The Solar Maximum is in full force, book a trip this year to capture vibrant colors before they're gone.
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

The Solar Maximum Is A
​​​​​​​Once-In-A-Decade Phenomenon. Don't Miss It!

The peak for solar activity is now. That means with each year you wait to be awe-struck by their beauty, the less intense the showings will be. They won't be like this again for another decade.

arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Witness the Peak of the Solar Maximum
2026 marks the peak of the solar maximum, the most opportune time in over a decade to experience the Aurora Borealis in all its glory. This celestial event enhances the intensity and frequency of Northern Lights displays, making it an unmissable spectacle for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Fairbanks: The Ultimate Aurora Destination
Without a doubt, Fairbanks is the world’s best location for Aurora Borealis photography, boasting high aurora activity and generally clear skies. Situated directly beneath the Auroral Oval & with the a drier climate - your chances of excellent Aurora photographers are MUCH higher in the Alaskan Interior than in other popular locations such as Iceland, Norway, Hudson Bay etc. 
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Tailored for Photographers - Not Tourists
This isn’t your average tour; it’s an immersive photography experience designed for serious photographers who want to capture the Aurora Borealis at its best. With expertly scouted locations, personalized guidance, and a schedule built around optimal shooting conditions, every detail is geared toward helping you craft extraordinary images. 
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
Strategic Locations for Unparalleled Compositions 
Our remote cabins near Fairbanks are strategically positioned to provide exceptional vantage points for photographing the Northern Lights. Away from the light pollution of the city, we have a series of excellent locations offering pristine, dark skies that enhance every frame you capture. With expert guidance and perfect settings, your Aurora shots will be nothing short of spectacular.

Trip Details For Ultimate Northern Lights

Click Each Section To Expand & Learn More!
Start/End
Fairbanks, AK / Fairbanks, AK
Length
​​​​​​​
7 Days/6 Nights
Fitness Level
Level 1 - What's This?
Group Size
Up To 7 Guests
What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
  • All transportation during the workshop
  • All lodging during the workshop
  • All permits and park fees
  • Professional photography guiding and instruction
  • Gratuity for hotel, restaurant, and service staff
What's Not Included
  • ​​​​​​​Transportation to and from Fairbanks, Alaska
  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
  • Lodging outside workshop dates
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Souvenirs and personal items
  • Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities
  • Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.
Details
  • Final Balance Due 120 days prior to Trip Start​​​​​​​
  • Trip Insurance Optional - but highly recommended​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

There are many places to see the Northern Lights. Few places rival Fairbanks.

Positioned directly beneath the Auroral Oval, Fairbanks offers one of the most reliable opportunities on Earth to witness and photograph the aurora borealis. Combined with long nights, a dry interior climate, and easy access to remote wilderness locations, it has earned its reputation as one of the world's premier aurora destinations.

Our Ultimate Northern Lights Photography Workshop is designed around a single goal: maximizing your opportunities to experience and photograph this extraordinary natural phenomenon while learning alongside experienced professional photographers who know these skies intimately.

A Proven Northern Lights Experience

For more than a decade, our Ultimate Northern Lights Photography Workshop has been one of the most popular and consistently requested programs in our lineup. It has introduced hundreds of photographers to the aurora borealis and remains one of the best-selling workshops on our calendar year after year.

The images featured throughout this page were captured during past departures of this very workshop. Season after season, our groups return with remarkable portfolios showcasing vibrant aurora displays, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable moments beneath Alaska's night skies.

Our reputation has been built not only on the photographs our guests create, but also on the experience we deliver. Guest reviews consistently highlight the dedication of our guides, the quality of instruction, and our commitment to putting photographers in the best possible position for success.

The Advantage of Fairbanks

Location matters.

Fairbanks sits in the heart of Alaska's Interior, where dark skies, favorable weather patterns, and frequent auroral activity create ideal conditions for Northern Lights photography. We schedule our departures during September, October, and March, traditionally among the most productive months for aurora viewing and photography.

