S
Gotta Try them
Excellent adventure! Our tour guide, Milo, was A+++ Excellent!!!
Arctic Circle Day Tour
+25 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Price from
- $335 / person
- Location
- Fairbanks, United States
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 731 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 9
- Cancellation
- See policy below
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Alaska Wild Lights
Description
Our Most Requested Tour: Explore Alaska’s Rugged Beauty & Cross into the Arctic Journey deep into Alaska’s untouched wilderness on this full-day adventure to the Arctic Circle: our most popular tour! Travel along the famed Dalton Highway, made famous by the TV show Ice Road Truckers, and experience the raw, unfiltered beauty of the Last Frontier. Ride in comfort in our climate-controlled van as your expert guide shares stories, local history, and insights about the landscape, wildlife, and culture that define this extraordinary region. Along the way, stop for scenic views, photo ops, and a walk through the arctic tundra. You’ll even receive an official Arctic Circle certificate to commemorate your experience. PLEASE NOTE: You are eligible for a full refund up to 7 days before your tour.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 7:00 AM
- Season
- Starts May 3, 2027
- Adult (ages 5+)
- $335
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
We begin our journey with a convenient pickup at your hotel/address inside the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. We will schedule your pick up time between 7 am and 8 am for you, depending on the location of the hotels. Settle into your seat and relax on the 200-mile (322-km) journey down the back roads of Interior Alaska. We provide free snacks and drinks on the road to ensure your utmost comfort in our climate-controlled vans. Take a trip back in time as you travel down the Dalton Highway. Enjoy the journey across the Yukon River, as you catch a glimpse of the wildlife that inhabits sub-arctic Alaska. With sweeping views of mountains and valleys, you will also see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System (TAPS), one of the largest pipeline systems, transporting thousands of gallons of oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.
James Dalton Highway
Travel on the famous Dalton Highway and spot wildlife along the Yukon River
Enjoy the beautiful area of Finger Mountain and take a walk around the short hiking path. This is just one more opportunity of many for some amazing pictures.
BLM Arctic Circle Monument Sign
Upon reaching the Arctic Circle, one of the five markers of latitude (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Equator & Antarctic Circle) you will be met with a glorious site. The weather in this region can range from extreme cold in the winter months (September to May) to temperate heat, as high as 90 * Fahrenheit (32 * Celsius) in the summer months. (May to end of August). Hop out and stretch your legs, take a walk and capture photos of this unique location. After around half hour of sightseeing, enjoy flipping through your photos with your official Arctic Circle Certificate in hand. Sit back and enjoy the journey back to Fairbanks on this one of a kind trip. With your camera filled with photos and an official Arctic Circle certificate in hand to show off to your friends and family back home, relax on the drive back to Fairbanks. This small-group tour is limited to 8 to 9 people, ensuring you’ll receive personalized attention from your guide.
Stop at the Yukon River Camp and visit the mighty Yukon River. This is your last chance to visit a Restroom with running water (there will be many more stops at outhouses along the road). You will also have a chance to buy some more snacks or visit a one of a kind store with handmade gifts and fur items. Something you will not find at any other tourist store around town.
What's included
Included
Personalized Arctic Circle Certificate
Local guide
Snacks & Bottled Water Provided
Hotel Pickup and Drop-off within Fairbanks City-Limits
Not included
Gratuities
Lunch (available for purchase at Yukon River Camp)
Pickup Locations & Times
We will contact you the day before your tour with your exact pickup time. We can only pick up from hotels within the Fairbanks City-Limits. We cannot pick up from the airport. If you are staying at an Air BnB or outside of city limits, please contact the office via email or phone call.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
731 reviews
How it compares in Fairbanks
- No. 7 by number of reviews among 164 tours in Fairbanks
Excurgo comparison of 164 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- Please dress appropriately. The weather in the Arctic can change very quickly. During the summer months it can get very warm and rain might be always possible. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and bringing a rain/weather jacket.
- The weather conditions are in no way predictable in our area and we will not offer a refund in case of too many clouds.
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers.
- This tour is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
- There is a possibility of cancellation due to dangerous weather and/or road conditions. If this occurs, an alternative date or full refund will be offered.
- Type of transportation: Van
- The group size is limited to 8 guests for each Transit van. Larger group bookings are possible and multiple vans will be used in this case.
- This tour requires being able to enter and exit our van with limited assistance. Please contact us if you have any concerns about mobility.
- Every guest must sign a waiver before any tour so they clearly acknowledge the inherent risks of wilderness travel, assume responsibility for their own safety, and confirm they are medically able to participate.
- Not recommended for people with limited mobility.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Arctic Circle Day Tour take?
Arctic Circle Day Tour lasts about 13 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Arctic Circle Day Tour cost?
Prices start at $335 per person for this Fairbanks experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Arctic Circle Day Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 7:00 AM.
