther_P, Mar 2026
One of the most surreal and magical experiences of our lives! I took my daughter to Fairbanks to see the northern lights, and by a miracle we saw an amazing aurora! Our guide was awesome and took us to multiple locations, and we were able to end our night after just 3 hours because we saw such great lights so quickly! He was gentle, kind, and took great pictures for us to keep for years to come. I would definitely recommend! Highly highly professional and so many perks with this company. Will be back!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled that you saw the northern lights dancing in the sky. We are glad that you got photos that we took. Thank you again for your recommendation.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Rajanikant_P, Mar 2026
My wife and I had a disappointing experience with the Northern Light Chasing tour on March 21. Although the aurora conditions were excellent that night, with KP 6, clear skies, and high solar activity, the tour did not deliver the experience that was advertised.
The tour was supposed to last 4 hours, but it ended in less than 3 hours. We were also taken to only two viewing spots, both near the edge of the city, where light pollution made aurora viewing much less effective. Because of these poor location choices, we were not able to enjoy the aurora as we should have on such a strong night.
The photography service was even more disappointing. The photos were blurry, shaky, and overexposed, making the sky look pale and unnatural. In fact, the pictures taken on our phones looked much better. The photographer also seemed unwilling to take enough proper shots.
That said, our driver, Cole, was kind and helpful. He shared useful information, made sure we were comfortable in the cold, helped take some photos on our phone, and dropped us safely back at the hotel.
Overall, the tour did not match what was promised in terms of duration, location quality, or photography. Overall, our experience with this tour operator was quite disappointing. I would advise other visitors to be cautious and carefully consider their options before booking a tour with this operator. Not recommend at all!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
The primary reason people book our tour is specifically for the high quality of our photography. Several guests from that day’s tour have already left us glowing reviews. Not a single person among them had a single complaint about the tour that day.
Our tour lasts *approximately* four hours—not *exactly* four hours. Guides asked them to come back to hotel when the lights almost disappeared. It took 3 hours 30 minutes.
Because the weather and aurora conditions were exceptionally favorable that day, we decided to stop and stay at around our second designated spot. Since the aurora remained continuously visible, there was simply no need to bother moving to a different location.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Martha_M, Mar 2026
Went to Alaska in March hoping to see the Northern Lights. Signed up for this Photography tour and we lucked out with a spectacular night. The Aurora filled up the whole sky with brillant rays of green, moving in ribbons across the starfilled sky. David was a super-excited tour guide/photographer who made sure everyone got their pictures taken against this amazing backdrop. The link for all the photos was delivered next day. This tour was well worth the money and freezing toes!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words. You were so blessed that God allowed you to see the northern lights. We were thankful for your photos under the Aurora Borealis that we took.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Lexi_L, Mar 2026
INCREDIBLE!! super friendly and very accommodating! they let us wait in the van to stay warm while waiting for the northern lights to appear. once they did, it was nice to be instructed on where to stand for photos. The photos that were taken were absolutely amazing. Couldn’t have asked for a better trip!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you got photos that we took under the Northern Lights. You were so blessed that you saw the Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky.
Have a blessed day.
Leah Ford
Alaska Journey Tours
jung_w, Mar 2026
It was amazing. Our guides were very knowledgeable and accommodating. We saw the northern lights dancing in the sky. Kp Index was low. But they were chasing the Aurora Borealis at 3 different spots. Photos were excellent. The photographer encouraged us to take as many photos as we wanted. I would give them 10 stars if I could. Great experience! Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the northern lights dancing in the sky even though Kp Index was 1 (Low activity or Quiet activity) only. You were so blessed that God allowed you to see the Aurora Borealis.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Laurie_W, Mar 2026
I gave this 1 star and that was generous. I fully understand that the aurora isnt visible some nights. So, it was a disappointment that we didn't see it. However, I thought this tour would take us outside of fairbanks if needed and to many locations to try to catch a view. Instead, over 4 hours, our driver only took us to 3 locations within 10 minutes or so of each other. We sat in silence as he occasionally looked outside and then checked the aurora map on his phone. I at least expected our guide to share information about the aurora and even about fairbanks. But we just sat in silence in a car with 2 other couples for 4 hours. At the end, the driver offered to take our photos in front of the temperature sign and at the alaska map at U of A. Really?
