It might be hard to imagine glaciers, rainforest, and majestic fjords existing in the same landscape, but that’s exactly what covers much of Alaska’s breathtaking Southeast region-along with 230 days of annual precipitation. Alternatively, you can travel via car (and a ferry) along the Alaska Marine Highway from Homer-a quick 45-minute flight from Anchorage-but you’ll need to allow about nine hours to Kodiak, or approximately three days to reach Unalaska. How to get there: Fly into Anchorage and connect by air to Kodiak Island or Unalaska. How to watch: Your best bet is to be outside during the late evening hours on a clear night. Consider the Unalaska/ Dutch Harbor area if you’re interested in fishing, birding, or hiking. Despite the town’s name, Unalaska is very Alaskan indeed. Kodiak Island is unbeatable for bear sightings, and since August and September are two of the best months for bear spotting, your stay can overlap with the aurora season. This region isn’t a go-to for aurora chasers, but it’s amazing for viewing wildlife. In Alaska’s SouthwestĬomprising the Aleutian Islands and the ports of King Salmon and Dillingham, Southwest Alaska borders the choppy Bering Sea. How to get there: Fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC). To up your Instagram game, Alaska Photo Treks will teach you how to capture auroras like a pro. How to watch: Spot the lights on your own, or go all-in with the comforts of an exclusive tour led by an expert from Greatland Adventures. “It’s very common to see a group of people stopped on a local street, all of them looking at the sky.” If you prefer to escape the city, Alyeska Resort is 45 minutes outside of Anchorage and ideal for keeping an eye out for auroras while exploring the Southcentral wilderness. “It’s best to move away from streetlights and bright signs, but it’s possible to see the Northern Lights right here in town,” says Kathy Dunn, a spokesperson at Visit Anchorage. This region is home to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city and an excellent base for travelers hoping to see the Northern Lights. In the Southcentral area around Anchorage How to get there: Drive from Fairbanks via the 414-mile Dalton Highway, or fly into Fairbanks and take a connecting flight on to Nome or Utqiagvik. For something less time-intensive, Northern Alaska Tour Company can help you chase the Northern Lights either by land or air. 1st Alaska Tours leads aurora-viewing experiences around the Far North-there’s even an option for an epic 14-hour van tour covering 400 miles. How to watch: Ask for an aurora wake-up call at your accommodations, or arrange a customized tour. Located above the Arctic Circle, visiting Utqiagvik is an opportunity to learn about the culture of the indigenous Iñupiaq, who make up a majority of Utqiagvik and operate the Iñupiaq Heritage Center in the town. Or, journey to the northernmost town in the United States and stay in Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow). A coastal town located alongside the Bering Sea, Nome offers a rich history-quite literally, as a former Gold Rush town-and incredible scenery. The Alaskan Arctic is remote, but it’s worth a trek to experience the sprawling tundras, striking seascapes, and Brooks Range mountains. The Northern Lights can be seen over Nome, a former Gold Rush town. Canine enthusiasts may enjoy the thrill of spotting auroras from a mushing sled led by the dogs of Last Frontier Mushing Co-Op. Or, combine your aurora with another Alaskan experience, such as snowmobiling or ice fishing with Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service or AK River Tours. How to watch: “Just walk out your front door!” says Evans. For something warmer, there’s Chena Hot Springs Resort, located an hour from Fairbanks, where visitors can watch the Northern Lights while immersed in a natural hot spring. Spacious and upscale, these fiberglass igloos feature a ceiling made of windows. Most Fairbanks hotels offer aurora wake-up calls, but if you’re looking to enhance your Northern Lights viewing experience, consider sleeping in an igloo at Borealis Basecamp. So reliably clear are the skies of Fairbanks that visitors who stay in the city at least three nights during the aurora season have a more than 90 percent chance of seeing the Northern Lights, Evans says. “Instead of seeing an aurora in the distance, we often see the aurora directly overhead, filling the entire sky.” “We’re far from maddening crowds and we have minimal light pollution,” says Jerry Evans, a spokesperson for Explore Fairbanks.
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