Can I cancel Arctic Circle Day Tour for free?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will contact you the day before your tour with your exact pickup time. We can only pick up from hotels within the Fairbanks City-Limits. We cannot pick up from the airport. If you are staying at an Air BnB or outside of city limits, please contact the office via email or phone call. Pickup points include Billie's Backpackers Hostel, The Adamina.
What languages is Arctic Circle Day Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 9 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
This tour is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
This tour requires being able to enter and exit our van with limited assistance. Please contact us if you have any concerns about mobility. Not recommended for people with limited mobility.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Is Arctic Circle Day Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 731 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Alaska Wild Lights.
Reviews(731)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
8
Dont go with Milo
Never made it the the Artic circle. Driver decided it wasnt safe so he turned around when we were almost there. He complained the roads were never this bad! It was raining!! It was bumpy but we read about Dalton highway being bad.. at the pipeline, right outside fairbanks, we order our food for when we got to the yukon post. We mever made it there... we stopped on the side of road to help girls with a flat tire. There was a van behind us from the same company and they stop too. The girls complained the road to the circle was bad!! Milo heard trucker telling each other to be aware of the raod we already past, due to the water. (On the radio) the 2 drivers from Wild lights tour, began to argue. Our driver wanted to turn back, the other wanted to go ahead.... after sitting on the side of the road for at least 2.5 hrs Milo decided we were going back and the other driver went ahead. We never ate or we t to the bathroom. Was never asked our apinion. Turned arou d the sun behind us and only stop was at a portable toilet.... the road was not flooded and they had cones to show were the water was which didnot wash away. We were in the van from 2pm till 10pm . If the other van made it to the circle please let me know.. My heart is broken!!!!!!!! Milo find a simple job. We r working on getting our money back...
Operator response
Dear Rosemarie, We sincerely apologize for how disheartening and frustrating this experience was for you. We recognize how deeply disappointing it is to look forward to reaching the Arctic Circle and have the journey cut short. Operating on the remote Dalton Highway presents extreme and unpredictable wilderness conditions. That day, severe rain and localized water runoff prompted real-time trucker warnings over the radio, leading to difficult, split-second safety assessments. Our guides are trained to prioritize human life and guest safety above all else when evaluating treacherous road conditions We understand your frustration, and we want to assure you that management has actively addressed this incident internally with our driving team. More importantly, we are committed to resolving this directly with you, and everything is now resolved Sincerely, Alaska Wild Lights Management Team
9
Northern Alaska Adventure
Great experience and very knowledgeable guide/driver made the trip a pleasure
J
Tour to the Arctic Circle
We enjoyed Wes our driver and guide. The road is part paved and part dirt and bumpy which didn’t bother us but might others. We had a nice group of 10 and our meal at Yukon River Camp was very good. You can buy snacks there when you stop on the way to the Arctic Circle and order your evening meal which will be ready when you return on the way back to Fairbanks. If you want more than snacks for lunch, you will need to bring it. The gift shop was very good. Also this is the only flush toilet on the trip so take advantage of it both directions.. I would definitely recommend this tour.
L
Long day well worth the time
It was a great drive up to Artic Circle. With several stops along the way for restroom breaks and scenery views/picture taking. Parts of the road are a little bumpy but not as bad as we thought it would be. Traveler be aware, this is an all day tour that can take 12 + hours, but is well worth the time if the Artic Circle is on your bucket list. Our driver made the trip seem shorter than it actually was providing all sorts of information along the way.
L
Amazing experience
Milo was outstanding: compassionate, very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and excellent at pointing out and explaining events we experienced. Truly enjoyable and educational as well as an awesome introduction to the area of the Dalton Highway. Kudos!!
M
All about bragging rights.
This tour is all about bragging rights, bragging that you've been on the Dalton Highway and bragging that you've been to the Artic Circle. The Artic Circle itself is a bit anticlimactic because it's just a sign. You arrive at the sign after hours in the car, get a few photos and then drive hours back. Not sure if it is worth it to be honest. Our guide was still new and did not have a lot of facts to share and on the drive we did not see any wildlife, which I know is not anybody's fault, it is just how it is. The company did provide a few snacks but it is a very long day so I would suggest packing your own snacks and drinks. Also pack mosquito spray (although the company did have some as well). On the way out of Fairbanks we stopped at a view point for the oil pipeline which was pretty cool. The company does give you a certificate saying you were at the Artic Circle which is nice but maybe a bit large. It was difficult to pack it in the suitcase in a way that made sure it did not bend or crease, at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center it is possible to get a smaller certificate that just packs easier.
T
Artic circle tour
Great Experience! The van was clean and in excellent shape. Jessica was a great guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks again for a great day!
J
It’s a long ride for very...
It’s a long ride for very little reward. The trip itself was more about the dalton hwy than the arctic circle. We expected more.
C
Great! It was a bumpy...
Great! It was a bumpy ride but it just added to the total experience. Long day but worth it. Definitely recommend this tour and our guide Dylan.
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