TNN's Chasing the Borealis: Northern Lights Escape | Week 2

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Overview

TNN's Chasing the Borealis: Northern Lights Escape | Week 2
Fairbanks, AK, USA
Feb 24 - Mar 1, 2027
Group size: 8 - 12
The Nomadic Network image
The Nomadic Network
$3,195
Deposit: $900

About this trip

This Is Your Moment to See the Lights.

The Northern Lights won’t shine like this forever. Come experience them in one of the world’s top viewing destinations, at one of the very best times of year.

This extraordinary 5-night journey takes you straight to Fairbanks, one of the very best places on the planet to witness the Northern Lights, where clear skies, high auroral activity, and minimal light pollution create jaw-dropping conditions night after night. Over several unforgettable evenings, you’ll chase the aurora from cozy lodges, remote viewing locations, and even while soaking in naturally heated hot springs beneath the Arctic sky.

By day, you’ll experience Alaska from the inside out: dog sledding with eager huskies, exploring Fairbanks’ culture and history, savoring hearty local meals, and connecting with fellow travelers who came for more than just photos.

This is an immersive, grassroots adventure that balances awe, comfort, and just the right dose of wild.

And here’s the thing: solar activity ebbs and flows, and we truly don’t know how long these next spectacular years of aurora displays will last. If seeing the Northern Lights is on your life list, this is your moment... now is the time to go north and experience them in their full, untamed glory.

At a Glance

Trip Dates: February 24-March 1, 2027 *

Start Location: Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI)

End Location: Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI) 

Accommodation: 5 nights 

* Two 2027 Departures: February 17–22 • February 24–March 1
Choose the week that works best for you!

Highlights

  • Multiple nights chasing the Northern Lights from cozy lodges and remote wilderness locations

  • Cozy lodge stays in the Alaskan interior, ideal for late-night aurora sightings

  • Dog sledding with spirited huskies through snowy forests

  • Soaking in Chena Hot Springs and exploring the Ice Museum under starry skies

  • Fairbanks winter city tour with history, culture, and iconic local stops

  • Hearty local meals, including Alaskan BBQ and a late-night aurora dinner

  • Optional adventures: aurora ice fishing or snowmachine exploration

  • A once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness the Northern Lights at peak solar activity

🥾Physical Expectations & Activity Level

Activity Level is LOW to MODERATE. Perfect for travelers who crave wonder, adventure, and immersive experiences. This is a light to moderate activity trip, with a mix of guided tours, short periods of walking in winter conditions, and plenty of time to relax and take it all in. Days include dog sledding, cultural exploration in Fairbanks, and shared meals, while nights are spent chasing the Northern Lights from cozy lodges, hot springs, and remote viewing locations.

No prior experience is needed, just comfort being outdoors in cold weather, curiosity, and a sense of adventure. If you’ve dreamed of standing beneath dancing auroras and soaking in steaming hot springs under star-filled skies, this is your moment.

🧭Is This Tour for You?

This tour is for travelers who love a little adventure but also appreciate their creature comforts. You’ll stay up late chasing the Northern Lights, bundle up for true Alaskan winter weather, meet some very enthusiastic sled dogs, and experience the beauty of Fairbanks when most travelers never see it. There’s plenty of downtime built in too, because after a late night under the aurora, a slow morning feels pretty wonderful.

If you’re curious, flexible, comfortable with a little unpredictability from Mother Nature, and excited to experience Alaska in the heart of winter, you’ll fit right in.

🤝Our Group Travel Philosophy

At The Nomadic Network, we believe group travel should give you the best of both worlds: a wonderful group of people to share the experience with, and the freedom to still travel like yourself.

Our small-group tours are designed for curious travelers who enjoy experiencing a destination together, sharing meals and adventures, and getting to know the people they're traveling with. But you don't have to do everything together. There’s always room to recharge, wander on your own when time allows, or simply enjoy a little space. No forced fun here.