We declined the latter and went home truly puzzled at the lackluster experience. We heard that another tour group offered to reschedule for the following night at no additional charge. We would have been happy with that offer. But this tour group just gave a 25% credit. Truly disappointing. Do not use this group. There are many others. Check to see if they will offer another night if you dont see the aurora before you book.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
The weather was clear, but the Aurora activity was low. So we gave clients two options (Keep or Reschedule). Some groups chose Keep, while others chose Reschedule. It was Mother Nature that we cannot control.
However, we would like to give you 25% of a refund.
We are sorry again it happened.
Leah Ford
Alaska Journey Tours
Reynold_Z, Mar 2026
Our aurora tour was an absolute jackpot! From start to finish, our guide’s professionalism stood out, making the entire experience seamless and stress-free.
Instead of the usual tourist traps, he took us to a secluded "secret point" where we could enjoy the lights in total peace, far from the crowds. The silence of the night made the display feel even more magical.
What truly set him apart, though, was his photography. He helped us capture extraordinary photos of the aurora, ensuring we went home with professional-quality memories. If you want a guide who knows the best hidden spots and can handle a camera, this is the one to book.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. We are glad that you got photos under the Aurora Borealis.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Peter_Q, Feb 2026
This was truly one of the greatest travel experiences of my life. I can’t say enough about how incredible our tour guide, David, was. The northern lights were amazing on their own, but David completely elevated the experience and made it so fun and rewarding. He was unbelievably kind, funny, and patient, and went above and beyond to help everyone get the best possible photos. His enthusiasm for photography was contagious. He was worth every penny, and I genuinely don’t think there’s a better northern lights tour in Fairbanks! Especially at this price point.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you had fun and great experiences of your life. Thank you again for how he was doing during the tour and photography service.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
SunJung_C, Feb 2026
We joined the aurora tour through this travel agency based on a strong recommendation from an acquaintance. Although there was a real possibility that we might not see the northern lights due to the weather, we were amazed to witness a breathtaking display that left us absolutely in awe.
As we gazed at what felt like a magnificent work of art crafted by the providence of heaven, we were deeply moved beyond words. It was an unforgettable and humbling experience.
We are especially grateful to the staff, who went above and beyond—chasing skies from place to place—to make sure we had the best possible chance to see the aurora. Their dedication and hard work made this extraordinary moment possible, and we sincerely thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the lights even though the weather was not good. Because you would leave Fairbanks the following day, you wanted to get Aurora Chasing Tour. You were so blessed that God saw you to see the Northern Lights.
Thank you again for mentioning how it was.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
irfanmb, Feb 2026
We went on a clear sky night but with very weak kp index. Spend around 5 hours and didn’t see any aurora activity. This one should have been rescheduled by the provider with the experience they have. At least that’s what our expectation is when we book with professionals. The provider offered 25% refund.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We did not need to reschedule it for another date because the weather that day was really good. It was mostly clear even though it had been snowing and cloudy for last three days.
Everything was good. But it was truly unusual.
You saw the low lights because the Northern Lights were not strong. We chased the lights about 5 hours. We did our best to chase the lights. It is Mother Nature that we cannot control.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Zanmei_Y, Feb 2026
Great experience with David (lead guide and photographer) and Cole (our driver)! Great communication prior and during, very experienced guide knowing where to go to best view the northern lights! 5 of us were picked up on time, and in one SUV together. others were in separate SUV(s). we did a quick stop at first location and David decided to move on, then we were able to view great display of northern lights and many stars, at kp~2-3 with clear sky at 2nd location. David took lots of pictures and shared next day! Warm SUV to stay out of freezing cold :) we appreciate the smaller group size and the only group enjoying the northern lights at the location.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. We are thankful that he took beautiful pictures under the Aurora Borealis.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Laney_H, Feb 2026
David, our guide, was really enthusiastic. Vehicle was warm and comfortable, and he took us to several different dedicated spots and pulled over where safe on the side of the road if a particularly neat display was gearing up en route to another spot. I’ve seen some other tours with higher quality photos, so that’s my only complaint. They sent the photo link promptly. Overall, it was a good experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your good review on Viator. Most clients want to book our tour due to Photography Quality & Free Service. We upload all original files without editing. Then a link will be sent by email or text message to download them.
