Alaska Northern Lights in Winter Photo Workshop
- 6 Days
From $5,750 - Interests
- Night Sky, Northern Lights
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- 6
Photograph the Aurora Borealis in Alaska’s far north
Fairbanks, Alaska, is an ideal location for photographing the aurora borealis. Its high latitude places it directly in the Auroral Oval, making northern lights a frequent occurrence. If your only experience with aurora is at lower latitudes, the quality and intensity of the aurora are much better at these far north latitudes and well worth the visit.
March is the best month for aurora viewing in Fairbanks. While the temperatures are cold, they are warmer than the winter and typically dry, with a better chance for clear skies. Also, aurora occurs most frequently around the spring and autumn equinoxes. During this season, snow-covered arctic landscapes make a fantastic backdrop for aurora photos.
We also offer autumn northern lights trips in Alaska.
Highlights
- Epic aurora photography under true Arctic skies. Chase vibrant Northern Lights where aurora activity is frequent and intense — the kind of night sky that makes images you’ll want to print big.
- Small-group access to secluded locations away from light pollution. We don’t chase crowds; we chase light — heading to pristine, traffic-free spots so your best frames are all your own.
- Hands-on instruction from experienced night-sky mentors. Learn long-exposure technique, composition, and post-processing specifically for auroras, so you walk away with stronger photos and stronger confidence.
- We handle the late-night logistics so you can focus on photographing. From driving to the best clear-sky zones to scouting fresh backdrops each night, we keep you shooting and out of the cold as much as possible.
Your Guides
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James Begeman
Mar 1–6, 2027Mar 19–24, 2028 -
Mindy Huston
Mar 1–6, 2027Mar 19–24, 2028
Activity Level
Expect long nights with temperatures between 30°F(-1°C) and 0°F(-17°C). You should be able to carry your gear on short hikes over uneven, snowy ground. We’ll dress warmly for the weather, and a warm vehicle will always be available during our photo sessions.
This tour has an activity level of Moderate. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Fairbanks
Arrive at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) before 4:00 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
We'll check in to our hotel, have a welcome dinner, and discuss photographing the northern lights. Then, we'll head out for our first night of aurora photography at one of our favorite spots in the Fairbanks area.
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Day 2: Transfer to mountain lodge
We will have breakfast on our own time before packing up to depart Fairbanks. We will travel to a remote mountain lodge in the Alaska Range. The lodge is nestled in the impressive mountains of the Eastern Alaska Range, offering beautiful mountainscapes to add to our aurora images. The comfortable lodge has a classic Alaskan ambiance, with views of the mountains and aurora right outside the door.
The lodge prepares delicious meals on a photography-friendly schedule.
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Day 3: Northern Lights in the Alaska Range
We will remain at the lodge today and, weather conditions permitting, hike to an impressive ice cave nearby. After dinner, we will continue to chase the aurora under the night sky.
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Day 4: Fairbanks Northern Lights
After breakfast at the lodge, we will journey back to Fairbanks. We will check back into our Fairbanks hotel. We’ll continue our quest for epic aurora images at our favorite locations around the Fairbanks area.
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Day 5: Dog sledding in Fairbanks
We will have breakfast on our own, then meet for lunch and an authentic dog-sledding experience. We will have one final night of aurora chasing in the Fairbanks area.
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Day 6: Departure
We plan to photograph the northern lights the night before your departure, so the earliest you should make your departing flight is 9 AM or later if you want to rest before your flight home.
Departure from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). Book your departing flight no earlier than 8:00 AM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
We’ll stay three nights at a hotel in Fairbanks, including a kitchenette, and two nights at a beautiful remote mountain lodge in the Alaska Range.
During this workshop, we will have a nocturnal schedule. Aurora photography doesn’t begin until darkness, after 10 PM, and we may not return to our hotel until 3–5 AM, depending on the northern lights activity. Because of this sleep schedule, we want everyone to have their own room so roommates don’t awaken them. If you are a couple wishing to share a room, that is still possible. Giving everyone their own room does increase lodging costs for this workshop, but in our experience, the comfort of determining individual sleep schedules is worth it.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Testimonials
Another well organized, well run tour led by helpful and knowledgeable photographers.
This is the second Northern Lights tour I have done with Akari and again very satisfied. The guides did not expect such unseaonably cold weather but we all adapted with the help of many hand and feet warmers. The guides were always helpful, thoughtful and courteous. I would highly recommend this tour company.
Amazing trip! Go with this company!! HIGHLY recommended. I was lucky enough to participate BOTH Yellowknife (Sept) and Fairbanks (Feb) Northern light photo tours and both were excellent. I was very happy with accommodation and photography host's instructors. As always, learned lot and I improved my photo skills! Every night, our photo instructors reaching out to weather forecast, Northern lights forecasts and road conditions to bring best photo opportunity for us. Driving long distance, walking around snow cover area and encouraging us to find great spot for photographing middle of the nigh! Thank you for your hard work! Loved it every moment - I had SOOO much fun! Yes, I would go back again (both trips)!! I would highly recommend to others 100% plus! Thank you Kevin, James and Mindy for helping me capture wonderful images! Looking forward to join another Akari Photo Tours!
I highly recommend and would not hesitate to join any and all tours had I the vacation time and money.
Dates & Prices
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Mar 1–6, 2027$5,750 USD Per PersonSingle OccupancyRegister1 Spot LeftGuides: James Begeman, Mindy HustonGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $1,500 USDBalance Due: Nov 1, 2026
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Mar 19–24, 2028$6,250 USD Per PersonSingle OccupancyGuides: James Begeman, Mindy HustonGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $1,500 USDBalance Due: Nov 20, 2027
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Single occupancy lodging. Double occupancy is available for couples.
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- All transportation during the tour.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure.
- Snacks and water between meals.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Our group will dine together, but the cost of most meals is not included.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our night sky photography tutorials.