AURORA VIEWING TOUR#24: TO ALASKA
ANOTHER SMALL GROUP TOUR FROM RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS
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MARCH 22-26, 2023
$2571. PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (STANDARD ROOM).
$2801. PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (SUITE)-can accommodate 3 people
last updated 12/6/22
If you are lucky, you may be able to see sights like this! From our March 2022 trip. Paul D. Maley photo.
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. We will also include a trip into Fairbanks to visit the Ice Alaska Championships where an international team of cold weather artists construct amazing shapes out of blocks of ice (details to be provided later).
This trip is a continuation of public outreach expeditions on land (18 to Alaska, 2 to Svalbard), sea (2 to Norway), and air (2 trips) 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. March 22 is one day after New Moon so the sky should be plenty dark late at night. March is also the month with statistically more auroras than any other; 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. The First Quarter Moon should offer minimal impact to viewing.
How amazing is it? From this recent description, here is why we stay at a fixed location.
This phenomenon is so impressive it was featured on “Wheel of Fortune”
LEARN HOW TO TAKE AURORA PHOTOS! We will work with you to help you plan and capture good Northern Lights images. Contact me for assistance prior to the trip and also consult our AURORA INFORMATION page which has extensive information that I have accumulated over the last years.
Why Alaska? Weather systems generally blow in and out fairly quickly. Even though temperatures are cold and generally with remarkably low winds, the area offers a great deal of visual beauty. Properly dressed in winter garb you will find yourself well protected and able to walk about, photograph or just sit and view. A yurt is now on the property and serves as a refuge from the cold with chairs that can be used outside as well and access to a/c power. We have always had great response from people on our winter Alaska trips indicating that they enjoy it very much!
THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE ON THE TRIP
Mt. Denali located 153 miles from the lodge but visible from the dining room. Anne Jones photo.
A rocket launch from Poker Flats Research Range will sometimes occur while we are at the lodge. Paul Maley photo on March 5, 2022
Skijoring (dog race) championships in nearby North Pole, Alaska. Not always available depending on the dates of our tour. Paul Maley photo.
An example of aurora seen on our October 2017 Alaska land expedition. It is a huge Northern Lights band stretching 180 degrees across the sky from east to west. Constellations such as Orion, Gemini, Cassiopeia and Taurus are captured here. A brilliant Iridium satellite flare is also seen as the linear streak. Paul D. Maley photo.
Seeing the Northern Lights up close and personal is a bucket list objective of many people who are interested in the world’s most mind-blowing experiences. Over the past few years we have ventured northward to attempt to capture these phenomena from air, sea and land as they light up the night sky. It has been relatively easy to capture aurora if you are patient, are willing to brave cold temperatures and have the proper equipment. As an alternative, the easiest way to enjoy the experience is to simply sit and watch! Unlike a solar eclipse which only lasts on average a minute or two, auroras come and go and can last for hours depending on the level of solar activity and influx of high energy particles into the Earth’s magnetic field.
Aurora activity prediction model snapshot enables us to get a good idea of the likelihood and timing of aurora on a particular night and region. Credit: NOAA
One can also watch the aurora cam shown online from your room on your smart phone operated by the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute that gives you a near real-time view of what is happening in the sky. The minute you start to see the green glow on the north horizon as seen from Poker Flats, Alaska you can likely expect to see aurora at our lodge.
Aurora from a planned airborne viewing trip as seen out the window of a Boeing 787 from Shanghai to Chicago after a trip to North Korea in 2015. The constellation of Ophiuchus is visible in this image. Paul D. Maley photo.
Aurora viewing at sea from the deck of a ship off the coast of Norway in 2015. During the middle of the night with a full Moon, nobody else was on deck I was able to see a great deal of action all the way up until sunrise. The constellations of Cassiopeia and Perseus are recognizable. Paul D. Maley photo.
ITINERARY AS OF NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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.
-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 WE RECOMMEND HIRING A TAXI WHERE REQUIRED (ROADS ARE TREACHEROUS FOR RENT CARS) AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PARTICIPANTS CONSIDER SHARING TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO/FROM ANY VENUE.
