arctic circle fly & drive tour from fairbanks

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Arctic Circle Fly & Drive Tour from Fairbanks

Guided one day trip above the arctic circle to visit a historic outpost and walk on the tundra..

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Home » City-Based Day Tours » Fairbanks » Arctic Circle Fly & Drive Tour from Fairbanks

Day Tour Details

What's included:.

• Scenic flight to Arctic Circle
• Narrated ground tour returning to Fairbanks
• All taxes and fees

What's Not Included:

Any meals or transfers to and from your Fairbanks hotel.

We're still basking in the glow of so many wonderful memories. Every bit of the trip was memorable and wonderful. And it was very reassuring to know that Alaska Tours was only a phone-call away if our schedule was interrupted for some reason, including weather. Thank you!

Kathy | Facebook

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Arctic Circle Tours

One-day and overnight adventures across the arctic circle.

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Cross the Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is located at 66 degrees 33 minutes north latitude, about 200 road miles or 140 air miles from Fairbanks. On the summer solstice (around June 21/22), locations above the Arctic Circle experience the "midnight sun" with 24-hours of continuous daylight. On the winter solstice (around December 21/22), the sun fails to fully rise above the horizon and locations in the Arctic experience 24 hours of twilight or darkness. The farther north one travels from the Arctic Circle, the longer this period of daylight or darkness lasts during the summer and winter seasons, respectively.

There are several options available when it comes to crossing the Arctic Circle in Alaska including by land, air, or a combination of both. Travel with our informative, friendly guides in the personalized comfort of our tour coaches and vans along the famed Dalton Highway. Or fly north from Fairbanks and wonder at the story of the vast and remote land below, crossing the Arctic Circle in the air and landing 60 miles further north in the Brooks Mountain Range community of Coldfoot. Whatever you decide, it is sure to be a memorable adventure and you will receive an official Arctic Circle certificate to commemorate the experience.

Arctic Circle Air Adventure

A One Day Guided Round Trip Journey By Air And Land Across The Arctic Circle

• ✓ Arctic Circle
• Χ Arctic Ocean
• Χ Polar Bear
• Χ Undiscovered Arctic
• Χ Yukon River

Arctic Circle Winter Fly Drive - Northbound

A Guided Round Trip Winter Journey By Air and Land Across The Arctic Circle

• ✓ Yukon River

Arctic Circle Winter Fly Drive - Southbound

Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure

A Guided Round Trip Winter Journey By Land Across The Arctic Circle

Arctic Circle Aurora Fly Drive Adventure - Northbound

Arctic Circle Aurora Fly Drive Adventure - Southbound

Arctic Circle Midnight Sun Drive Adventure

A One Day Guided Round Trip Journey By Land Across The Arctic Circle

Arctic Circle Fly Drive Adventure - Northbound

An Overnight Guided Round Trip Journey By Land And Air Into Alaska's Brooks Mountain Range

Arctic Circle Midnight Sun Fly Drive Adventure - Southbound

A One Day Guided Round Trip Journey By Air and Land Across The Arctic Circle

Arctic Circle Midnight Sun Overnight Adventure

Arctic Circle Winter Drive Adventure

A One Day Guided Round Trip Journey By Land Across the Arctic Circle

Arctic Circle Winter Air Adventure

A One Day Guided Round Trip Winter Journey By Air Across The Arctic Circle

Arctic Ocean Adventure

A three day guided round trip journey by air and land to Alaska's Arctic Coast

• ✓ Arctic Ocean

Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventures

Coldfoot's far north location places it one of the world's best aurora viewing areas. Stay 2 nights or more!

Journey Above the Arctic Circle - Fort Yukon

Fly north from Fairbanks on Warbelow's Air Ventures on their evening flight to Fort Yukon

• ✓ Undiscovered Arctic

Original Arctic Circle Drive Adventure

Utqiaġvik Adventure - Overnight Tour

An overnight journey by air to the farthest north Inupiat Eskimo village.

