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Northern Lights Tour: Fairbanks Aurora Photography
5.0
14 Ratings
Fairbanks
Join an intimate Northern Lights tour in Fairbanks, Alaska, with expert guidance. Capture stunning auroras in remote locations. Perfect for all photography levels.
Join an intimate Northern Lights tour in Fairbanks, Alaska, with expert guidance. Capture stunning auroras in remote locations. Perfect for all photography levels.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Fairbanks - Serving as the starting point for the tour, Fairbanks offers an ideal base for experiencing the aurora, no matter which direction is chosen from the city. Whether heading west, north, or east, there are excellent spots for viewing away from the crowds and city lights. As the aurora is pursued, it becomes evident why Fairbanks and…
- Fairbanks - Serving as the starting point for the tour, Fairbanks offers an ideal base for experiencing the aurora, no matter which direction is chosen from the city. Whether heading west, north, or east, there are excellent spots for viewing away from the crowds and city lights. As the aurora is pursued, it becomes evident why Fairbanks and Interior Alaska are among the top locations globally to witness the Northern Lights!
Situated at 65°N latitude, Fairbanks is uniquely positioned directly beneath the northern auroral oval. These auroral ovals are ring-shaped zones around Earth’s magnetic poles where the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis occur. In Alaska and across polar latitudes in the northern hemisphere, there is a chance to see the Aurora Borealis, a breathtaking and captivating phenomenon that can potentially be seen on any clear night.
- George Parks Highway - The Parks Highway extends west from Fairbanks and serves as the main route between Fairbanks and Anchorage. Along the Parks, there are numerous beautiful viewpoints perfect for aurora viewing. On nights when northerly conditions are not ideal, heading west toward the small community of Healy, just outside Denali National Park, may be an option.
- Elliott Highway - Traveling north from Fairbanks is the Elliott Highway, which stretches about 70 miles before reaching the renowned Dalton Highway. This remote road offers numerous excellent aurora viewing spots where other aurora enthusiasts are rarely seen. Due to its remoteness and frequent open views of the northern sky, the Elliott is a favored route for tours.
- Richardson Highway - The Richardson Highway links Fairbanks to the renowned Alaska Highway before turning south at Delta Junction, continuing into the Alaska Range. Along the Richardson, there are numerous excellent viewing areas, from expansive lakes to vistas of the Alaska Range.
This route is preferred when northern weather is unfavorable and conditions along the Richardson are more promising.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tea and coffee
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tea and coffee
Additional Information
Join expert photographer and guide Riley Bregar in Fairbanks, Alaska, to capture the breathtaking Northern Lights. This exclusive aurora photography tour caters to adventurers and photographers of all abilities, focusing on secluded viewing spots for a serene experience. Participants will learn about the science of auroras and receive expert advice to…
Join expert photographer and guide Riley Bregar in Fairbanks, Alaska, to capture the breathtaking Northern Lights. This exclusive aurora photography tour caters to adventurers and photographers of all abilities, focusing on secluded viewing spots for a serene experience. Participants will learn about the science of auroras and receive expert advice to capture stunning images. Enjoy 6-8 hours of aurora chasing, with transportation to remote areas free from city light pollution. With a limit of two guests per night, personalized attention and guidance are guaranteed during this memorable night under the aurora.
- Small group size ensures personalized instruction (maximum 2 guests)
- 6-8 hour tour duration, including pick-up and drop-off in Fairbanks
- Aurora portraits are part of the package
- Photography tips are provided for all skill levels, from beginners to professionals
- Photo gear rental options are available for those who need equipment
Location
Fairbanks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(14 Ratings)
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1 star
G6152ukdianan
Mar 17, 2026
A must see with Riley - Great experience and worth it after you get the pics! The added bonus is the professional photography to commemorate the experience!
Very knowledgeable and loved the extra touch with trying spring water, heat hand and toe warmers and snacks with water,coffee, and or tea. Had a blast and got to experience the northern lights in various phases!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y4644jcbeverlym
Mar 11, 2026
Good night of aurora chasing - I would give this tour 5 stars on communications alone. Riley pro-actively reached out to me about weather concerns a few days before the scheduled tour day, and was able to change the date. The weather had mostly cleared, but it was unbelievably cold (-18 F/-28 C), and I was glad I had rented arctic wear. We had to drive a quite a ways before getting to a good viewing area, but the ride was comfortable and Riley made good conversation so the time did not drag. He had an interesting presentation prepared, but I had seen the aurora show at the Museum of the North so it was not really needed. He also had a good camera and shared his photos, so I was able to enjoy the lights without fussing with my phone. I’d especially recommend for single travelers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Victor_t
Mar 1, 2026
Northern lights extravaganza - I rarely write reviews so that should say the first thing about this one and how great our experience has been with Riley. The experience was more like going out with a friend who’s looking to show you the best time and while sharing his expertise whether you're just going to see the Aurora or in my case, taking the best photos. Riley was extremely attentive to what I was looking to do with photography while appreciating his deep knowledge of Aurora tracking and science to fill in the times when we were waiting in his warm vehicle for the Northern Lights to appear. He came with snacks and hot beverages and had extra gear in case we came ill-prepared. He kept up on his research in real time on where to go to view the Aurora and were treated to an amazing location where we were lucky enough to catch 3 storms even though there's no guarantee what Mother Nature might show. And while we did not expect this, he took amazing personal photos taken from his professional camera that night (while we were doing our thing) with some awesome shots of the Aurora that he sent the very next day. The “experience” was very personalized as he normally takes only a couple folks out at a time and did not hesitate to drive long distances as needed to capture the Aurora. I wouldn't hesitate to book him again and would plan future trips to Alaska with him in mind especially if you’re looking to add photography on top of viewing the Aurora.
