Wandering into the Alaskan wilderness for some aurora viewing? You could go alone, or better yet, do it in comfort with a fully-arranged vacation package. Here, we share the best northern lights vacation packages Alaska has to offer in 2024-2025.
As we enter into the peak of the solar cycle, more and more adventure seekers are choosing to spend their winter vacations in Alaska, hunting for the elusive Northern lights as they dance through the night skies.
While you can do it alone without the aid of organized tours, professionally-arranged Alaska northern lights vacation packages offer advantages that you alone can’t provide. These advantages include experienced tour guides with access to local aurora borealis forecasts and exclusive viewing locations, meeting likeminded travelers and the convenience of leaving the travel planning to someone else.
In this article, we help you navigate the overwhelming range of northern lights vacation packages Alaska has to offer, with our shortlist of the most popular and highly rated vacation packages, plus tips for choosing and booking one.
Table of Contents
Tips for Planning Northern Lights Vacations Alaska
The Importance of Booking in Advance
To ensure that you have the most memorable experience imaginable, make sure that you book your vacation well in advance. During the winter months, Alaska is one of the most popular destinations in the world. While many travelers might assume that due to its cold weather and 24 hours of nighttime, Alaska would be a less-than-desirable location, this is far from the truth.
Countless aurora hunters make their way to Alaska every single winter to photograph and experience the aurora borealis up close and personal. As a result, if you wait too late to book your perfect winter vacation, you may not be able to find flights or even accommodations.
Flight and Accommodation Availability
By booking in advance, you will be able to secure the best deals for both flights as well as rooms. If you wait until the last minute, not only will you have to pay more for your travel, but you will have limited options available to you.
Flexibility in Itinerary
Another thing to take into consideration is the popularity of many different activities throughout the winter months, including guided tours. By booking in advance, you will have the flexibility of tailoring your itinerary to your personal preferences, rather than having to choose from the few vacancies that may pop up.
Budget Management
When budgeting is a crucial aspect of your upcoming winter vacation, choosing to book in advance will allow you to manage your budget more effectively. Many destinations and excursions in Alaska offer early bird discounts to fill up for the season. By booking in advance, not only will you be able to see and experience more of the Alaskan wilderness, but you will be able to save a lot of money in the process.
TRAVEL TIP: The aurora borealis is not visible during summer
Optimal Timing for Your Vacation
Visiting Alaska on your next vacation requires the perfect timing. If you plan to see the Alaskan wilderness when it is green and sunny, then you will want to visit during the summer months. However, if you are in search of the elusive aurora borealis, then the perfect time to visit Alaska is when the nights are at their longest, between late September to March.
For more detailed information on when to travel, check out our article on the best time of year to see the northern lights in Alaska. Below is a summary of timing considerations you should keep in mind.
Weather and Climate
During the winter months, you will have ample opportunity to view the aurora borealis but remember that during this time of year, Alaska is at its coldest. You won’t be able to head out to a sun-soaked beach, instead, you will spend your time looking for a roaring fire or a toasty hot spring to keep you warm. Weather plays a pivotal role in determining how visible the auroras are, so make sure you select a time of year when there is a dramatic reduction in the possibility of scattered or overcast skies.
Avoiding Peak Seasons
You will also want to try to avoid the peak seasons, when possible. Not only do the tourist seasons attract larger crowds, but they also result in higher prices for both accommodations and attractions. To escape the crowds, and save money, make sure to plan your vacation accordingly. During the winter months, the peak season is at its lowest when the temperature is also its coldest.
Special Events and Festivals
Throughout the year, many popular destinations in Alaska hold unique events and festivals that can attend to enhance your overall experience. Take some time to research the various destinations you plan on visiting to determine whether there will be any events or festivities in the local community at the time. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the cultural experience, and build a deeper connection with the Inuit community.
Aurora Visibility and the Solar Cycle
When it comes to viewing the aurora borealis, it’s important to pay close attention to factors that can affect the overall visibility of the elusive lights. This means planning your trip during the peak of the solar cycle, when the nights are at their longest, and geomagnetic activity is added strongest.
Solar Cycle Basics
The modern-day solar cycle lasts for roughly 11 years. As we discuss in our best years to see northern lights article, 2024 represents a peak time in the solar cycle, in which the frequency as well as intensity of solar flares and solar activity are at their strongest. During this time of the solar cycle, charged particles ejected from the sun interact with the magnetic field of the planet and produce some of the most awe-inspiring auroras imaginable.