Gates of the Arctic Air Adventure

An Evening Round Trip Journey By Air In To The Gates Of The Arctic National Park

Arctic Circle Fall Fly Drive - Southbound

A Guided Round Trip Journey By Air And Land Across The Arctic Circle

Choose Your Alaska Adventure

Arctic Circle

Arctic Ocean

Undiscovered Arctic

Yukon River

Small-Group Arctic Circle Drive and Fly Tour from Fairbanks

• Travel from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle for a day of Arctic exploration
• Photograph the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Yukon River, and Arctic Circle Sign
• See more of Alaska's Arctic tundra on a tour by car and airplane
• Get a guaranteed window seat on the plane and sweeping aerial views
• See itinerary
• Airport/Departure Tax
• Driver/guide
• Live commentary on board
• Transport by air-conditioned 25 passenger coach or 15 passenger van, depending size of group
• One-way flight from Coldfoot to Fairbanks in a Piper Navajo Cheiftain or Caravan
• Entry/Admission - James Dalton Highway
• Entry/Admission - BLM Arctic Circle Monument Sign
• The listed price does not include a $4 parking fee, payable at the time of tour check-in
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• 3788 University Ave S, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA 3820 University Avenue, South / East Ramp Airport
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
• A maximum of 7 people per booking. the maximum number of guests on the tour may be 25 - but the maximum number in a Viator booking for this tour is 7. If you have more then 7 you will need to make 2 separate bookings via Viator.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 4 or younger do need a car seat per Alaska State Law. Guests need to provide their own car seat appropriate for the age and size of their child.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• All passenger weights MUST be advised at time of booking. Maximum dressed weight 340 pounds
• Checked for the return flight bags should be limited to 5 to 10 pounds (2 to 4.5 kg.)
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 26 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll start at 3788 University Ave S 3788 University Ave S, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA 3820 University Avenue, South / East Ramp Airport See address & details
• 1 Northern Alaska Tour Company Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 2 Arctic Circle Trading Post Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 3 James Dalton Highway Stop: 8 hours - Admission included See details
• 4 BLM Arctic Circle Monument Sign Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included See details
• 5 Coldfoot Airport Stop: 90 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• I6303NMannab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Gateway to Really Appreciate Alaska Hands down, the best experience of our vacation to Alaska! We were traveling with my older parents and it is a long day. My first priority was to find a tour company that offered a coach/bus rather than a passenger van. Northern Alaska came out on top and Colin was really helpful in answering my extra questions during the booking process. Admittedly, I wasnt impressed by the idea of saying I had 'been to the Arctic' just bc I visited a sign for ten minutes in a tour group, but our guide, Mike, made it so special. He truly cares about Alaska and wants to share it with others. Having someone so knowledgeable and kind to commend us for making this effort to visit the lesser traveled parts of Alaska was really meaningful! And he surprised us with an extra treat (beyond our certificates) at the sign to celebrate the occasion. I won't ruin it here. You'll have to go to find out! That said, I knew Mike was a great guide, as he brought energy, professionalism, and care to the trio that were apparent and highly appreciated. But I realized just how great of a guide he is after taking tours with other guides at other companies - they just didn't compare. Not even close. Northern Alaska has a reputation for Arctic Circle tours for a reason. They hire the best guides, they care about their guests and they do everthing they can to support your enjoyment and learning. I highly recommend Northern Alaska and a visit with them to the Arctic Circle! Read more Written April 9, 2024
• Relax35959791958 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Arctic Circle Winter Adventure Tour This tour had to be the highlight of my Alaskan Adventure. John our tour guide was absolutely amazing. His professionalism and knowledge created such a memorable adventure. He was engaging throughout the adventure. His passion and enthusiasm shines through. As we drove the Dalton, I felt incredibly safe. John is definitely an asset and those lucky enough to have him as a tour guide will be leave Alaska with a deep sense of appreciation and understanding of the history, habitat and culture. I would highly recommend this tour. Read more Written April 5, 2024
