Original Arctic Circle Drive from Fairbanks
Overview
Available languages
16 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover Alaska’s Arctic! Experience for yourself the legendary hospitality and authentic interpretation that made the Original Arctic Circle Drive Adventure famous. Travel the famed Dalton Highway. View the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline. Visit the Arctic Circle Trading Post. Experience the mighty Yukon River. Explore up close the amazing arctic tundra. Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate.
The ground tour can take place in a 26 passenger coach or 15 passenger van depending on the number of guests we have.
Longest time between stops is 2 hours; however, some stops will be closer. Most stops have an outhouse or bathroom for guests to use if we are not traveling in the coach which has a bathroom on board.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
This tour is conducted in a 25 passenger motor coach or 15 passenger van depending on the number of guests traveling. The coach does have a restroom on board to be used between stops or at stops that don't have a restroom. If we are not traveling on the coach we will be stopping approximately every 2 hours for a restroom break -- which are outhouses along the Dalton Highway.
We encourage guests with any questions on limited mobility and this adventure to contact us and speak directly about the tour and what your needs are to see if they can be met.
CHECK IN TIME - Check in opens at 5:45AM and closes at 6:00AM for this tour. Guests not here by 6:00AM risk missing this tour.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
James Dalton Highway
DOES NOT GO TO COLDFOOT - But Viator Locator only has Coldfoot. Guests will be on the Dalton Highway from Mile 0 - 115 - The turn around for the day tour is the Arctic Circle Rest Area. This is a full day guided ground tour on the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle. Along the way the guide will share the story of Alaska's Arctic both while in motion and at the various stops along the way.
Yukon River
The Dalton Highway has the only bridge crossing the mighty Yukon River -- and guests will be on it as they make their way north. A stop is made here both north and south to get out and step along the banks of the Yukon River. This is also the home of the Yukon River Camp Noodle House where guests can purchase lunch/dinner as needed.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Professional guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Driver/guide
Live commentary on board
The listed price does not include a parking fee, payable at the time of tour check-in.
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Original Arctic Circle Drive from Fairbanks
Reviews
208 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
On the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle
628rustyt,,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This experience was difficult to rate. What is easy to rate was our tour guide, Sabrina who under the most adverse physical conditions got us to the Arctic. Circle and returned us home safely, an absolute professional. For me this was a bucket list item to be accomplished while I was in the Fairbanks area in early September. So we start our tour understanding bathroom facilities for the most part with an exception at the Yukon river are outhouses. We had a stop at a site outside Fairbanks dedicated to dispensing information about the Trans Alaska pipeline with Sabrina providing additional information. Later during the trip Sabrina played an informative video about its construction. I did not and as a general rule wildlife sightings are rare in the course of the trip. Well the Dalton highway is 75% gravel road of its 389 mile length and weather had turned the highway into a quagmire so much so that a road grader was scraping the top 3 in of mud at the bottom of inclines so vehicles could get traction meanwhile a steady rain accompany us through most of out tour. The logistics went off without a hitch as both lunch and dinner orders at the Yukon river camp went smoothly. Unfortunately the inclement weather removed an opportunity to view either the Yukon river nor the area surrounding the Arctic Circle turn out / parking lot. We were very close to having to turn around like 10 mi from the Arctic circle. Fortunately the decision was made to go forward. Sabrina then in a steady rain had to put chains on the rear wheels for the return trip but at least it was ona hard asphalt surface, subsequently she had to remove the chains while operating in 3 in of mud and even with chains on it was touch and go for a 10 to 12 minute stretch to see if we could work our way up this incline under our own power. This trip is normally accomplished in 12 to 13 hours ours took 19 from 6AM Wed to 1AM Thurs.
Arctic Circle
Y8943KJstevenh,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was well worth the trip there for my once in a lifetime experience. Our guide and driver were excellent all the way there and back. Highly recommend this to anyone seeking an adventure.
Dave's Crew of Explorers
Lorraine K,,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Alaska does Not control the Weather. It was raining and of course a muddy road the entire tour. Tour bus about half full. Stops along the highway were Awesome & colorful terrain, viewing the pipeline, even in the rain. The Yukon River stop/camp was so welcoming with delicious food. Narrative Dave spoke was Awesome, history shared. I was told to expect our seats to be rotated on 3 contacts with this Wonderful Tour, yet that option never happened. I would have Loved to experience 1 of the 4 coveted front row seats. We all paid the same money. However, I tipped well, although a traveler wanted to send a check. Really ? Please Plan Ahead. These folks work Very Hard. Many Thanks for this Experience.
Arctic adventure
Crichards1313,,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The overall experience from booking to seeing the Arctic Circle was very well done. Easily booked online, received a confirmation call the day before to ensure we knew time and place to meet. We arrived as recommended then headed out in a comfy van for our trip north. David, our guide, was knowledgeable and told great stories. Lunch and dinner at the Yukon River Camp were quite good! It’s a long day but well worth it
66 lattitude
Steven H,,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good tour along with the guide that took this group there, very well done! Everything went on schedule and was just what the company says it would be!
Arctic Circle, tundra stop, Trans AK pipeline tour in 1 day
DAVID Y,,Sep 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jeremy was our driver who spent the entire day (6:30 am to 10:30 pm) with us. There were various outhouse stops. We enjoyed lunch/dinner at the same restaurant (only indoor plumbing stop) by Yukon River. The tundra stop (near Finger Mountain) was amazing. The late summer colors were simply stunning. We made two Trans Alaska pipeline stops. Upon reaching Arctic Circle sign, we enjoyed a small picnic. Interesting we had two outhouses (one north and another one south of sign) 50 yards apart. Jeremy was very informative and friendly. Halton Hwy is very challenging to travel on, but he made us feel safe. We also got documentation certifying we reached the Arctic Circle. Great job, team! One bucket list item now crossed off.
Great experience
Bryan Y,,Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The trip was handled by a very knowledgeable guide who knew the areas and their history well. His leadership made the trip a great learning experience alongside the beautiful views.
Long drive to Arctic Citcle
Karen Y,,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Long drive on Dalton Highway to get to Arctic Circle from Fairbanks. A fair few stops of interest including the pipeline sanction Camp Rver cafe. The drive is about 800 miles in total there anbd back and takes over 14-15 hours. At the Arctic Circle there is only marker sign but it is a bucket list item to tick off. You receive certificates for going the Arctic Circle
Great Trip
Doug P,,Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful. It’s a long day/trip but Paul was great. He made the day very special. A lot to see and to take in.
Dalton Highway Experience
sawyershane,,Jul 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic trip. Jeremy, our driver, was great. Gave us so much history of Alaska and the Dalton Highway, he was an excellent driver. This ride is not for the Sunday sightseeing crowd. The day was perfect. I would highly recommend this company.
From US$239.00
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Operated by Northern Alaska Tour Company