“极光之约”阿拉斯加2025-2026北极光季丨费尔班克斯（Fairbanks）5天4晚"The date with Aurora" Alaska 2025-2026丨Fairbanks: 5 Days and 4 Nights

Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city with a population of 100,000, serves as a hub for expeditions into the Alaskan interior and the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks is a world-renowned destination for viewing the Northern Lights, with over 243 days of clear skies annually. Just 310 kilometers from the Arctic Circle and nestled against a mountain barrier, Fairbanks is shielded from inclement weather, making it a popular destination for Northern Lights seekers. Many newlyweds choose Fairbanks for their honeymoon, inspired by the ancient legend that "seeing the aurora brings a lifetime of happiness."

Completed in 2023, the Mountaintop Aurora Glasshouses are ideally located atop Cleary Summit, northeast of Fairbanks, one of the most popular aurora viewing areas. Each Aurora Glasshouse is a standalone structure, offering unobstructed views and unobstructed views of Alaska's vast landscape through 180-degree panoramic windows. Each glasshouse is equipped with a double bed with massage function, heated floors, a flush toilet, a separate shower, a hairdryer, and includes an American breakfast.

Depart from your designated hotel around 11:00 AM and travel by bus to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Renowned for its century-old hot springs, intricate ice sculpture museum, and cutting-edge, environmentally friendly renewable energy projects, Chena Hot Springs Resort is a must-see for every Fairbanks visitor! Relax in the outdoor, natural mineral hot spring pools, surrounded by snow-capped, misty waters, and experience the dual experience of "ice on one side and spring-like warmth on the other." You'll also visit the world's only year-round ice sculpture museum (entrance fee not included). Constructed from 1,000 tons of ice, it showcases the meticulously crafted works of world-class ice sculpture champions, including tables, chairs, and utensils crafted entirely from ice. Enjoy an Apple Martini in a beautifully carved ice glass at the Ice Bar (admission not included; age 21 or older with valid ID is required).

Notes:

1) At Chena Hot Springs Village: locker rental: $0.50 per use; towel rental: $5 per towel; bring your own swimwear; slippers may be brought as needed.

2) For safety reasons, minors under age 18 may not enter the outdoor natural rock pool, but they may use the indoor pool and the outdoor hot tub.

3) If you choose not to enter the hot springs for your own reasons, the fee is not refundable.

4) The Ice Sculpture Museum has fixed operating hours. If you plan to visit, please make reservations in advance at the Hot Spring Village.

Depart from your hotel in the morning and drive south along Richardson Expressway to Castner Glacier Ice Cave. The scenery along the road is beautiful. After getting off the car, you will follow the guide for about 2 miles to reach the largest valley ice cave in North America. This place is located in the east of Alaska Mountains, connected with the Castner Glacier, and you can feel its huge and profoundness only when you visit the ice cave mouth. The blue ice cave can be called the miraculous work of nature. The whole cave body is covered with ice layer accumulated for ten thousand years, which is crystal clear. Because the ice layer and mountain minerals have been infiltrating each other for years, the charming orchid ice layer occasionally appears like a metal texture, which is as beautiful and elegant as gold inlaid jade. While experiencing the stunning visual here, you can also experience the collision between nature and human beings in the long history.

Notes:

1. This activity can only be booked on-site after guests have arrived and joined the tour.

2. There are no meteorological facilities in the Castner Glacier Ice Cave area, so it is impossible to judge the local weather conditions in advance. If the ice cave cannot be reached successfully due to weather reasons after arrival, no fee will be refunded.
3. When Fairbanks leaves, if it is not suitable to drive due to the road condition warning, the trip of the day will be cancelled and the original route will be refunded.
4. The Castner Glacier Ice Cave is a natural landscape with certain risks. Please follow the requirements of the professional guide during the whole process!

Depart from your hotel this morning, where Alaskan local Leslie will lead you on your dog sledding adventure! Leslie, a dog lover who arrived in Alaska 20 years ago from the US mainland, has grown her dog-sledding experience and cultural center with a staff of 50 dogs. With the Alaska International Dog Sled Race, Alaska's annual sporting event, gaining global popularity, Leslie has opened her own dog training ground to train young mushers and offer dog sledding experiences to visitors. The proceeds go towards preparing for international dog sledding events. She's become a highly respected figure in the area for her support of young mushers and her fundraising efforts. While waiting for your sled ride, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the adorable dogs.

