Borealis Basecamp and Northern Lights Tour

The exclusive fiberglass domes at Borealis Basecamp allow a unique opportunity to see the Northern Lights right from your room!

Tour Code: 235CTA

Tour Overview

You’ll delight in 4 nights of northern lights magic spent under the stars at Borealis Basecamp. Less than an hour from Fairbanks, Borealis Basecamp is not a destination but an experience. You’ll stay in warm accommodations in custom-designed fiberglass igloos similar to those utilized by polar expeditions and research stations. Crafted exclusively to maximize Northern Lights viewing convenience and comfort, Borealis Basecamp’s private igloos are intimate retreats amid an Alaska fall or winter. Clear, curved windows stretch 16 feet across each igloo roof, allowing you to lie in bed and view the dancing northern lights and scenery outdoors without leaving your cozy nest! Also, enjoy ATV, sled dog, and snowmachine experiences depending on your departure dates.

What's Included

Itinerary Option 1:

  • 2 nights in a moderate-class hotel in Fairbanks
  • 2 nights at Borealis Basecamp with complimentary breakfast buffet**
  • Round-trip transfers from Fairbanks
  • 2-hour Sunset Tour
  • Tour departures until mid-November include a choice of an approximately 1-hour ATV or approx. 30 min Sled Dog Cart Tour  (weather conditions permitting)
    Tour departures starting mid-November have a choice of an approximately 1-hour Snow Machine or Sled Dog Sled Tour (weather & snow conditions permitting)
  • All taxes and fees

Itinerary Option 2:

  • 1 night in a moderate-class hotel in Fairbanks at the beginning of the program
  • 3 nights at Borealis Basecamp with complimentary breakfast buffet**
  • Round-trip transfers from Fairbanks
  • 2-hour Sunset Tour
  • Tour departures until mid-November include a choice of an approx. 1-hour ATV or approx. 30 min Dog Cart Tour  (weather conditions permitting)
    Tour departures starting mid-November include a choice of an approx. 1-hour Snowmachine or Dog Sled Tour (weather & snow conditions permitting)
  • Starting Aug 2024, 30 minute reindeer meet & greet
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Meals, other than those mentioned. Optional excursions and gratuity.

Please note: Borealis Basecamp Domes have 1 King or 2 Twin beds. The domes have a kitchenette with a sink and hot water pot (no cooking facilities!). The en suite bathroom has a toilet, shower, and sink. Please advise bedding preference at the time of booking!

 

Tour Itinerary

This great Aurora Viewing Package comes with 2 itinerary options. With Option 1, you stay 1 night in Fairbanks at the beginning, 2 nights at Borealis Basecamp and 1 night in Fairbanks at the end. With Option 2, you stay 1 night in Fairbanks at the beginning and then 3 nights at the Borealis Basecamp.

Day 1
Fairbanks Arrival

Arrive into Fairbanks and transfer from the airport by hotel shuttle or on your own. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 2
Fairbanks to Borealis Basecamp

The morning is at leisure in Fairbanks. Typically in the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Borealis Basecamp, approximately 45-50 minutes north of Fairbanks. Borealis Basecamp offers an unique stay in fiberglass domes with large, curved windows for optimal northern lights viewing right from your room! Dinner is available for purchase at their state-of-the-art craftsman built yurt. Stay up tonight to watch the sky from your warm, cozy bed, or request an aurora alarm to wake you up when the lights are visible. Overnight Borealis Basecamp.

Day 3
Borealis Basecamp

Today relax and enjoy all the camp has to offer. Included today is an ATV or Dog Cart Tour or later in the season when snow conditions allow (typically starting mid-November) a Snowmachine or Dog Sledding Tour. The Dog Cart Tour is approx. 30 min long and the other tours are approx. 1 hour long.  (Only one activity is included, please choose at time of booking. Length of activity is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances). This evening , take a 2-hour Sunset Tour. You will ride inside a heated Borealis Basecamp vehicle* on the trail in front of Borealis Basecamp, climbing up the hillside to a scenic viewpoint.

During the winter time, winter gear is provided for the activity. If winter gear is needed for the entire stay, it can be rented for an additional fee.

Day 4
Itinerary Option 1: Borealis Basecamp to Fairbanks OR Itinerary Option 2: another night at Borealis Basecamp

Itinerary Option 1: This morning, you will be transferred back to Fairbanks. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Itinerary Option 2: stay another night at Borealis Basecamp and enjoy another full day of optional activities and another night of aurora viewing (weather permitting). Starting August 2024, a 30 minute reindeer meet and greet is also included in itinerary option 2.

Day 5
Fairbanks Departure

Itinerary Option 1: Take the hotel shuttle to the airport on own for your departure or start additional program.

Itinerary Option 2: Transfer from Borealis Basecamp to the Fairbanks Airport depending on your flight departure. Or book an optional night in Fairbanks.

Tour departures until mid-November include either an ATV or Dog Cart Tour; tour departures starting mid-November include a Dog Sledding or Snowmachine Tour (depending on snow conditions). *For the sunset tour, the vehicle used will be a Hagglund machine in the fall and a now coach in the winter. *** Orders of the tours may change, depending on availability and other circumstances. ***

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

Choose between two itinerary options:

Please see important information below.


* Child policy: not available / adult-oriented property

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

Important Information:

  • Borealis Basecamp is sold out for winter 2023 / 2024!
  • Please advise bedding preference at time of booking. Domes are furnished with one king bed or two twin beds.
  • The domes at Borealis Basecamp are suitable for maximum of 2 people.
  • This is an adult oriented program and is suitable for families with children 15 years or over.


Special Cancellation Policy:
Up to 61 days prior: 30% cancellation fee
60 - 31 days prior: 50% cancellation fee
30 to 0 days prior: 100% cancellation fee/ non-refundable

 

We chose the All Alaska Classic tour. That option allowed us to drive a rental car from place to place and experience the Alaskan cities and countryside. We like that there were things we never would have thought to do, and it allowed time to explore the places we visited.

Nonie | Trip Advisor