For travelers who embrace cold weather and crave authentic adventure, Gondwana Ecotours has launched the Solar Maximum Alaska Northern Lights Adventure, an eight-day tour timed to coincide with a once-in-a-decade peak in solar activity.
During the solar maximum—the most active phase of the sun’s 11-year cycle—the Aurora Borealis becomes more frequent and intense. This tour gives guests an exceptional chance to see the northern lights at their most vivid and dynamic.
© Gondwana Ecotours
Guests travel to the heart of Alaska’s auroral oval, one of the prime regions for consistent aurora displays. Each night, travelers return to a cozy, family-owned lodge with sweeping panoramic views, and when the aurora activates, participants receive a personal wake-up call so no one misses the spectacle. Professional photographers accompany the group to offer instruction on how to frame and capture stunning images of the dancing lights.
Daytime activities are deeply rooted in authentic Alaskan culture and landscape. Highlights include dogsledding through snow-laced forests with an experienced musher, learning to play curling alongside enthusiastic locals, and visiting an off-grid homesteading family for a shared meal and stories about life in the Alaskan backcountry. Participants can relax in a natural geothermal hot spring, enjoy tea with a family of reindeer herders while hiking with their gentle animals, and discover an intriguing ice sculpture museum that showcases local artistry.
© Gondwana Ecotours
“The best part of this tour is the people we will meet,” said Jared Sternberg, founder of Gondwana Ecotours. “We visit an off-grid family to learn about their lifestyle, play curling with local enthusiasts, and even enjoy tea with a reindeer-herding family. Those personal connections bring Alaska to life.”
Gondwana Ecotours has scheduled multiple departures for the Alaska Northern Lights Adventure running through early April 2026. The eight-day itinerary includes all lodging, meals, guided activities, and the special aurora wake-up calls. International or regional flights are not included.