-DO NOT PURCHASE AIR TICKETS UNTIL YOU ARE ADVISED!
MARCH 22 (Wednesday): DAY 1 – Arrive Fairbanks
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 the first of 3 aurora briefings by Paul Maley prior to the initial night’s Northern Lights viewing. It will focus on basic steps for photography and protocols used at the lodge.
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 +15 to -10 deg F (but higher and much lower temperatures can occur!) with little wind. In winter 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.
Meals are really good here! They are taken in a common dining area. NOTE THE BLINDS. THESE ARE ROLLED DOWN EACH NIGHT TO PREVENT LIGHT FROM SPILLING OUT AND RUINING AURORA PHOTOS.
Shrimp scampi is just one of the dinner choices. Lynn Palmer photo.
Overnight Fairbanks: (D)
Brilliant aurora curtains seen during our March 2017 Alaska trip. The Big Dipper is visible behind the aurora as is the North Star upper left. Jeff Pohlman photo.
A moose calf seen at the lodge in February 2020. Moose may sometimes be seen there. Peggy Bechtell photo.
MARCH 23 (Thursday): DAY 2– Fairbanks
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included for you at the lodge today unless you book the optional Arctic Circle tour below. You will have the day free to participate in activities at the lodge as shown below.
1000am WE PLAN TO DEPART FOR AN INCLUDED FAIRBANKS CITY TOUR. After this the vans will return to the lodge for lunch.
AURORA BRIEFING 2: Time to be announced today, you will have a second PowerPoint presentation by Paul D. Maley on aurora viewing and photography. We will go over some representative photos taken as well as do’s and don’ts for visual watching and capturing of aurora images. This will be your chance to ask questions and figure out workarounds for any problems you might encounter. Before arrival into Alaska we request that each of you who want to take decent photos look at our online aurora photography information which summarizes lessons learned over past expeditions. In particular, this will apply to those going on the Arctic Circle Aurora Drive departing later this morning. On this tour you generally have the best chance to see aurora over a wide variety of terrain away from the Fairbanks vicinity.
Lynn Palmer mushing her own dog team. Paul D. Maley photo.
Dog mushing lessons can be obtained from a location within easy walking distance of the lodge in winter at extra cost. We suggest you do this activity on March 24 or 25.
Standard Room interior view
One of the quirky lodge rooms with door access to the outside for night viewing. There are 6 standard rooms and 2 suites. All standard rooms have walk-out access. If you are in a suite you need to walk out the main front door and down the side of the main building. NOTE THE DRAPES. ALL GUESTS MUST CLOSE BOTH THE DRAPES AND SHADES WHEN IT GETS DARK IN ORDER NOT TO RUIN AURORA PHOTOS! Lynn Palmer photo.
One of two “suites”. The suites are really one very large room, one with 2 queen beds, the other with three.
300pm This afternoon your private driver will pick up the group and transport you to Fairbanks to visit Ice Alaska, the home of the World Ice Art Championships February 14-March 31. Walk unguided along the single block classic and multi-block classic displays at your leisure. Return to the lodge before dinner.
One of many ice sculptures we photographed: a giant insect, carved during one of our past trips. Paul D. Maley photo.
A dragon’s head sculpture in progress. Lynn Palmer photo.
Tonight after dinner will be our second attempt to view aurora. Note that viewing typically takes place beginning after 1030pm 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 are 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 are 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 Fairbanks: (B, L, D)
Group stop near the Arctic Circle for awesome aurora viewing during our November 2013 Alaska aurora trip. The optional cost Arctic Circle tour can often give the darkest sky views of the Northern Lights since they drive far from a big city. Paul D. Maley photo.
AURORA VIEWING LOCATIONS AT THE LODGE
In 2019 a new system was initiated to minimize having to stay out in the cold all night. Wireless devices were installed with a trigger in the yurt that allows anyone to send a signal to all the lodge rooms. The photo below shows the plugged in alarm that will go off when someone outside sees Northern Lights activity.
The aurora alarm in each lodge room. Paul D. Maley photo.