• meredithr415 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Long day but an informative one! The trip is essentially a bus ride with a few stops out to the arctic circle sign, a short stop for photos, driving back with a stop to hopefully see the aurora. It's a long day and without an engaging guide it probably would have been an even longer day. Had a really great day out with Vanessa who was a wealth of knowledge about the area, the history , the wildlife and the pipeline and to be honest, the stories and info bombs made the trip far more interesting than it would otherwise have been even if it was her first tour (just kidding). The roads were pretty bumpy but not as icy/snowy as I really expected but felt pretty safe the whole way. It's not something that I would like to self-drive. The aurora stop was mostly waiting in a warm room but we were really lucky to see the lights put on a good show. The main downside is that the Yukon River Camp kitchen was closed so we made a stop at a supermarket on the way out of Fairbanks to stock up. Would have been good to know a day or so before so we could be more prepared but we managed and made do. Read more Written April 3, 2024
• OurScreenName 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great, but also disappointing The bus tour to the Arctic Circle was a beautiful drive with spectacular scenery all around. Our guide John was incredibly knowledgeable, informative, personable, and accommodating. He made the trip, and I think we were very lucky because this is not his regular tour. Unfortunately the Yukon River Camp kitchen was closed for the season, so we had to bring our own food. We were not informed of this until after we had paid, despite hot meals being promoted as available. On top of that, upon arrival there we were informed their restrooms were out of order due to frozen pipes. So for the whole 18-hour tour the only facilities were unheated outhouse pit toilets. Beware ladies! The bus had a bathroom, but they said it was for emergencies only. Our last stop was at the Arctic Circle Trading Post for Aurora viewing, but it was a cloudy night. So we just sat indoors for 90 minutes, where hot drinks were offered. I thought our second "guide" was going to at least talk about the Aurora and how/when/where it is best viewed. But he didn't even address the group except for logistical announcements. Read more Written March 16, 2024
• SMK2580AU 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Very long day but worth it The first part of the tour ran very smoothly, with clear skies and great views for flight from Fairbanks to coldfoot. After a cosy pre-ordered lunch + drinks from the bar at coldfoot we had a scenic drive in van with lady driver whose name started with S telling us interesting facts along the way. We then stopped at arctic circle to take photos with sign and had to change to larger bus for return to Fairbanks, which was a rougher ride. We wasted 30mins sitting in parking lot while driver handed out cups of tea and coffee on board. The male driver whose name began with T talked non stop about his biography for the drive to the dinner stop at Yukon valley. This was chaotic with nowhere to sit and no mention of how we collected our pre-ordered sandwiches. We then had to wait 20 mins for 2 passengers who were late returning to bus. On the drive to trading post the driver noticed the Aurora was out so pulled over for us to view which was spectacular. However I felt like I was being rushed to take my photos and get back on the coach to keep going because we had already wasted time with previous stops. We stopped again for some great Aurora viewing at dalton highway sign which this time had more time to enjoy. We then proceeded to trading post and again had to wait another 10mins for 2 late passengers. We arrived back to Fairbanks hotel 3:15am making it a very long day. I enjoyed the experience immensely but the timings need to be tightened up to improve this trip. I’d much rather have more time viewing Aurora than waiting for other passengers. Read more Written March 13, 2024
• Venture593585 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great day! We were very lucky in that it was sunny in Denali NP and the views were spectacular. Mike, our guide, was thoughtful, courteous, knowledgeable and kind, which really enhanced the entire experience. Read more Written March 10, 2024
• JeanineMBYE 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Memorable Adventure This was a well planned outing and our guide, Mike, was a wealth of information. And equally important, he was a steady, considerate driver. Considering our route, that’s important. Thanks to Erica and Mike at Northern Alaska Tour Company for a memorable, enjoyable adventure! Read more Written February 24, 2024
• Departure23242141000 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Article circle day tour Mikcl is a very good guide,and he drives very well and safely. He tells a lot about Alaska history, culture, animals, environment....etc. I learn a lot from him. The scenery is very beautiful. Article circle day tour is worthy to go traveling . Read more Written February 19, 2024
