Anchorage : Seek The Aurora

Anchorage

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Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It’s known for its cultural sites, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which displays traditional crafts, stages dances, and presents replicas of dwellings from the area’s indigenous groups. The city is also a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains including the Chugach, Kenai and Talkeetna

The northern lights can be seen from September to April with the best viewing in winter.

Credit: Sara Loeffler
Credit: Vasilis Karkalas
Credit: Pixabay
Credit: Tomáš Malík
Credit: Angelica Reyn
Credit: Howard Herdi

Book an amazing adventure in Anchorage

Free cancellation

Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

4.9 (2587)

6 hours From £157.12

Experience the Big Outdoors and Portage Glacier Cruise! See the amazing beauty that surrounds Anchorage. This special tour does not follow any set route. Nor does it follow a time table. Use your time wisely by going into the wilderness to see wildlife and view glaciers. Summer only: an option, on a 80 ft. cruise ship. (available 11am departure only and May 24 - Sep 21.) We follow the sun, the wind and our hearts to navigate your vacation towards the most scenic locations capable for the day of your tour. The Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience includes entrance into the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. During summer you'll have an option to include a glacier cruise on the mv Ptarmigan. Learn about our rich history and see the Ring of Glaciers. This award winning tour can not be replicated by any other service or shuttle. The Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience offers highly trained Adventure Guides who's sole purpose is making your vacation memories last a lifetime.
Free cancellation

Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Local Honey, Wine Tasting

5.0 (50)

8 hours 30 minutes From £231.77

Your glacier tour will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature! Along with a sampling of several different locally made Alaskan Honey and wine. Experience the Matanuska Glacier like never before with our exclusive tour. Unlike other tours, we offer small group sizes, providing a more personalized and intimate adventure. The knowledgeable guides are passionate about sharing the glacier's geological insights, which enrich your experience. Additionally, our tour emphasizes sustainable practices, ensuring minimal environmental impact while preserving the glacier for future generations. With safety as our top priority, we provide top-of-the line equipment and thorough safety briefings, allowing you to explore the glacier confidently. After the trip we will have a sampling of several locally made Alaskan Honey and wines! Join us for a truly unforgettable journey into the heart of Matanuska Glacier!
Free cancellation

Glacier View & Wildlife Anchorage Adventure Tour

4.9 (168)

7 hours From £123.35

Our Glacier View and Wildlife Adventure Tour is the perfect way to experience the unique beauty, views and experiences in just a day trip from Anchorage. We curated this tour from our favorite local experiences! The ease of being able to walk just a short distance, along a glacier river, and to get up close to Byron Glacier is awe inspiring. We also include a guided experience at the Wildlife Conservation Center. It's guaranteed wildlife viewing of bears, Elk, Moose, Wolves and more, plus it supports a great cause. * Hassle free hotel pick up and drop off * Only Local Certified Alaskan Tour Guides * Short Anchorage City Tour/ULU Factory * Entrance to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center *Guided walk to view and experience Byron Glacier *Generous Snacks, water and personal Welcome Anchorage Bag *Stop for optional lunch and local cafe in Girdwood *New Mercedes Sprinter Vans and SUV's Our mission to to help guests see the best of Alaska in a day tour from Anchorage!
Free cancellation

Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer

4.9 (84)

7 hours From £178.34

The Seward to Anchorage VIP Tour and Transfer is a small-group tour that has been curated to offer the best and most unique experiences for you for your family or group. We love to provide top-shelf personalized service and experiences so that you can see Alaska your way! With room for up to 12 guests, you'll travel in comfort and style in a fully equipped new Mercedes Sprinter Van, complete with your very own Experienced Alaskan driver-guide. We will pick you up in Seward, and begin the tour to Anchorage. Included is a guided tour of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with over 250 acres of all the Alaska animals. Short break at Girdwood Station with a stop for optional lunch. We'll spend time in the stunning Portage Valley with a short walk up to Byron Glacier and stop at the Portage Glacier Lodge. A final stop at Beluga Point for photos and watch for Dall Sheep and other wildlife. End with Anchorage's best spots and drop off at your hotel, airport, or place of choice!
Free cancellation

26 Glacier Cruise and Coach from Anchorage, AK

4.6 (276)

11 hours From £264.05

We make it easy to see it all in one day! Relax on the coach as the driver guide narrates while you enjoy the beauty of Turnagain Arm. On the cruise get ready to view one of the largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife activity changes daily and our captains may adjust the route to provide the best cruise experience while keeping your safety and comfort a top priority. We take pride in ensuring that your time with us is an enjoyable memory that becomes a favorite highlight of your Alaska vacation. We operate first-class catamarans. Due to their dual hull design, these powerful high-speed catamarans are extremely stable and able to smoothly navigate through the narrow fjords and passages that lead us to the face of massive glaciers. By operating safely and efficiently, Phillips provides a comfortable cruise and our No Seasickness Guarantee assures nervous cruisers the confidence that they will enjoy our cruise without any unpleasant effects.
Free cancellation

Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour

4.8 (188)

8 hours 30 minutes From £243.55

Experience the natural wonder of Alaska's Matanuska Glacier with our full-day guided tour. Beginning with a convenient pickup from downtown Anchorage, you'll embark on a scenic two-hour journey, driving through landscapes of towering mountains. Along the way, we'll stop at local eateries, offering you the chance to purchase lunch. Upon reaching the glacier, a seasoned guide will equip you with crampons, making glacier navigation safe and manageable. Then, an all-terrain vehicle will transport you to the glacier's base. Here, you'll set off on foot to explore the glacier's icy expanse, discovering fascinating ice formations and gaining insight into the glacier's natural history from your knowledgeable guide. After this unforgettable experience, we'll journey back to Anchorage, ensuring a comfortable drop-off in downtown. This tour is a perfect blend of adventure, education, and scenic beauty, offering an in-depth encounter with one of Alaska's most impressive glaciers.

0%

Currently there is a 0% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Anchorage area.

Kp 3.33

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.

Bz 2 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 0.05 p/cm³

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm³).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm³.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce the stunning light displays known as auroras.

Speed 549.9 km/s

The speed of the solar wind also plays a significant role. A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.