Arctic Circle Trips

[maggiev]

Can anyone give thoughts/advice on an Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks?

I’ve looked into a few & would like some “firsthand” reviews.  
I see Holland does a fly up & back but see one that is fly up/drive back by an

Independent company (Arctic Circle Tours?)

We’ll be there the beginning of September so hoping to also luck out 

& see The Northern Lights on this trip.

I’m thinking this will add 1 or 2 nights in Fairbanks?

I guess another thought is …. Is this trip really worth the time/cost?

should we do it from Denali - adding a day there as compared to adding in Fairbanks.

 

I know I’m all over with this bit would appreciate thoughts - your experiences 

 

[Northern Aurora]

If you want to do an Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks consider the highly rated company Northern Alaska Tour Company.

[Gardyloo]

14 hours ago, maggiev said:

Can anyone give thoughts/advice on an Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks?

I’ve looked into a few & would like some “firsthand” reviews.  
I see Holland does a fly up & back but see one that is fly up/drive back by an

Independent company (Arctic Circle Tours?)

We’ll be there the beginning of September so hoping to also luck out 

& see The Northern Lights on this trip.

I’m thinking this will add 1 or 2 nights in Fairbanks?

I guess another thought is …. Is this trip really worth the time/cost?

should we do it from Denali - adding a day there as compared to adding in Fairbanks.

 

I know I’m all over with this bit would appreciate thoughts - your experiences 

 

Are you aware of the road situation at Denali, i.e. that the park road is closed around the halfway point?  IMO adding "nights" to a Denali-area stay would be compounding the problem of there not being enough to do given the limitations on accessing the park.  

 

I think something to consider in lieu of one of the flying or fly/bus tours through unremarkable countryside up to sign announcing you're at the arctic circle (and the sign actually isn't, last I heard) is to visit an actual Native American community which IS above the arctic circle, and which in fact is on the shores of the Arctic Ocean.

 

The Native town of Kotzebue is reached by one or two daily direct flights (either nonstop or one-stop) on Alaska Airlines from Anchorage.  Round trip airfare is around $320, which is generally less than the "arctic circle" excursions from Fairbanks.  

 

September is too late for "midnight sun," but you can stay at a comfortable Native-owned hotel located across the street from the oceanfront, learn about life in this challenging and remarkable place, and see a face of Alaska missed by 90% or more of visitors.  You might see the aurora from Kotzebue - it ought to get dark enough.  

 

Maybe worth considering.  

[donaldsc]

When we did the haul road I rented a car from Arctic Outfitters.  The price was very reasonable and the drive was easy to do and you will also have bragging rights for a trip that few of your friends will ever do.  If you have enough time you can even stay overnight in Wiseman,

 

DON

 

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SPRING & SUMMER SEASON DATES: April 22, 2023 through August 20, 2023

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[wolfie11]

You can fly to Utkiavik (Barrow) out of Anchorage and spend a night or two there at one of the hotels.  Good chance of Northern lights, everyone is getting ready for whaling season and a chance of polar bears.

[GTJ]

Overland transportation between Fairbanks and Deadhorse is operated by Dalton Highway Express. It is an all-day trip, 16 hours, departing Fairbanks Tuesdays and Saturdays, and returning from Deadhorse the following day, Wednesdays and Sundays. Service provided from June through August.

 

Deadhorse Camp provides shuttle transportation between Deadhorse and the Arctic Ocean, a two-hour excursion, generally departing Deadhorse at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dalton Highway Express may delay departure of its bus from Deadhorse to Fairbanks so as to allow passengers to take the two-hour tour to and from the Arctic Ocean and then continue southward to Fairbanks on the same day.