Anchorage Northern Lights Tour
Anchorage, United States

Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

Outty Ranking 66 4.7 · 141 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $376
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 141 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Anchorage Northern Lights Tour worth booking?

Anchorage Northern Lights Tour is a 6-hour experience in Anchorage, United States, from $376 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 141 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (141)
Duration
6 hours
From
$376 per person

Embark on a journey to view and photograph the aurora borealis in the greater Anchorage area. Aurora Borealis portraits, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, and photo instruction included.

What you get

    About this experience

    Embark on a journey to view and photograph the aurora borealis in the greater Anchorage area. Aurora Borealis portraits, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, and photo instruction included.

    What's included

    Included

    • Web quality photographs and portraits
    • Snacks
    • Hotel Pickup/Drop Off
    • Aurora science education
    • Tea and coffee
    • Aurora Forecasting Service prior to your tour
    • Services of a professional Alaskan Aurora Guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Greatland Adventures

      The aurora borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders this world has to offer.  Join us on a quest to view and photograph the northern lights in and around the Anchorage area.  We will use our luxury tour vehicle as a base camp as well as a state of the art portable winter shelter complete with heater, chairs, hot drinks and snacks.  We use modern technology to forecast both the space and earth weather each night.  The tour only operates on nights that have a reasonable expectation for the lights to be visible.  While we cannot guarantee you will see the aurora, if we do operate the tour we have over a 90% success rate of seeing the northern lights. You only pay if we operate the tour.  This tour is designed for anyone who has viewing the northern lights on their bucket list including both sightseers and serious photographers.  Aurora photography instruction as well as Aurora portraits are provided.  Tours generally depart at 9 pm and return at 3 am.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Anchorage

    We pick up at downtown and mid-town Anchorage Hotels. For guests staying at an AirBnB or other rental property we will have you meet at our office at 854 East 36th Ave.

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    We pick up at downtown and mid-town Anchorage Hotels. For guests staying at an AirBnB or other rental property we will have you meet at our office at 854 East 36th Ave.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Greatland Adventures

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Minimum age 13. For groups with younger children please inquire about our private northern lights tour.

    Photos

    Anchorage Northern Lights TourAnchorage Northern Lights TourAnchorage Northern Lights TourAnchorage Northern Lights TourAnchorage Northern Lights TourAnchorage Northern Lights Tour

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 140 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    140 verified traveler reviews for Anchorage Northern Lights Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    121
    4 star
    7
    3 star
    3
    2 star
    3
    1 star
    6
    Sort
    Dushaun_D · October 2026

    Phenomenal Experience - 10 out of 10

    Exceptional Experience!! Dennis our tour guide and photographer was great. Extremely knowledgeable, humorous, transparent, and overall a great guide. He really went above and beyond to ensure our experience seeing the lights were remarkable. For it to be early season of northern lights, it really was a great night and show to watch. We also saw a Shooting Star and one of the passengers caught it in their photo. Dennis was able to capture such a special moment of the shooting star for Vanessa in her photo. Words simply can’t explain the entire experience, you just have to witness for yourself truly. Special shoutout to Steven and Dennis for their great predictions and allowing us to have a phenomenal experience and core lifetime memory. Hands down best Alaska experience. The northern lights are light beautiful angels communicating in the sky😍

    via Viator

    Enoch_L · October 2026

    Chasing the Aurora is a...

    Chasing the Aurora is a mix of skill and luck (weather / sun etc). And Steven & his team were great! We were watching the geomagnetic activity level vs cloud coverage, and after deciding that the day before the booking was actually our best bet - they kindly switched our trip day to 1x day before and made it work 🙏 And we had a magical time! (while it was a bit cold, so do dress appropriately). They were skilled taking photos of us (included in package), and can't really fault them for anything 😅

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the fantastic review! Yep, chasing the Northern Lights is definitely a balance of science, timing, and a little bit of Mother Nature's magic. We’re always keeping a close eye on the weather and solar data, so when we saw that clearer window opening up, we were more than happy to shift your booking to give you the absolute best chance of seeing the show. We’re so glad you had a magical evening, and we're thrilled you loved the photos! Dressing warm is definitely the secret to enjoying the wait, but we're happy the views made the cold weather totally worth it. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another chase in the future!

    via Viator

    pat_g · September 2026

    Awesome display of Lights!

    Well worth the experience! My adventure seeing the lights was iffy after constant rain shed doubt on the evening but my guide went out of her way to drive us over the mountain range to lead us to a window in the cloud cover to show our group the spectacular northern lights.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour! Aurora hunting takes patience and persistence, so we are thrilled that your guide was able to navigate the weather, cross the mountains, and find that clear window for your group! We hope the memories of that night stay with you for a long time, and we'd love to welcome you back on another adventure in the future!

    via Viator

    Neha_P · September 2026

    Steve was super...

    Steve was super knowledgeable and he made this tour comfortable taking to places and also clicking pictures for us.

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the glowing review of our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour! We’re thrilled to hear that Steve made your tour so comfortable and informative. Getting those great photo ops captured is all part of the service! We know how important it is to take home those memories. We hope to welcome you back for another tour anytime!

    via Viator

    dmkopera1 · August 2026

    Wow

    We had a great time seeing the lights! Dennis and his colleague were knowledgeable enthusiastic and engaging! They took great care of us throughout the night. The light show was amazing!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear you had such an amazing time watching the northern lights. Dennis and the team love sharing the magic of the lights, and they'll be delighted to know their knowledge and care made your night so special. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable night under the lights!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    49
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Greatland Adventures, who run 11 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.4.

    See everything Greatland Adventures runs

    Why this scores 66

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
    Review evidence (18% weight)67
    Booking momentum (14% weight)61
    Value for money (12% weight)42
    Listing quality (10% weight)58
    Local standing (8% weight)37
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Anchorage Northern Lights Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Anchorage.

    How much does Anchorage Northern Lights Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $376 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Anchorage usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Anchorage Northern Lights Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Anchorage is not rushed.

    Is Anchorage Northern Lights Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 141 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Anchorage, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Anchorage Northern Lights Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Anchorage Northern Lights Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Anchorage Northern Lights Tour?

    +

    Around 49 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Anchorage can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Anchorage and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Anchorage Northern Lights Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Anchorage within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Anchorage?

    +

    Anchorage is the staging point for glacier cruises out of Whittier and Seward, Denali flightseeing, wildlife conservation centre visits, dog sledding and northern lights chases in winter. Long transfer times make itinerary honesty essential. On Outty we rank every Anchorage experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PRISTINE - Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience in Anchorage, Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour, Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Anchorage?

    +

    June to August for glaciers, September to March for aurora. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Anchorage?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Anchorage Northern Lights Tour?

    +

    Included: Web quality photographs and portraits; Snacks; Hotel Pickup/Drop Off; Aurora science education; and Tea and coffee. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Anchorage Northern Lights Tour include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 48 listed pickup locations in and around Anchorage. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.

    What languages is Anchorage Northern Lights Tour offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Anchorage Northern Lights Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Anchorage Northern Lights Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Anchorage Northern Lights Tour?

    +

    Across 141 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Anchorage Northern Lights Tour.

    Pick your date