As your starting point for your tour, Fairbanks sets us up for success in experiencing the aurora regardless of the nautical direction we travel from the city. Whether we travel west, north, or east, we'll find excellent viewing spots away from crowds and city lights. As we chase the aurora, it'll become clear as to why Fairbanks and Interior Alaska is one of the best places in the world to experience the Northern Lights! Located at 65°N latitude, Fairbanks sits in a very special geographical location: directly under the northern auroral oval. The auroral ovals are ring-shaped zones around each of Earth's magnetic poles where the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis occur. In Alaska and throughout polar latitudes in the northern hemisphere, we have the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis, a spectacular and mesmerizing phenomenon that's potentially visible on any clear night.

The Parks Highway stems west from Fairbanks and is the main artery between Fairbanks and Anchorage. Along the Parks are a number of beautiful viewpoints suitable for aurora viewing. On nights where northerly conditions are not favorable, we may head west toward the small community of Healy, just outside of Denali National Park.

Heading north from Fairbanks is the Elliott Highway, which spans about 70 miles before reaching the infamous Dalton Highway. Along this remote roadway are numerous excellent aurora viewing locations where other aurora chasers are seldom spotted. Because of the Elliott's remoteness and frequent open views of the northern sky, it is a preferred route for your tours.

The Richardson Highway connects Fairbanks to the famous Alaska Highway before jutting south at the town of Delta Junction, where it continues south and soon enters the Alaska Range. Along the Richardson are numerous excellent viewing areas, from wide-open lakes to vistas of the Alaska Range. This is a preferred route when weather to the north is prohibitive and when weather in the direction of the Richardson is favorable.