northern light tours from anchorage

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Anchorage Aurora Quest – Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

• UPCOMING TOUR STATUS
• HOW TO PREPARE
• WHAT'S INCLUDED
• WHAT TO BRING

This Anchorage northern lights tour is designed to maximize fun and opportunity with the Aurora Borealis. We are proud to have been highlighted by Iceland Air’s Stopover magazine as one of Anchorage’s “Hidden Hot Spots” in its Spring 2019 issue (page 64) and listed as one of “the best northern lights tours in Alaska” by U.S. News & World Report .

Our goal is to help you enjoy the magic and mystery of the aurora borealis with this tour. Whether you want to learn how to photograph it or simply enjoy viewing it, this tour is for you! This Anchorage northern lights tour only runs when the forecast indicates that there is a good chance of seeing the aurora borealis with the naked eye, applying the criteria we review (see below). We pick you up at your hotel accommodations and take you on a nocturnal adventure to witness the magical lights rippling over snowy peaks and dancing across dark waters. This Anchorage northern lights tour allows you to either select a single night or purchase a multi-day pass, increasing your chances of success. It’s the perfect complement to winter day tours and a great option for business travelers to Alaska from August to late April. This Anchorage northern lights tour also provides information to help you understand the science behind the aurora borealis. Photographic coaching and aurora portraits are provided for those who desire them. Cameras are available for rent, and tripods are complimentary. And if all you have is a smart phone, still join us! Most of our guests are just like you. 

THREE-DAY OUTLOOK

SAT MAR 30 - TOUR WILL NOT RUN [Cloudy skies, unsettled aurora forecast, no moon]

SUN MAR 31 - TOUR WILL LIKELY NOT RUN [Cloudy skies, quiet aurora forecast, no moon]

MON APR 1 - TOUR WILL LIKELY NOT RUN [Cloudy skies, quiet aurora forecast, no moon]

Visit our Anchorage Northern Lights Forecast for more details on the aurora and weather forecast for this time period. Check this page and the forecast page daily if you are interested in a tour in the upcoming days.

PARAMETERS OF WHEN WE RUN A TOUR

On the day of the tour, we will use one of the following to indicate the tour status for the night:

WILL RUN – The tour runs if we have the minimum booking of two people for the night, and if conditions are favorable for viewing the northern lights. We will run a tour when there is at least a Kp1 aurora with clear or mostly clear conditions, and if the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecast modeling indicates there may be enhancements in the solar wind or magnetic field. In partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, we will run the tour if it is at least a Kp3 aurora forecast and a chance for some breaks in the clouds. If the moon is bright, we will run only with a Kp3 forecast. On a “Will Run” status, you will receive an email notifying you of tour status with a pick up schedule.

WILL RUN AT GUEST’S DISCRETION – There are many nights where the chance for seeing the northern lights is there, but it is a less than 50/50 chance. There are three factors that will affect aurora viewing: phase of the moon, brightness/activity of the aurora, and cloud cover. On nights when we go at guest’s discretion, one or more of those factors are not favorable. We know that for many people a chance to see the northern lights is an important part of their Alaska visit, and they may want to give it a chance even when the odds are less. On these nights, we let the guests decide based on available information. If guest’s choose to not proceed, it is considered a weather cancellation and a full refund is provided.

WILL NOT RUN – Unlike many tour operators, we will not run a tour if we do not think there is any chance of seeing the northern lights with the naked eye. We will not run a tour if there is a Kp0 forecast; or if there is a Kp1 forecast with no expected enhancements in solar wind or geomagnetic field; or if weather conditions are too cloudy, raining, or snowing; or if the moon phase is too bright for the forecast aurora conditions (i.e., a quiet aurora with a bright moon). We do not believe that it is appropriate to run a tour when we do not believe there is a good chance of seeing the northern lights. We will also not run a tour if the National Weather Service has issued warnings or advisories that indicate travel may be dangerous. You will be provided an opportunity to reschedule your tour. If you cannot reschedule, then a full refund is provided when the tour does not run due to weather conditions.

