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Travelers can bed down at the 14-person Ultima Thule Lodge for a wild adventure filled with glacier trekking, rafting, fishing in Tebay Lake, and (of course) waiting for the northern lights to flicker across the sky. Its popularity among northern lights seekers has a lot to do with its accessibility. There are frequent flights and plenty of options for accommodations.
P&O: Norway
Guides take photos of tourgoers as well as their own photos of the night sky, which are later shared with the group. Recent travelers praise this tour, and appreciate that the guides are always determined to give them the best northern lights viewing experience. Alaska Wildlife Guide leads 5.5-hour northern lights tours to Murphy Dome, typically from late August to early April — you can check with the company for day-to-day tour availability. Excursion prices include round-trip transportation from Fairbanks, 360-degree views of the north-facing sky, hot beverages and bottled water — in addition to (hopefully) hours of memorable aurora viewing.
Seeing Greenland Northern Lights
Some cruise lines offer kid-friendly programs and activities to engage younger travelers during the trip. While cruises optimize the chances by navigating to areas with minimal light pollution and frequently clear skies, the Northern Lights remain a natural and unpredictable phenomenon. It’s never a guarantee but following expert predictions and being prepared can enhance your chances. Although you may not be guaranteed a sighting, it’s important to note that anytime is a great time to take a cruise to Alaska. June 21, for instance, is known for the Midnight Sun, not to mention warmer days for offshore excursions and exploration, especially through Denali National Park as part of the Alaska Cruisetours package.
Aurora Photography Tips
Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska - AFAR Media
Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere. Traveling with UnCruise also grants exclusive access to remote areas, as their ships, with capacities ranging from 22 to 86 guests, navigate areas where larger vessels can’t. UnCruise guests visiting Glacier Bay National Park get a rare opportunity to set foot on land and explore the “outback,” a privilege granted to less than one percent of total park visitors. Denali National Park is another good option in early spring or fall, as it’s far enough north and free from light pollution. If the stars align and the conditions are ripe for the show, try to find a clear viewing path, free of buildings and forest and facing north, as that’s where the activity starts. Alaska is by far the best place to see the northern lights in the U.S., though they have been reported as far south as Honolulu.
In the next section, we’ll provide you with some valuable tips to increase your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights during your Alaskan cruise. The most common colors of the Northern Lights are green and yellow, which are caused by collisions with oxygen molecules at lower altitudes. Reds, pinks, and purples can also be seen at higher altitudes when the charged particles interact with nitrogen atoms.
If you prefer to head out with a guide rather than on your own, book the Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour with Alaska Tours. This package includes a four- to five-hour Aurora Expedition tour, four nights of accommodations, and access to resort amenities including cross-country skiing and snow machine tours. Spanning 13.2 million acres, this national park is the largest protected reserve in the United States.
Hotel Reward Programs
The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, producing colorful displays of light. The colors are determined by the type of gas and the altitude at which the collision occurs. While seeing the Northern Lights isn’t guaranteed, cruises to Alaska and Iceland make for unforgettable vacations. Whether you’re traversing the wild terrain of the Last Frontier or spending your days exploring cities like Bergen and Alesund, we have an ideal itinerary for you.
Where to See Northern Lights: 8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing - Reader's Digest
Where to See Northern Lights: 8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Guide to Alaska Northern Lights Cruises: See Nature's Magic
Rates start from $4,999 per person in 2023, and it should be noted that Viking is an adults-only cruise line. As the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights illuminates the night sky, it’s clear why this natural spectacle has captivated the human imagination for centuries. Whether you’re nestled amid Alaska’s vast wilderness or sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords, the experience of witnessing the aurora borealis from the deck of a cruise ship is nothing short of magical.
Iceland, Greenland, and polar regions around the Northwest Passage promote some of their active, adventurous cruises around the equinoxes in September and March as northern lights viewing opportunities as well. Lines cruising in these regions include Hurtigruten, Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions, Viking Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Adventure Canada, and others. Midsize and small cruise ship companies offer a variety of Arctic Circle sails during prime northern lights viewing months. While this list is not inclusive, lines to choose from include Hurtigruten, Viking, Cunard, Quark, P&O, Silversea, Fred.
Feel a part of Alaska's individualist lifestyle as you visit local artist and fishing communities in Homer. Or put your bedtime on hold and join in Fairbanks' Midnight Sun events during the bright summer solstice. Our Alaska tours give you hundreds of unique moments to capture, keep and treasure forever. This full-day (14-hour) excursion, also offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide, begins in Fairbanks and crosses the Arctic Circle into Alaska’s vast and remote wilderness.
Located 60 miles from the base of Mt. Denali, this tour gives you the best possible opportunity to see the largest mountain in North America from two distinctly different views. For enthusiasts with limited time looking to discover Alaska’s historic and extreme ways of life. This tour features a Denali Park visit and an overview of Alaska’s Golden Heart City.
