Alaska is a grand American Astronomy Vacation destination you don't want to miss!  Alaskans don't hibernate like bears - winter's when the fun begins and you're officially invited!  In Anchorage, by day experience local culture including mushing Huskies and, by night, a local Astronomy Expert will guide you through Alaska's Northern Sky.  

In Fairbanks, enjoy a special presentation about Alaska's Aurora Borealis and the geophysical and solar-terrestrial environment.  Later, have exclusive use of an Aurora Borealis Lodge with an Aurora Expert.  Finally, treat yourself to the wonderful Chena Hot Springs and it's remarkable Northern Lights.

Experience one of the most unusual, natural phenomenon - the Aurora Boreali or Northern Lights! During the winter months of October through early April, some of the best Aurora viewing occurs in and around Fairbanks.  Contrary to popular belief, the state is not covered in darkness for 6 months.  Much of Alaska enjoys between 6 - 12 hours of daylight depending on the time of winter. With exception to the arctic regions in the north, average temperatures are typically around 20°F, so winter enthusiasts can enjoy Alaska’s outdoors in comfort.

So - what's the best time to see the Northern Lights? A new moon night, either very late or early the following morning around the Spring and Fall equinoxes, should produce a "perfect storm".  However, the most intense viewings tend to be from December to March when nights are longer and the skies clearer and darker.  The most perfect viewing conditions will, of course, be around the New Moons.  With all this in mind, we have selected travel dates to fit the New Moons, the equinoxes and the darkest nights.  So take your pick - the choice of departure is up to you!

Day 1 Anchorage

Located in south central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage stands as a sophisticated metropolis in the midst of rugged wilderness. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska where half of the state’s residents live. It is one of the only places in Alaska with all the modern fixtures of American life, such as, a modern performing arts center, gourmet restaurants and numerous shopping malls.  Moose can often be seen in Anchorage's urban parks and the city is home of North America’s largest floatplane base, Lake Hood. Your luxury hotel is located within walking distance of downtown shopping and dining.  There are no activities planned so the remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.

Day 2 Anchorage

Todays sightseeing tour of the city will include the historic downtown area. Afterwards, you travel southward on the Seward highway along scenic Turnagain Arm, designated an All-American Road.  This designation means it has features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and are scenic enough to be tourist destinations in themselves.  The tour includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center located on 140 acres of natural Alaska wilderness.  A wide variety of injured or orphaned animals are regularly brought to the Center for care including large mammals native to Alaska such as moose, bear, musk ox and bison. For lunch, why not take a tram ride 2,300 feet up the side of Mt. Alyeska in the resort village of Girdwood. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of Turnagain Arm. You may decide to explore some of the many hiking trails and quaint shops in the area. Nestled among the breathtaking Turnagain Arm and spectacular Mt. Alyeska. Girdwood was originally named Glacier City and was founded as a gold mining town at the turn of the century. The town was moved 2.5 miles (4 km) up the valley after the devastating Good Friday Earthquake of 1964, when the land under the original townsite subsided into Turnagain Arm putting much of the town below high tide. This quaint town has evolved from a mining town into Alaska's only year-round resort community. The tour returns to Anchorage where you will have the rest of the day free to relax and explore. Tonight, a dinner program is planned to meet with local Astronomy expert who will brief you on the unique aspects of Alaska’s Northern Sky.  Later, weather permitting, transfer to the Eagle River Nature Center for night sky observations.

Day 3 Anchorage

Today experience a unique view of an Alaskan lifestyle with a private visit to the home of champion musher Vern Halter.  Vern grew up on a farm and completed both his undergraduate and law school degree at the University of South Dakota. Vern moved to Alaska right out of law school and worked as a private attorney, a Magistrate Judge and as a Public Defender for the Alaska State Court System. He spent many of these years in “bush” Alaska where he fell in love with the people and sled dogs.   In 1983, Vern ran his first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to see if he could complete the “Last Great Race on Earth.”  Vern’s wife Susan, and accomplished musher in her own right, helped Vern train for his first Iditarod. Her interest in sled dogs lead her to obtain a degree in Veterinary Medicine.  After several years working as a general practice veterinarian, she began to pursue continuing education to improve her skills with canine athletes. Enjoy an indoor presentation which is educational and informative, and then try your hand mushing.  This is a unique opportunities to learn about a unique way of life in Alaska.

Day 4 Fairbanks

This morning you will fly to Fairbanks.  Fairbanks is situated in the heart of the Tanana Valley and combines modern amenities with a frontier atmosphere.  Commonly referred to as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” the city has a long and colorful history dating back to the late 1800’s and the discovery of gold.  It has the widest temperature spread of any city on earth from –55C in the winter to +38C in the summer.  This afternoon embark on a city tour which includes stopping at the 800-mile engineering miracle known as the Trans-Alaska pipeline which carries crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.  The tour will also include a stop at the University of Alaska museum which features cultural and natural history exhibits from the entire stateand includes a special section on the Northern Lights.   Here, we will have a special presentation from  a researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.  The goal of this institution is the pursuit of new knowledge about our geophysical and solar-terrestrial environment. Studies of the Aurora have been a centerpiece of its research since the Institute was first established in 1946. The Aurora provides a spectacular example of the interaction between the solar wind, geospace, and the Earth's atmosphere.  In the late evening/early am, you transfer 30 to 45 minutes outside of Fairbanks to a beautiful, spacious Alaskan log building designed specially for viewing the Northern Lights. Located 20 miles north of Fairbanks, the lodge is situated away from the city lights that can hinder Aurora viewing.  We have exclusive use of the facility and will have a local Aurora expert to provide onsite expertise.

Days 5 & 6 Chena Hot Springs Resort

After a leisurely morning, travel to the internationally known Chena Hot Springs Resort.  With its natural mineral hot springs and great Aurora viewing potential spend two nights at this comfortable (not luxury) resort. Visitors can relax and revitalize in the outdoor hot springs, hot tubs, and indoor pool or with a massage.  Chena Hot Springs Resort is home to the world’s only year-round ice environment in the world, the Aurora Ice Museum.  It was created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow all harvested at the resort.  The Aurora Ice Museum gallery features amazing ice sculptures created by 13-time world champion ice carver Steve Brice and his wife Heather.  As you step inside the ice museum for the very first time, you are mesmerized by the ever-changing colored ice crystal chandeliers overhead depicting the Aurora Borealis. Combined with numerous outdoor activities, such as cross-country skiing and dogsledding, Chena Hot Springs offers a first rate Alaskan winter experience.

Day 7:  Depart

Return transfer provided to the Fairbanks Airport to meet departure flights.

If required, your Arrival Airport is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and your Departure Airport is Fairbanks International Airport (FAI).

Departure Dates:

February 12, 2010
March 12, 2010

A minimum of 4 persons must travel on a particular date for the tour to run.  Please do NOT book flights until it is confirmed that a particular date has achieved its minimum number.