AURORA LEVELS are the common standards based on the Planetary K-Index (Kp): Quiet – Kp0-2 Unsettled – Kp3 Active – Kp4 Minor storm – Kp5 Moderate storm – Kp6 Strong storm – Kp7 Severe storm – Kp8 Extreme storm – Kp9

MOON LEVELS are based on our own data for observability of a quiet aurora under different moon illuminations: Minimal moon – Up to 40% illumination, will not interfere with viewing a quiet aurora display Moderate moon – From 41% to 75% illumination, may impair viewing a quiet aurora display Bright moon – Over 75% illumination, will likely or will interfere with viewing a quiet aurora display (forecast of Kp3 or higher required for viewing)

CLOUD LEVELS (percentage of skies covered) Clear - 0-10% Mostly clear - 10-30% Partly cloudy - 30-60% Mostly cloudy - 70-90% Cloudy - 90-100%

This is a small group Anchorage northern lights tour for photographers and sightseers alike, though due to demand and limited seating, no discounts are available for non-photographers.

• Nightly, August 17 to April 24 when conditions are right, which means at least Kp1 and less than 50% cloud cover. (See our more detailed criteria above as to when we run a tour.)
• Departure is generally between 9-11 pm. Once the tour is confirmed to run, you will receive a specific pickup time at your Anchorage area location by text and/or email generally at around 3:00 p.m., but no later than 6:30 pm.
• Duration is  approximately 6-7 hours.

Ssshhh, it’s a secret, but we have several favorite spots within a 120-mile radius of Anchorage that offer wonderful views of the night sky, and great land features such as reflective lakes, forests, coastal waterways, and mountain peaks. After pickup at your Anchorage area accommodations, the locations we visit for this Anchorage northern lights tour are based on conditions at the time. We may travel to 1-3 locations during the evening.

How To Prepare

• Rest up before your scheduled booking(s).
• Dress in warm layers! We may be away from the vehicle for up to 1-hour. It’s important to gear up appropriately and plan to keep moving while out. It’s also better to wear one pair of warm socks than two. This is because the more socks you add, the more likely you are to constrict circulation. Try to leave a pocket of airspace around your foot in the boot. Also wear a warm, moisture-wicking under layer, mid layer [preferably fleece] and thick, snow proof outer layer, along with hat, scarf and gloves. Arctic gear including bibs, parka and boots are available to rent at Sixth Avenue Outfitters or Alaska Outdoor Gear Rental in Anchorage. For purchasing your own winter gear in advance of your trip, visit our Winter Outdoor Gear  idea list on our Amazon storefront!
• If capturing the northern lights on camera is your main objective, we recommend reading a  How to Photograph Northern Lights  before the tour. You’ll receive additional coaching in the field.

What's Included

What to bring, transportation.

A specially outfitted high-top 12-passenger van. Driver is your photography guide.

IMPORTANT BOOKING INFORMATION

• Cancel your reservation at least 24-hours in advance if your plans change and we will provide a full refund. If you are not available for the night you reserved and the tour runs, you will be charged for your seat if it was too late to fill with another guest.
• For those who book a  four-day pass , that does not guarantee that the tour will run each of the four nights. It allows you to participate in the tour as many times as the tour runs during those four days. The four days must be consecutive. The only time we will provide a full refund is if the tour does not proceed at all during your four-day pass  period. If the tour proceeds only one day, you are refunded your booking amount minus the rate for a single-day pass. If the tour proceeds only two days out of four, then no refund is provided (as the price for a four-day pass is slightly less than the cost of two single-day passes).
• You will be notified if the tour is canceled due to cloudy, rainy, or snowy conditions. You will be fully refunded in such a case.
• A 2-person minimum is required to run this tour. If the minimum is not met, you may be given the option to purchase a second seat, reschedule, or cancel.
• Payment is confirmation of your acknowledgment of the risk inherent in this natural phenomenon; once it’s received and the tour departs, no refund will be issued if auroras do not appear as expected. However, if you do not see the northern lights during your tour, you can join us on another booked tour for free. Simply contact us to see if there is another booked tour during your visit, and we will reschedule you.

Comparing Anchorage to Fairbanks

Anchorage aurora season 2021-2022 statistics.

