usa·Multi-day tour·6 days
6-Day Northern Lights Tour from Anchorage/Fairbanks: Matanuska Glacier Hiking, Santa Claus House and Chena Hot Springs | Small Group | Free Airport Pick-up
★ 4.8· 29 reviewsDaily breakfastSelect Meals Included
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Complimentary Hotel Upgrade:
Book on or after Jan 5, 2026, and travel by Apr 1, 2026 to receive a free upgrade to the 3-star Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks (subject to availability).
• Experience millennia-old glacier: Matanuska Glacier Hiking
• 3x Aurora viewing chance: 1x in Aurora Viewing Activity Center, 2x Aurora Viewing in the wilderness
• Free airport pick-up: pick-up service during peak flight time, to provide you with professional accompanying services throughout the whole process
• Quality hotel: Brand name franchise hotel with breakfast included, free wi-fi, free airport pickup and drop off
• Precious moment: Optional itinerary is available to choose upon request
Book on or after Jan 5, 2026, and travel by Apr 1, 2026 to receive a free upgrade to the 3-star Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks (subject to availability).
• Experience millennia-old glacier: Matanuska Glacier Hiking
• 3x Aurora viewing chance: 1x in Aurora Viewing Activity Center, 2x Aurora Viewing in the wilderness
• Free airport pick-up: pick-up service during peak flight time, to provide you with professional accompanying services throughout the whole process
• Quality hotel: Brand name franchise hotel with breakfast included, free wi-fi, free airport pickup and drop off
• Precious moment: Optional itinerary is available to choose upon request
6 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Home - Anchorage
Today you will arrive in Alaska's largest city and also its biggest transportation hub, Anchorage. Positioned in the center of Alaska's southern coast, it contains 40% of Alaska's total population- about 300,000 people. It has been awarded the Top 10 cities in America 4 times. For tourists, it's a must-see city due to its culture, history, and amazing scenic views.
- Hotel check in time is after 15:00. with a valid ID.
Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport - 2
Day 2 — Matanuska Glacier Hiking Tour - Anchorage - Fairbanks - Aurora Activity Center
Matanuska Glacier is the source of the Matanuska River and the largest glacier in the United States that can be reached by car. The Matanuska Glacier hiking allows you to explore blue-and-white glaciers, impressive ice sheets and deep crevasses for spectacular scenery you'll never forget. All equipment and safety equipment will be provided for this tour.
Fairbanks is one of the world's best places to watch the aurora, because there are more than 243 days of the year when the aurora will appear. Since Fairbanks is only 310 kilometers away from the Arctic Circle and is surrounded by mountains, it can avoid bad weather and create good environmental conditions for aurora viewing. Therefore, many aurora hunters will gather here to enjoy it. Additionally, Fairbanks' low precipitation and distance from coastal areas contribute to consistently clear nights. All these combined variables make Fairbanks an outstanding destination for viewing the aurora borealis. There are also many newlyweds who choose this place as their honeymoon destination because of the ancient legend that "seeing the aurora will lead to happiness for a lifetime". Our guides will take you to the best aurora viewing area to chase the aurora according to the weather conditions. They will introduce you to the aurora and instruct you in camera parameter set-up and aurora borealis shooting techniques to help you take stunning aurora photos.
- 08:30 Departure from the hotel, drive about 2.5 hours to the park. Follow one of our guides on a once-in-a-lifetime excursion from the lodge out to the terminus of the Matanuska Glacier. Guides will narrate the tour, share their knowledge and are more than happy to stop for photos along the way. The tour takes up to 3 hours.
- 17:00 We will be back to the Anchorage Airport. Take your flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
Flights are at your own expense. Please book your flight in advance.
Flight for your reference: AS2410, 19:00 Anchorage - 19:57 Fairbanks.
- Aurora Viewing
22:00, Departure from hotel lobby to aurora viewing activity center. You can relax in the cabin waiting for the aurora with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a variety of snacks. Once the Aurora is out, you can enjoy this magical phenomenon right from inside the cabin or by an outdoor spacious viewing area.
- 2:00 Back to the downtown hotel.
Notes for guests:
1. Please be prepared for your own hiking equipment, such as sunglasses, hiking boots, spare pair of socks, insulated jacket, snow pants.
2. English/Chinese tour guide.
3. The price includes: Round trip transportation between Anchorage hotels and glacier, glacier tickets, glacier hiking equipment, professional guide services.
4. The price does not include: lunch and other expenses for personal reasons, driver and guide gratuity. Suggest gratuity, $20/pp (driver), $20/pp (hiking guide).