Have a blessed trip.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Katherine_L, Jan 2026
Amazing tour and guide. We were very fortunate to have above average visibility and were able to see the aurora at every spot we stopped by. Our guide was very knowledgeable and able to take so many great photos for us. There's no way we couldve done it ourselves. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to catch a view of the aurora.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind words. You were so blessed that you saw the northern lights every spot (4 different spots). We were glad that you got great photos that we took. Thank you again for your recommendations.
Have a blessed day.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Sudhir_P, Jan 2026
Thanks David for a great viewing and for persevering and taking us to multiple spots until we saw the aurora
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your good review. You were blessed that you saw the northern lights even though the weather did not cooperate. He finally found clearing skies during chasing the Aurora Borealis.
Have a blessed day.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Deepa_R, Jan 2026
David our travel guide was very knowledgeable and made sure his customers had good fun pictures making them lifelong memorable. He made sure the travelers were comfortable and warm. Would highly recommend David and his team for northern light tour with photography.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind words. You were blessed that you saw the northern lights dancing in the sky. We are glad that you have good memories of it and photos under the Aurora borealis. Thank you again for your recommendations.
Have a blessed trip.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Dang_Y, Dec 2025
David found the best rural spot and we saw huge aurora at even kp level1! He was so enthusiastic about his work and chasing aurora. He took photos nonstop for us in -30 degrees and his equipment is professional! He has been doing this for 18 years and we couldn’t have the best aurora photo of our life without him! This tour is amazing!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the huge Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky. You were so blessed that God allowed you to see them. We are glad that you got photos under Northern Lights.
Thank you again.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Jeevan_J, Dec 2025
We had a great experience on our Northern Lights tour with David and Grace. They picked us up right on time and communicated well throughout the evening, setting clear expectations about the weather and what the night might look like.
The SUVs were warm and comfortable, and it was clear they were experienced guides who knew the area well. They took us to several different viewing spots, all of which were quiet and uncrowded—most of the time, we were the only people there, which made the whole experience feel more special.
They also took plenty of photos, which was a nice bonus so we could focus on enjoying the moment instead of worrying about our cameras.
We ended up seeing a beautiful display with dancing auroras, and their knowledge of good locations definitely made the difference. Overall, a memorable night and a tour I’d easily recommend.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Merry Christmas! Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the northern lights dancing in the sky. You were so blessed that God allowed you to see the Aurora Borealis. Thank you again for how we were doing during the tour.
Have a blessed day.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Jalon_A, Dec 2025
The experience was amazing. The guide Cole and David (Photographer & guide) calibrated expectations but tried their best for us to see the Northern lights. Finally on our last stop we were able to see them along w/a clear view of the stars which was awe-inspiring & a blessing. Recommend this tour!!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind words. You were so blessed that you saw the northern lights while we were chasing the Aurora Borealis. It was the 5th spot where you saw the lights in the sky. It was mostly cloudy, but we finally found the clearing sky. God allowed you to see the beautiful aurora.
Have a blessed trip.
Leah Ford
Alaska Journey Tours
Jaydip_B, Dec 2025
This tour was great. David and Cole were awesome. They took us to many places - finally we were able to experience the nature’s wonder - northern lights. This is once in a lifetime experience at Fairbanks.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind words. The weather did not cooperate. But while we were chasing the Northern Lights, we found the clearing sky. That's why we were chasing the lights. You were so blessed that you saw the Aurora Borealis even though Kp index was 2 (Low Activity).
Have a blessed day.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Haison_p, Dec 2025
Our experience with this tour group and guide was excellent. We went out on a low-forecast night, yet we were still able to catch the aurora at several locations thanks to the guide’s experience and knowledge of where to go. He had his own camera and took great photos for us, so there was no need to lug around a large DSLR or medium-format camera with a tripod.
A good smartphone with a time-lapse function is highly recommended to capture the aurora dancing in the sky. Just remember to bring a selfie stick with a built-in tripod to keep your phone steady.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the northern lights dancing in the sky even though Kp index was 2 only. You were blessed that the weather did cooperate. Thank you for mentioning how we were chasing the Aurora Borealis.
Have a blessed day.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Norilyn_V, Dec 2025
Aurora Borealis sightings is a gift from nature and God. It's not a guaranteed tour. David went abouve and beyond expectations. He's a good photographer, good tour guide. Hats off!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, you were right that it is Mother Nature that we cannot control. You were blessed that you saw the Aurora Borealis.
