Anchorage Northern Lights Tour
5

Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

By Greatland Adventures
Recommended by 95% of travelers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Optimize your chances of spotting the elusive northern lights on this after-dark tour from Anchorage, with state-of-the-art technology and insider knowledge ensuring a high success rate. Enjoy the personalized service of a small-group tour, with plenty of time for photography tips and scientific insights, and keep warm with heaters, hot drinks, and transport by luxury vehicle included in the price.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 12-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 6–9 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Optimize chances of seeing the northern lights on an after-dark tour
  • Receive personalized tips and insights on a small-group tour
  • Round-trip transfer from Anchorage ensures a hassle-free trip
  • Keep warm with heaters, hot drinks, and clothing provided

  • Services of a professional Alaskan Aurora Guide
  • Aurora Forecasting Service prior to your tour
  • Web quality photographs and portraits
  • Aurora science education
  • Snacks
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Hotel Pickup/Drop Off
What's not included
  • Gratuities


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
  • 854 E 36th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
    We pick up at downtown and mid-town Anchorage Hotels. For guests staying at an AirBnB or other rental property we will have you meet at our office at 854 East 36th Ave.
Hotel pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
    End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

      • Not wheelchair accessible
      If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6111P26

      • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
      • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
      • Most travelers can participate
      • Minimum age 13. For groups with younger children please inquire about our private northern lights tour.
      • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
      • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
      • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

      • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

      If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6111P26

      From
      $354.25
      per adult
      Select date and travelers

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      Itinerary
      • Pass by
        Greatland Adventures
      About the operator
      Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
      • Greatland Adventures
        486
        Anchorage, Alaska
        Joined in May 2012
      • Y5329LKreginam
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mr. Bill the “Teacher”
        Bill was so nice and very knowledgeable. He made us feel comfortable and safe. He took opportunities to teach us about the glaciers and took his time on the hike knowing my husband was a post-knee replacement.
        Written February 15, 2025
      • PaulJ3482
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Arctic Circle and Aurora
        Our group of 11 (3 families) took the Private Arctic Circle with Northern Lights tour out of Fairbanks with Mike. He was the best. Mike is very knowledgeable in all things Aurora. We had different tours every night (4) and Mike, hands down, was the best guide. We were very lucky to see the Aurora our first night and Mike took great pictures for us. Would highly recommend!
        Written January 19, 2025
      • Elenaync
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great tour of the glacier
        My mom and I did our tour with Bill. We had a great time, we were able to do a long walk and see a lot of different places on the glacier. The pick-up, ride and tour were smooth and very professional. We enjoyed our hike and our lunch at the lodge. Bill was a great guide and I recommend this tour if you’re in the Anchorage area and want to explore the glacier.
        Written December 29, 2024
      • kimberlyhH229LB
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great Experience, Excellent Service!
        The views and experience was amazing. Certainly an experience I will never forget. The planning was seamless thanks to the wonderful planning from Rochelle at Greatland Adventures! We were a little uncertain with the weather, but she made sure to check in before we drove up to the launch. Highly recommend!
        Written December 19, 2024
      • Sightsee18018731295
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Magical Aurora Experience in Fairbanks
        "Greatland Adventures provided an unforgettable experience! Mike went above and beyond to find the auroras, explained everything with great detail and passion, and fulfilled my wife’s lifelong dream. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide or tour. Highly recommended!" Lucy & Rafa
        Written December 18, 2024
      • vipulb810
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Breath taking experience
        Had a wonderful experience going on the hike in Matanuska Glacier with Bill and Dawn. They had walked us through the history and the science behind the glaciers. A must visit experience in Anchorage Ak. Got some glacier ice back home to drink it!!
        Written November 29, 2024
      • Jackie B
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Amazing experiences and incredible guides!
        My husband and I visited Alaska for our 10 year wedding anniversary. We took the Matanuska Glacier tour with Bill and the Northern Lights tour with Matt. We had such an amazing time with both of our guides. They were knowledgeable, safe, funny, and passionate about what they do! They made these experiences unforgettable!
        Written October 2, 2024
      • romi_G
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Worth it!
        After 3 days of a 5-day trip to Fairbanks, all with the intention of seeing the aurora, I was freaking out because the cloud cover wouldn't budge. Despite having a list of the most popular spots to see the lights, I was batting .000. So I did the thing I had told myself I wouldn't and booked a chaser tour. And it was completely worth it! I called Greatland Adventures at 4 p.m. on the day of and they had 1 spot. Mike picked me up five hours later and I'd spend the next 6 hours with him and a fun group of like-minded people who happened to pick a rough week to visit the area. While driving around, Mike was not only knowledgeable about the aurora and able to explain in plainspeak with colorful metaphors but also full of other stories from his travels and a great conversation. He kept his van-ful of people engaged the whole time. We ended up trying three spots, using his, his partner's and his company's office team (which stayed up with us) to track weather patterns in addition to aurora intensity and attraction. The first spot didn't work for the lights but provided an amazing night sky view until the clouds returned. The second also didn't pan out. But the third, which happened to be at Greatland's property in Fairbanks that Mike also calls home when he's working, provided terrific views and even better pictures considering the circumstances. I wasn't able to find the lights like this on my own. I told Mike he saved my trip. By 6 a.m., when I was dropped back off at my rental, most everyone was still buzzing with excitement.
        Written September 25, 2024
      • 100cedars
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Best Day!!
        Bill was very enthusiastic and excited to share his knowledge of Alaska. He went out of his way to make sure we got the best views and was very attentive to the needs of our group. We made many different stops that showcased the incredible diversity of Alaska. The weather cooperated and we got many of the best pictures of our weeklong trip. Go Chiefs!
        Written September 16, 2024
      • Saprm2025
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Explore Alaska
        Outstanding service from knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed spending time with them, they provided excellent service and insight. Very nice way to explore Alaska
        Written September 6, 2024
      • HPChris
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Excellent views and a unique experience
        The views of the glacier were spectacular. We lucked out as fall was starting so we got the added bonus of seeing the leaves changing. Diego was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and took into account everyone's abilities. He would assist where possible or show alternate paths if you are unable. This was a great experience. Don't worry about walking on the ice. You will wear spikes to grip the ice. As long as you listen to your guide, everything is safe and you will walk away with some cool pics.
        Written September 1, 2024
      • robertac757
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Amazing personalized tour
        We were fortunate enough to have Phil V. as our tour guide. He knows everything about Alaskan history, hiking, restaurants, wildlife, and more. We have never had a better guide. It was luck that put us together for 3 1/2 days. We enjoyed every minute with him. He took all the stress out of our first trip to Alaska.
        Written August 10, 2024
      • hollysG147IS
        0 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Frozen Memories and Movement
        My husband and I got a private tour since we were the only ones that showed up - which was awesome. The tour guide was friendly and casual. At times, it felt like we were moving at a slower pace than necessary and I would have liked to have made it further up the glacier. Still think it was a great experience, but be aware you are only on the ice for a couple hours - you are not frozen in time with the glacier!
        Written August 7, 2024
      • 498manu
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Awesome experience
        This is once in life time tour seeing glacier up close and walking on the glacier! Seeing caves and crevices of glacier! Breath taking views and life time memory
        Written July 22, 2024
      • familytraveler318
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great tour! Worth it!
        Great tour! All 9 members of our group (from young adults to seniors) enjoyed the tour with guide Tim. He was very informative and answered all our questions. Tim texted before our tour to confirm the time/location and showed up on time. Would highly recommend this tour for a short, informative tour of Anchorage. It was perfect for our free day in Anchorage after our cruise and before our evening flight home.
        Written July 19, 2024
      See all 486 reviews
      These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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


      5.0
      5.0 of 5 bubbles62 reviews
      Excellent
      56
      Very good
      3
      Average
      1
      Poor
      0
      Terrible
      2

