Arctic Circle Discovery from Fairbanks

Traveling in Alaska’s Arctic is always an adventure. Much of the region is only accessible by air, while the sole land route crossing the area is the Dalton Highway. The Dalton Highway heads north from Fairbanks, crosses the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle, traverses the Brooks Mountain Range, and crosses the Arctic coastal plain before ending on the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Deadhorse, the service community for Prudhoe Bay. It is a rugged land route through an extremely remote country.

The visited communities are situated in areas where many of the common amenities in today’s modern world are nonexistent. Whether it’s a flight to an isolated village or a journey on the rugged Dalton Highway, it is undeniably the spirit of the traveler that is key to making the most of an Alaska Arctic travel experience.

ARCTIC CIRCLE TOURS

Day and Night Adventures Across the Arctic Circle

During the summer solstice (around June 21 and 22), locations above the Arctic Circle experience the ‘midnight sun’ with 24 hours of continuous daylight. In contrast, during the winter solstice (around December 21 and 22), the sun fails to rise fully above the horizon, and some Arctic regions undergo 24 hours of twilight or darkness. The further north one goes from the Arctic Circle, the longer the periods of daylight or darkness, respectively, during summer and winter.

There are several options available for crossing the Arctic Circle in Alaska, including by land, air, or a combination of both. Travel with informative and friendly guides in the personalized comfort of tour buses and minibusses along the renowned Dalton Highway. Or fly north from Fairbanks, marvel at the history of vast and remote lands below, cross the Arctic Circle in the air, and land 60 miles further north in the community of Coldfoot, nestled in the Brooks Mountain Range. Whatever your choice, it will undoubtedly be a memorable adventure, and you will receive an official Arctic Circle certificate to commemorate the experience.

ORIGINAL ARTIC CIRCLE DRIVE ADVENTURE (Arctic Circle & Yukon River)

(4 person minimum)

Departure at 6:30 AM; return between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM

A guided round-trip day journey by land through the Arctic Circle

Excursion Summary:

• The Northern Alaska Tour Company pioneered trips on the Dalton Highway. It’s the original adventure to the Arctic Circle that started it all.
• Land tour north of Fairbanks in the personalized comfort of our vans and buses.
• Explore the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Visit the Arctic Circle trading post located in the rural community of Joy, Alaska.
• Traverse the rugged Dalton Highway, made famous by the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Discover the mighty Yukon River. Marvel at the majestic beauty of the North’s most famous waterway and explore the river’s history.
• Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure certificate.
• Explore up close the incredible Arctic tundra and feel the veins of ice just beneath the surface.

ARCTIC CIRCLE MIDNIGHT SUN DRIVE ADVENTURE (Arctic Circle & Yukon River)

(4 person minimum)

Departure at 9:45 AM; return between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM

A guided round-trip day journey by land through the Arctic Circle

Excursion Summary:

• Land tour north of Fairbanks in the personalized comfort of our vans and buses.
• Explore the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Visit the Arctic Circle trading post located in the rural community of Joy, Alaska.
• Traverse the rugged Dalton Highway, made famous by the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Discover the mighty Yukon River. Marvel at the majestic beauty of the North’s most famous waterway and explore the river’s history.
• Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure certificate.
• Explore up close the incredible Arctic tundra and feel the veins of ice just beneath the surface.

ARCTIC CIRCLE MIDNIGHT SUN FLY DRIVE ADVENTURE – SOUTHBOUND (Arctic Circle & Yukon River)

(4 person minimum)

Departure at 1:00 PM ; return between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM

A guided round-trip day journey by air through the Arctic Circle

Excursion Summary:

• Fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, north of the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range. The flight provides an aerial view of the vast wilderness of Alaska.
• Land tour south on the famous Dalton Highway, renowned during the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure certificate.
• Explore up close the incredible Arctic tundra and feel the veins of ice just beneath the surface.
• Discover the mighty Yukon River. Marvel at the majestic beauty of the North’s most famous waterway and explore the river’s history.
• Explore the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Visit the Arctic Circle trading post located in the rural community of Joy, Alaska.