How to Photograph Northern Lights

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Aurora viewing is dependent on both space and earth weather. While forecasts for the former are based on much scientific data coming from many tracking stations, space weather tracking and research is still in its infancy, and data is available only from a limited number of satellites. It’s best to expect the unexpected. Based on the previous year’s statistics, conditions were right to run 51% of the scheduled tours. Of the tours that ran, the aurora borealis was seen with the naked eye 80% of the time. So, you should be aware that although we only run our Anchorage northern lights tour when conditions are good for viewing the aurora, approximately 20% of the time the aurora is not visible with the naked eye. Your chances increase greatly the more nights you have available to tour. This is why our four-night pass is a great option!

A: We do our very best to run the tour when forecasts indicate conditions are optimal to see auroras. Nature sometimes surprises us in pleasant and unpleasant ways. Forecasts and the models they rely on are not 100% accurate, and sometimes we do not see the aurora borealis with the naked eye. Whatever happens, it is our aim to make the best of it. We will show you a variety of night photography techniques and prepare you for taking advantage of a better aurora viewing situation you will hopefully experience in the future. Once the tour commits to run and you have submitted payment, there are no refunds regardless of conditions. However, if we do not see the aurora at all during your tour, you can join us on a subsequent night for a free make-up tour if we have paid guests booked for that night.

A: Enjoy your day in Anchorage and if the weather is favorable, it might be wise to take an afternoon nap. We will notify you via email by approximately 3:00 p.m. the status of your tour and, if it is running, the pick-up schedule for the tour.

A: Our destination each night will vary according to conditions, but we usually travel within a 100-mile radius and visit 1-3 locations.

A: Up to 1 hour. There are some locations where we may stay within close range of the vehicle, and others where we may walk up to a half of a mile. Much depends on conditions and capability of the group.

A: Not many. Most State Park restrooms are closed this time of year and there are few other options available in the wee hours of the night, other than a bush or tree. Depending on the route, we may stop at a gas station for a bathroom break.

A: Yes! This Anchorage northern lights tour is guided by a professional photographer who will help you set your camera in advance and explain what the settings do. We want you to enjoy seeing them and photographing them!

A: No! We have many sightseeing guests. Your guide will take a complimentary portrait of you with the aurora, and it as well as scenic photos taken by your guide are complimentary parts of the tour.

A: Anchorage is within the aurora oval (region on earth where auroras are most frequently seen), and has its fair share of viewable nights. In a given season, the aurora borealis is visible on 75% of the nights the skies are clear. There are also some distinct advantages for aurora chasing in  Southcentral Alaska .

Both cities fall within the auroral zone, which in Alaska is around 60°- 70° N. At this latitude, communities positioned beneath the band will see northern lights almost every dark, clear night. That said, the following information may help you decide which location suits your aurora quest best.

Average January Temperature

• Anchorage: 17.1°F [-8°C]
• Fairbanks: -7.9°F [-22°C]

Median Cloud Cover

• Anchorage: 93% [clearest in March]
• Fairbanks: 73-92% [clearest in February]

Landscape Features to Include in Aurora Photos

• Anchorage: mountains, boreal and temperate rainforest, coastal areas, rivers and lakes with areas of open water for beautiful reflections throughout the season.
• Fairbanks: hills, boreal forest, [open lakes and rivers early in the season].

Aurora Season

• Anchorage: Aug 7 – May 7 Fairbanks: Aug 21 – Apr 21

Unique Advantages

• Anchorage: Auroras often tend to be brighter and more active farther equatorward, relatively warmer temperatures, a variety of landscape features to include in aurora photography, longer aurora viewing season.
• Fairbanks: More clear sky nights, more chance to see aurora during low activity periods.

Recommendations

Aurora chasers with a night or more in the Anchorage area have little to lose and much to gain by reserving an aurora tour here. Even those heading to or returning from Fairbanks will increase chances of seeing the northern lights, and enjoy the differing experience of each location. So if time allows, include both cities in your winter travel plan!

• OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
• 10 REASONS TO TAKE AN ALASKA PHOTO TOUR
• ANCHORAGE NORTHERN LIGHTS FORECAST
• LEARNING CENTER
• TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES
• GUIDE CORNER
• (907) 350-0251
• [email protected]

Private Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

Book This Adventure

Join us on this private tour for a night exploring and photographing the stunning aurora borealis in and around the greater Anchorage area.  Our team uses innovative technology to forecast aurora viewing conditions, choosing each night’s location based upon weather forecasts, predicted aurora strength, and driving distance from Anchorage. The guide team, experts in searching out the famous northern lights, will get you to the most strategic location possible.

