Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase Tour

Catch the lights, then warm up. This Fairbanks outing combines a long soak at Chena Hot Springs with an evening hunt for the northern lights, making good use of a dark winter day. I like the generous resort stay and the small group size, capped at seven people. I also like that photography help and five edited aurora portraits are included.

The main catch is simple: you pay $285 per person before hot springs admission, the Ice Museum, rentals, and tips. The aurora cannot be promised, either. Still, the guide’s constant weather tracking and willingness to move to a better viewing spot give you a fair shot, especially if clouds have spoiled earlier nights.

Key details at a glance

• A 10 to 14 hour outing: You leave around 3:00 p.m. and may return well after midnight, depending on the aurora chase.
• Three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs: You have time for the pools, Ice Museum, Geothermal Tour, food, and a relaxed break before the night chase.
• Small groups of seven or fewer: This allows more direct help with cameras, phones, timing, and aurora viewing.
• Five edited aurora portraits included: The photographer chooses the final images at their discretion.
• Pickup from Fairbanks and North Pole areas: Pickup is included within 25 miles of the airport, with fuel charges possible for some locations.
• Aurora viewing is never guaranteed: Clouds can block the sky, and the tour may be canceled for poor weather with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Why this Fairbanks combination works

Many aurora outings involve sitting in a vehicle or waiting in a remote spot for hours. This tour gives you something worthwhile to do before the sky gets dark. You spend the afternoon at Chena Hot Springs, then use the return trip toward Fairbanks as an active aurora chase.

That structure matters. If the lights appear late, the resort fills the waiting time with warm water, food, and indoor sights. If the aurora forecast shifts, the guide can adjust the viewing plan instead of keeping you tied to one fixed spot.

I especially like the mix of comfort and uncertainty. The hot springs provide a dependable part of the day. The northern lights provide the wild card. You know you will have a long ride, a resort visit, and a guide explaining the science. You do not know exactly what the sky will offer.

The outing is led by a small local operation, Wandering Alaska LLC. The guide named in the feedback is Lindsay, who made a strong impression by working hard to find a clear viewing area after three cloudy nights. That kind of persistence matters more than a polished sales pitch when the sky refuses to cooperate.

The 3:00 p.m. departure from Fairbanks

Pickup begins at about 3:00 p.m. from lodging in Fairbanks or the North Pole area. Transportation is included from locations within 25 miles of Fairbanks International Airport. Pickup farther from central Fairbanks can bring a fuel surcharge, and the company accepts pickups within a 50-mile radius for a fee.

You should treat the timing as a starting point, not a firm return schedule. The entire experience lasts roughly 10 to 14 hours. Driving time, the length of your resort visit, weather conditions, and aurora activity all affect the final arrival.

The drive to Chena Hot Springs is part of the experience. There is time for scenery photos and wildlife spotting along the way, though sightings are never promised. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a nonstop photo session. The main goal is to reach the resort with enough daylight and early evening time to enjoy it.

The group limit of seven is a real advantage. A small van or vehicle group makes it easier to ask questions, share forecast updates, and get individual help with a camera or phone. It also limits the social strain of spending a full night with strangers.

Three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs

You get approximately three to six hours at the resort, depending on the schedule and conditions. That is enough time for a proper break rather than a hurried dip.

The hot springs pass costs $20 per person and is not included in the tour price. Check the current admission arrangements when booking, but plan on this extra cost. The thermal pools are the centerpiece, and the warm water is particularly welcome after time outside in Alaska’s cold.

The resort gives you several ways to spend your time:

• Relax in the hot springs.
• Visit the Ice Museum and Ice Hotel.
• Take the Geothermal Tour.
• Eat at the restaurant or deli.
• Arrange a massage, if you book far ahead.
• Explore the property at your own pace.

The Ice Museum costs an additional $20 per person. It is a separate charge, so add it only if the ice displays interest you. An ice bar martini is also available for people over 21, but alcoholic drinks are not part of the tour price.

The Geothermal Tour adds useful context to the hot springs. Rather than treating the water as just a warm place to sit, you can learn how the resort uses geothermal energy. Since the tour offers several optional activities, you can shape the stop to suit your energy level.

A practical warning: massages need to be booked well in advance. Do not count on arranging one during the visit. The restaurant and deli make meals easier, but your included snacks and drink supplies are useful if you want something quick rather than a full sit-down meal.

Warm water, cold air, and the practical side of the stop

The hot springs are a good buffer between two very different parts of the day. You can spend time indoors, eat, and warm up before heading out to watch the sky. That rhythm helps, especially because the aurora chase may keep you outside late into the night.

You should still prepare for cold. The company specifically warns that very young children may struggle with extreme cold during a full night out. All ages are welcome, but families with young children should think carefully about the long duration, late return, and time spent outdoors.

Restrooms are available at the resort. Away from the resort, the outing may reach remote areas without plumbing, and bathroom breaks can be outside. This is not a minor detail in winter. Use the facilities before leaving Chena Hot Springs and ask the guide about the next stop.

Mobility questions should be raised before booking. The company says it will do its best to help with specific mobility needs, but no detailed accessibility plan is provided. A long drive, outdoor stops, and remote viewing areas may require extra planning.