Matanuska Glacier
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Bridgewater Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham - 3
Day 3 — Santa Claus House - Chena Hot Springs - Out-door Aurora Viewing
【Santa Claus House】 - Walking on the streets of Arctic Village, it seems like walking in a fairy tale world. The street lights are all in the shape of red and white candy bars. The main street in the area is also called "Jingle Street", the name comes from the sound of the bells as Santa Claus passes by in his sleigh. The 16-meter-high giant Santa Claus statue, the 2-meter-high polar bear and elk, and many Christmas trees are all good choices for taking pictures. You can also send a postcard from the North Pole.
* In winter, the Santa Claus hut in Arctic Village is only open at a fixed time. If the Santa Claus hut is closed, you will visit the Arctic town (North Pole).
【Chena Hot Springs】has indoor hot spring pools and outdoor hot spring pools. You can feel the warmth of mineral hot springs in the snow. You can experience the magical feeling of soaking in hot springs and freezing your hair. It is a unique magical experience in the world. Hot springs can not only give people spiritual pleasure, but also have a healing effect on the tired body. It is the most popular winter tour in Fairbanks. There is also a reindeer farm in the southeast corner of the resort (outside visit only), even in the cold winter months, you can see Santa's good partners, enjoying life here leisurely.
【Aurora Ice Museum】is an ice sculpture museum open all year round (admission is not included,US20$/pp). It is built with a thousand tons of ice. There is not only the world's smallest chapel, but also a real Inuit igloo, and a bedroom made entirely of ice. You can also taste a glass of Appletini, the most local ice glass cocktail, at the ice bar, and experience the wonderful feeling of the ice glass touching your warm lips ($20 at your own expense, must be over 21 years old, please show the Valid ID when purchase).
Itinerary:
- 10:30, Departure from the hotel to Santa Claus House.
- After visiting Santa Claus House, head to Chena Hot Spring Resort. We will be going to visit the Aurora Ice Museum (admission is not included). Then you can relax in the outdoor natural hot springs, enjoy the incredible experience while surroundings are covered by ice and snow. At 17:00, leaving from the resort and heading back to the hotel.
- 22:00, Depart from the hotel and our experienced tour guide will take you to the wilderness, away from the light pollution of the urban area to chase the trail of the Aurora. Aurora is a natural landscape that cannot be forecasted. When the aurora appears in the sky, our tour guide will stop and let you take pictures and enjoy the aurora; or take you to a place with super high visibility to stop and wait for the aurora. Along the way, the guide will explain the knowledge of the aurora, camera parameter adjustment and the aurora borealis shooting skills to help you take wonderful photos of the aurora. Because it is an out-door tour, there are no toilets and hot drinks. If you need to use the restroom, please inform the tour guide, and we will arrange that for you.
- 02:00 Return to the hotel.
Kindly Reminder:
1. Please bring your own swimsuit, bath towel, slippers and 25 cents (for locker rental).
2. Aurora Ice Museum opens at 13:00 or 15:00.
3. Be cautious not to drink Appletini before soaking in the hot springs.
4. The hot spring is a pure natural sulfur hot spring, if you have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, please arrange the time of bathing in the hot spring reasonably.
5. For safety reasons, children under 18 may not enter the outdoor natural hot springs pool, but they may use the indoor pool and hot tub.
6. The meeting point of the hot spring is the Activities Center.
7. Activity center has a convenience store. You may choose to eat in the activity center or at the restaurant.
8. If you choose not to enter the hot springs by any circumstances, the admission fee is not refundable.
Santa Claus House
Chena Hot Springs
Aurora Ice Museum
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Bridgewater Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham - 4
Day 4 — Free Day - Optional Itinerary - Out-door Aurora Viewing
Free time during the day. You can purchase optional activities or make your own arrangements.
Please select and pay for the tour when booking. (Limited spots available — please purchase in advance if you wish to join.)
【Recommendation】
Dog Sledding Experience: Enjoy Speed and Passion | Small Group Tour
Snow Mobile Experience: Enjoy the Scenery of the Alaska Icefield | Small Group Tour
Ice Fishing Experience: Learn and Master the Unique Ice Fishing Skills of the Inuit | Small Group Tour
1-Day Denali National Park Hiking Tour: Experience the Wild and Breathtaking Viewing of Alaska | Small Group Tour
Itinerary:
- 22:00, Depart from the hotel and our experienced tour guide will take you to the wilderness, away from the light pollution of the urban area to chase the trail of the Aurora. Aurora is a natural landscape that cannot be forecasted. When the aurora appears in the sky, our tour guide will stop and let you take pictures and enjoy the aurora; or take you to a place with super high visibility to stop and wait for the aurora. Along the way, the guide will explain the knowledge of the aurora, camera parameter adjustment and the aurora borealis shooting skills to help you take wonderful photos of the aurora. Because it is an out-door tour, there are no toilets and hot drinks. If you need to use the restroom, please inform the tour guide, and we will arrange that for you.