Trip Highlights

• Fully-private tour with hotel pick up and drop off
• Web-quality photos and portraits
• Personalized forecast service. Know before you go!
• Hot drinks and snacks provided
• Suitable for all ages

What's Included

• Services of a professional local aurora guide
• Aurora forecasting service
• Photographs and portraits
• Transportation in a clean and comfortable tour vehicle
• Aurora science education
• Snacks and hot drinks
• $1995 total per confirmed tour night, group size 1-8.
• $100 for each additional person up to 12 people
• Groups larger than 12 please contact our office at 907-980-8179
• Duration: 8 Hours

Gratuities for Guides (Recommend $200 per group).

Best Viewing Conditions

The aurora can be visible anytime we have adequate darkness between late August and mid-April.  The main obstacles to finding auroras are cloud cover and light pollution. We may drive up to three hours outside Anchorage to find clear, dark skies.

Understanding the Moon’s phases and chasing aurora

A common question among interested aurora viewers relates to the Moon and its many phases each month. Lunar cycles may affect one’s ability to view the northern lights, but not necessarily in a negative way. Greatland Adventures aurora guides are experts at positioning guests in the optimum location for the best chance of viewing the lights, and the Moon can provide a stunning backdrop for shadows and wintery nighttime photography!

Below is a breakdown of the Moon’s lunar phases, what they mean, and how they may affect your aurora viewing experience:

New Moon – The new moon phase lasts for 10 days when the Moon is positioned directly between Earth and the Sun. Illumination of the Moon is less than 20% during this time and as such there is minimal light cast on Earth’s landscapes, making aurora and stargazing excellent when forecasts are positive for clear skies and solar storms. However, landscape photography and videography are generally more difficult during this phase due to the diminished lighting of the moon.

Mid-Moon – A mid-moon phase is the period of the moon cycle when the Moon’s illumination is between 20-80%. During this 10-day phase, the moon has minimal effect on aurora viewing or stargazing.

Full Moon – A full moon happens over 10 days when the Moon’s illumination is 80-100%. During this phase, the Moon lights up a night landscape and mild auroral activity will be difficult to see. However, when auroral displays are strong, a full moon phase allows our eyes to more easily perceive the true colors of the aurora, especially the greens and pinks. Additionally, landscape photography and videography are enhanced during this phase due to the extra ambient light from the Moon.

Vacations to Alaska don’t always fall on the calendar’s “perfect” time for spotting aurora, but rest assured that our local guides take into account the lunar phases and will make every effort to find the best viewing locations to maximize your aurora adventure.

Best Price Guarantee

*Book direct with confidence. We guarantee you will receive the best price when booking directly on our website or we will refund the difference + $10! Must show proof of a lower price found elsewhere for the same product and the same departure. Offer valid for tours operated by Greatland Adventures only. Offer not valid for 3rd party products.

The aurora borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders on earth, and we invite you to join our experienced guides on this quest to view and photograph the northern lights in and around the greater Anchorage area.

Our team uses innovative technology to forecast aurora viewing conditions, and each night’s tour location is chosen with our guests in mind to maximize the chance to view the lights. Based on the weather forecast, aurora strength, and driving distance from Anchorage, our all-local team of experts will get you to the most strategic location possible.

This tour is designed for anyone visiting the Anchorage area with an interest in viewing the northern lights, and include web-quality portraits and basic photography instruction to help you capture the stunning swirls of color.

We use our fleet of comfortable tour vehicles as traveling base camps, and add heated portable winter shelters when possible. Tours generally depart between 8 and 11 p.m. and return between 3 and 6 a.m., depending on the season and forecasted conditions. Hotel pick up and drop off are included.

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we are no longer providing single-use plastic water bottles. Please bring a reusable water bottle and we’ll ensure refreshing refills are available throughout the tour.