• Jackaondoug 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Arctic Circle trip Mike was the driver and a great guide. He told interesting stories for most of the 16 hour trip. The bus was comfortable and the other travelers were interesting. Was able to mark off my bucket list of traveling to the arctic circle Read more Written February 14, 2024
• meganrW3464UC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 100% Awesome Tour We loved our guide, Ryan, he was excellent at both the driving and the guiding. Being and Alaska native, Ryan had tons of interesting info and anecdotes and kept everyone entertained and engaged for this very long tour. The bus they used was the nicest of all the tours we did in Alaska. I believe they have these custom made for the tour company, as they were the only bus that stayed warm despite -40 temps. The windows also stayed frost-free so we could see all the sights and take photos as we drove along. The tour stops were all fantastic, and it was awesome to get our artic circle certificates! They even had a little red carpet so you could take pics "crossing the arctic circle". Ryan was always available to take photos so we didn't have to impose on other travelers! The only thing we didn't love was that they didn't tell us there would be no food available at our lunch/dinner stop until we were literally on the bus. Then they stopped at the grocery store and gave everyone 20 minutes to grab enough food and drinks for the next 18 hours. It would have been better to know this in advance (and the tour company definitely knew days prior) so that we could prep something ourselves if we wanted something other than premade, and/or bring a cooler or some means of refrigeration for storing the food on the bus. Read more Written February 8, 2024
• Leah W 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles So much fun! This trip was so much fun. It was very cold but the park was beautiful as well as the stops on the way. John was our guide and he was awesome! He has so much great information about anything you could think of about Alaska! We couldn’t see Denali because of the clouds but the other mountains you could see were still impressive. Read more Written January 31, 2024
• 93shawnq 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Real Adventure This is a real adventure and we have a wonderful and unforgettable experience here. Our guide - Vanessa is super nice and professional. She helped us a lot during the journey. The Dalton Highway is amazing in winter. Read more Written December 31, 2023
• 408timmyn 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Request Don. Don K is a legend. He is so knowledge and warm and friendly. We had an amazing day with him and would recommend everyone request Don for a very special day visiting Denali Read more Written December 30, 2023
• 177myt 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fly and drive arctic circle Was a very awesome once in a lifetime tour to the arctic circle. Vanessa was a really informational and full of knowledge about Alaska. Read more Written December 19, 2023
• Vacation55221854759 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don’s Drive Tour of Denali- the perfect day trip with so many great memories! My husband and I were in Fairbanks very last minute for work and booked this tour on 12/16 mostly because of our lack of winter driving experience and wanting to check off the park. Everything about our Denali Driving tour exceeded expectations! Very comfortable van with lots of little details like a headset for the guide so the whole van could hear and ice scrapers/paper towels for the windows in case they fogged up in the cold so you didn’t miss out on the views, super friendly check in person (I wish I remembered her name, but she was so nice to talk to while we were waiting to leave). Our tour guide Don is what made this trip literally one of the most memorable days we have ever had in any of the 45 National Parks we have visited. Don is extremely knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have about natural and cultural history while weaving in how this impacts present day Alaska. His tour is beaming with passion not just for Denali, but interior and Arctic Alaska. He did a great job of gauging the interests and goals of the group to customize our experience. We all also felt so safe with him driving- snowy roads make me nervous but I never once felt worried his driving was so safe. He turned around so we all got a picture of a Moose and ended up seeing 6! He pointed out every bird, small mammal, and track along the trail. He also taught all 7 of us to snowshoe and took us to a sledding spot. He also use to train his own sled dogs so we learned so much about the Denali sled team before meeting the dogs (and the newest puppies that joined the team!!). This is such a long review, but I will be talking about this day for the rest of my life. Thank you Don for the perfect day! Read more Written December 18, 2023