- 02:00 Return to the hotel.
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Bridgewater Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham - 5
Day 5 — Free day - Optional Itinerary (Arctic Circle Adventure/Snow Activities)
Free time during the day. You can purchase optional activities or make your own arrangements.
Please select and pay for the tour when booking. (Limited spots available — please purchase in advance if you wish to join.)
【Recommendation】
1-Day Arctic Circle Land Adventure Tour: Dalton Highway, Yukon River | Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate | Small Group Tour
【Fly in, drive back】1-Day Arctic Circle Fly Drive Adventure: Coldfoot Camp, Yukon River Camp and Arctic Circle Trading Post | Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate
Dog Sledding Experience: Enjoy Speed and Passion | Small Group Tour
Snow Mobile Experience: Enjoy the Scenery of the Alaska Icefield | Small Group Tour
Ice Fishing Experience: Learn and Master the Unique Ice Fishing Skills of the Inuit | Small Group Tour
1-Day Denali National Park Hiking Tour: Experience the Wild and Breathtaking Viewing of Alaska | Small Group Tour
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Bridgewater Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham - 6
Day 6 — Fairbanks - Home
Today is your last day for the trip. Check out time is 11:00. Please reserve the airport shuttle at the front desk in advance.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- Hotel: 5 nights at local hotel, double beds or single bed
- Meal: Hotel Breakfas
- Admission:
Matanuska Glacier tickets;
Aurora viewing activity center;
Chena hot springs;
All transportation expenses within the specified itinerary
Not included
- All optional activities
- Lunch, dinner, and personal expenses
- Personal reason to change itinerary, and over time charge
- All Gratuity (Optional, tip at your discretion):
Glacier Hiking, $20/pax/drive guide, $20/pax/hiking guide
Chena Hot Springs $10/pax
Arctic Circle Land Tour $20/pax, Denali national park hiking tour $20/pax
Dog sledding coach $5/pax, Snow mobile coach $5/pax, Ice fishing coach $5/pax
Snow Activity transportation, $5/pax/way
Fly-drive Arctic Circle, $10/pax/guide, $10/pax/pilot
Airport and Train station Shuttle, $5/pax/one way
Aurora Viewing, $10/pax
Cancellation policy
Read the full cancellation terms
Cancellation and Refund Policy(including optional activities):
- 18+ days prior to departure - charge 20% of total purchase amount
- 13-17 days prior to departure - charge 30% of total purchase amount
- 6-12 days prior to departure - charge 50% of total purchase amount
- 0-5 days prior to departure - charge 100% of total purchase amount
Day of departure or no-show - charge 100% of total purchase amount
Booking changes:
Changing the departure date or traveler's name is equivalent to canceling the original order and rebook.
Due to force majeure or other personal reasons such as transportation, equipment failure, government strikes, guest illness, sudden accidents, weather changes, etc., guests cannot join the group on time. If the itinerary needs to be changed or delayed, our company will try our best to help reduce losses, but we cannot bear this part of the cost for you, the specific rules are as follows:
1. More than 12 days prior to departure - charge $50 per person for itinerary changes.
2. 0-11 days prior to departure - 25% of total purchase amount for delay or change of itinerary.
- 18+ days prior to departure - charge 20% of total purchase amount
- 13-17 days prior to departure - charge 30% of total purchase amount
- 6-12 days prior to departure - charge 50% of total purchase amount
- 0-5 days prior to departure - charge 100% of total purchase amount
Day of departure or no-show - charge 100% of total purchase amount
Booking changes:
Changing the departure date or traveler's name is equivalent to canceling the original order and rebook.
Due to force majeure or other personal reasons such as transportation, equipment failure, government strikes, guest illness, sudden accidents, weather changes, etc., guests cannot join the group on time. If the itinerary needs to be changed or delayed, our company will try our best to help reduce losses, but we cannot bear this part of the cost for you, the specific rules are as follows:
1. More than 12 days prior to departure - charge $50 per person for itinerary changes.
2. 0-11 days prior to departure - 25% of total purchase amount for delay or change of itinerary.
Important info
Special notes
- Peak season (Dec 18, 2025-Jan 5, 2026; Feb 16-22, 2026)(based on actual service dates, not tour dates): may use 25-seat or larger vehicles.
- Off-peak season: small groups up to 14 guests (except fly-in/drive-back tours).
