NL#04 Bettles Lodge Northern Lights Viewing

Fairbanks
Arrive in Fairbanks. Complimentary transfer to your downtown hotel near the banks of the beautiful Chena River. Relax during your first evening in Fairbanks and get ready for a few days of winter fun and adventure in Alaska. You can watch the Aurora Borealis at night dancing on the northern sky and/or enjoy a dinner at the scenic Pikes Landing Restaurant. Fairbanks is synonymous with winter from late October through March with some of the best Northern Lights viewing in the world made possible by the right weather and clear skies. Beautiful and mysterious curtains, the colors range from green to red to purple, with the brightest and most common color, a yellow-green. Fairbanks 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. Overnight: Fairbanks

Fairbanks – Bettles Lodge
Transfer to the airport and enjoy the scenic flight along the Trans-Alaska-Pipeline and across the mighty Yukon River to Bettles. Arrive at Bettles Lodge which is located 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle - just outside of the world renowned Gates of the Arctic National Park and within Alaska’s Brooks Range. Bettels Lodge is a refurbished building originally set up in 1952 and provides dining room, bar – open till 10:00 pm, billiard room with pool table, full serivce kitchen and git shop with local native arts & crafts. The lodge features six cozy guest room with all the emnities you need while you stay in our remote location. The lodge rooms feature shared baths. The Aurora Lodge features deluxe rooms with private bathroom and Jacuzzi bath tubs. After a delicous dinner, step outside and enjoy excellent Northern Lights viewing. Note: Arctic gear rental is included in our package (parka, snow pants, mittens, hats, boots).

Bettles Lodge
Breakfast at the lodge. All full day at leisure and for outdoor adventures. Enjoy the guided tour to a rural village in the Alaskan bush and get to know how Alaskan's life during winter time. Optional activities are available: Guided Sled Dog Tour, Snowmobile tours or flightseeing adventures. If you like to get a work out, try x-country skiing or snowshoeing (rental included). Evening dinner followed by another evening/night of exciting Northern Lights viewing. You can decide to view the northern lights from you room or from the Aurora viewing cabin. The rustic Aurora viewing cabin is 2 miles from the lodge on a mile long lake. The Lodge staff arranges transfers to the cabin. If you want a work out, you can ski or snowshoe one way. Enjoy hot chocolate, tea, or coffee in the warming cabin. There is absolutely no light pollution at the cabin and the lake offers a great 360 degree view of the night sky.

Bettles Lodge - Fairbanks
Enjoy a delicous breakfast at the lodge. In the afternoon you will return by air to Fairbanks. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Fairbanks offers a variety of excellent gift shops and galleries such as the “Roseberry Art Gallery” with some tasteful items for your friends at home.

Fairbanks
Day at leisure. Airport transfer and end of tour.

The aurora borealis can be seen from late August through mid-April. Due to the snow level however, all of the winter activities will start the 1st of December thru the beginning of April. Bettles Lodge is open year round and do receives great Northern Lights in October & November as well, although not having enough snow on the ground prevents some of the activities form being available. Please keep in mind weather is the primary factor in viewing the Aurora. If it is overcast the northern lights are not visible. The dryest month of the year are September or in the winter from December until the end of March.

It is possible to see the Aurora whenever the sky is clear and the sun has set. Although you can view the aurora from inside the cabin, it is best viewed from outside to experience the entire night sky.

  Services Included

2 Nights Accommodation Bettles Lodge / Aurora Lodge

2 Nights Hotel Accommodation Fairbanks

Local Taxes

Reservation Fee

Fairbanks Airport Hotel Transfers

Fairbanks Shuttle Bus Service

Flight Fairbanks - Bettles - Fairbanks

Guided tour to a rural village

Arctic Circle Certificate

Bettles: Arctic Gear Rental

4 x Continental & Full American Breakfast

2 x Dinner

2 x Lunch