Book This Adventure  

Book direct. Best price guarantee!*

#greatlandadventures

• Bev As a solo traveler I usually veer towards group tours and make my decisions based on ratings. Greatland Adventures definitely lived up to their high ratings and awesome reviews. I have booked several tours with them. From the beginning it was a pleasurable experience with Steve and Rochelle who have excellent communication with their clients and ensure you are fully accommodated for your tour. I did the northern lights tour with Mike who is an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and he captured some excellent photos of me! I completed the glacier tour with Bill who is also very knowledgeable and ensured we had a great experience at the glacier by getting us there before others arrived and allowing us to safe explore all the accessible crevasses. I absolutely recommend this tour company they are amazing!
• Jane I want to sincerely applaud the members of Greatland Adventures! They made me and my friend's trip to Anchorage one of the most amazing experiences ever in our lives... We were all well educated about the lights before we got there and even had a chance to have a pitstop at a gas station to use the toilet and grab a coffee. We even saw the lights that night TWICE! Thank you, Steve! The memories we made will last a lifetime and we are so happy we chose Greatland Adventures. I am telling any and everyone that plans to visit Anchorage to book through them. No question!

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The 9 Best Northern Lights Alaska Cruises for 2024 & Beyond

T here's no other experience on Earth quite like witnessing the northern lights. Also known as the aurora borealis, this spellbinding phenomenon – when brilliant hues of green, yellow and purple dance across the night sky – is visible in Alaska from late August to late April. Clear, dark evenings away from the ambient light of cities provide prime viewing opportunities.

Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis – especially locations in the Interior and Arctic regions, such as Coldfoot, Wiseman, Utqiagvik (Barrow) and Nome. Fairbanks is regarded as a top location due to its position directly under the auroral oval, a ring-shaped area in the far north where aurora activity is generally concentrated. The Southcentral region of Alaska, where you'll find Anchorage, Talkeetna and the Mat-Su Valley, also offers basecamps for northern lights viewing.

If you're hoping to see the magic aboard an Alaska cruise in 2024 or 2025, then you just might be in luck. Experts predict the next few seasons will be particularly good for northern lights sightings, due to increased solar activity. While seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed, your best chance of seeing them is during these high-activity solar cycles, which occur about every 11 years.

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When to take a cruise to view the northern lights

The Alaska cruise season falls between May and September, with a few cruise lines extending the season from April to October.

Holland America Line recommends booking a cruise or cruisetour (a combined sea and land package) during the autumnal equinox, or the official start of autumn, which falls around Sept. 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. Disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field are more likely around the autumn and spring equinoxes, which could increase your chances of seeing the aurora. For the best views, Holland America advises heading to higher ground in Anchorage , to vantage points like Glen Alps, the Knit River Valley and Point Woronzof.

Princess Cruises also suggests booking your vacation in the fall. September is an ideal month to watch for the spectacle in the sky as the nights start getting longer and darker. The elusive display is most likely to appear on crystal-clear evenings between midnight and 4 a.m. While you can see incredible light shows in Anchorage, consider an extended tour of Fairbanks or the Interior that takes you away from light pollution (such as to Denali National Park & Preserve).

U.S. News has compiled a list of the nine best cruises and cruisetours to give you the optimal chance of viewing these whimsical lights in the sky, with a focus on sailings around the autumnal equinox in 2024 and later dates in September 2025. We've also included an early sailing in April, before the end of the aurora season. (Keep in mind: Many of these trips and itineraries are also available on other dates during the season. Cruise fares were accurate at the time of publication.)

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Holland America Line

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9-Day Denali: Tour D8l

This nine-day land and sea tour on Nieuw Amsterdam includes an opportunity to search for the northern lights in Fairbanks, one of the best places to see them in Alaska (and in the world). Holland America offers a four-hour aurora borealis viewing tour outside the city in a yurt; it operates between the last week of August and mid-September.

If you'd like more options, there's no shortage of tour operators in town that can take you on a northern lights adventure in Fairbanks. You can even fly into town early to stay in the wilderness in an igloo with clear views of the night sky at Borealis Basecamp, located less than 30 miles from Fairbanks. Be sure to notify your hotel that you'd like a wake-up call or a knock on the door if the northern lights are on display.

