Join Paul D. Maley of the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society for his next aurora viewing tour, this time to one of our favorite spots near Fairbanks, Alaska where we will spend four nights at the aurora viewing lodge with all meals included.
This trip is a continuation of public outreach expeditions on land, sea, and air to watch the Northern Lights. So far, every time we have ventured to Alaska we have seen aurora on at least one of the four nights! This adventure will be another small group tour limited to a maximum of 12 to 16 participants. We have attempted to make the basic tour as affordable as possible by inserting optional cost tours that you might wish to book separately. Everyone has thoroughly enjoyed staying at the lodge in the past and we trust you will find this a great spot for sky viewing. During September 13-7 there is a high phase Moon present in the sky but this should not deter being able to see or photograph the Northern Lights. September is also one of two periods with statistically more auroras than any other during the year; in addition, during weeks around equinoxes, the interplanetary magnetic field connects to the Earth’s magnetic field prying open cracks where the solar wind can penetrate and thus create auroras.
Times of meals will be arranged as necessary and optional tour dates may be moved around as required.
Photographers are advised to read the aurora information web page provided in advance of the trip. Photos below may contain snow; the first snow in Fairbanks does not usually begin until late October.
-SMOKING: NEVER PERMITTED INSIDE THE LODGE, INSIDE TOUR BUSES OR AT THE AURORA VIEWING AREA OUTSIDE THE LODGE. SMOKE CARRIES IN THE WIND AND WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO IMPACT OTHER GUESTS.
–ALL TOURS ARE OPTIONAL COST UNLESS STATED BELOW AND MUST BE ARRANGED BY EACH PERSON PREFERABLY 3-4 MONTHS AHEAD OF TRAVEL DUE TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY. IN WINTER [not for this tour] WE RECOMMEND HIRING A TAXI WHERE REQUIRED (ROADS ARE TREACHEROUS FOR RENT CARS); IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PARTICIPANTS CONSIDER SHARING TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO/FROM ANY VENUE.
-DO NOT PURCHASE AIR TICKETS UNTIL YOU ARE ADVISED!
A private transfer will be provided from the airport to our group lodge (one transfer for the group), about a 40 minute drive from the Fairbanks airport. The van transfer departs generally in the late afternoon from the baggage claim area but the time will be announced within a few months of the trip. You will need to coordinate your flight to arrive prior to the group transfer unless you wish to take your own independent taxi (optional cost) to the lodge from the airport. Once at the lodge, dinner will be at the provided. The lodge has excellent reviews; there is a guest refrigerator and freezer in the main area and linens are changed daily except on Sunday. Sometimes you can sight a moose from the dining room windows wandering the grounds. From each of the 6 ground floor rooms you can step out and check the sky for aurora. Rooms feature floor heating, adequate lighting, a/c outlets, carpet, phone, adequate drawer space and bathroom amenities. There is no safe in the room. Some cold weather gear can be rented there. The two suites are located on the main floor and you can walk out the front door and then down to the aurora viewing area.
AURORA BRIEFING 1: After arrival we will have a briefing by Paul Maley prior to the initial night’s Northern Lights viewing.
After dinner this will be your first opportunity (weather permitting) to look for aurora from the lodge grounds. It will be cold at night during most winter trips and you should be prepared for temperatures ranging from +50 (daytime) to +20 deg F (but higher and much lower temperatures can occur!) with little wind. In winter [but not this tour] snow up to 2 feet is likely so prepare clothing accordingly. Bring a tripod, camera and shutter release or just sit in one of the lodge chairs and watch with the unaided eye. If you have night vision binoculars, you will be amazed at what they can reveal.
Overnight in Fairbanks.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included for you at the lodge today.
10:00 am Private Winter Fairbanks City Tour
A private tour of Fairbanks has been arranged during your visit. Your city tour may include a visit to Golden Heart Park at the center of the city. The park is the site of the 18-foot bronze monument titled “Unknown First Family.” The park and the statue were dedicated in July 1986 as a tribute to the history and heritage of Fairbanks. your tour may include a stop to view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, a feat of civil engineering that still carries crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Another popular destination is the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, a place for gathering, discovery, education, and celebration. The Center features world-class exhibits and offers insight into Alaskan cultures and life in the Interior and Arctic Alaska. Your driver/guide will discuss your interests and help plan your Fairbanks city tour, keeping in mind any other attractions or activities you may have scheduled for the day.
The Morris-Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center contains a 9,000-square-foot exhibit hall that features outstanding displays and dioramas showcasing the interior of Alaska’s people, wildlife, landscapes, and seasons. Enjoy free films and programs on Alaska’s natural and cultural history.