ARCTIC CIRCLE MIDNIGHT SUN FLY DRIVE ADVENTURE – NORTHBOUND (Arctic Circle & Yukon River)

(2 person minimum)

Departure at 9:45 AM on Day 1; return between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Day 2

A guided overnight round-trip journey by land and air in the Brooks Mountain Range in Alaska

Excursion Summary:

DAY 1

• Land tour north on the rugged Dalton Highway.
• Visit the Arctic Circle trading post located in the rural community of Joy, Alaska.
• Explore up close the incredible Arctic tundra and feel the veins of ice just beneath the surface.
• Discover the mighty Yukon River. Marvel at the majestic beauty of the North’s most famous waterway and explore the river’s history.
• Explore the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline.
• Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure certificate.
• Explore the area on your own or participate in one or more optional tours available in Coldfoot (see more information below).
• Overnight at the rustic Coldfoot camp

DAY 2

• Free time in the morning or purchase an optional tour.
• Return to Fairbanks by small plane.

Note:

The listed rates are per person based on double occupancy (two people in the room). Rooms have only 2 single beds. A 3rd person could stay in the room; however, the client must bring their own bedding for the floor. You can easily add additional nights, in double occupancy, for a 3-day/2-night adventure or a 4-day/3-night adventure.

Optional Tours:

An excellent way to enhance your visit to the Brooks Mountain Range is to add one or more of the following optional tours:

• Gates of the Arctic Air Adventure: Enjoy a flight into the wild and pristine jewel of the national park system—the Gates of the Arctic National Park.
• Arctic Mountain Safari: Land tour north, deeper into the Brooks Mountain Range, on the Dalton Highway.
• Wiseman Wilderness Community Tour: Visit the only year-round inhabited community along the Dalton Highway. Learn about their historical past and current way of life.
• Koyukuk River Scenic Float: Enjoy a float on the Middle Fork Koyukuk River and soak in the surrounding wilderness.
• Fat Tire Bike Adventure: Explore the beautiful Coldfoot wilderness on a fat tire bike. The journey covers 6 miles along Slate Creek on an old, rugged (but maintained) gold mining trail. Bikes and helmets are provided. Lasts approximately 2 hours.

ARCTIC CIRCLE AIR ADVENTURE (Arctic Circle)

(4 person minimum)

There are 3 departure options:

Departure at 7:00 AM; return around 12:00 PM

Departure at 1:00 PM; return around 6:00 PM

Departure at 7:00 PM; return around midnight

Cross the Arctic Circle – Fly over the wild airways of Alaska’s Arctic – Discover the Brooks Range

Excursion Summary:

• Fly north from Fairbanks and marvel at the history of the vast and isolated lands below… the traditional peoples who continue to maintain their way of life and culture in the vast Yukon River valley as they have for thousands of years… gold mining activity. This continues nearly 100 years after the yellow metal first brought newcomers rushing north… the Trans Alaska Pipeline symbolizing the immense changes brought to Alaska’s Arctic by the discovery of oil just over 30 years ago.
• Experience the excitement of crossing the Arctic Circle.
• Discover the magnificent and wild Brooks Range. The flight route passes just east of the gates of the Arctic National Park, the wild and pristine jewel of the national parks system.
• Participate in a ceremonial landing on the Arctic Circle 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the community of Coldfoot, in the Brooks Range.
• Receive an official certificate of adventure on the Arctic Circle.
• Enjoy an orientation and discover the fascinating history of the surrounding wild nature of the Brooks Range.
• Enjoy your return flight to Fairbanks, with a second aerial glimpse of Alaska’s Arctic.

Note:

The fare varies based on departure times. Peak and off-peak hours for flights. One departure over another includes nothing different but would be based on when you are interested or available to travel.