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Bettles Lodge Summer Experience

Experience life above the Arctic Circle with an overnight stay at a historic lodge.

Tour Overview

Stay at Alaska’s Bettles Lodge, a wilderness lodge 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle and easily reached from Fairbanks. Bettles Lodge is near the Brooks Mountain Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, Noatak National Preserve, and Kobuk Valley National Park and is the perfect base to explore Alaska’s Arctic. You’ll enjoy the Historic Lodge, built in 1948, and the Aurora Lodge, a newer addition with additional guest rooms. The lodge offers guests the most modern amenities with guided adventures such as float plane flightseeing tours to Gates of the Arctic National Park or Kobuk Sand Dunes National Park, fishing, river rafting trips, and more. After an active day of Arctic fun, relax at the lodge, or converse with other guests about the day’s activities. Bettles Lodge is the perfect relaxing and authentic Alaska lodge getaway with convenient access to the vast Alaska arctic wilderness.

What's Included
  • 2, 3, or 4 nights lodging and all meals as listed at Bettles Lodge
  • Roundtrip airfare between Fairbanks and Bettles
  • Village Tour
  •  Koyukuk River boat tour (June through September, weather dependent only)
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Transfers in Fairbanks, optional excursions, and gratuities.

 

Tour Itinerary

Important - Due to weather and the varying flight times between Fairbanks and Bettles, an overnight in Fairbanks before and after this tour is required.

Day 1
Fairbanks to Bettles

Enjoy a scenic scheduled flight from Fairbanks crossing the mighty Yukon River and Arctic Circle. Flight time is approx. 1.5 to 3 hours. Depending on the flight route and weather, there may be excellent views of the Brooks Range and Gates of the Arctic National Park. Upon arrival in Bettles, take a leisurely short walk to the lodge and settle into your room. Then go on a short tour of Bettles and the Inupiaq Eskimo village of Evansville. You learn the history of the area and local residents. After dinner, take advantage of long daylight hours and enjoy a walk through the forest. Dinner and overnight at Bettles Lodge.

Day 2
Bettles

Bettles is yours to explore! The included Koyukuk River boat tour takes you to the ghost town of “Old Bettles” founded in 1898, where the last gold rush took place. Optional excursions are Flightseeing to nearby Kobuk Valley & Gates of Arctic Nat Park, Fishing Excursions, Gold Panning, Dog Sled Demonstrations, and Rafting Adventures (additional cost). All meals included today.

Day 3
Bettles to Fairbanks

Today enjoy breakfast at the lodge and depart on your return flight to Fairbanks. Tour concludes upon your arrival in Fairbanks.

Notes: The flight time between Fairbanks and Bettles is approx. 1.5 to 3 hours each way, depending on flight route of the day (not known prior). Flights to/from Bettles could be in the morning or afternoon depending on availability. Final flight times will be determined by the lodge and are not available until about 4 to 3 weeks prior. Flights are in smaller planes with luggage weight limitations of approx. 40 pound per person. Pre and post nights in Fairbanks are required!

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

Standard Rooms (6 located in the Historic Lodge with a rustic feel and 4 located in the Aurora Lodge) share 4 central bathrooms in each lodge.

Jacuzzi Rooms are located in the Aurora Lodge. Rooms have private bathrooms and a Jacuzzi tub in the bedroom.

Cancellation Policy:
Up to 91 days prior to lodge stay : 10% cancellation fee
90 to 45 days prior to lodge stay: 50% cancellation fee
44-31 days prior to lodge stay: 60% cancellation fee
30 to 0 days prior to lodge stay: 100% cancellation fee; services are non-refundable, even if cancelled due to weather/services not used

 

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Arlene | Trip Advisor