You'll have more opportunities to see the aurora when you head to Denali National Park & Preserve for a stay at Holland America 's exclusive 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort, located near the entrance to the park. After a full day exploring the park by ATV or a bucket list flightseeing adventure over Denali, you'll have another chance to see the colorful light display in Alaska's wilderness after midnight. The rest of the cruisetour itinerary includes scenic cruising days, with one spent in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. You'll also call on Juneau , Skagway and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver .

14-Day Denali: Tour D3c

This 14-day adventure includes scenic cruising of the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord, with stops in the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Whittier and Seward. You'll then have nearly a week on land in Anchorage, Denali National Park & Preserve and Fairbanks to go aurora hunting. If you spend an extra night or two in Fairbanks at the end of the trip, you'll be in town for the autumnal equinox, maximizing your northern lights viewing opportunities.

With the extra time in town, plan to book the Arctic Circle Air Adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company. This unforgettable journey takes you on a flight over the Yukon River and Brooks Range, just east of the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. You'll then land 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the community of Coldfoot and receive an Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate before your return flight to Fairbanks.

7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound

If you're interested in a cruise-only option and would prefer to arrange the land portion independently, consider this seven-day voyage on Nieuw Amsterdam. The itinerary includes three scenic cruising days, with one day in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, and calls on the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway before disembarking in Whittier, which sits roughly 60 miles south of Anchorage.

From Whittier, there are many options to transfer to Anchorage (by rail or by road), including the iconic Glacier Discovery Train. Plan to stay a few evenings in Anchorage with a multiday guided aurora tour, or reserve a spot on an evening outing in search of the northern lights.

Read: The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises

Princess Cruises

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11-Day Denali Explorer – Tour DA4

This 11-day cruisetour begins with a seven-night voyage embarking from Vancouver on Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess . The itinerary includes three sea days, two of which are dedicated to scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord. You'll make stops in the coastal towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Anchorage (Whittier) before disembarking to depart for the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge via the line's direct-to-the-wilderness rail service.

Spending three nights at the lodge – located just outside the entrance to the park – in mid-September will offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing. Keep your fingers crossed for high solar activity and clear, dark skies. Throughout your trip, learn photography tips to capture the mesmerizing display through Princess' North to Alaska Program. After your stay in Denali, you'll take a motor coach to Anchorage and stay overnight in a hotel there to finish up your voyage.

10-Day On Your Own – Tour BBX

The 10-Day On Your Own cruisetour with Princess Cruises begins with three nights on land, including overnights in Fairbanks, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. While at the Mt. McKinley resort, be sure to check out the lodge's treehouse. Designed by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters," this vantage point offers impressive views of Denali – the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet above sea level.

Before heading off to bed, get an update on aurora activity from the tracker on your smartphone, especially if you have clear skies that night; the app My Aurora Forecast & Alerts has excellent reviews. Request a wake-up call to have the Princess lodge staff call your room if the dazzling bands of light begin to dance in the sky. The next day, after traveling to Whittier by motor coach, you'll embark on your cruise to Vancouver aboard Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess.

The voyage from Whittier includes three sea days for relaxing activities on board the ship, with two days of scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier and in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. During your time in Glacier Bay, park rangers will board the ship to offer commentary about this captivating wilderness area's pristine glaciers and abundant wildlife. Younger cruisers and teens will also appreciate learning about this spectacular place through the Junior Ranger program, which features interactive games, activities and presentations. (All cruise ships visiting the park participate in this program with the National Park Service.) Ports of call for the rest of the journey include Icy Strait Point or Skagway (depending on the cruise), then Juneau and Ketchikan. The voyage ends in Vancouver.

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Celebrity Cruises

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The Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour

Celebrity's pre-cruise national parks adventure takes guests on a wildlife viewing quest to destinations in the north and the Interior where you can watch for the aurora. The 12-night trip begins in Fairbanks with a free day to explore.

Consider a trip to the University of Alaska Museum of the North, which features exhibits on Arctic dinosaurs, diverse wildlife, Alaska Native cultures and 2,000 years of Alaska art. You could also visit the impressive collection of antique cars and clothing at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, or take a walk with the reindeer into the woods at Running Reindeer Ranch. The second day in town includes a Riverboat Discovery ride and a tour of the city, as part of the cruisetour.