- The minimum group size is 2 people. And the whole trip will be led by a local professional tour guide (Chinese/English tour guide).
- If there is any discrepancy between the scheduled times listed in the itinerary and the times announced by the tour guide on site, please follow the tour guide's instructions.
- The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon. There is no way for us to guarantee that you will see the Aurora. We do our best to provide premier locations for viewing. Please check the weather and Aurora reports before booking your tour with us.
- Small Group Policy: For guests joining the tour during the low season, we guarantee a group size of 14 people or fewer (excluding "fly-in, drive-out" itineraries); During peak seasons (e.g., Christmas holidays), vehicles with 25 seats or more may be used. Vehicle type is based on the actual date of travel (not the tour start date). The definitions of low and peak seasons follow the specific seasonal dates published on the product page. For example, if you join a 5-day tour starting on December 17 (a low-season day), a smaller vehicle will be used on that day. However, from December 18 to 21 (peak-season dates), a larger vehicle may be arranged. Please refer to the actual arrangement on the day of travel.
- Flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks are at your own expense and must be booked in advance.
- This itinerary will consist of multiple tourists. Tourists with the same itinerary may travel together. Thank you for your understanding. In case of any problem, please contact Aurora Expeditions Customer Service at 907-600-3539 in time.
- Please purchase airfare after receiving trip confirmation.
- Please take good care of all your personal travel documents, passports, air tickets, credit cards and cash. Please carry valuables with you. Do not leave them in the car or leave them to others.
- In order to protect the rights of the group, if personal behavior seriously hinders the safety or normal progress of group activities, our tour guide has the right to terminate his continued participation in the group after repeated persuasion fails. From the time of leaving the group, all actions have nothing to do with our company. Unfinished part of the itinerary is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- This itinerary requires you to hold a US visa. It is recommended that you ensure that your visa is valid and register through EVUS before purchasing our products.
- If you have not successfully passed through US Customs due to your reasons and you are repatriated to your country, it has nothing to do with the company, and no refund will be given.
- It is recommended to book the optional activities together when making orders due to the limited number. If the activity is canceled due to weather, it will be fully refunded; if the trip is canceled due to personal reasons, there will be no refund or compensation.
- If there is a difference between the time shown in the itinerary and the notification from the tour guide, please refer to the local notification.
- The hotels listed in the itinerary are for reference. We have the right to change hotels of the same level when the hotel is full. Please refer to the actual arrangement notice.
- In the event of force majeure events or accidents, it may endanger the personal and property safety of tourists, and eventually hinder the trip. Force majeure refers to unforeseeable, unavoidable and insurmountable objective circumstances, including those caused by natural and social causes, such as natural disasters, strikes, major infectious diseases, government actions, etc; Accidents refer to accidents caused by third parties, such as traffic congestion, delayed flights and trains, etc. caused by non-travel agencies, and such accidents are not caused by travel agencies. We have the right to take corresponding measures and make appropriate adjustments according to the actual situation on site. Including temporary change of the time or content of the tour or even cancellation of part or all of the attractions, and reserves the right of final interpretation. The related travel fees are not refundable, and the resulting additional expenses (such as hotel delay, car guide service, dining, ticket change, etc.) should be borne by the guests themselves. It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance to reduce the loss caused by force majeure factors.
- During the trip, if you stop to enjoy the scenery and take pictures, it is strictly forbidden to stay in the middle of the road. If you have a traffic accident or personal injury caused by personal reasons, you must bear it yourself.
- The weather in Alaska is changeable. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the itinerary, the tour guide will adjust the sequence of the itinerary based on the actual local conditions, but will not cancel the itinerary. If part of the itinerary is forced to be canceled, our company will make a refund according to the content of the itinerary and the actual situation, and the final interpretation right belongs to the company.
- It is recommended to purchase travel insurance in advance.
- For all trips, the company will prioritize 14-seater commercial vehicles. Due to other factors such as peak season, the company has the right to change to other cars.
- Due to the possibility of cancellation of flights to the Arctic Circle, if the Arctic Circle Fly-drive Adventure is canceled, we will refund the cost of the trip.
- According to the arrival date, the order of the tour will be slightly adjusted, subject to the final departure notice.
- Please be sure to arrive at the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the specified time. Due to road conditions and multiple hotel transfers, please wait patiently. If you do not show up on time for more than 10 minutes and cannot get in touch after multiple attempts, you will be deemed to have voluntarily abandoned the trip without any refund or compensation.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* Hotel Info (for reference):
Name: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport
Address: 3501 Minnesota Dr, Anchorage, AK 99503
Tel: (907)276-8884*0
Name: Bridgewater Hotel Fairbanks
Address: 723 1st Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Tel: (907) 452-6661
- The hotel is a double bed, according to Alaskan law, no extra beds are allowed in the hotel, and the hotel rooms are One Bed or Two Bed.