After we pass the 2024-2025 season, the frequency and intensity of the aurora borealis will gradually lessen with each subsequent year until the next trough in the cycle; for more information, check out the article linked to above.
Geographical Considerations
It’s also important to pay close attention to the geographical location. Alaska is a popular choice, simply because a large portion of the state is well within the auroral oval. However, not all of Alaska is within the oval, and therefore may not offer the same quality viewing experience that you would get in places like Fairbanks. Take the time to plan ahead and research the best locations within the state to view the ghostly lights.
Length of Stay
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that nature is completely unpredictable. While you can spend several weeks in Alaska without ever seeing the aurora borealis, the longer your stay, the greater your chances of viewing the elusive lights. By choosing a longer vacation package, you will have ample opportunities to experience the breathtaking phenomenon.
Best Northern Lights Vacation Packages Alaska 2024-2025
Luxury Northern Lights Vacation Packages Alaska (2024-2025)
While a luxury northern lights vacation package in Alaska might be what we all secretly want, to sit back and let every small detail be taken care of with utmost care and quality, the reality is that most of us don’t have a big enough bank balance to do it.
However, if you are one of the lucky ones who have some coin to spend on a gorgeous bucket-list-worthy luxury vacation package to see the Alaska northern lights, then you should definitely look at these first two. The two options here are some of the finest and most high-regarded options available when it comes to all-inclusive northern lights vacation packages Alaska.
If the price tag on these beauties is too high for you, don’t worry, we’ll cover some more wallet-friendly but also excellent mid-range and budget vacation packages in just a moment.
Grand Alaska
Head out to sea to view the tidewater glacier, and get up close and personal with humpback whales. As you make your way deep into the Alaskan countryside, you will be rewarded with some of the most priceless treasures the state has to offer. See real-life bald eagles soaring above, explore the Denali National Park, and even ride the Alaskan Rail on a historic journey. While you are visiting the area, take the time to go on a jet boat adventure, or even cruise out into Prince William Sound. There is so much to see and do while visiting Grand Alaska.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Tauck
- Days: 15 days
- From: $7,990
- Destination: Anchorage to Vancouver
- Official Website: https://www.tauck.com/tours/grand-alaska-guided-tour-and-cruise?tcd=al2024
What’s Included
- 7 Nights Hotel Accommodations
- 7 Nights Aboard a Princess Ship
- Sightseeing over Denali National Park
- We’ll Watching Cruise
- Tapper Creek Homestead
- Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting Adventure
- Private Tour
- White Pass & Yukon Railroad
- Meet and Greet Dogsledding
- Tundra Wilderness Tour
- Jet Boat Cruise
- Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay
- 40 Meals Included
Alaska: Wilderness & Wildlife
Take in the grandeur of the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness, as you explore the untamed countryside by sea, road, air, and rail. Experience the frontier spirit from the comfort of some of the most luxurious accommodations that Alaska has to offer.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Abercrombie Kent
- Days: 8 days
- From: USD $8,995
- Destination: Fairbanks to Anchorage
- Official Website: https://www.abercrombiekent.com/tours/luxury-small-group-journeys/2024/alaska-wildlife-small-group-tour-usa
What’s Included
- English-Speaking Tour Director
- Luxury Accommodations
- Luggage Handling
- Breakfast Daily
- Some Lunches and Dinners Included
- Valley Laundry Service
- Entrance Fees Included
- Guaranteed Departure
Mid-Range Northern Lights Vacation Packages Alaska in 2024-2025 ($3,500-5,000)
Now that you’re feeling inspired from the first two luxury offerings, let’s bring it down to a more wallet-friendly level. The tours here fall within the mid-budget range, between $3,500 to $5,000. They are an excellent balance of inclusions and price, with durations ranging from 7 to 10 days. During the peak aurora borealis hunting season, this duration should give you plenty of opportunity to catch the lights, although of course longer is better to allow for unprecedented storms and other weather events.
If you still find these mid-range Alaska northern lights vacation packages to be a bit too expensive, don’t worry. In the next section, we share a couple of great budget options that should be just your thing.