For more than a decade, we've refined this workshop around the conditions, locations, and timing that consistently deliver the best opportunities. When the forecast looks promising, we know where to be and when to be there.

Living on Aurora Time

The Northern Lights don't operate on a schedule, so neither do we.

Each evening begins with a relaxed dinner before we head into the Alaskan night in search of clear skies and active aurora displays. Depending on conditions, we may photograph from frozen lakes, scenic viewpoints, remote wilderness locations, or cozy backcountry cabins selected for their outstanding foregrounds and unobstructed views of the northern sky.

When the lights appear, you'll be ready. Our guides provide hands-on instruction throughout the workshop, helping you master camera settings, composition, focus techniques, exposure, and creative approaches to photographing the aurora.

Whether it's your first time seeing the Northern Lights or your tenth, few experiences compare to watching ribbons of green, purple, and crimson dance overhead beneath Alaska's vast night sky.

More Than the Aurora

While the Northern Lights are the star of the show, Fairbanks offers plenty to experience during the day.

You'll photograph beautiful Alaskan landscapes, improve your long-exposure and low-light photography skills, and enjoy authentic Interior Alaska experiences, including an unforgettable dog sledding excursion and caribou farm (dependent on season). Between outings, you'll have opportunities to review images, refine techniques, and learn from both instructors and fellow photographers.

An Experience You'll Never Forget

The aurora borealis is one of nature's greatest spectacles, and no destination in North America offers a better combination of accessibility, comfort, and photographic opportunity than Fairbanks.
Join us beneath some of the darkest skies in Alaska and experience the magic of the Northern Lights with a team dedicated to helping you create remarkable images and unforgettable memories.
​​​​​​​
The Northern Lights are waiting.

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 (Travel Day) (D)
Plan to arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska by 5pm today. We will have an orientation dinner and preliminary instruction on Northern Lights Photography then it’s off for a few hours of rest. We will wake you up just before midnight to head out to one of our favorite locations – a frozen lake surrounded by dark forests for an incredible first night of Northern Lights Photography.

Days 2 - 6 (B,D)
We’ll spend the next several days photographing the Northern Lights around Fairbanks. Each night we’ll head out to different locations and photograph the Aurora Borealis! During the day, you can catch up on much needed sleep, and we’ll offer you other activities such as dog sledding (weather-dependent, usually in March if there is enough snow). We’ll have opportunities for post processing work, and instruction to help improve our photography as well.

Day 7 (B)
After the final night of shooting, which will go until 4 AM at the latest, you can book your flight home for any time after 8 AM. Hotel check-out is at noon, giving you the option to sleep in.


Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.

You Won't See Auroras Like This For Another Decade

arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

Book Your Northern Lights Trip Today

​​​​​​​[Block//Trip//Trip Category (Destinations)]
[Block//Start Date %M j%+0] to [Block//End Date %M j, Y%+0]
From [Block//Current Price] for [Block//Trip//Trip Length (Days)] Days
Trip Leaders:
[Block//Trip Leader #1]
[Block//Trip Leader #2]

settings
PREVIOUS
settings
NEXT

Unlock a FREE Northern Lights Webinar
​​​​​​​Hosted By Landscape Pro Matt Meisenheimer

Fill Out Our Short Form To Unlock This Webinar
settings
settings
settings
settings

Check Out Our Past Northern Lights Articles

[Block//Author//First Name] [Block//Author//Last Name] |  [Block//Published Date]
settings
PREVIOUS
settings
NEXT
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

Awarded 2025 Travelers' Choice 

Backed by 500+ five-star reviews and recognized as a Travelers’ Choice winner for 5+ years, Backcountry Journeys is trusted by photographers worldwide for exceptional experiences and world-class service.
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
[Block//Review]
[Block//Trip Reviewer//First Name] - [Block//Date Of Review %n/j/Y%+0]
Verified Guest
[bot_catcher]