WINTER: The aurora viewing area behind the lodge also looks into the valley toward both Fairbanks and the town of North Pole. You need snow boots to navigate down and around this area. Paul D. Maley photos.
FALL: Though this and the photo that follows were taken in the fall, all the standard rooms at the lodge allow you to walk out your door onto the driveway. If you have mobility issues you can watch from here with easy access to your room even when there is snow on the ground. There it is possible to see aurora, though the area with less blockage (from trees and the main building) requires you to walk down the slope in the following image.
FALL: This is a view of the slope leading to the aurora viewing area with chairs and a yurt about 50 yards down from the main building.
WINTER: After you walk down the slope, the yurt (now replaced by a heated cabin) is on the right (chairs left) and you can see the main building on the right side. There is a relatively unobstructed 360 degree view of the sky from this area. Note the snow in winter.
MARCH 24 (Friday): DAY 3 – Fairbanks
THIS TOUR MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN AS A GROUP TOUR. WE ARE GIVEN A SEPARATE QUOTE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS. IF 8 SIGN UP AND ARE WILLING TO PAY THE COST WE ARRANGE FOR A VAN TO PICK UP AND RETURN TO THE LODGE AFTER THE TOUR. IF NOT WE RECOMMEND THAT PARTICIPANTS GOOGLE “ARCTIC CIRCLE TOURS IN FAIRBANKS” AND CONTACT A COMPANY THAT ARRANGES THEM. THE LODGE IS WELL AWAY FROM TOWN AND SO YOU MUST ARRANGE FOR YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION FROM THE LODGE TO THE TOUR COMPANY LOCATION AND BACK TO THE LODGE.
OPTIONAL 18 hour long Arctic Circle Aurora Drive Adventure
Today, you will drive up the Dalton Highway into the Alaskan Arctic. As you depart Fairbanks, you will pass gold mines and drive alongside the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Walking on the arctic tundra will give you a sense of the vast scale of Alaska’s arctic regions. Drive all the way north to the Arctic Circle, where you will receive an official Arctic Circle certificate. On the way back south to Fairbanks, stop and marvel at the majestic beauty of the northland’s most famous waterway, the Yukon River. The Aurora Driving Tour returns at night (between 3:00am and 4:00am). At least half of the tour will be in the dark to look for the Northern Lights. In the past this has generally proven to be the best opportunity to see aurora due to the large geographic distance covered. Tour includes round trip private transportation from A Taste of Alaska Lodge to tour departure point. This is an approximately 18 hour long tour. It typically departs the lodge at 10:00am today, returns between 3-4am the following day.
The Alaska pipeline up close as seen on the Arctic Circle drive. Gordon Lamb photo.
Hoarfrost as seen on the Arctic Circle trip. Diane Birnbaumer photo.
You can also walk on the frozen Yukon river. Ken Biba photo.
COST of this optional tour DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING ON THE TOUR: PRICE TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER IF AND ONLY IF AT LEAST 8 PERSONS SIGN UP.
Includes:
• Round trip private transfers from Fairbanks
• Arctic Circle bus tour with guide
• Boxed lunch
• Boxed dinner (though if a restaurant is open that night it may be possible to get other food there)
Does not include:
• Transport from lodge to Fairbanks and back
• Excursion Guide gratuities (recommend: $10 – $20 per person/activity)
• Driver gratuities for round trip private transfers (recommend: $3 – $5 per person/transfer)
Note: those going on the Arctic Circle tour will take lunch and dinner on the road and not at the lodge. After dinner at the lodge, those staying will have your 3rd night to view the aurora and any other astronomical phenomena on our calendar.
AURORA BRIEFING 3: This morning (time to be announced) Paul Maley will present a briefing on observing auroras from the air and ship and new phenomena discovered from Northern Lights observations over the years.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included for you at the lodge today.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL COST LOCAL ACTIVITIES: You can choose to walk do to a nearby dog mushing outfit where, for a fee, you can learn to drive your own dog team. Paws for Adventure is a great place to get familiar with sled dogs up close and get a real thrill out of being in control of a team of amazing canines. Reservations should be made ahead of time but sometimes it is possible to book the same day. You can also take a short ride, one hour tour or the mushing school option (all extra cost activities). Last year’s ride costs were between $85 (30 minutes) and $150 (1 hour). THIS IS AN ACTIVITY THAT EACH PERSON NEEDS TO ARRANGE ON THEIR OWN BY CONTACTING PAWSFORADVENTURE.COM. IT CAN BE DONE ANY DAY PROVIDED THERE IS AN OPENING.