On the third day, you'll board the Wilderness Express (a glass-domed railcar) for the ride to Denali. Then, you'll embark on the Tundra Wilderness Tour in search of the park's grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep and other wildlife. Be sure to put your name on the list before bedtime to get a wake-up call for aurora activity. You'll also have one evening in Anchorage, where you can arrange for a northern lights tour, and one night in Seward before setting sail on Celebrity Summit the next morning. Highlights of the voyage include cruising Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage as well as stopping in Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. You'll disembark in Vancouver.

Norwegian Cruise Line

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13-Day Denali Explorer – Pre-Cruise Cruisetour

Norwegian Cruise Line's six-day pre-cruise adventure begins with overnights in Fairbanks, Denali and Anchorage, where you'll have the best chances to view the northern lights. Other highlights for the first part of the trip include a deluxe dome car rail journey from Talkeetna to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad and a private tour to an Iditarod sled dog musher's kennel. You'll also have plenty of time in Denali National Park to book a flightseeing tour, go whitewater rafting, or take a hike with a park ranger to look for bears, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and other local wildlife before starting your cruise in Seattle .

Norwegian Encore will call on Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan (Ward Cove) in Alaska. The Mill at Ward Cove near Ketchikan is a newly built cruise ship port that serves as a jumping-off point for outdoor activities in the Tongass National Forest, from hiking and biking to kayaking and sea cycling. You can even pick up souvenirs, grab a bite to eat and sample a cold Alaska brew at the mill. The cruise itinerary also includes one day at sea and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, before you disembark in Seattle.

7-Night Alaska: Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan

Consider this seven-day cruise on Norwegian Bliss if you prefer to travel early in the spring and take your chances at catching the northern lights toward the end of aurora season, which falls around April 21. This round-trip itinerary from Seattle is one of the earliest sailings of the year to visit the Great Land and features two sea days, with one day of scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. You'll also visit Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan (Ward Cove) and Victoria before disembarking in Seattle.

Juneau will offer one of the best opportunities during the cruise for seeing the northern lights, although chances are dependent on the weather and solar activity. There are several apps and websites with real-time updates for aurora tracking, including My Aurora Forecast & Alerts. If the skies are clear in the evening and the forecast looks promising, ask guest relations if there's a sign-up sheet to get a call or a knock on the door in the event of aurora activity.

Royal Caribbean International

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12 Night Mountain Panorama Adventure Cruisetour 5B (Pre Tour)

This 12-night cruisetour with Royal Caribbean International begins with an overnight in Anchorage before boarding the Wilderness Express, where you'll have a glass-domed rail car for the journey to Talkeetna. The quirky community of Talkeetna is said to be the inspiration for the fictional Alaska town of Cicely in the 1990s show "Northern Exposure." It's also an excellent base for chasing the aurora – especially at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where you'll be staying.

After an overnight at the lodge, your tour moves on to Denali, where you can search for wildlife by day and look for the aurora at night. Another evening on land at Hotel Alyeska in the remote town of Girdwood affords more opportunities to chase the finnicky lights before heading to Seward to board your ship, Radiance of the Seas .

Ports of call on this voyage include Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. There are also two days of scenic cruising through Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage before disembarking in Vancouver. While there are plenty of activities, dining venues, bars and lounges on board to keep you entertained all night long, be sure to save up enough energy to wake up in the middle of the night should you get a call to see the magical natural wonder that is the northern lights.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She's even considered moving to The Great Land as a full-time resident. Pratesi used her deep knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
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• The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Best Alaska Shore Excursions

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

I traveled beyond the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights. Here are 4 things to know before you go.

• I traveled north of the Arctic Circle to a tiny village in Finland for a chance to see the northern lights.
• I booked a tour as far north as I could afford for the best chance of seeing the colorful auroras.
• The location made viewing the northern lights easier, but they were different than I expected.

In February, I finally checked off one of my top bucket list items — seeing the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights.

The auroras occur when charged solar particles from the sun interact with the Earth's upper atmosphere, resulting in an array of colorful lights beaming from the planet's poles. They occur year-round but can only be seen in winter months during the long polar nights.