We travel thoughtfully and with curiosity, taking time to learn about the places we visit, support local communities and businesses, try the food, understand the history, and experience more than just the major sights.

Our hope is pretty simple: that you come home having experienced an incredible part of the world, learned a few things, laughed a lot, and maybe even made some wonderful new friends along the way.

✨About the Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a breathtaking natural phenomenon and, like all wonders of nature, cannot be guaranteed. We time this trip for when sightings are most likely, maximizing your chances of witnessing the lights dance across the Arctic sky. Please note that sightings are never guaranteed, and no refunds are available if the Northern Lights do not appear.

💡Good to Know

PAYMENT OPTIONS. We offer payment plan options. If you need a custom plan, please message us. 

DISCOUNTS. Only one discount or promotional code can be applied to this trip.

CARBON OFFSET. We care about the future of our planet, so our customers have the option to contribute towards carbon offsets at checkout. Thank you for your support.  


PHOTOS. We love to share our photos! Enjoy a shared photo gallery of pooled photos after every trip.  

GRATUITIES. Gratuities are not required but greatly appreciated by locals in the tourism industry. For your convenience, we work to handle most tipping for you. See "What's Not Included" for specifics.   

FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION. We offer a flexible cancellation policy: Read the full details in our Terms & Conditions.

What's included

All Accommodations

5 nights in comfortable, cozy Alaskan lodge accommodations, thoughtfully located for our Fairbanks adventures and late-night aurora viewing

Transportation

Private transport throughout tour

Transfers

Airport arrival and departure transportation

Meals

5 breakfasts/brunches and 3 dinners, plus light bites on Arrival Night

Local guides

Expert guides with local knowledge and Northern Lights expertise

Entrance fees & permits

Entrance and activity fees for all scheduled activities

Northern lights viewing

Multiple nights of northern lights viewing from lodges and wilderness spots, Aurora Borealis-focused tours with expert guides maximizing viewing opportunities

Dog sledding adventure

Dog sledding with trained huskies

Hot springs soak

Chena Hot Springs soak

Visit to ice museum

Chena Hot Springs Ice Museum

City tour

Fairbanks winter city tour, including cultural, historical, and iconic local stops

Outdoor dinner event

Late-night Aurora Dinner experience under the Northern Lights

What's not included

Flights

Flights to and from Fairbanks

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is required to participate

Meals not listed

Meals not listed in the itinerary

Beverages not listed

Local Guide Tips

Tips for local guides are not included and are at your discretion based on service. This applies to both included and optional activities.

Optional Activities

Aurora ice fishing, snowmobile excursion, or Arctic Circle northern lights tour. Payable separately and must be selected at least 30 days before the tour start date to help ensure availability.

Day 1 | February 24

Day 1 | February 24 image

Welcome to Aurora Country

Arrive in Fairbanks and take a quick ride from the airport to our cozy riverside lodge. After settling in, join us for an evening cocktail or warm beverage, light bites, and a chance to meet your fellow travelers and ease into the journey ahead. With flights arriving throughout the day and evening, we’re keeping things casual tonight. If you’re looking for something more substantial, there are several nearby options for dinner.

The air feels different here: quiet, crisp, full of possibility. And if the skies decide to cooperate, you may already catch your first glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing overhead. Tomorrow, the real adventure begins!

Day 2 | February 25

Day 2 | February 25 image

Fairbanks City & Aurora Lodge Adventure

Today we hit the heart of Fairbanks with a city tour that mixes history, culture, and quirky local stops you’ll actually want to talk about. We’ll wander through the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center to soak up stories of Interior Alaska, peek at the engineering marvel that is the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, explore fascinating exhibits at the Museum of the North, and even swing by the Santa Claus House where cheesy souvenirs meet cheerful charm.

Around dinner you’ll savor authentic Alaskan flavor at Big Daddy’s BBQ — a smoky, juicy feast that feeds both body and spirit. As dusk deepens, get ready for an evening shuttle out to a snug Aurora Viewing Lodge nestled away from city lights. Sipping warm beverages inside cozy yurts or stepping out into the crisp Arctic night, you’ll be on the lookout for the celestial ballet of the Northern Lights under some of the best skies on the planet.