Alaska Journey
Spend your days searching for beluga whales while out at sea, as you make your way through the Kenai Fjords National Park. Visit the Alaska Sea Life Center and enjoy the breathtaking views of the untamed Alaskan wilderness, and, hunt for the elusive Northern lights on this one once-in-a-lifetime National Geographic tour.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: National Geographic
- Days: 10 days
- From: $4,649
- Destination: Anchorage Round-trip
- Official Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/destinations/north-america/journeys/kenai-fjords-and-denali-alaska-tour/
What’s Included
- 6 Nights Stay in a Hotel
- 3 Nights Stay in a Cabin
- 9 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 1 Dinner
- Transportation Provided
- Denali Immersion
- Alaska SeaLife Center
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- East Fork Bridge Excursion
Spectacular Alaska!
Enjoy your day as you cruise along the face of the Columbia Glacier, and immerse yourself in the captivating views of the countless glaciers found throughout the Kenai Fjords National Park. After you are done cruising along the Alaskan coastlines, hop aboard the Alaska Railroad and head deep into the heart of the state, where you will have your chance to strike it rich panning for gold. Meet a real Iditarod champion, and get up close and personal with a true mushing team as you make your way across the Alaskan wilderness hunting for the aurora borealis.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Globus
- Days: 10 days
- From: $4,339
- Destination: Anchorage Round-trip
- Official Website: https://www.globusjourneys.com/tour/spectacular-alaska!/aj/?season=2024
What’s Included
- Room at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa
- Room at the Totem Hotel & Suites
- Stay at the Pike’s Waterfront Lodge
- Denali Park Village
- Free Wi-Fi
- Spa Services
- Access to the Beauty Salon
- Restaurant On-Site
Majestic Alaska
When it comes to the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of big-city life, nothing beats heading out into the uncharted territories of Alaska. Visit the unspoiled tundra of the Denali National Park, and hunt for humpback whales along the Alaskan shoreline as you cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park. Or better yet, hunt for the elusive northern lights while riding in a dome car aboard the Alaskan Railroad.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Trafalgar
- Days: 9 days
- From: $4,595
- Destination: Anchorage Round-trip
- Official Website: https://www.trafalgar.com/en-sg/tours/majestic-alaska?optionId=421
What’s Included
- 10 days, 1 country and 6 cities
- 9 Nights’ Accommodation
- 9 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- 1 Welcome Reception
- Expert Travel Director
- Professional Driver
- Porterage Included
- Gratuities and Tips Included
- Sightseeing and Surprise Adventures
Jewels of Alaska
Explore the wonderful Alaskan wilderness on the ultimate adventure that begins in Anchorage, and takes you deep into the heart of the lands that were once populated entirely by the Inuit. Hop aboard a jet boat as you travel along the Chulitna River, getting up close and personal with the Alaskan wildlife. You will have an opportunity to visit Denali National Park, and even ride the popular Alaskan Railroad. After you are done viewing Alaska by land, take a 100-mile cruise into Prince William Sound, and view the majestic glaciers of College Fjord.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Insight Vacations
- Days: 7 days
- From: $3,804
- Destination: Anchorage Round-trip
- Official Website: https://www.insightvacations.com/en-sg/tours/jewels-of-alaska
What’s Included
- Stay at the Marriott Anchorage Downtown
- Room at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
- Room at the Grande Denali Lodge
- Stay at The Hotel Alyeska
- Prince William Sound Cruise
- 6 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 5 Dinners
Alaska the Great Land
Nothing is more exhilarating than visiting the untamed wilderness of Alaska, where you will be surrounded by towering, snow-covered mountains, abundant wildlife, and massive glaciers. Take a ride on the scenic Alaskan Railroad, as you make your way up to Fairbanks. While you are hunting for the elusive auroras, head out into the Denali National Park on a guided tour, and even take a jet boat ride down the Susitna River.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Mayflower
- Days: 9 days
- From: USD $4,399
- Destination: Anchorage Round-trip
- Official Website: https://www.mayflowercruisesandtours.com/tours/cruising/north-america-west/alaska-great-land-adventure-tour
What’s Included
- 8 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
- Airport Transfers
- Jet Boat Excursion
- Stay at Denali National Park
- Alaska Cabin Night Dinner Show
- Denali to Fairbanks Alaskan Railroad Trip
- Riverboat Discovery Cruise
- Panning for Gold
- Alaskan Salmon Bake
- Palace Theater
- Arctic Circle Excursion
- Worthington Glacier
- Prince William Sound Cruise
- Tour of Anchorage