      Larry S
      Palm Beach Gardens, FL236 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Aug 2024 • Couples
      Our 11 days in Alaska and Canada via land and a cruise were GREAT! We loved the six days we had on land and the eight on the inside passage north to south from Seward to Vancouver. We got a great deal on Radiance of The Seas and it was better than I hoped. The room was small and the ship had some age on it but we had a balcony and enjoyed every minute as we cruised south in amazement at God's unbelievable and big, make that really big nature show of mountains, forests and glaciers. Just amazing! The Radiance staff was very, very friendly; the food was very good and the entertainment enjoyable. Vancouver was also amazing. It's a modern city of 2.6 million people in the greater Vancouver area and everyone we met was very friendly. It was super easy to get around and a Lyft and Uber to get around with never a wait over 10 minutes. The city has the look and feel of being news. The huge glass skyscrapers were magnificent. Our one night we could get a seating at Le Crocodile in VC was over the top for great wines, food and service. So great!!! Then why did I not give the trip five stars? Our reason for spending 3 days in Anchorage was to be able to give my lovely wife Ann the chance to see the Northern Lights - her top "bucket list litem." Sadly, though we got up every night looking from midnight to 3AM we never saw anything. Everybody we talked to said the same thing; sometimes you just don't get to see them. I was sad she did not click that one off our list. Otherwise, the trip was 5 Stars! Larry
      Written August 31, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Bobstac01
      2 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Jan 2025 • Family
      This was the second time my wife and I went on a Greatland Adventures northern lights tour. The first time was two years ago out of Anchorage. Jacob was our guide. He took us to a location where the sky was initially clear. When the clouds started rolling in, he took us to another location where we ultimately experienced the northern lights! The experience was awesome, but the lights were more on the horizon than overhead. We wanted to try to see if we could get a better view of the lights, so this time we flew into Fairbanks. Fairbanks is positioned right under the aurora oval. The night we signed up for was cloudy, so they rescheduled us for the next night. That night was also cloudy, so they rescheduled us again. I like that they try to make sure you have the best opportunity to see the lights during your available time window. Finally, the skies cleared up and we went out for our tour. Our guide that night was Cody. It was crazy cold (-30 F), but that made for a cloudless night. Cody took us out to their viewing property, which is about a 45 minute drive out of Fairbanks. The property has a viewing deck and heated yurts where you can stay warm while you're waiting to view the lights. The activity level was initially low, but Cody took some photos of us that still showed the aurora. About 1:00 am, the activity level increased and we were treated to an amazing display of the aurora borealis! If you are thinking about coming up to Alaska to see the northern lights, I highly recommend Greatland Adventures!
      Written February 3, 2025
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you so much for your incredible review and for choosing Greatland Adventures not just once, but twice for your Northern Lights experience! We're thrilled to hear that both of your tours—first in Anchorage with Jacob and now in Fairbanks with Cody—provided you with memorable aurora sightings. Fairbanks' location under the aurora oval does indeed give it a great advantage, and we're glad our rescheduling policy helped maximize your chances of seeing the lights. It’s great to hear that despite the cold, you had an amazing time at our viewing property and got to witness an unforgettable aurora display. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Until then, happy travels!
      Written February 4, 2025
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Casey C
      Austin, TX3 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nov 2024 • Friends
      I went on a northern lights tour in Fairbanks in the beginning of November. We were picked up from a central location in Fairbanks and then driven out to the property where we could watch for the northern lights from their cabin and yurts. The northern lights were immediately visible, the night was clear and we were able to see them for hours. The tour guides were fantastic, very enthusiastic about seeing the lights and ensuring everyone got photos taken. There were hot drinks and snacks inside the cabin, all the guides did an excellent job ensuring that we all enjoyed seeing the lights. They even helped us out with our own camera so that we could also take great photos. We would definitely go again with this company.
      Written November 19, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with our Fairbanks Northern Lights tour! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a clear night with hours of aurora viewing—it sounds like a magical evening! Our team takes great pride in creating an enjoyable and memorable experience, from offering cozy spaces to helping capture those once-in-a-lifetime photos. We’re so glad you felt well taken care of by our guides and enjoyed the snacks and hot drinks in the cabin. We’d be delighted to welcome you back on another adventure! Thank you for choosing us to share such a special experience. Happy Travels!
      Written November 20, 2024
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      bay r
      Dallas, TX3 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Feb 2025 • Couples
      I have to say our experience was nothing short of amazing! Our tour guide Dana was just amazing. She was so informative, her passion and energy was infectious. She made sure she drove to an area where she knew we would have a great view. She had snacks and warm drinks. I so highly recommend this tour !!
      Written February 4, 2025
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re happy to hear that you had an amazing experience with Dana on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour. We're glad you enjoyed the warm drinks, snacks, and, most importantly, the spectacular views! We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future.
      Written February 5, 2025
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Ethan H
      3 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Feb 2024 • Couples
      This was one of the highlights of our trip. Greatland is such an honest and exceptional tour company. When we didn’t see the Aurora on our first tour in Fairbanks, they rapidly rebooked us on a second tour out of Anchorage free of charge. Our guide Justin was kind and knowledgeable. He took us to an amazing spot to see the lights! The snacks and beverages included were an added bonus. Definitely would recommend booking with them if you want a company that backs up their promise to see the lights!
      Written February 16, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're excited to have been a highlight of your trip, and we're delighted to hear that you appreciated our commitment to providing an exceptional experience. We're glad Justin's knowledge and kindness made your tour memorable, and we're pleased we could rebook your tour seamlessly to ensure you had a chance to witness the Northern Lights. Your recommendation means the world to us. Looking forward to hosting you on more incredible adventures in the future!
      Written March 5, 2024
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      patraveler02
      State College, PA85 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Jan 2024 • Couples
      We got to see an amazing showing of the aurora borealis. Mike picked us up at our hotel and took us to a cabin outside of Fairbanks. It was great because the area was dark and remote, but we could go into the cabin to warm up. Mike was a great guide and fun to talk with. And we got an incredible light show. He took lots of pictures that were shared with us. Highly recommend!
      Written January 16, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      SpeakUpTraveler
      North Bergen, NJ9 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Mar 2020 • Solo
      Predictions were dim ... first I was impressed about how honest they were about that- I went anyway and ended up seeing an incredible display of color and light across the night sky that surprised all! Daniel our guide was highly knowledgeable and took great care of us. You can go back to the van to warm up at any time as you are only steps away from it at all times. Don’t be shy about doing that. Glasses fogging up is a problem. They provide gear one size larger than the size you tell them, so you can put it on top of warm coats/snow pants/layers you bring with you. it’s fine to go it alone as they take you in small groups. I recommend the camera app that comes with iPhone 11 Pro- if you want to take your own pics...it’s better than any apps for the older phones- even the downloadable ones. Definitely take this your if you’ve always dreamed of seeing the Aurora, time to see the sky dancing!
      Written March 15, 2020
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour! Our goal is to provide the best value for our guests, by including gear, snacks and bottled water, professional photos... and of course fun, local, and knowledgable guides!
      Written March 17, 2020
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Nicki M
      1 contribution
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Sep 2023 • Friends
      The Northern Lights have always been on my bucket list and it was the one thing that I wanted to see so badly! We went out two nights with the guys and it was everything that I imagined it would be and more. They are truly experts at their craft and not only did I get to see the lights and come home with the most fantastic pictures, I learned so much from Steve & his team! They're beyond amazing and I truly, truly recommend this excursion if the Northern Lights are a priority for your trip because they'll do everything in their power to make it happen! I cannot wait to come back and bring more friends along!
      Written January 10, 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Olivia Q
      Winter Haven, FL361 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Greatland adventures’ Northern Light tour was good. The sky was clear, yet Aurora Borealis was not striking the night (Feb 6) we were there compared to what you see on pictures and videos - there was probably less collision of aerial gases in the sky. I would’ve wished that we see more actively colliding gases that night and had more photos, but it wasn’t. It was a good night but I hope to see it clearly and striking next time.

