Anchorage Aurora Quest - Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

Offered by Alaska Photo Treks In Anchorage, Alaska

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About us

Alaska Photo Treks (dba of Through The Lens Alaska, LLC) was founded in 2013 by a trio of professional photographers who had a mission to share this amazing state with others through the lens of their cameras. Today, we are a group of Alaska photography guides and associates. With extensive and unique backcountry photography experience, each of us is also a professional photographer in our own right, with many diverse clients and assignments when not instructing or guiding. We are well-versed in Alaska’s natural history and have much to share about our lives in the 49th state.

Our fun, photo-centric tours, workshops, classes, and guide services cater to all levels of photographers (and non-photographers on some of the day tours). Technical, creative, and regional expertise in Alaska’s most scenic locations is our specialty. We know where to be and when, and have a pretty good track record at finding wildlife too! Services are tailored to fit every skill set and level of interest. Whether you’re a serious shooter or dabbling in photography with a smartphone camera, our aim is to help you take home the best scenes and memories Alaska has to offer.

What we'll do

This Anchorage northern lights tour is designed to maximize fun and opportunity with the Aurora Borealis. We are proud to have been highlighted by Iceland Air’s Stopover magazine as one of Anchorage’s “Hidden Hot Spots” in its Spring 2019 issue (page 64) and listed as one of “the best northern lights tours in Alaska” by U.S. News & World Report.

Our goal is to help you enjoy the magic and mystery of the aurora borealis with this tour. Whether you want to learn how to photograph it or simply enjoy viewing it, this tour is for you! This Anchorage northern lights tour only runs when the forecast indicates that there is a good chance of seeing the aurora borealis with the naked eye, applying the criteria we review (see below). We pick you up at your Anchorage hotel accommodations and take you on a nocturnal adventure to witness the magical lights rippling over snowy peaks and dancing across dark waters. This Anchorage northern lights tour allows you to either select a single night or purchase a multi-day pass, increasing your chances of success. It’s the perfect complement to winter day tours and a great option for business travelers to Alaska from August to late April. This Anchorage northern lights tour also provides information to help you understand the science behind the aurora borealis. Photographic coaching and aurora portraits are provided for those who desire them. Cameras are available for rent, and tripods are complimentary. And if all you have is a smart phone, still join us! Most of our guests are just like you.

What to expect / what's provided

What's Included
-Anchorage area hotel pickup and drop-off (Girdwood and Alyeska Resort bookings may be made for groups of 6 or more).
-Narrative on the science and lore surrounding auroras provided by your guide.
-Light snacks and water (we strive to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the environment, so fresh water from a jug along with refillable cups).
-Hot beverage selection including hot cocoa, apple cider, tea or coffee.
-Hand and toe warmers
-Creative and technical photography instruction is offered by your professional photographer guide.
-Professional portraits of you with the aurora borealis or night sky are complimentary.
-North Slope-rated heavy winter parkas/jackets are available for loan (indicate during booking if you need to borrow one).
-A Sony mirrorless camera is available for rent ($30/tour).
-Tripods are available for loan, with a limited number of cell phone attachments.
-Guiding and instruction

What To Bring
If your aim is to take home aurora images of your own, you will need the following: Camera with manual settings
-Camera with manual settings
-Everyone should install the My Aurora Pro and Amazing Aurora apps for northern lights information.
-Newer iPhones have a Night Mode that is capable of taking decent photos of the aurora. However, for more manual exposure control, smartphone photographers should install the Camera+ app (iPhone), the Filmic Pro or Camera FV-5 Lite app (Samsung), or Firstlight or Filmic Pro app (Google).
-Headlamp
-At least 64GB memory card
-Wide angle lenses ranging from 14-70mm, with a preferred aperture of f/2.8 (f/4.0 can also work).

Transportation
-A specially outfitted high-top 12-passenger van. Driver is your photography guide.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your reservation at least 24-hours in advance if your plans change and we will provide a full refund. If you are not available for the night you reserved and the tour runs, you will be charged for your seat if it was too late to fill with another guest.

For those who book a four-day pass, that does not guarantee that the tour will run each of the four nights. It allows you to participate in the tour as many times as the tour runs during those four days. The four days must be consecutive. The only time we will provide a full refund is if the tour does not proceed at all during your four-day pass period. If the tour proceeds only one day, you are refunded your booking amount minus the rate for a single-day pass. If the tour proceeds only two days out of four, then no refund is provided (as the price for a four-day pass is slightly less than the cost of two single-day passes).

You will be notified if the tour is canceled due to cloudy, rainy, or snowy conditions. You will be fully refunded in such a case.

A 2-person minimum is required to run this tour. If the minimum is not met, you may be given the option to purchase a second seat, reschedule, or cancel.

Payment is confirmation of your acknowledgment of the risk inherent in this natural phenomenon; once it’s received and the tour departs, no refund will be issued if auroras do not appear as expected. However, if you do not see the northern lights during your tour, you can join us on another booked tour for free. Simply contact us to see if there is another booked tour during your visit, and we will reschedule you.

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