Notes on Transportation from Airport:

※     Free pick-up service from Fairbanks airport to designated hotels:

- Each booking includes free pick-up service at the Fairbanks airport on the day of arrival. Please request this pick-up service when booking your tour. If you do not request this service or provide your flight information, we can not provide you with pick-up service.

- Pick-up time: 13:00 - 21:00 (flight arrival time).

- Pick-up location: Fairbanks International Airport, Baggage Claim No. 1

- Pick-up sign: Alaska Tours

- As guests on flights arriving at a similar time may be picked up together, please understand that you may need to wait for a short time at the airport.

※     Paid pick-up service from Fairbanks airport to designated hotels:

n Guests who arrive at a time outside of the free pick-up period can also choose our paid pick-up service: US$100/person/time

※     24-hour free hotel shuttle:

- The Information Center next to the baggage claim area in the Fairbanks airport provides free calls to hotels. After you arrive please contact your hotel to arrange to be picked up by the shuttle. The hotels only accept shuttle bookings from guests that have already arrived at the airport. There is no way to make an advance reservation.

- When you book the hotel shuttle, please provide the hotel with your personal information: full name (in pinyin), number of people, etc.

- After you call to book, the hotel shuttle will take around 30 minutes to arrive at the airport

- Hotel shuttle pick-up location: Fairbanks International Airport, outside the arrivals area, designated hotel shuttle pick-up area.

※     Fairbanks Taxi Information:

- Taxi pick-up location: Fairbanks International Airport, outside the arrivals area, designated taxi pick-up area.

- From the airport to most Fairbanks hotels, the cost is about US$20-30 per taxi.

*The sequence of activities in this tour itinerary is subject to change based on the tour departure date, weather conditions, etc., but the content of the tour will not change. The below sequence is provided for reference only and may not match your final itinerary.

*The options will be arranged according to the registration conditions, weather conditions and other factors. The recommendation in the itinerary is for reference, not the actual date of the tour. The final arrangement shall be subject to the notification of the tour departure. If you have any unplanned activities, please confirm in advance to avoid schedule conflicts.

Today you'll arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city, with its location and climate making it known as the "Northern Lights Capital." Check in to hotel upon arrival (at most hotels you can check in after 3:00 p.m.).

At 10 pm, to escape the urban light pollution, take the Aurora Shuttle to our carefully selected Aurora-Viewing Lodge, in an excellent location that will increase your chances of observing the Northern Lights. Our professional guides will introduce you to the Northern Lights and instruct you in camera parameter set-up and aurora borealis shooting techniques to help you take stunning aurora photos. Free hot drinks, coffee, and a Northern Lights monitoring screen are available in the cabin, where you can warm up after watching the aurora (1st Aurora Viewing). You will return to the hotel to rest at around 2 am the next morning.

Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city, with a population of 100,000, is a transportation hub for expeditions deep into Alaska's interior and the Arctic Circle. It is also the world's best place to see the Northern Lights, with more than 243 days of clear night sky each year. Because it is only 310 kilometers from the Arctic Circle and is protected from bad weather by mountain barriers, aurora chasers from around the world gather here in this city where the aurora is most easily observed.

Today you will enjoy a leisurely day in Fairbanks. You can make your own arrangements or chose an optional activity to participate in for an additional fee. At 10 pm, to escape the urban light pollution, take the Aurora Shuttle to our carefully selected Aurora-Viewing Lodge, in an excellent location that will increase your chances of observing the Northern Lights. Our professional guides will introduce you to the Northern Lights and instruct you in camera parameter set-up and aurora borealis shooting techniques to help you take stunning aurora photos. Free hot drinks, coffee, and a Northern Lights monitoring screen are available in the cabin, where you can warm up after watching the aurora (2nd Aurora Viewing). You will return to the hotel to rest at around 2 am the next morning.

Options: 1. Chena Hot Springs Resort Tour (approximately 7 hours round trip)

Depart from your hotel around 11 am and travel to Chena Hot Springs Resort, famous for its century-old hot spring, interesting ice sculpture museum, and an advanced renewable energy project, making it one of the must-see attractions for almost every visitor to Fairbanks! You can relax in the outdoor natural hot springs, a particulary incredible experience when the surroundings are snow-covered. You will also have the opportunity to visit the year-round ice sculpture museum (at additional expense), which exhibits the work of world-class ice sculpture champions, including tables, chairs, and so on all made of ice. Those interested can visit the ice bar to sample an Apple Martini in a cocktail glass made of ice (at additional expense, must show ID and be at least 21 years old).  