Here, you'll experience the boundless joy of sledding across the frozen landscape of Alaska (approximately 20-25 minutes). Sled dogs are arranged in pairs, with the lead dog at the front steering the way, and the strongest dog near the seat. Two passengers, accompanied by a musher, ride on a sled as they race across the forest path, sending up a shower of white snow. It's a thrilling and exciting experience.

From September to early November, in case of insufficient snowfall, the dog sled will be replaced by a dog pull ATV experience, about 10min.

Departing between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM, you'll board a professional polar bus and journey toward the Arctic Circle along the Dalton Highway, one of Alaska's most remote and challenging roads. The 414-mile Dalton Highway, considered one of the "World's Ten Deadliest Highways," is accessible only to licensed vehicles. Along the way, you'll admire the pristine tundra landscape of the Arctic wilderness and have the opportunity to encounter wildlife such as caribou, Arctic foxes, wolves, bears, and musk oxen. Passing the Yukon River, North America's third-longest river, you'll also witness another great and challenging human endeavor: the North-South Oil Pipeline, which spans Alaska. Finally, you'll reach the Alaskan Arctic Circle (66°33'N) and receive an Arctic Circle Expedition Certificate, a memorable experience that will cap off your Arctic Circle adventure. With luck, you might even see the Northern Lights on the return journey. Arriving in Fairbanks between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM the following morning.

If you need to depart Fairbanks the following day, please book your flight for no earlier than 7 am, to avoid risking missing your flight.

Arrive at the airport at 11:30 AM for a small sightseeing flight to Coldfoot . From the air, you'll witness the magnificent snowy landscape of Alaska's polar tundra. Upon arrival, you can personally send a postcard to your loved ones at the Polar Post Office in Coldfoot . In the afternoon, depart Coldfoot aboard a professional polar bus, returning to Fairbanks along the renowned Dalton Highway. Along the way, you'll visit the oil pipeline and the Yukon River , and visit the landmark of Alaska's Arctic Circle (66°33'N). You'll receive an Arctic Circle Expedition Certificate, a memorable experience that will cap off your Arctic Circle adventure. Arrival in Fairbanks is expected between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM the following morning. If you need to depart on the following day, please ensure your flight departs after 7:00 AM to avoid missing your flight. ( If your flight is cancelled due to weather conditions, the fee will be refunded. You will have free time on the day .)

At 10 pm, to escape the urban light pollution, take the Aurora Shuttle to our carefully selected Aurora-Viewing Lodge, where you can stay warm while waiting for the Northern Lights to appear.  Our professional guides will introduce you to the Northern Lights and instruct you in camera parameter set-up and aurora borealis shooting techniques to help you take stunning aurora photos. If you choose the Aurora Chasing, we will go to the surrounding area of Fairbanks by car and follow the guide to find the northern lights. You will return to the hotel to rest at around 2 am the next morning.

Check out one of the hottest local winter activities: Alaska snowmobiling ! It's a stylish toy, a wild ride, and the fastest vehicle on the snow, rivaling the speed of a regular car. Unlike motorcycles and cars, snowmobiles aren't powered by wheels, but by rotating tracks. These tracks make them safe, stable, and easy to master. Climb snowy slopes and traverse obstacles. While others navigate cautiously, you'll be speeding under the blazing sun! What? No driver's license?! No, no, no! Snowmobiling doesn't require a license. So, step on the pedals, apply the brakes, and hold on tight as you race through the forests and wilderness. Show off your snowmobiling skills and let your adrenaline run wild!

1. It is recommended to bring your own outdoor cold-weather clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hat, gloves, and warm, comfortable footwear to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
2. Helmets, cold-proof suits, and other riding gear are provided free of charge for tour participants.

From November to March each year, Alaska's rivers and lakes freeze over. When the ice reaches a thickness of 8-10 centimeters, you can enjoy an ice fishing and barbecue trip at a cabin on an Alaskan lake . Safety is paramount. First and foremost, the ice must be at least 8 centimeters thick before venturing out. Thinner ice can be very dangerous. The low water temperature significantly impacts fish's physiological activity, putting them in a semi-dormant state and slowing their response to external influences. Furthermore, the thick ice reduces the impact of external changes on the fish. Ice fishing is a popular winter activity for Alaskans. After catching a fish, your guide will grill and prepare a fish for each guest, allowing you to savor the freshest meat. Any extra catch will then be released back into the lake.