We are going to Alaska this summer. I have read so many reviews of van trips to the Arctic Circle and they are about split, 50-50 on whether to take the trip or not. Please share if you think that taking the trip is worthwhile, good expenditure of money, and which company you would use, if you think the trip a good idea.
Thank you so very much,
Susan
Fairbanks Alaska: Arctic Circle Tours?
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I can't tell whether or not any tour company is worth it, simply because (believe it or not) I simply drove a rental car to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton Highway -- NOT RECOMMENDED!
I will say that all you will experience when you go beyond the Yukon River is scenery that is quite "blah," as well as fairly minimal opportunities to see wildlife -- at least compared to scores of other places in Alaska. The ONLY reason to take this tour is to get a photo of yourself standing next to a sign stating that you are at the Arctic Circle -- which is all I got. Worth it? Hard to say. Considering the QUITE considerable financial risk I was taking, probably not. You won't have the risk, but you'll be paying more out of pocket.
Thank you so much, Paul. I was beginning to get the same impression.
The drive-fly packages from Fairbanks generally cost around $400 per person; the drive-only trips about half that.
Frankly, for not a whole lot more (and less if you happen to have some Alaska, American or Delta frequent flyer miles) you can fly from Anchorage to Kotzebue, an Eskimo village on the Arctic Ocean (and north of the Arctic Circle) and see a very different view of Alaska than the one experienced by the vast majority of visitors. Spend a "night" (but it won't be), dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean, learn about a remarkable culture and way of life... way better than sitting on a bus for hours for a 10-min. photo op with mosquitoes.
I cannot speak as a customer doing an Arctic Circle trip, but I can tell you as an occasional driver for the trip for 1stAlaskaOutdoorSchool.com that I think our guest have found it worthwhile to make the journey. The Arctic Circle tour offers a much more intimate understanding of Alaska, and what it takes to live here than a shorter tour can offer. I've started keeping a photo journal of our tours and you can see some photos from on of our Arctic Circle tours there. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151175370091923.444411.239620156922&type=1
Whatever you decide, make sure to enjoy the trip. It's a fun and unique experience no matter how you experience it.
Thank you all for your responses and for taking the time to write. The advice is much appreciated.