I journeyed all the way to Finland's northernmost municipality, Utsjoki, about 280 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The trek required two plane rides from New York to Ivalo, Finland, via Helsinki, plus a two-hour drive deep into the snow-covered Lapland.

The secluded village is home to Aurora Holidays , the tour company I used for my trip. I paid about $2,000 total, which included guides, full room and board, a village tour, reindeer feeding, a king crab fishing trip in Norway, and dog sledding — though prices have increased since I booked. Flights on Finnair were another $1,000.

Aurora Holidays boasts a 100% success rate over five years of seeing the auroras thanks to a lack of light pollution in the northern location — and, fortunately, the streak continued on my trip.

Here are four things to know when planning a trip to see the aurora lights and why I recommend getting as far north as possible to maximize your chances — even if it means facing bone-chilling temperatures and relying on a little bit of luck.

Location, location, location

While recent environmental phenomena have made the northern lights visible in places as far south as England and Denmark, the aurora borealis are best viewed within the Article Circle.

The far north is hard to reach, though, and popular viewing spots like Fairbanks, Alaska, Tromsø, Norway, and Canada's Northwest Territories sit below the 66° 34' N latitude that defines the region.

Plus, these often-crowded tourist destinations have light pollution that requires people to venture out of the city into darker areas to see the lights.

Utsjoki, however, is so remote that it offers complete darkness during the long polar nights. Even better, my accommodation was perfectly situated facing north across Lapland — meaning I could see the auroras from my cabin porch.

"A lot of people don't know that for the highest possibilities to see the lights, location matters," Aurora Holiday's owner, Tiina Salonen, told me during the tour. "The rule of thumb is that the further north you travel, the less [solar] activity you need to have lights in the sky."

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Other places within the Arctic Circle, like Abisko National Park in Sweden or Ilulissat, Greenland, are also good viewing spots.

Pack for below-zero temperatures

During my trip, the temperature reached -8°F, which is even colder than what I experienced in Antarctica . Fortunately, my previous polar expedition taught me how to pack.

I opted for a merino wool base layer from REI, which I prefer due to its moisture-wicking abilities . I also wore a fleece pullover and a Kathmandu puffer as my mid-layers and a 600-fill jacket as my shell. I also wore snow pants, ski gloves, wool socks, a fleece buff, a beanie, and hiking boots.

All of that combined, I was easily warm enough to stand outside under the lights. I also recommend bringing hand and foot warmers if you plan to do other winter activities like snowshoeing or snowmobiling.

One thing to remember about going to extremely remote places like northern Lapland is how far you are away from a proper hospital — the closest to Utsjoki being a few hour's drive, according to Tiina. Wearing the right clothes to prevent frost bite or illness is important, but it wouldn't hurt to get travel insurance , too — just in case.

The vibrant colors that appear in photos are not what humans see

Not every color of the northern auroras is visible to the naked eye. During my trip, I could clearly see streaks of green and white, but the intensity and array of colors were more vivid in photos taken on my iPhone.

Tiina explained this is because cameras can take in more light than a human's nighttime vision can, therefore allowing it to capture otherwise invisible colors, like pink, red, and purple.

I'll admit that the auroras were much fainter than I expected, but that didn't take away from the beauty. Nevertheless, some people may be disappointed it isn't the extravagant Disney-like display social media sometimes makes it seem.

Seeing the lights takes a little bit of luck

During my six-day, five-night tour in Utsjoki, we only saw the auroras once — which is the reality of lights chasing, and why I booked a longer vacation to better my odds of seeing them.

That night was perfectly clear, and the solar activity was relatively strong, allowing the beautiful green beams to dance across the sky. The other nights, however, were too cloudy to see anything.

"The lights are there, but if it is super cloudy — we can't, of course, see them," Tiina told me. I noticed this when I was further south in Ivalo before and after the tour in Utsjoki. I couldn't see the auroras either night I was there due to the clouds, even though the online tracker said they were out.

Sometimes tour companies like Tiina's can drive around to find pockets where the auroras are visible, but it's not always possible — which makes seeing the lights a roll of the dice and why I now warn people to manage their expectations before booking a trip.

"Even here in Utsjoki, we cannot guarantee the lights — after all, it is a natural phenomenon, and Mother Nature is in charge," Tiina said.

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