Have a blessed day.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Dolores_J, Nov 2025
We received a call asking us if changing the time to earlier was okay because the northern lights were starting to become more active than expected. We were very happy they touched bases with us.
Grace and her photographer David had over 30 locations to view the lights. The 3 locations they took us to were amazing. The viewing did not disappoint and the pictures they took were great.
Having their photographer take pictures really captured this a once in a lifetime experience.
After 3 hours of chasing, they would have kept going.
Make sure you have your faces exposed to see them in the pictures. David captured us gazing up at the lights, which was a cool perspective. The photos we received from our excursion were better than what we took with our iPhone camera. David’s time elapsed photos were far better than ours.
We highly recommend Grace & David of Alaska Journey Tours.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the Northern Lights dancing in the sky during chasing the Aurora Borealis. We are thankful that you got photos under the lights.
Thank you for your recommendation.
Abby Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Cathy, Nov 2025
We had a wonderful experience! David brought us to an amazing spot, and Grace was super friendly and helpful. They also took plenty of great photos that matched perfectly with our own. Totally worth it — highly recommend! :)
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your kind words. You were blessed that God opened the sky and showed you the beautiful Northern Lights in the sky. We were glad that you got photos that we took.
Thank you again for your recommendation.
Have a blessed day.
Leah Ford
Alaska Journey Tours
Maria_A, Nov 2025
David and his team did a phenomenal job in guiding us to see the northern lights! This is definitely the highlight of our trip.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your great review on Viator. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the Aurora Borealis last night. You were so blessed. Thank you again for letting us know how they were doing during the tour.
Have a blessed trip in Fairbanks, Alaska
Abigail Smith
Alaksa Journey Tours
Beth_K, Sep 2025
These folks do everything they can to get you to the Northern Lights! David found a beautiful spot with limited clouds. They also provided us with lots of photos which went well with our own. Worth the cost.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words. It was cloudy. While he was chasing the lights he found clearing skies. You were blessed that you saw the northern lights. We are glad that you got photos that he took. Thank you again.
Have a blessed day.
Abbey
Alaska Journey Tours
MaryAnn_L, Sep 2025
I was skeptical we would not see the Aurora because it was cloudy. But David was patient and determined to give us the best experience. He took us to different locations to find a clear sky until the last stop. It was an awesome experience. David took lots of pictures and everyone had chances to take pictures like we were in the movies. We had so much fun. This tour was worth the wait and for what it’s worth. Thank you Viator for giving us a beautiful memory that will
forever live in us.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words. We were thrilled to hear that you had a fun to see the northern lights last night. Yes, it was cloudy. But you were so blessed that God allowed you to see the Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky.
Thank you again for mentioning how we were doing during the tour.
Leah
Alaska Journey Tours
Sandie_S, Sep 2025
David did all he could to ensure we experienced the light. At the start it didn't look like we would see them. David was persistent and tracked them. We drove about an hour till we had a good spot where the cloud cover dissipated. David was very friendly and was excited for us when the lights started showing up. A great experience. I would highly recommend selecting this tour!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for a great review on Viator. We were thrilled to hear that you saw the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) even though it was cloudy and rainy. It was totally God's grace that He opened the sky and allowed you to see the beautiful lights in the sky. Thank you for your recommendation.
Have a blessed trip.
Abigail Smith
Alaska Journey Tours
Robert_P, Sep 2025
The experience didn't happen. The sky was completely overcast with periodic rain. The company called and suggested cancelling -- although they said they'd do the tour if we wanted or we could move it to another day. We didn't have another free day and attempting to do the tour was pointless, so we cancelled. AND THEY CHARGED US 20% FOR CANCELLING! Rip-off!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Unfortunately this is incorrect series of events. We saw the lights during the Aurora Chasing tour with other clients even though it was cloudy.
You booked two reservations on the same day. We informed (emailed) you several times, but you didn't respond. You gave us a wrong phone number as well.
As a result, we were unable to accommodate you. As mentioned, due to the poor weather (It always changes.), we gave a full refund for one reservation, and as you agreed, we gave you 80% of a refund because we lost an opportunity to get two clients. That’s a part of the deal as you were noticed before for a tour that involves Mother Nature.
Have a blessed day.
Leah
Alaska Journey Tours
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