TNN's Chasing the Borealis: Northern Lights Escape

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Overview

TNN's Chasing the Borealis: Northern Lights Escape
Fairbanks, AK, USA
Feb 17 - 22, 2027
The Nomadic Network image
The Nomadic Network
$3,195
Deposit: $800

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 in the entire world, at the very best time of the 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. You'll also have the option of ice fishing, riding snowmobiles, or simply relaxing and soaking in the crisp winter air.

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 17-21, 2027

Start Location: Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI)

End Location: Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI) 

Accommodation: 5 nights 

Highlights

  • Multiple nights chasing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, one of the world’s best viewing spots, at the very best time of year

  • 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

  • Aurora viewing from remote lodges and wilderness locations

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

  • Optional adventures: aurora ice fishing or snowmachine exploration

  • Small-group journey with shared moments and camaraderie

  • 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.

✨ Natural Phenomenon

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.

Additional Details

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.

🤝Our Group Travel Philosophy

At The Nomadic Network, we believe in creating a balance between group camaraderie and personal freedom.

Our small group tours are designed to foster deep connections with fellow travelers and the destinations we explore. While we encourage social interaction and shared adventures, we also respect your need for occasional solitude and personal reflection. There's no pressure to be social all the time—after all, this is your vacation.

We focus on meaningful, authentic experiences that allow you to connect deeply with locals and truly immerse yourself in each destination. Our goal is for you to leave with lasting memories,  newfound friendships, and a rich appreciation of the beauty we've experienced together. 

What's included

All accommodations

5 nights lodging at cozy, well-located lodges in Fairbanks and the Alaskan interior

Transportation

Private transport throughout tour

Transfers

Airport arrival and departure transportation

Meals

(5) Breakfasts/Brunches, (5) Dinners

Local guides

Expert guides with local knowledge and Northern Lights expertise

Entrance fees and permit

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

Optional add-ons

Aurora ice fishing, snowmobile excursion, or Arctic Circle northern lights tour. Payable separately and must be chosen 30 days prior to tour start date to secure your spot.

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 gratuities

Tips to local guides for activities participated in, amount to be at your discretion based on service

Optional fees

Any optional activities not listed

Optional gratuities

Gratuities for activities not listed

Day 1 | February 17

Day 1 | February 17 image

Welcome to Aurora Country

Arrive in Fairbanks and make your way to our cozy lodge, tucked deep in Alaska’s wild north. After settling in, we’ll gather for an evening cocktail or warm beverage to meet your fellow travelers and ease into the journey ahead. 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 18

Day 2 | February 18 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 19

Day 3 | February 19 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 20

Day 4 | February 20 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 return to the lodge in the early hours, relaxed, glowing, and utterly content.

Meals: B, D

Day 5 | February 21

Day 5 | February 21 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!

❄️ 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 in plenty of time (at least 120 days) before departure. To ensure availability, your selected activity must be confirmed no later than 30 days before the tour start date.

Day 6 | February 22

Day 6 | February 22 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.

Location

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1. Fairbanks, AK, USA

Fairbanks, AK, USA

About your organizer

We are The Nomadic Network, a tour company built for people who truly love to travel, not just vacation. We create intimate small-group journeys to incredible destinations around the world, bringing together curious, open-hearted travelers who crave meaningful experiences, genuine connection, and maybe the occasional life-changing street food moment.

Our tours go far beyond the typical tourist path, immersing you in local culture through authentic experiences, unforgettable meals, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries you probably won’t find in a “Top 10 Things To Do” article. We believe travel should inspire, connect, and leave you with stories far better than souvenirs. With thoughtfully curated itineraries, amazing local partners, and a focus on quality and value, we make adventure feel exciting, seamless, and deeply human. Come with us, and see what it really means to travel!

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