The 8 Anchorage Northern Lights Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Anchorage Aurora Tour and Northern Lights Photo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 156 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $315Our pick

You’ll leave Anchorage late at night with a small group and a photographer guide such as Ben, Chad, Colin, or Erica. The route may reach Chugach State Park, Eagle River, Palmer, the Knik River, or Hatcher Pass. Expect camera help, tripods, snacks, blankets, and portraits beneath the aurora.

“It’s been a bucket list item to see the Aurora Borealis and did this tour deliver (with a little luck from the weather). Our tour guide, Colin did a great job explaining and finding the best locations. Our other guide Ben did a great job taking professional pictures of our group with the Northern Lights in the background. The warm van and hot chocolate were fantastic during those moments when we needed to warm up! Great tour and highly recommend for your bucket list!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 125 reviews · 6 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $354

Chase the aurora from Anchorage in a small group of up to eight. Guides such as Dana, Dennis, Chris, and Aaron use forecasts to choose viewing spots, provide warm drinks and shelter, explain the science, and take portraits and night-sky photos. Expect a late night, a long drive, and no guaranteed show.

“Great tour. Chris was fantastic and very passionate about this tour and this field of work in general. Not an easy task to perform but he is a 5 star guy. Loved the aurora borealis and would probably do this tour again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Anchorage to Fairbanks One Way

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $259

Travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks by Alaska Railroad, leaving at 8:30 am and arriving around 8:00 pm. Expect big windows, snowy backcountry, Denali and Alaska Range views, optional dining, and useful commentary from onboard staff such as Andy and Laura.

“What a wonderful experience. Nice staff that narrated the entire trip (knowledgeable local info, plus wildlife spotting and alerting passengers where to look). Great food and service in the dining car; snacks available the entire trip. No worry travel with the granddaughter who loved the train.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Northern Lights Adventure of a Liftetime from Anchorage

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · from $320

Join photographer Scott for an 8 to 10-hour northern lights search from Anchorage. With hotel pickup, a maximum of five participants, camera coaching, warm drinks, blankets, and free high-resolution photos, this tour puts comfort and better aurora pictures first.

“What an incredible experience. it was my second time seeing the lights and this time was exponentially more superior! if it's on your bucket list, do it in Alaska!!! it was AMAZING!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 33 reviews · 6 hours · from $312

Join Alaska Photo Treks for a six-hour Aurora Borealis hunt from Anchorage. Your English-speaking photographer guide, such as Chad or Erica, tracks the forecast, teaches night photography, supplies tripods and warmers, and can arrange camera rental or aurora portraits.

“Our guide, Chad, was fantastic! The forecast was uncertain for the night, but he did a fantastic job watching the data and finding us a great spot to catch the lights. He even extended the tour a little to make sure we could see them before heading back to our hotels. It was a great experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.A Quest for Northern Lights Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · 2 hours 59 minutes (approx.) · from $175Best value

Start at 9:00 pm in downtown Anchorage for nearly three hours of aurora hunting by private vehicle. Your English-speaking guide may share local and aurora knowledge, move between viewing spots, and offer practical help with photography. Maximum group size is 15.

“Meet good people on this tour that may be friends for life. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and fun.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Nighttime Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5 reviews · 8 hours · from $321

Join an English-speaking Aurora guide for an eight-hour private outing from Anchorage. Your guide uses a personalized forecast to seek clear skies, then helps you photograph the lights while you stay warm with snacks and hot drinks. Dana has hosted some highly praised departures.

“The northern lights erre amazing and Dana was an excellent host. Everything was perfect🙌”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Northern Lights UTV Tour with Roundtrip Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) Top rated

Drive your own heated, enclosed UTV through Hatcher Pass on a guided Northern Lights outing from Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, or Talkeetna. A professional guide leads the backcountry ride, with round-trip transport and a campfire included. Daniel is one guide praised for making the trip especially enjoyable.

“It’s long and a bit pricey but WELL worth it! It was a super cool adventure. Although we were very early in the season we were able to see the lights. Daniel was an absolutely fantastic guide and made the whole experience great for all of us. 10!/10!”

Check availability →Read our full review