Notes:   1) You must wear a bathing suit in the hot springs, please prepare in advance.

2) For safety reasons, minors under age 18 may not enter the outdoor natural rock pool, but they may use the indoor pool and the outdoor hot tub.

3) If you choose not to enter the hot springs for your own reasons, the fee is not refundable.

2. Denali National Park Walking Tour (about 7-8 hours round trip)

Depart from your hotel around 10 am and travel by car to Denali. The drive from Fairbanks to Denali is very beautiful, with views of the magnificent Alaska Range mountains to the South, and colorful forest flanking the road. If you are lucky, you may even see some wildlife on the way. Denali National Park is one of the longest-protected ecological preserves in the world. Weather permitting, your guide will take you on a short hike in the park.

3. Castner Glacier Ice Cave Discovery Tour (approximately 8 hours round trip)

Expect to depart from Fairbanks in morning and drive south along the Richardson Highway to C astner Glacier Ice Cave, which is beautiful After getting off the bus, you will follow your guide on a hike of about 2 miles before reaching the largest valley ice cave in North America. (There is no weather station in the vicinity of Castner Glacier Ice Cave. Therefore, it is difficult to predict local weather or trail condition when departing Fairbanks, the origin of the tour. Once reaching the trailhead, our guides will determine whether local conditions are safe enough for hiking to the Ice Cave or not. There will be no refund in the event of hazardous conditions that prevents guests from reaching the Ice Cave safely. However, guests will be fully refunded if the tour is cancelled before leaving Fairbanks due to unsafe road condition.)

Today you'll enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel. You will depart at 1 pm for the famous "Santa Claus House" in the town of North Pole, which, in order to create a strong Christmas atmosphere in Santa's hometown, features a huge 16-meter-tall santa statue and 2-meter-tall polar bear and moose statues. Many of the surrounding public facilities are also decorated in a Christmas theme. Later, you'll follow your guide to the Museum of the North on the University of Alaska's Fairbanks campus, the best place for visitors to discover the mysterious Arctic world and the real life of early locals. With its unique architecture, the museum is one of Fairbanks' landmarks. The museum is divided into different exhibition halls, which not only give a detailed introduction to the local environment and history, but also display some rare arctic animal specimens (“Blue Babe”, mammoth bones, a nearly 3-meter-tall brown bear, etc.). Afterwards you will return to the hotel for a rest. (If the Museum is closed, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and be refunded your $12 Museum of the North ticket fee on site).

At 10 pm, follow a professional guide to take the Aurora Shuttle to the area outside Fairbanks, away from the interference of urban light pollution, which will greatly increasing your chances of seeing the aurora. Our professional aurora guides will take you to the most powerful aurora viewing area to chasing the aurora according to the weather conditions, the direction of the aurora and their rich experience in light chasing and will introduce you to the Northern Lights and instruct you in camera parameter set-up and aurora borealis shooting techniques to help you take stunning aurora photos (3rd Aurora Viewing). You will return to the hotel to rest at around 2 am the next morning.

Options: Dog Sledding/ATV Experience (approximately 2 hours total)

Visit Alaskan local Leslie's sled dog kennel. Income from tours allows Leslie to continue the grand tradition of dog sledding by training young mushers and helping them raise funds to compete in the annual Alaskan dog sled races that have become so popular all over the world. Two passengers in the sled husband's company to ride the same sled, sledding in the forest road, splashing white snowflakes, the process is quite thrilling (experience about 20-25 minutes)! While waiting for a ride, you'll also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with cute dogs. (From September to early November, in case of insufficient snowfall, the dog sled will be replaced by a dog pull ATV experience, about 10min)

Today you will enjoy a leisurely day in Fairbanks. You can make your own arrangements or chose an optional activity to participate in for an additional fee. Due to limited time, it is only possible to choose one out of the three optional activities below.

