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Night under the Northern Lights

I remember I read about these mysterious lights in my Social Studies Geography book somewhere in my mid-school but I almost forgot about them as I grew up. After I being passionate about landscape photography, researched more about these lights that glow in green color and also dance. Yes you read it correct, the lights that dance in the air when you look above.

2016 October, I planned to visit Alaska - where you can watch these lights in USA, but somehow I passed these plans to March 2017, because during October to April you will only see little amount of day light in Arctic region and I wanted to make more out of my trip when I visit Alaska. Finally booked my tickets in week 1 of April.

How to plan your visit to Alaska to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?


Aurora Borealis Captured by Shiva Nara where it is shadowing across the Arctic North and FairBanks, Alaska.


I booked from Dallas, TX to Fair Banks, AK through Alaska Airlines - the best airlines I can say to travel to Northern parts of the US and Canada in mid of February i.e. a month and a half prior so you don't get beaten up with high ticket prices.
Flights usually start from Seattle, WA to all the major cities of Alaska.

Check your hotel bookings at the same time. I booked from Expedia and we stayed at Pikes Peak Lodge - just 2 miles away from the Fairbanks Airport. They do have a shuttle pick up from airport to the hotel.

Also visit for booking your day trip to Arctic Circle and Northern Lights viewing. Never think of renting a car and driving all the way to the Arctic Circle as you will not be able to get out of the most rugged highway - Dalton Highway. The path was deadly, more furious in winter when the snow actually turns into black ice.

Most rugged Highway


Arrived at 6 A.M. at the touring company and waited for the bus along with a group of 12 other tourists. Finally at 7:15 AM we got into the bus and are on our way to Arctic Circle. Most of the journey was through the up and down hills with the road covered with snow along the Dalton Highway. Trucks that pass from the Prudhoe Bay (the top most point you can reach in Alaska) all the way to south drenches you in the mud rain specially when it rains (which is almost everyday).

Waiting at the Touring Company at 6:00 AM for the bus.


Scenes like below will appear all the way and you will need to listen all the stories that the driver a.k.a tourist guide will whisper in the microphone (barely audible).

Pikes standing long and there is a huge thick ice rock where they actually grow from.


After travelling for about an hour and half we arrived at the entrance of the Most rugged highway in the world i.e. James Dalton Highway, of course you need to take some pictures though.

James Dalton Highway Entrance which takes you all the way to Prudhoe Bay

Travel for 2 more hours and then you reach at the lunch point just after you cross the mighty Yukon River. The river was frozen completely when we visited and there was Eskimos who has a nice snow bike which you can ride if you owe him a cigarette (for men) and a hug or kiss (for girls). Yes that is his way of charging the rent for the ride.

Frozen YUKON river


By the way you get some hard sandwiches there. Try the Salmon baked Salad/Sandwich, tastes much better after the travel to the deserted place.

One more hour to get to the Arctic Circle point which isn't much exciting once you reach there, because all you see there is below picture. Of course you will need to experience the feel, the soul and mind how you got there by traveling all the way from Fairbanks to Arctic Point. The tour company will serve you with Hot chocolate beverages and some chocolates to keep you warm. You spend about an hour there and return to your origin where  you will be chasing for the auroras in the skies. They would be slowing lightning up the north skies and move on in circles.

Arctic Circle Post where it almost snows all day and night. Feels like on the top of the world!


What was the feeling when you actually experience them?

I can absolutely say there was God above my head and dancing in the skies. You will definitely remember some of the movie graphics that you had watched - you name it.


High Intensity of Northern Lights Captured on our way to Fair Banks Hotel in some remote place around 3 AM.


As they slowly start lightning the northern skies with green color they glow gradually and circle around the atmosphere with vibrant colors and dance like a curtain in sky. Magnificent Nature!

Once in a lifetime to experience one of your nights under the dancing Auroras. Don't miss the chance when life opens that doors for you!! I mean it!!!

Some links to book your tours and lodging while you are in Alaska.
If you need any assistance further on how to plan your trip to Alaska write me at snaraphotography@gmail.com



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