The aurora chase back toward Fairbanks

After your time at Chena Hot Springs, the guide begins the aurora chase. This is not simply a drive back to town with a quick roadside stop. The guide follows live information from NOAA and NASA and watches cloud conditions and aurora activity.

That active approach is one of the tour’s strongest features. Clouds are the main thing that can fully block the lights. If one viewing area is cloudy, the guide may search for a clearer place. The exact route and stopping points depend on that night’s weather, so you should expect flexibility rather than a fixed sightseeing list.

The company says the aurora is visible in Fairbanks on nine out of ten nights from August through April when it is dark. That figure should not be treated as a promise for your date. Some displays are faint, some are strong, and cloud cover can end the show before it begins.

The feedback gives a useful example of what the chase can mean in practice. On one difficult night, Lindsay worked to find a viewing spot after three nights of solid cloud cover. Another outing found a pleasant viewing place despite a generally cloudy day. These details point to the value of a guide who keeps checking conditions instead of giving up early.

Still, no guide controls the sky. You should book this with the right expectation: the effort to find the lights is part of the experience, but a sighting remains uncertain.

Photography help and the five included portraits

Photography help is included on every tour. You can ask for assistance with a phone or a dedicated camera, which is useful because aurora photography often requires settings that are not obvious in the dark.

The package also includes photography portraits with the aurora, with five edited photos provided at the photographer’s discretion. That gives you a chance to come home with more than blurry green streaks and silhouettes. The exact number of finished images is five, and the photographer chooses the final portraits.

Rental equipment costs extra. A Sony A6600 mirrorless camera is listed at $55 per booking, while a Sony A7iii costs $50. A camera tripod is $25, a cellphone tripod is $15, and a memory card for a rental camera is $15.

Those add-ons can change the value calculation. If you already own a capable camera and tripod, bring them. If you are relying on a phone, the included help and cellphone tripod option may be enough. Ask about rental availability before the day, particularly if getting your own aurora photos is a major reason for booking.

Simple snacks and supplies for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea are included. These are modest touches, but they matter during a late outdoor wait. Extra surprises may be added depending on the weather, though you should not book for any specific bonus.

Is $285 a fair price?

The base price is $285 per person. That is not a cheap evening, but it covers a long outing, round-trip transportation from eligible Fairbanks-area lodging, the Chena Hot Springs drive, the resort visit, a full aurora chase, photography help, simple refreshments, and five edited portraits.

The value improves if you want both the springs and the aurora. Booking separate transportation to Chena Hot Springs and a separate night chase could cost more and would require careful timing. This outing also removes the worry of driving long distances after staying up late in winter conditions.

The price feels less attractive if you only want a quick hot springs visit or a short aurora stop. You are paying for a full-day commitment, active weather monitoring, and the guide’s time over many hours. The admission charges add up:

• Hot springs pass: $20 per person
• Ice Museum admission: $20 per person
• Camera rentals: $50 to $55 per booking
• Camera tripod: $25 per booking
• Cellphone tripod: $15 per booking
• Rental camera memory card: $15

Tips are not included. The company asks you to consider tipping the guides if you value the outing, but no amount is required.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this tour if you want one carefully organized day that covers two major Fairbanks-area activities. It suits you if you prefer a small group, need pickup, want help with photography, or do not want to drive through the night while watching the forecast.

It is also a good choice for a short trip. If you have only a few nights in Fairbanks, combining the hot springs and aurora chase saves calendar space. The included portraits are a bonus for anyone who wants a keepsake without managing every camera setting alone.

You should think twice if you dislike long days, cold outdoor waiting, uncertain return times, or simple remote restroom arrangements. Families with very young children may find the late hours and cold especially demanding. You should also have a backup attitude about the aurora. The guide can search, but no tour can order clear skies.

The small group makes the long duration easier. You get more direct contact with Lindsay or another guide, and you are less likely to feel lost in a large crowd. The strongest praise is directed at the guide’s effort, clear explanations, and ability to keep searching when clouds caused trouble.

Final call: book it for the combination

Book this tour if you want Chena Hot Springs and a serious aurora chase in one day, and you are comfortable paying extra for admission and rentals. The long schedule, small group, photography support, and active weather tracking make the $285 price reasonable for the right person.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed light show. Book it because the resort gives you a worthwhile afternoon, the guide keeps watching the conditions, and the chase gives you the best available chance on that night. If you can handle the cold, late return, and uncertainty, this is a practical way to make one Fairbanks evening count.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at approximately 3:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts approximately 10 to 14 hours.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip transportation from Fairbanks or the North Pole area is included for eligible lodging within 25 miles of Fairbanks International Airport. Pickup farther away may involve a fuel surcharge.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of seven people.

Is admission to Chena Hot Springs included?

No. The hot springs pass costs $20 per person and is paid separately.

Is the Ice Museum included?

No. Ice Museum admission costs $20 per person.

Is the aurora guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Cloud cover can prevent viewing, and the guide monitors information from NOAA and NASA to choose the best available viewing conditions.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If you cancel or request an amendment for another reason, the booking is non-refundable.