More to explore in Fairbanks

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Small-Group Arctic Circle Drive and Fly Tour from Fairbanks provided by Northern Alaska Tour Company

• Arctic Circle Air Adventure

Explore the rich culture, dynamic history, and extreme environment of Alaska above 66 degrees north.

• Things to Do in Fairbanks

More Details

Rates & dates, departure times, availability.

Add to My Trip

To step foot above the Arctic Circle is a certain kind of thrill, but to spend hours above it with a guide, is even more memorable and enriching. This five-hour trip takes travelers far north to experience the history, native culture, and truly remote environment of the Alaskan Arctic.

Land among the sprawling foothills of the Brooks Range.

The tour starts with a one-hour flight out of Fairbanks . Along the way the pilot narrates, pointing out details of the vast land below. There are active mining sites where miners still hunt for gold. There is the mighty Yukon River Valley, a thriving place home to traditional native peoples and hardworking homesteaders. There are even views of Alaska's less-known, but still stunning Brooks Range. After flying well into the Arctic Circle, the tour's small aircraft lands in the small village of Coldfoot.

From here, guests climb aboard a tour van for a three-hour guided trip along the Dalton Highway. Called the "Haul Road" by Alaskans, dusty trucks lug supplies to the North Slope via this essential transit artery. It is a rugged and isolated place, but the surrounding arctic landscape is also serenely scenic. After pulling back into Coldfoot, the trip concludes with a one-hour return flight to Fairbanks.

Arctic Circle Air Adventure guests spend approximately two hours flying (roundtrip) and three hours on the ground above the Arctic Circle. Guests must check in at the tour operator office at least one hour prior to tour departure.

What to Bring

As with most of Alaska, the weather above the Arctic Circle can be unpredictable. Dress in warm layers and take a rain jacket. Bring a camera, binoculars, bug spray, and snacks. Because the trip goes into remote locations, bring essential medications as well.

Special Instructions

Accurate passenger weight is required for aircraft weight and balance. Guests are limited to 5 to 10 pounds of additional luggage per person. Alaska's Arctic is a true wilderness region. Although rare, weather or mechanical factors can result in multi-hour delays. Medical facilities, communication, and transportation infrastructure are limited. Travelers to this region should be of reasonable health and physical condition.

Transfers & Meeting Points

The Arctic Circle Air Adventure departs from the tour operator terminal on the east ramp of the Fairbanks Airport. The tour operator provides return shuttle rides to Fairbanks hotels for a small fee.

Arctic Circle Air Adventure 3820 University Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99709

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

There is no child rate for this service.

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Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

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Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.

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Quick Facts

• Price From $569
• Duration 5 Hours
• Options 7 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
• Operating Dates Daily from 5/10/2024 to 9/23/2024
• Activity Level Active

What's Included

• Roundtrip flight above the Arctic Circle.
• Guided Dalton Highway driving tour.
• Stops at Coldfoot, Wiseman, and the Koyukuk River.
• Official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate.

Guest Feedback

"Outstanding! The plane ride was great, and the scenery was unbelievably awesome. There were too many mountains to count and too many pictures to choose from! The subsistence living in Wiseman was impressive."

~Timothy from Illinois~

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Explore the Wild!

Your alaska & yukon travel expert.

Arctic Circle Fly/Drive Adventure

Day tour from/to fairbanks.

Cross the Arctic Circle on this one day guided roundtrip journey by air and land. Enjoy an aerial view of the vast Alaska wilderness as you fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot. On your way back south you will travel on the rugged Dalton Highway across the Arctic Circle, see the Trans Alaska Pipeline, visit an Arctic Circle Trading Post, and marvel at the mighty Yukon River.

Cross the Arctic Circle

Aerial view of Alaska wilderness

Travel on the rugged Dalton Highway

Tour Summary

• Fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, north of the Arctic Circle. The flight will provide an aerial view of the vast Alaska wilderness
• Ground tour south along the famed Dalton Highway
• Cross the Arctic Circle in ceremonious fashion and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate
• Explore up close the amazing arctic tundra and feel the veins of ice just beneath the surface
• Experience the mighty Yukon River, marvel at the majestic beauty of the northland’s most famous waterway and learn of the river’s storied past
• View the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline
• Visit the Arctic Circle Trading Post, situated in the rural community of Joy, Alaska

Available from May 21 to August 20, 2024

From/to Fairbanks

CANCELLATION POLICY

up to 10 days prior 30.00 per booking  / Later 100%

Use this form to request a non-binding quote for the Arctic Circle Fly/Drive Adventure. One of our destination specialists will contact you shortly with specific pricing and itinerary information.