Alaska Winter Adventure
Connect with nature in one of the most stunning wonderlands in the world. When you visit the land of the midnight sun, you will be able to explore the Matanuska Glacier and enjoy a snowshoeing experience through the Denali State Park. While on your Alaska Winter Adventure, relax in the Chena Natural Hot Springs as you peer overhead hunting for the elusive northern lights, patiently waiting for them to dance across the skies and reflect off the glistening snow-covered landscape.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Intrepid
- Days: 8 days
- From: $3,780
- Destination: Anchorage to Fairbanks
- Official Website: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/united-states/alaska-winter-adventure-144672
What’s Included
- 5 Nights in a Hotel
- 2 Nights in a Large
- 7 Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Northern Lights Tour
- Ballmer Farm Visit
- Matanuska Glacier Tour
- Aurora Ice Museum
- Chena Hot Springs
Best Budget Northern Lights Vacation Packages Alaska in 2024-2025 (<$3,500)
Alaska Kenai & Denali Adventure
Discover the beauty and majesty of the Alaskan wilderness, as you go on a hike across the ice fields, and get up close and personal with actual dogsledding teams. Take the opportunity to view the glaciers, which have played an integral part in shaping the countryside throughout the scenic Denali National Park.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: G Adventures
- Days: 8 days
- From: $2,365
- Destination: Anchorage Round-trip
- Official Website: https://www.gadventures.com/trips/alaska-kenai-denali-adventure/9293/
What’s Included
- 5 Nights in a Hotel
- 2 Nights in a Cabin
- 2 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- Seaward Highway Road Trip
- Visit Exit Glacier
- Hike Harding Icefield Trail
- Kenai Peninsula
- Denali National Park
- Dogsled Demonstration
- East Pork Bridge Excursion
- Transportation Included
12 Day Alaska with Denali & 7 Day Glacier Cruise
When most vacation packages give you the option of either land or sea, enjoy the possibilities of viewing the Alaskan wilderness by both in one amazing deal. Spend 12 days in Alaska, visiting the many sites the state has to offer, 7 of which you will spend aboard a ship cruising along the coast of this majestic untamed wilderness.
Tour Specifications
- Operator: Gate1
- Days: 12 days
- From: $3,379
- Destination: Fairbanks to Vancouver
- Official Website: https://www.gate1travel.com/usa-canada/usa/2025/escorted/alaska-tour-12dakd7dgchno25.aspx
What’s Included
- 11 Nights Accommodation
- 11Breakfasts
- 6 Lunches
- 9 Dinners
- Porterage Included
- Anchorage to Whittier Train
- English-Speaking Tour Manager
- Entrance Fee to All Destinations
Conclusion
This concludes our list of the best northern lights vacation packages Alaska has to offer for the 2024-2025 season, that we have found. Ultimately, the package you choose will come down to your budget and duration preference. While it is impossible to definitively choose one single ‘best’ vacation package for that reason, we hope that this article has given you a good starting point for exploring and finding the vacation package best suited to your needs.
To recap and bring this piece to a close, here are some final tips and take-home points for planning northern lights vacations Alaska…
Choose the right time of year
Regardless of whether you travel alone (without a tour), or go on a fully-arranged vacation package, you still need to make sure you choose the right time of year to travel. Late September to March are optimal, and at all costs avoid summer. A vacation package intended primarily for northern lights viewing should theoretically factor this into the dates that it runs, however, do not place all your trust in the tour operators. Do your own homework and make sure you choose a vacation package for the right time of year for the aurora borealis.
Aurora borealis is never guaranteed
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, and while we can try our best to align everything just right to give us the best chance of seeing the lights, sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. In particular, adverse and unpredictable weather conditions such as snow clouds and rainstorms, can dampen the view of the skies for days at a time. The best way to avoid this issue is to travel for as long a duration as you can afford, at least a week is ideal.
While you don’t need to go on a vacation package to enjoy the northern lights, booking into a professionally-arranged Alaska northern lights vacation package can remove some of the hassle associated with choosing the right locations, researching and booking accommodations, and transportation. However, travelling without a vacation package is also totally do-able, and a great way to start crafting your own Alaska northern lights vacation is to research the best places in Alaska to see the aurora, and learn how to read an Alaska aurora forecast so you can go seeking with confidence.
Happy travels!
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