This 3-night Northern Lights Viewing package includes two opportunities for Aurora viewing and a guided tour of Fairbanks‘ main attractions. Fairbanks is Alaska’s second... Read more.
Alaska Glaciers, Hot Springs and Northern Lights
Walk on a glacier, soak in hot springs and watch for the northern lights - experience it all!
Trip Features
Mode of Travel
Tour Overview
Do it all on this great week-long winter adventure in Alaska! Explore an amazing glacier on foot, soak in warm hot springs then search for the Northern Lights! You’ll start out exploring Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, the city offers an abundance of shopping and a great variety of restaurants. Then, take a scenic trip north to the massive Matanuska Glacier, where an experienced glacier guide will lead you on a walk over ancient blue ice, while you look for towering ice spires and stunning ice caves along the way. Next, continue your winter journey north to Fairbanks aboard the Alaska Railroad. The final destination if your adventure is rustic Chena Hot Springs Resort, known for its natural mineral hot springs and a prime location for viewing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In addition to world-class Aurora viewing, this Alaska resort near Fairbanks offers guests lots of outdoor fun including cross-country skiing, dog sledding tours, snowmobiling, and more. Guests can relax and rejuvenate in the resort’s hot springs and warm pools or by enjoying a professional massage. With a wide variety of winter activities, this itinerary provides travelers with a highly memorable Alaska winter adventure
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation in moderate class hotel
- 8-hour Matanuska Glacier Adventure including lunch
- Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks
- 2 nights at Chena Hot Springs Resort in the Moose Lodge building (room with private bath)
- Round trip transfers from Fairbanks
- 2 days pool passes for Chena Hot Springs
- 4-hour Aurora Viewing Expedition tour at Chena Hot Springs (in tracked, military style Small Unit Support Vehicle)
- All taxes and fees
What's Not Included
Meals, optional excursions and gratuity.Tour Itinerary
Day
1Arrival in Anchorage
Arrive in Anchorage and the rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy Alaska's largest city.
Overnight in Anchorage.
Day
2Anchorage - Matanuska Glacier Adventure
Today’s adventures begin with a pick up from your Anchorage hotel. Your Glacier Guide will narrate points of interest during the scenic 100-mile drive north through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley on your way to the mighty Matanuska Glacier. Photo stops will be made along the way so that you can capture the stunning valley and mountain peaks.
Once you have arrived at Matanuska Glacier, your experienced Glacier Guide will outfit each person with ice cleats, walking sticks, and helmets for their safety. NOTE: Additional warm supplemental winter outerwear can be requested at the time of booking. This fully guided glacier experience on foot will allow you to meander along the surface of ancient blue ice while you explore towering ice spires and gorgeous ice caves. Your time on the glacier will be from 2 to 3 hours. A lunch is included either before or after your glacier hike.
Overnight in Anchorage.
Day
3Anchorage to Fairbanks
In the morning, you'll take the hotel courtesy shuttle to the Anchorage train station. Here you will board the famous Alaska Railroad and travel through beautiful Alaska's winter landscape to Fairbanks. During the train ride, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska Range and possibly even the mountain of Denali (weather permitting). You will arrive in Fairbanks in the evening and transfer to the hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle.
Overnight in Fairbanks.
Day
4Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort: Mineral Springs and Northern Lights Viewing
Sleep in this morning, then, around mid-day, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to rustic Chena Hot Springs Resort, 90 minutes east of Fairbanks. While the facilities of the resort can be considered rustic and may not be up to date, the location of the resort offers great possibilities for Northern Lights viewing. Chena Hot Springs hosts mineral spring-fed hot tubs and a warm indoor swimming pool, providing guests with total relaxation. Combined with numerous outdoor activities, Chena Hot Springs offers a great Alaskan winter experience. This evening, enjoy a 4-hour Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) Expedition tour. The Aurora tour takes place on a tracked, military style Small Unit Support Vehicle*. You can also add an optional Ice Museum Tour.
Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Day
5Chena Hot Springs Resort Fun: Dogsledding, Snowmobiling, Cross Country Skiing, Massages
The day is at your leisure to enjoy all the resort has to offer. Optional activities include dog sled rides, snow machine tours, or cross country skiing, and professional massages. Winter gear can be rented at the resort for a fee.
Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Day
6Chena Hot Springs Resort to Fairbanks
This morning, you will be transferred back to Fairbanks. The afternoon is free for you go enjoy optional Fairbanks city tours and visit local attractions.
Overnight in Fairbanks.
Day
7Departure from Fairbanks
Take the hotel shuttle to the airport for your departure or start an additional winter tour.
* Please note that during the tour you will be sitting in a small confined space with other people.
Tour Map
Photo Gallery
Browse Dates & Rates
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.
Browsing Optional Add-on's for the Alaska Glaciers, Hot Springs and Northern Lights:
No Excursion available.Share this Tour
Ask Our Experts
Call or email us to help plan the perfect Alaskan vacation.
Book Your Add-on
Book the "Alaska Glaciers, Hot Springs and Northern Lights", to add these tour add-on's to your reservation.
You may also be interested in these tours:
Less than an hour from the city of Fairbanks, Borealis Basecamp is not a destination, it is an experience. Stay overnight in exclusive fiberglass domes similar to those utilized by... Read more.
Start your winter adventure in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, the city offers an abundance of shopping, cultural... Read more.
Bettles Lodge is located 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places for Aurora Viewing in Alaska! Bettles is easily reached from Fairbanks. Bettles Lodge is a... Read more.
First time Visitors
Ask the Experts
Call or email us your tour questions or to customize your Alaskan vacation.
Got a Question?1-907-277-3000
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm AKT