- The rates vary from different departure dates, Autumn rate/Shoulder Season rate/Peak Season rate. Please refer to the follwing departing dates:
Autumn: 9/1/2025-9/16/2025
Shoulder Season: 9/17/2025-11/17/2025,12/1/2025-12/17/2025,1/6/2026-2/15/2026,2/23/2026-4/1/2026
Peak Season: 11/18/2025-11/30/2025,12/18/2025-1/5/2026 ,2/16/2026-2/22/2026
Name: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport
Address: 3501 Minnesota Dr, Anchorage, AK 99503
Tel: (907)276-8884*0
Name: Bridgewater Hotel Fairbanks
Address: 723 1st Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Tel: (907) 452-6661
- The hotel is a double bed, according to Alaskan law, no extra beds are allowed in the hotel, and the hotel rooms are One Bed or Two Bed.
- The rates vary from different departure dates, Autumn rate/Shoulder Season rate/Peak Season rate. Please refer to the follwing departing dates:
Autumn: 9/1/2025-9/16/2025
Shoulder Season: 9/17/2025-11/17/2025,12/1/2025-12/17/2025,1/6/2026-2/15/2026,2/23/2026-4/1/2026
Peak Season: 11/18/2025-11/30/2025,12/18/2025-1/5/2026 ,2/16/2026-2/22/2026
Travel tips
★★★★ Fairbanks Segment - Free Upgrade to 3-Star Westmark Hotel ★★★★
1. Booking Period: Orders placed on or after Jan 5, 2026, with travel dates up to Apr 1, 2026.
2. Promotion Conditions: Selecting the hotel upgrade indicates acceptance of the fixed airport transfer schedule. Westmark Hotel transfer hours: 09:30-21:00 (drop-off every half hour; pickup on the hour).
3. Promotion Details: Guests must choose the free hotel upgrade at booking and provide flight details at least 72 hours in advance, along with the selected fixed pickup and drop-off times. If information is not provided on time or flights fall outside the fixed hours, airport transfers are at the guest's own expense.
4. Upgrade Availability: If participation in the free upgrade is not clearly selected, or if the upgraded hotel is fully booked, the upgrade cannot be applied.
5. Rebooked Orders: Canceled and rebooked orders are not eligible for this promotion.
6. Final Interpretation: The right of final interpretation belongs to Tours4Fun.
★★★★ Paid Upgrade Experience: The Glass Igloo ★★★★
Booking Period: From October 14, 2025 onwards
Activity Details:
1. Each Glass Igloo can accommodate up to 3 guests. All rooms feature one king bed only (no twin beds or extra beds). If 3 guests share one igloo, they will share one king bed measuring 2.1m × 2.0m.
2. The upgrade price is charged per room per night, regardless of the number of guests (single/double/triple occupancy all count as one room). The retail rate is $1500 per room per night.
3. The Glass Igloo includes complimentary breakfast, served as an American buffet. Other meals can be purchased separately at the on-site restaurant.
4. The camp provides a shuttle service to and from the city: Departure shuttle: 3:00 PM; Return shuttle: 10:00 AM.
5. A Skyluxe room type is expected to open around Thanksgiving. Early inquiries and reservations are welcome - please contact customer service for details.
* Cancellation Policy:
- 33 days or more before check-in: 60% of the booking fee is non-refundable.
- Within 32 days before check-in: 100% of the booking fee is non-refundable.
* Rescheduling Policy:
- 33 days or more before check-in: You may reschedule with a $60 service fee per change. The new stay date must fall within the camp's operating season (Aug 25, 2025 – Apr 10, 2026) and is subject to availability.
- Within 32 days before check-in: Rescheduling is not permitted and will be treated as a cancellation under the above policy.
* Rebooked orders after cancellation will not be eligible for this promotion.
* If 4 or more guests choose the paid upgrade or additional rooms are required, please contact customer service to adjust the pricing.
* We reserve the right of final interpretation for this promotion.
*According to different arrival dates, the order of the itinerary is slightly adjusted. Form is for reference only. The check-in time of Borealis Basecamp is subject to the second confirmation.
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | |
| AEX6D |
Arrive ANC |
Matanuska |
Chena Hot |
Free Day |
Free Day |
FAI to |
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | |
|
R-AEX6D |
Arrive ANC |
Free Day |
Chena Hot |
Free Day |
Matanuska |
FAI to |
Tour operator
Tours4Fun Provider 4729
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$1149
NPR 1,55,115