I am interested in a Tour to see the Aurora Borealis. Do you recommend any Tour Operators and what time of year is best for the greatest visual experience ?
Thank You.
Jack
Dear Jack,
Well, you have a number of options, so let's lay them out!
The Northern Lights (aka the Aurora Borealis) are as common to the Alaskan Interior as, well, moose. So that's one of the places you can head to see these surreal curtains of light. The Northern Lights peak between December and March in Alaska. Since the lights don't move, you don't really need a "tour" to follow them around; simply go to the right place, look up, and let your jaw drop.
The lights can be seen in Fairbanks, Alaska but it's not an ideal place to view them as the city lights dim their effects. Instead, I'd suggest you go where Japanese honeymooners head (they believe that children conceived under the Norhtern Lights will be lucky): to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Located about a 2.5 hours from Fairbanks, its a popular, old-fashioned resort, with rustic cabin accommodations and hot springs that folks soak in year round. In fact, many people get into their bathing suits to watch the Aurora Borealis from one of the outdoor soaking pools--a rather surreal experience. In addition to Northern Lights watching, the resort features cross-country skiing, snowmobiling ice skating, snowshoeing and a museum of ice sculptures in the winter months. Many of the so-called "Northern Lights Tours" simply take you to Chena Hot Springs; by booking yourself and cutting out the middle-man, you'll save a good amount of money. Go to www.chenahotsprings.com for full information.
A second option: Iceland. The economy in Iceland is, you'll excuse the pun, melting down and so it should be much cheaper than usual to head there to see the Northern Lights if you wish. The season is the same, and deals can often be had from the national carrier, Iceland Air (www.icelandair.com), which also sells air/hotel packages. It will start advertising Aurora Borealis packages in August, most likely.
Or you could cruise the fjords of northern Scandinavia, an area where the lights start a few weeks early (you usually have good viewing from about Nov 15 through March 31). Hurtigruten Cruises, a friendly, not very glitzy but certainly comfortable line, offers itineraries that cover the Arctic Circle and the North Cape (the northernmost point in mainland Europe). Along the way, you'll have to option of touring a Viking museum, dog sledding and visiting a snow hotel. For more information, you can go to the site of Hurtigruten (http://www.hurtigruten.com/norway/Voyages/theme/Hunting-the-light/).
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