      Nonetheless, we had a good time with our guides Mike, Diego and Dan - they were all informative and kept us warm and safe with enough snack and hot drinks during the trip. You know they love their job and care that you enjoy your trip.

      Greatland Adventures provided the transportation, guides - who informed us about the weather and when the light is up (for us to see and take photos of and with it), apt winter gears (coat, bib pants, trapper’s hat, mittens), and photos (sent via email 2days after).
      I recommend them because of good customer service and tour packages.
      Written February 25, 2020
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We do everything possible to get our guests to the most strategic location in South-Central Alaska to be successful in viewing the Aurora Borealis. Sounds like you have a good understanding of the science! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Mike, Diego, and Dan!
      Written March 10, 2020
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

      Ruespal
      Torrington,Ct48 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Feb 2020
      3 of us went on the Northern Lights tour from Anchorage. Our guides for the night were Mike and Dan. They drove us (2 vans with 7 people each) about an hour or so to a secluded destination. All the way there Mike was telling us information about the lights, some local stories and some jokes. We had a good group. While there there was 2 warming tents and hot drinks and snacks. Unfortunately the lights didn't show so well that night. We got a few photos but they were very faint. Even though it was 3-4 am, we all still had fun while the guides took our photo with the lights in the background . When we got back to town- several of our vehicles had been towed. Apparently this was the first time it has ever happened. This is where they showed what a great company they are. The guides opened the office for us and called in personnel to find out what happened to our vehicles , where they were and when could we get them back. They then drove us (3 different groups of people) to where we were staying(its now 5am), picked us back up in the morning and drove us to pick up our vehicles, as well as paying the tow charge! They did all this with the best of attitudes, no grumbling or complaining. They never made us feel they were doing us a favor- it was just what they did as a company. Because the Lights were so faint that night, we could go back anytime within a year at no additional charge. I would recomend this company to anyone and would definitely go on another trip with them.
      Written March 5, 2020
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
      Thank you so much for your understanding! That was a surprising first for us as well! The city was doing some street clearing after a heavy snowfall. Our goal is to constantly go above-and-beyond for our valued guests, and even when unforeseen events happen (like vehicle towing), we do everything in our power to ensure your safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Thank you again for your positive feedback and we hope that we see you again for round two!
      Written March 10, 2020
      This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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      *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

      Anchorage Northern Lights Tour provided by Greatland Adventures

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