Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour: Review and Recommendations

So, you’re possibly dreaming of catching the Northern Lights, right? Well, heading up to Fairbanks, Alaska, just might be one of the best bets to tick that off your list. We gave the ‘From Fairbanks Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography’ a try, and let me tell you, it’s quite an experience. Let’s wander through the tour, and what it actually brings to the table, for folks who seriously are wanting to peek at those mesmerizing auroras.

What Makes This Tour Stand Out?

What sets this particular aurora tour from Fairbanks a bit different, I guess, comes down to its dual focus. That is, of course, on actually finding a top-tier viewing spot and snagging killer photographs. Most tours might drop you somewhere kinda dark, cross their fingers, and hope for the best, though this one actually feels a little more structured and dedicated to getting everyone a worthwhile sight. They seriously know their stuff in regards to where and how to view the aurora.

They take you away from the city’s somewhat bothersome light pollution. That’s probably something you might find pretty appealing, to improve your odds of seeing a really dazzling display. Then, too it’s worth mentioning, they have some camera equipment on hand and guidance from someone who actually gets photography. That’s something which really, is going to up your photography from blurry green blobs to shots that are actually worth showing off.

A Night Under the Aurora: My Experience

Okay, so, here’s my tale from that evening. Basically, it all kicked off with a pick-up right from the doorstep of my accommodation. That already gets a thumbs-up from me, seriously. No having to slog through a frosty tundra before the actual tour even began! The vehicle felt just the right amount of cozy. Cozy enough where I didn’t have to stress too much about fighting off the shivers all night.

Driving out a bit felt just right for anticipation as the guide filled us in on the aurora science, legends, and how to snap a more than half decent photograph of it all. I’d call the spot where we stopped pretty spectacular. Seriously like a middle-of-nowhere kind of thing with the kind of wide-open view I probably wouldn’t have found myself. Especially not in the dark! Then came the real challenge – waiting, yet thankfully, that wait felt kinda luxurious. With hot drinks and biscuits that, I suppose, isn’t so bad, eh?

That it was we got really lucky with our viewing night. We caught seriously bright lights dancing all across the horizon. The guide just knew how to point out some cool details and really helped get my camera settings tuned up just right. Honestly? It just felt magical. I, with zero exaggeration here, totally think having somebody experienced around, especially when fumbling with camera settings in the face of the arctic cold. Is exactly how I saw it. In particular when the lights began their seriously, mesmerizing performance, was absolutely worthwhile.

Photography Tips and Tricks

One of the most brilliant perks of this tour might be just how much guidance is available for photography. The tour operator really provided knowledge when it actually involved adjusting camera settings to just catch the elusive aurora. We are talking about what settings work best. A wide aperture (something like f/2.8 is just what you’re after to let a seriously generous amount of light into your camera), coupled with an ISO level of around 800 to 3200 is what he recommended. Experiment with shutter speeds to dial things just in the right way. Short exposures for brighter displays and long ones for dimmer action were kind of his watch words for this particular night.

Stability’s important so he had tripod tips to prevent shakes. Plus info about manual focus—since autofocus sometimes can’t be relied on. This can just ensure your stars appear to be very much sharp and clear, you know? His insight wasn’t very techy, either—making the adjustment easier for pretty much anyone, regardless of experience. All in all this really helped change pictures which look “ok” into pics which capture aurora’s charm, it seems to me.

What to Pack and Wear

Okay, so, if you do this trip to Alaska, remember it can actually get chilly in Fairbanks – like seriously cold. That means dressing seriously appropriately is basically what you do to have any fun. Layers, people, layers! They should be your new best friends. Actually start with a very solid base layer (merino wool or synthetics would be my pick, seriously), then you’d wanna stack a fleece or insulated jacket on top.

That should include the outer jacket is snow proof/windproof for you. For bottoms, just start again by starting with base layers and then get thick waterproof/resistant pants, too. Feet too need care: wool socks worn inside good quality, insulated, waterproof boots is actually what it’s about. Think something like Sorel. The boots, in my experience really change cold feet into warm feet and prevent discomfort, you might find.

Then of course we need the other essential stuff. Warm mittens are seriously better at preserving warmth, actually more than gloves are (bring spares cause stuff happens). The hat which completely goes over ears should probably be included. A scarf which wraps many times also becomes helpful, too. Actually take those disposable hand and foot warmers. Because standing for just so long, that too without a movement. Can make extremities kinda frozen (and that means the fun stops earlier). Don’t just forget a portable power bank, cameras and cellphones, since cold totally eats through power. Sunglasses? It sounds so crazy? You might have these too. If the snow starts shining from sunshine’s strength!

Is the Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour Worth It?

I want to put it so simple so you catch the point of everything: Totally, yes! This particular aurora expedition does bring, maybe that slight edge on other excursions when lights viewing together gets mixed along with professional photography training to improve image-snapping under rather tough circumstances. What really matters is just having a specialized guide makes everything much smoother, especially if all aurora chasing gets kind of complicated. Moreover the nice equipment and warmer comforts totally adds extra bonus that contributes, actually making nights rather special. To actually guarantee seeing that brilliant show with great clarity? Probably no guarantee.

Nature still takes it’s turn here, but chances dramatically go on upside. I should certainly propose this tour for either of photographers who may seriously chase that perfect photo that reflects dancing, colored light over stark scenery, as well for someone needing easy route in, and may actually appreciate seeing aurora display under optimal environment set through knowledge combined under expert setting! Either seriously serious stargazer also would obtain real worthwhile benefit off that endeavor to witness aurora like ever viewed up before.

#Alaska #NorthernLights #AuroraBorealis #TravelPhotography