Options: 1. Overland Adventure Across the Arctic Circle (drive both ways, round trip about 16 hours)

Depart in the morning and take a arctic bus along the Dalton Highway, one of Alaska's most remote and challenging roads. The whole road is 414 miles long and is one of the world’s “Ten Roads of Death.” On the way you can observe the arctic tundra wilderness, with the possibility of seeing wildlife such as caribou, foxes, wolves, bears, or musk ox. You’ll also pass over one of North America’s five largest rivers, the Yukon River, and see an incredible product of human engineering, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which crosses the state from north to south. Finally, you will arrive at the sign indicating you’ve reached the Arctic Circle (66°33’ north) and receive a special “Arctic Circle Exploration Certificate” to remember your trip. You’ll return to Fairbanks between 2 to 3 am. If you need to depart Fairbanks the following day, please book your flight for no earlier than 7 am, to avoid risking missing your flight.

2. Fly Over the Arctic Circle Adventure (Fly northbound, about 1.5 hours, drive back, about 10 hours)

*Morning flight:

Start by going to the airport to take a small sightseeing plane to the town of Coldfoot in morning. From the plane you'll get majestic bird’s-eye views of the snow-covered tundra. Upon arrival, you can send a postcard to your friends and family at the Arctic Post Office, enjoy the Brooks Range Safari in Coldfoot. In the afternoon you’ll return to Fairbanks via the famous Dalton Highway on a specially equipped arctic bus. On the way, visit the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Yukon River, and the Alaska Arctic Circle (66°33' north) marker, where you will receive an "Arctic Circle Exploration Certificate". You’ll return to Fairbanks between 2 to 3 am. If you need to depart Fairbanks the following day, please book your flight for no earlier than 7 am, to avoid risking missing your flight. (If the flight was canceled by wether, you’ll join the “Arctic Circle Drive Adventure” and get refund the difference)

*Afternoon flight:

Start by going to the airport to take a small sightseeing plane to the town of Coldfoot in morning. From the plane you'll get majestic bird’s-eye views of the snow-covered tundra. Upon arrival, you can send a postcard to your friends and family at the Arctic Post Office in Coldfoot. In the afternoon you’ll return to Fairbanks via the famous Dalton Highway on a specially equipped arctic bus. On the way, visit the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Yukon River, and the Alaska Arctic Circle (66°33' north) marker, where you will receive an "Arctic Circle Exploration Certificate". You’ll return to Fairbanks between 2 to 3 am. If you need to depart Fairbanks the following day, please book your flight for no earlier than 7 am, to avoid risking missing your flight. (If the flight was canceled by wether, the tour fee will be refunded, then you will enjoy a free day)

3. Aurora Viewing Cabin /Aurora chasing (approximately 4 hours round trip).

At 10 pm, to escape the urban light pollution, take the Aurora Shuttle to our carefully selected Aurora-Viewing Lodge. Or you can choose the Aurora Chasing Explore with guide. You will return to the hotel to rest at around 2 am the next morning.

Today you'll end your trip and bid farewell to beautiful Alaska. You can chose an optional activity to participate if your flight take off in evening.

Options: 1. Snow Mobile Tour (approximately 2-4 hours total, 11/20/2024-3/31/2025)

Join the snowmobile in Alaska, one of the hottest snow and ice events in the region, you can choose 30min or 60 min for ride, accompanied by an experienced guide.

2. Ice Fishing Tour (approximately 4 hours total, 11/20/2024-3/5/2025)

Ice fishing is a winter favorite for Alaskans. You’ll learn the fishing skill with a fishing expert. After catching the fish, the guide will also process a grilled fish for each guest on site, allowing you to taste the freshest fish, and then release the extra fish back to the snow lake.

Tips:     

1. The check-out time for most hotels in Alaska is 12:00 p.m., but please confirm the check-out time with your hotel.

2. For flights within the U.S., please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance.

3. To avoid the risk of a missed flight, please book a flight that leaves after 7:00 a.m. on the last day of your trip.

4. 24-hour free airport shuttle service is provided through your hotel, please reserve with the hotel staff in advance. Information need to reserve the shuttle: room number, name (in pinyin), number of people, departure time.

5. If you plan to continue your stay in Fairbanks after your tour, you can book a hotel extension in advance.

*The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon whose appearance and visibility are dictated by weather and other natural conditions. Thus, there is no guarantee that you will see them.

*If there are discrepancies between any time stated in the itinerary and the time given by your guide, please meet at the time your guide has informed you of.