Meals: B, D

Day 3 | February 26

Day 3 | February 26 image

Dog Sled Dreams & Aurora After Hours

Today you experience Alaska the way it’s been lived for generations... by dog sled. After a leisurely morning and hearty breakfast, we'll meet a team of eager huskies and glide across snowy trails on a dog sledding adventure that’s equal parts thrill, tradition, and pure joy.

After some downtime and a chance to warm up, we head out for a late-night Aurora Dinner, where a hearty meal and good company set the tone for another unforgettable evening under the Arctic sky. With the Northern Lights often appearing in the quiet hours between night and morning, you’ll have plenty of time to watch, wonder, and soak it all in. Return in the early hours to our cozy lodge, falling asleep knowing you lived a true northern story today.

Meals: B, D

Day 4 | February 27

Day 4 | February 27 image

Hot Springs Aurora Glow

Today is your chance to rest into the rhythm of Alaska... sleep in, stretch out, sip coffee at your own pace, and let the quiet of the north settle into your bones. By late afternoon, we venture out to Chena Hot Springs, where the real magic begins: slipping into deliciously warm, mineral-rich waters while frosty air swirls around you and steam rises into the night. It’s the kind of deep, full-body exhale you didn’t know you needed: snowy trees, star-filled skies, and pure, melt-into-the-moment relaxation.

Stay soaking, wandering, and gazing skyward as the Northern Lights often shimmer overhead, turning this into one of those “how is this real?” nights. We'll also step inside Chena's incredible Aurora Ice Museum, a frozen world of ice sculptures, intricate carvings, and wonderfully weird Alaskan artistry. We return to the lodge in the early hours, relaxed, glowing, and utterly content.

Meals: B, D

Day 5 | February 28

Day 5 | February 28 image

Choose Your Own Northern Encore

Today is all about lingering in the magic of Alaska and making the day your own. Opt to venture out for an aurora ice fishing experience, ride the snowy backcountry on a snowmachine/snowmobile adventure, or simply relax and soak in the crisp winter air.

And if one more opportunity to glimpse colorful skies is calling your name, we’re happy to arrange an Arctic Circle Northern Lights outing for you so you can watch the aurora dance once more. Whatever you choose, today is about savoring the wild, wonder-filled moments that only Fairbanks can offer!

Because everyone may choose a different adventure today, lunch and dinner are flexible and on your own. We’ll be happy to point you toward some great local options based on your plans.

❄️ Optional activities are not included in the tour price and are available at an additional cost. Final pricing will reflect standard rates at the time of travel and will be shared with you at least 120 days before departure. To help ensure availability, your selected activity must be confirmed no later than 30 days before the tour start date.

Meal: B

Day 6 | March 1

Day 6 | March 1 image

Farewell, Alaska | Departure Day

After one last morning at your leisure, it’s time to bid farewell to this incredible corner of the world. Depart for the airport with hearts full of northern adventures, glowing memories of aurora-filled nights, dog sled thrills, and the unmatched beauty of Alaska’s winter wilderness.

Meal: B

Map of the trip locations

A. Fairbanks, AK, USA

Fairbanks, AK, USA

About your organizer

We are The Nomadic Network, a small-group tour company for people who want to travel, not just vacation.

We bring curious travelers together to experience the world in a way that feels personal, meaningful, and connected to the places we visit. That might mean sharing a meal with a local family, learning from an artisan, exploring with someone who calls the destination home, or lingering over dinner with people who were strangers just days ago.

Our journeys blend the places you came to see with experiences that take you deeper into local life. We work with incredible local partners, choose quality and comfort where they matter, and create the right mix of exploration, connection, adventure, and downtime.

And perhaps our favorite part? The people. Our travelers often arrive as strangers and leave with new friendships alongside some pretty incredible memories.

Come travel with us. You just might find your people. ❤️

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