TourTruth score 8.0 out of 10
Photo 1 / 6
Anchorage Northern Lights Photo Tour 6 hr
Average
229 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Anchorage
- 6 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Search Alaska’s night sky on an Anchorage photo tour with a professional guide, aurora portraits, snacks, and a free make-up tour if needed.
About this tour
Set out from Anchorage after dark to search for the Aurora Borealis beneath Alaska’s vast night sky. This 6-hour Anchorage Northern Lights Photo Tour pairs the thrill of the hunt with guidance from a professional photographer, who shares insights into the science behind the aurora and practical photography skills. No photography experience is needed.
Your guide checks the aurora and weather forecasts each day, and the tour runs only when conditions suggest a chance of seeing the lights. The experience operates from August to late April and includes hotel pickup in Anchorage. Along the way, enjoy snacks and hot coffee or tea, and take home aurora portraits. A blanket and tripod are also provided, along with state park admission fees.
Because the aurora and weather are unpredictable, a sighting is never guaranteed. If the lights do not appear during your tour, you receive a free make-up tour. Reserve a night under the Reserve Now & Pay Later system and finalize payment 48 hours in advance. Book an Anchorage Northern Lights Photo Tour for a memorable evening under the Alaskan sky.
Highlights
- Watch the Alaskan night sky with a professional photographer guide
- Learn about the science of the Aurora Borealis and build photography skills
- Get aurora portraits and a free make-up tour if the lights do not appear
What's included
Included
- Aurora portraits
- Blanket
- Snacks
- Professional photographer guide
- State park admission fees
- Tripod
- Coffee and/or tea
Not included
- Gratuities
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on Viator
Viator
4.64 / 5 · 183 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide
4.46 / 5 · 46 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Common complaints
Important information
- Hotel pickup in Anchorage
- Tours run from August to late April when forecasts indicate a chance of seeing the aurora
- Northern lights sightings are not guaranteed because aurora and weather conditions are natural phenomena
- A free make-up tour is offered if the northern lights are not seen
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- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for small children
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 6 hours.
When does the tour operate?
Tours run from August to late April and operate when the aurora and weather forecasts indicate a chance of seeing the lights.
Are Northern lights sightings guaranteed?
No. The aurora and weather are natural phenomena, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
What happens if we do not see the Northern lights?
You receive a free make-up tour.
Do I need photography experience?
No. The tour welcomes sightseers and photographers of all experience levels.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.64 on Viator and 4.46 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Anchorage
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.8.
Provider rating distribution in Anchorage
How many tours in Anchorage have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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