Slide background
Slide background
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Winter
  4. Winter Tours
  5. Northern Lights Tours
  6. NLFT05 Bettles Lodge Aurora Viewing Tour

NLFT05 Bettles Lodge Aurora Viewing Tour

  • end: Fairbanks
  • map/image selection: Map

NLFT05 Bettles Lodge Aurora Viewing Tour

Print

Whether you call them Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis, these dancing ribbons are truly a magical sight. Alaska is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to enjoy this unique experience, and Bettles Lodge is one of them. Built in 1951, Bettles Lodge is located 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle, halfway between Anchorage and the Arctic north coast of Alaska. Bettles officially has the most clear weather days in the entire state, which means more cloud free nights of opportunity to see the majestic Lights dance in the sky. It located directly under the Auroral Band, the highest aurora activity in the Northern hemisphere. Little to no light pollution makes for great photography opportunities and optimal viewing. The lodge offers two accommodations with modern amenities and a rustic Aurora observation cabin next to a beautiful lake. The cabin is located two miles from the cabins in an area completely free of light pollution. Transport to and from the cabin can be arranged, but guests are also welcome to cross-country ski or snowshoe if they prefer. During the day you can explore the area on snowshoes or cross country skis. Part of the package is a tour through the village of Bettles, evening fires and all the clothing visitors need to brave the cold weather.

  • Itinerary

  • Prices & Dates

  • Attractions & Add-ons

  • Accommodation

  • Map

  • Information

  • Reviews

Fairbanks ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Arrive in Fairbanks. Complimentary transfer to your first class hotel near the banks of the beautiful Chena River in downtown Fairbanks. Known as the Golden Heart City of Alaska, Fairbanks is tucked into miles of unexplored wilderness only 120 miles from the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks offers many winter activities; from the Open North Sled Dog Race Championship to the World Ice Art Championship - Ice Alaska. Relax during your first evening in Fairbanks and get ready for a few days of winter fun and adventure within the Last Frontier. You may watch the Aurora Borealis at night dancing on the northern sky and/or enjoy a dinner at the popular Pump House fine dining restaurant.

 

Fairbanks – Flight to Bettles Lodge ( Overnight: Bettles Lodge )

Transfer to the airport and scenic flight above the Trans-Alaska-Pipeline and across the mighty Yukon River to Bettles Lodge - located just outside of the world renowned Gates of the Arctic National Park. Enjoy your stay 35 miles above the Arctic Circle and within Alaska's magnificent Brooks Range. The lodge is a refurbished building originally set up in 1948 and provides a dining room, lounge with TV and a bar. The Historic Lodge and the Aurora Lodge feature cozy guest rooms with all the amenities you need while you stay in our remote location including a sauna! Guests can choose between the Jacuzzi rooms with private bathroom and Jacuzzi bathtub or the standard rooms. The four standard rooms share four bathrooms. A delicious dinner is served in the evening. Enjoy the breathtaking Northern Lights viewing opportunities during the night. Arctic gear rental is included.

Bettles Lodge ( Overnight: Bettles Lodge )

Breakfast at the lodge. Build in 1948 the lodge is a designated National Historic Site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Day at leisure and for outdoor adventures. Optional available activities: Guided Sled Dog Trips, Snowmobile Tours, X-country skiing, Sowshoeing and a variety of flightseeing adventures. Join a guided 2-hour tour of the Bettles area including the Inupiaq Eskimo village of Evansville. Evening dinner followed by another night of exciting and outstanding Northern Lights viewing. Bettles sits under what is called the "Auroral Oval", a ring-shaped region around the North Pole. The location offers a great balance of occurrence, frequency and activity. Intensity varies from night to night, with the best viewing from late evening through the early morning hours.