Review provided by Viator
A7458txseanm
Feb 23, 2026
Great experience!!! - If you’re searching for a guided aurora tour, stop right here, you’ve found the right one. Rest assured you’ll have a great experience going with Far North Aurora Tours!
If you want the details, keep reading!
-Private Tour: Riley offers private tours for the same price that many other places will offer huge group tours at. This gets you a focused and personal experience compared to being in a big van full of people.
-Photography: He’s an actual photographer with solid equipment. Check out his Instagram, the photos are beautiful! He will do numerous photoshoots and you’ll come out of this with tons of amazing pictures.
-Communication: I coordinated with Riley a few days in advance to go over times, weather, expectation, gear, etc, and then the day of the tour he keeps you updated on a pickup time and weather patterns.
-Effort: Riley is truly passionate about the northern lights and it shows. He makes the whole experience comfortable, educational, fun, and memorable. Snacks, drinks, and hand warmers ready to go if you need them.
-Great guy: Riley is very respectful, personable, and just great to be around! He’s extremely knowledgeable about the Aurora and can teach you everything you need/want to know!
-Overall: 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean_m
Feb 23, 2026
Great Experience!!! - If you’re searching for a guided aurora tour, stop right here, you’ve found the right one. Rest assured you’ll have a great experience going with Far North Aurora Tours!
If you want the details, keep reading!
-Private Tour: Riley offers private tours for the same price that many other places will offer huge group tours at. This gets you a focused and personal experience compared to being in a big van full of people.
-Photography: He’s an actual photographer with solid equipment. Check out his Instagram, the photos are beautiful! He will do numerous photoshoots and you’ll come out of this with tons of amazing pictures.
-Communication: I coordinated with Riley a few days in advance to go over times, weather, expectation, gear, etc, and then the day of the tour he keeps you updated on a pickup time and weather patterns.
-Effort: Riley is truly passionate about the northern lights and it shows. He makes the whole experience comfortable, educational, fun, and memorable. Snacks, drinks, and hand warmers ready to go if you need them.
-Great guy: Riley is very respectful, personable, and just great to be around! He’s extremely knowledgeable about the Aurora and can teach you everything you need/want to know!
-Overall: 10/10
Review provided by Viator
K7759rhcarolinem
Feb 20, 2026
Amazing private aurora tour! - Amazing private aurora tour with Riley! Very passionate about the aurora and knowledgeable. We did catch the lights in the end and was a really amazing moment. It wasn't one of the brightest nights but Riley went to great lengths to find us a great spot . Definitely recommend !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelsee_p
Jan 16, 2026
A once-in-a-lifetime experience! - Last night was absolutely incredible and far beyond anything we could have imagined. We were honestly nervous we wouldn’t see the northern lights since Fairbanks has been so cloudy lately, but Riley knew exactly what he was doing. He took us to a very remote location where we were completely alone, and we were rewarded with a stunning substorm that happened right above us — truly unforgettable.
Riley went above and beyond in every way. In -25°F weather, he made sure we were warm and comfortable the entire time, even providing extra equipment when I realized I had forgotten my tripod head. On top of that, he had drinks and snacks for the road trip, which was such a thoughtful touch.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that exceeded all of our expectations, and it wouldn’t have been the same without Riley’s expertise, care, and passion about the northern lights and sharing his love for them with others. Thank you so much, Riley — we will never forget this night and can’t wait to come back!
Review provided by Viator
Jier192
Jan 12, 2026
Book him NOW before he gets famous and fully booked！ - If you are looking for a cookie-cutter tour where they just drive you to a parking lot and wait, THIS IS NOT IT. This was, hands down, the best investment I made in Alaska.
I was lucky enough to book with Riley right as he's starting out, and the level of passion he brings is insane. He’s not just a driver; he is a incredibly talented photographer who is genuinely obsessed with the aurora. He didn't just 'take a picture' of me; he spent the whole night hunting for the perfect location and composition.
We ended up catching a massive corona explosion, and the photo he took of me is honestly National Geographic quality (see attached!). He was patient, fun to talk to during the drive, and cared more about getting the perfect shot than watching the clock.
Book him NOW before he gets famous and fully booked. You're getting a private photography session for the price of a standard tour. 100/10 recommend！
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amex15
Jan 6, 2026
Arura tour - I had an incredible experience with Far North Aurora Tours, and Riley truly made the night unforgettable.
Riley has a genuine passion for the aurora and explains it in a fascinating, easy-to-understand way. He corrected several common misconceptions (like over-relying on the KP index), which really enhanced the experience. His 4x4 vehicle takes you to remote, dark locations far from city lights and crowded tours.
He’s also a highly skilled photographer the photos exceeded my expectations. On top of that, he came prepared with warm drinks and snacks, which made a big difference in the extreme cold. Communication was smooth and easy from the start, and he was patient and kind throughout the tour.
I’ve done three aurora tours, and this one was by far the most special. If you’re looking for a truly authentic and memorable aurora experience, I highly recommend booking with Riley. Truly an unforgettable night.
Review provided by Tripadvisor