HOT SPRINGS · NORTHERN LIGHTS & HOT SPRINGS
Sitting in hot water while the sky does something is the best way to wait out an aurora forecast. The 15 below run in Iceland, Finland and Alaska, priced, with the cloud-cancellation policy each one actually applies.
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group, tour the Aurora Ice Museum, reserve dinner, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora on the way home. Guides such as Savvy, Jessica, Tyler, Gina, and Shannon are praised for tracking skies, wildlife, and safe viewing stops.
“Savvy was great. She made the experience fun and was willing to do whatever she could to make us comfortable.”
Travel from Reykjavík to Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Kerið with an English-speaking guide, then relax at the Blue Lagoon with a towel, mask, and drink. After a short break, head into the countryside to search for the Northern Lights. Guides such as Siki, Addi, Roman, and Michael are praised for clear stories, humor, and extra stops.
“Great day with q local guide, full of history and tips of the city etc. Is quite a small group which is nice. Unfortunately due to the weather conditions the northern light tour was cancelled and rescheduled so can’t comment on this one, but all the rest is great!”
Spend about four and a half hours in Finnish sauna culture near Rovaniemi. Nordic Adventures provides hotel pickup, a wood-fired sauna, towels, slippers, lake swimming, and an open-fire salmon dinner. Evening departures from late October to mid-March also include a chance to see the Northern Lights. Guides may include Alex, Pedro, or Tanija.
“fantastic experience! the owners are very nice and nice, the place is magical and the Finnish sauna is a unique experience. I recommend everyone to try this experience!”
Spend four hours outside Rovaniemi with a guide such as Pedro or Mattia, using a wood-fired Finnish sauna beside an Arctic lake, taking optional ice plunges, and eating salmon in a wooden cottage. Evening departures from late October to mid-March add a chance to see the Northern Lights, though the sky may stay dark.
“We have enjoyed both the hot sauna and the cold lake! Plenty of time was allowed for the activity. The meal at the end was tasty as well!”
Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 14. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, eat dinner at the resort, soak in the 106 F mineral water, and watch for auroras. Guides such as Gina, Greg, and Ron may make extra stops when the sky is active.
“Greg is very informative. We had a great aurora sight seeing of him. Thanks.”
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs on a 10.5-hour evening outing with a small group of up to 12. You’ll visit the Ice Museum, soak in the indoor pool or adults-only Rock Lake, and wait for the aurora. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Randy, and Paul have earned praise for clear local stories and patient aurora watching.
“We were disappointed that it was cloudy the whole time. No aurora We really enjoyed the hot springs. It was a pleasure getting to know Linus Platt our guide. Bravo Linus.”
Meet your English-speaking guide in central Rovaniemi, then head to a forest sauna complex beside a lake. You will have about an hour in a traditional Finnish sauna, with towels, slippers, and hot drinks provided. Guides such as Mara, Maria, and Frederico have helped make the outing personal, but Aurora sightings depend on weather and solar activity.
“This experience is going to stand out for us as incredibly memorable for years to come! We arrived in the forest complex to the twinkle of fairy lights and floor candles lighting the pathway into the visitor centre, and as if by devine intervention the sky opened up with a fine show of Aurora for us as we were shown to our lakeside Finnish sauna. Our guide Mara gave us a good rundown of what to expect and how to keep the sauna going- though we confess the Northern lights specacle kept us distracted for a good portion of our time! That said, we found this trip a perfect amount…”
Leave Rovaniemi for an Arctic forest retreat where you spend about an hour using a traditional Finnish sauna and open-air Jacuzzi. Brave an ice hole in a frozen lake, then warm up with tea and gingerbread while watching for the Northern Lights. English guidance, towels, and slippers are included.
Spend an afternoon at the Blue Lagoon with Comfort admission, a silica mud mask, towel, and drink. Return to Reykjavik, then head out by coach to search for the Northern Lights with an English-speaking local guide. The aurora is never guaranteed, but a free repeat tour is offered if the sky stays dark.
Spend an evening at Chena Hot Springs Resort with pickup in Fairbanks, a 45-minute Ice Museum tour, hot springs access, and an aurora chase on the return drive. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, and Kevin add local stories and practical help. Dinner is optional, and the Northern Lights depend on weather.
“We want to give a huge thank you to our wonderful guide, Savvy! She took us to Chena Hot Springs and on an incredible aurora chase. Thanks to her knowledge and dedication, we witnessed a breathtakingly beautiful aurora explosion—a truly unforgettable experience. Savvy was incredibly attentive, professional, and responsible throughout the entire trip. We are so grateful to her for making this adventure so special. Thank you, Savvy”
Spend a long Icelandic day visiting Kerið, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir, then soak in the Secret Lagoon before a separate evening Northern Lights hunt. The $185 price includes transport, guides, WiFi, and both admission tickets. Guides such as Anna, Daniel, Sunny, and Matt have earned praise for clear stories and helpful photography tips.
“My family of 6 opted to have a 2 day layover in Iceland. To see some of Iceland, we chose this tour the morning after a midnight arrival. Iceland is incredibly beautiful, and the landscape changes frequently. We were able to see this beautiful part of Iceland in a safe and efficient manner. To and from the sights, our guide gave us interesting facts and stories about Iceland. The bus driver was safe and experienced. You are with hundreds of tourists, so it will be congested. With that said, this tour was well executed to let us see the highlights of the Golden Circle.”
Leave your Fairbanks hotel in a small group of up to 10, visit the Aurora Ice Museum, soak at Chena Hot Springs, and wait for the Northern Lights. Guides such as Joe, Ryan, and Daniel are known for helpful local insight and flexible aurora viewing. Bring swimwear, a towel, cash, and warm layers.
“The tour was nice and the springs were wonderful. Our guide Ryan was exceptional making sure we were comfortable and helped us to see the Northern lights after our mineral springs visit. The restaurant served good food in a nice atmosphere. Other than that the property did not have much to do for the long time you spend there. It was a little plain for what we expected for the price”
Spend about four hours at the Blue Lagoon with Comfort admission, a silica mud mask, towel, and drink, then return to Reykjavik for a guided northern lights outing. The tour lasts about eight hours, includes WiFi and round-trip transfers, and runs in English. Clear skies are never guaranteed.
“The blue lagoon was beautiful and peaceful. Wish we could have seen the northern lights, but the weather wouldn't participate”
Start around 5pm with Fairbanks ice art, then stop for dinner before heading to Chena Hot Springs. Guide Kevin or Tabitha helps you photograph the Aurora Borealis and may chase clearer skies beyond the resort. Soak in the mineral pool, watch for the lights, and return around 1 to 2am.
“Hot Springs very relaxing. Not the best night for viewing but guide Tabitha was great. Learned a lot about winter life and sustainability.”
Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening soak, a guided ice museum visit, and time to watch for the aurora. Guides such as Kevin, Andrew, Andre, and Tristan have helped make the outing personal and easy to follow. Bring a swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, and quarters for the lockers.
“This experience was absolutely amazing and Andrew our guide was fantastic! To say we had an amazing time is an understatement. We would absolutely recommend this experience.”
By tradition, by country, or by the kind of day it makes.