Bettles Lodge – Flight to Fairbanks

Breakfast at the lodge. Return flight to Fairbanks and transfer to your hotel. Optional: Add another night at Bettles Lodge. Rest of this day at leisure. Fairbanks offers a variety of excellent gift shops and galleries such as the "Roseberry Art Gallery" with some tasteful gifts for your friends at home. If you travel during February or March - Fairbanks hosts the World Ice Art Championships, exciting professional Sled Dog Races such as the All American Sled Dog Race Championship and a variety of other winter carnival activities. Optional: Evening transfer from your hotel to a prime Northern Lights viewing lodge in the hills about 20 miles north of Fairbanks – far away from any city lights. Enjoy spectacular 270-degree Aurora displays through large picture windows from the comfort of a heated cabin or outside.

Fairbanks

This morning you have time to visit the Alaska University Museum with the States largest collection of gold nuggets, gold mining history and Alaskan heritage artifacts and the nearby Geophysical Institute - recognized as the best in the world for its Aurora Borealis research activities. You may join a Bush Mail Plane Flight to a remote native village above the Arctic Circle. Downtown Fairbanks offers a variety of excellent gift shops and art galleries such as the "Roseberry Art Gallery" with some tasteful items for your friends at home. Stroll through thedowntown court before returning to the airport for your individual return flight. Tour extension is avaiable upon request.
Rates in US $ / per Person
  Room Category (Bettles) Single Double Triple
October 01 - April 15 Standard Room $2170 $1680 $1670
October 01 - April 15 Jacuzzi Room $2580 $1950 $1770
Additional Night at Bettles Lodge - $200 $200 $200

 

What’s included

2 Nights Accommodation Bettles Lodge (Standard or Jacuzzi Room)

2 Nights Superior Accommodation Fairbanks

All Taxes

Fairbanks Airport Hotel Transfers

Flight Fairbanks – Bettles - Fairbanks

Guided Evansville Village Tour

Arctic Circle Certificate

Bettles: Use of Arctic Gear, Snowshoes, X-country Ski Equipment

Deluxe Continental Breakfast in Fairbanks (First Class only)

3 Meals/Day at Bettles Lodge

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Tour Departures

Daily  from  August  21th  –  April  15th

Bettles Lodge: Snowmobile Tour (1hr)

On this snowmobile tour, your guide will lead you through a true winter wonderland so you can explore the frozen rivers, lakes and snow covered mountains around the Bettles area.

More Details & Pricing

Fairbanks: Northern Lights Viewing Tour

You will be picked up at 10 PM for your northern lights viewing tour. Enjoy the transfer to a prime aurora viewing lodge, located in the hills about 20 miles north of Fairbanks – far away from any city lights. Enjoy spectacular 270-degree aurora displays through large picture windows from the comfort of the lodge or outside. Once the lights are out, you want to step outside onto the large deck to soak in the view. And if you get cold, just go back in and help yourself to a cup of hot coffee, tea, or cocoa, available self-serve. Return to your hotel at 2:30 AM.

More Details & Pricing

Fairbanks: Ice Fishing

Your Ice Fishing day trip begins with the pick up from your hotel. While catching fish in a warm hut on a beautiful lake you can still safely enjoy the brisk, clear air and peaceful environment of Interior Alaska, the home to some of the best ice fishing this state has to offer. Learn the old native skill of ice fishing from our experienced ice fishing guides. Hot drinks and grilled fish for a late lunch are served while fishing. Warm arctic gear is available and our heated van is always close by. Please provide each participant’s height, weight, and shoe size for the arctic gear. The tour price includes: hotel transfer, arctic gear, fishing license, tackle, hot beverages and lunch.

More Details & Pricing
h

Oscar, Austin: We had the most fabulous holiday, we saw Aurora Borealis and went on a sled dog ride. Eric and Heather at Bettles Lodge are the perfect hosts. They think of everything. Their lodge is very comfortable and welcoming, rooms are clean and large, and their staff are friendly and helpful. The best possible jumping off point to view the Aurora Borealis and experience Alaska's Arctic Region. Only regret is that our 2-night visit was too short. Highly recommend!