Tonight after dinner will be our third aurora viewing attempt.
Overnight Fairbanks: (B, L, D)
Aurora during our February 2014 Alaska tour. Paul Lobert photo.
Aurora seen in February 2020. Peggy Bechtell photo.
One of the hiking trails on the lodge property as seen in winter. Paul D. Maley photo.
MARCH 25 (Saturday) DAY 4– Fairbanks
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included for you at the lodge today. You will have the day free to participate in optional tours such as going to Chena Hot Springs or Running Reindeer Ranch (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.
Also an optional cost tour to consider that has had great reviews is the Reindeer walk at Running Reindeer Ranch. This one-of-a-kind tour will be the highlight of your trip to Alaska. The reindeer (and Candy, their dog) take you through a guided nature walk in the boreal forest. THIS TOUR REQUIRES YOU TO GET TO/FROM THE RANCH ON YOUR OWN AND MUST BE ARRANGED BY GOING ONLINE TO RUNNINGREINDEER.COM. SCHEDULES FOR MARCH WILL LIKELY OPEN IN JANUARY.
Reindeer at the Ranch. Lourdes Hernandez photo.
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 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! In November 2019 the Reindeer Walk cost was $100. and van transport is extra split among participants. Otherwise the day is free at your disposal.
Aurora during our November 2014 Alaska tour. Lynn Palmer photo.
MARCH 26 (Sunday) DAY 5–Fairbanks Departure
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 and all guests must be out of their rooms no later than 11am. If your flight departs earlier than this, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements at extra cost.
Aurora viewing during our January 2015 Alaska tour can allow times for portraits. Paul D. Maley photo.
Aurora on our February 2017 expedition. Jeff Pohlman photo.
COST OF THE TOUR
TO JOIN THE TOUR, SUBMIT 1) REGISTRATION FORM AND 2) DEPOSIT AT THE SAME TIME for each person.
STANDARD ROOMS (6)
$2571. PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (STANDARD ROOM).
$3362. (for single occupancy if available).
SUITES (2)
$2801. PER PERSON FOR A SUITE (2 PERSONS MINIMUM). 2 ROOMS MAX. No singles permitted.
Package includes:
• 4 Nights’ Accommodations as listed or similar
• Private roundtrip transportation from Fairbanks airport to our lodge as specified above with an English-speaking driver. All participants must travel together. If you arrive/depart before or after the majority of the group arrives you will need an independent transfer at extra cost.
• Meals: Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
• round trip viewing excursion from the lodge to Fairbanks for the Ice sculptures competition
• All applicable taxes and fees
• Driver gratuities
Package does not include:
• Meals, unless specified above
• Drinks (alcoholic, non-alcoholic such as soda); however, meals do include table water; breakfast also includes tea, coffee, juice
• Excursions and admissions
• Airfare of any kind
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Anything else of a personal nature not mentioned in the “Package includes” section
• Porterage
• Optional tours listed above
• Transfer between airport and lodge or lodge and airport ONLY if you are unable to make the single group transfer
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ALASKA AURORA VIEWING tour ONLINE REGISTRATION and PAYMENT
To sign up for the trip, follow these steps.
1. Read and understand the deposit schedule and significant cancellation penalties.
2. Click on the Terms & Conditions tab. Review 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!
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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 spolley@dt.com to make arrangements.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- BEFORE December 15, 2022…………………………..USD$525. DEPOSIT per person double
- December 15, 2022…………………………………………..Balance due
CANCELLATION FEES (per person)
- BEFORE December 15, 2022…………………………..USD$250. + any service fees (if applicable) up to that point
- December 15, 2022………………………………………100% OF THE TOTAL TOUR COST
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.