3:00 pm Ice Alaska – General Admission
Enjoy the day admiring amazing works of ice art at the World Ice Art Championships. The event has grown from a one-week, 8-team competition in 1990, to a month-long attraction involving over 70 teams from all over the world. The competitions, and the accompanying outdoor winter activities, attract more than 100 ice artists and approximately 45,000 visitors from Alaska and all over the world. Gatherings like this one date back to the thirties, when residents emerged from the long winter in search of some fun. Enjoy the sculptures during the daylight, after dark or both to gain multiple perspectives of the art.
Tonight after dinner will be our second attempt to view Aurora. Note that viewing typically takes place beginning after 10:30 pm and it pays to stay up most of the night or to set your alarm for a specific time that would work for you. If you want to sleep and be called if Aurora is spotted, we can do that also. However, we normally assign times throughout the night for each person to wake up, check the sky, and then alert the group if Aurora is sighted to make it easier. The key to capturing an aurora if you don’t know when it is going to appear is to remain outside all night and/or programming your camera to automatically take exposures with an intervalometer over a long period of time.
Overnight in Fairbanks.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included for you at the lodge today.
Embark on an immersive reindeer walk today. With a handful of your new best friends explore the magical birch forest. Life-long Alaskan, Jane, will join you during your one-hour walk. Learn about the adaptations that make reindeer ideal for arctic living. You may even catch some reindeer games! After your walk head inside to learn more about these interesting creatures while
enjoying homemade cookies and drinks. There you will learn about the natural history of the forest as well as the reindeer themselves. Enjoy the frolicking and leaping reindeer as they run free through the woods. Each walk is a unique experience depending on the season, trail conditions, and the mood of the reindeer. After the walk, depending upon the season, you can tour their organically grown perennial and vegetable gardens and enjoy light refreshments and carry on the conversation. This nature walk has uneven terrain so good walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are required. The reindeer are tame but not trained so sometimes they decide to take a route not planned for. Bring your cameras and expect the unexpected!
Tour Duration: 2.5 Hours
Tour Includes:
Guided Reindeer Walk
Knowledge guide to accompany you
Fresh-baked cookies and drinks
1:30 pm Chena Hot Springs Day/Night Trip Admission
Chena Hot Springs became famous in the early 1900s for curing crippled prospectors of their aches and pains. The resort offers a variety of activities including hot springs, an ice museum, and geothermal tours. Each pass includes access to the adults-only rock-lined outdoor hot springs, indoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and use of the locker area and shower facilities. As the sun sets, you may choose to head up to the Aurorium for potential northern lights viewing. At the conclusion of your services at Chena Hot Springs, return by private vehicle to Fairbanks.
Tonight after dinner will be our third aurora viewing attempt.
Overnight in Fairbanks.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included for you at the lodge today. You will have the day free to participate in optional activities at the lodge (not included).
BRIEFING 4: Paul Maley will describe his plans for future expeditions he will lead for solar eclipses, Northern Lights and other astronomical phenomena through 2031.
This evening will be our fourth and final opportunity for aurora viewing and photography.
Overnight in Fairbanks.
Breakfast will be served early at the lodge. In late morning our van will then transport you and your luggage to the airport where you can catch your return flight home (one group transfer only). Van transfer usually occurs after 10am. If your flight departs earlier than this, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements at extra cost.
To join the Tour, Please submit the following AT THE SAME TIME;
1) Registration Form
2) Deposit, for each person.
STANDARD ROOMS (6)
$3095.00 per person. Double occupancy (Standard Room)
$3895.00 for Single Occupancy
SUITES (2)
$3395.00 per person. Minimum of 2 people. No singles permitted.
To sign up for the trip, follow these steps.
1. Read and understand the deposit schedule and significant cancellation penalties found in the “Payment Information” tab below.
2. Review the Terms & Conditions prior to starting your registration.
3. CLICK HERE to open and then complete the registration form AND make payment. If you have trouble seeing the form, refresh your page or use a different internet browser. Some versions may not support this form!
IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES you may pay by one of these methods: 1) credit cards, or 2) wire transfer. A USD$50 fee is charged if a wire transfer is used. No checks or money orders can be accepted! Please contact Direct Travel Groups Team reservations@directtravelgroups.com to make arrangements.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
CANCELLATION FEES (per person)
OTHER KEY DATES
The last day to make a name change to avoid change fees is 46-days prior to arrival.
The last day to sign up for optional tours is 61-days.
The last day to join this tour is typically 61-days before departure but may be cut off earlier.
Clients should be aware that we cannot guarantee the weather for this astronomical event or any other.
