Best Alaska Tours in Autumn

Hop on a Train to Fairbanks to See the Northern Lights

There are many Alaska train tours through the scenic winter wonderland of Alaska's backcountry. Why not take an exciting train ride to beautiful Fairbanks? Plan your trip anywhere from December to March and you can witness the main reason so many tourists are drawn to this region - the spectacular Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.

Alaska Northern Lights tours feature the fantastic ribbons of shimmering light decorating the sky for hours on end. Get the very best views of "nature's lightshow" from late night to early morning, and then set off for one of Fairbanks' many cafes and restaurants for breakfast with the locals. They will gladly share intriguing tales of the town's Gold Rush history with you.

Take an Alaska Flightseeing Tour through Denali

Soar above the frozen peaks of Denali (previously called Mount McKinley). It is the highest mountain peak in North America and the third most prominent mountain peak in the world. Denali flightseeing tours can take you to view the magnificent rivers, glacial valleys and alpine tundra of an isolated wilderness that few before you have explored.

You can also opt for an evening flight over majestic Denali. Finish off your tour with a relaxing soak in the natural hot spring-fed "Rock Lake" located at Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks. While at Chena Hot Springs, be sure to stop by the Aurora Ice Museum. It's the world's largest year-round ice museum and you can have a frosty drink at its ice bar!

Travel by Cruise Ship along the Fjords

Alaska cruise tours are the ultimate in luxury, comfort and amazing sightseeing opportunities. Join a cruise from Vancouver through the stunning fjords all the way to Anchorage. From here you can join a variety of Anchorage tours to explore the city, culture, and surrounding wildlife preserves.

You can even visit Alaska's first town, Ketchikan, to learn about the rich cultural history of its native groups. See the world's largest collection of totem poles and explore the Misty Fjords National Monument.

Your cruise will also sail through the pristine waters of Glacier Bay, past awe-inspiring tidewater glaciers. You also get the chance to learn interesting facts about the area from authentic Park Rangers.

Search for Wildlife on an Adventure Tour from Sitka

Alaska was once called "Land of a Thousand Smokes" because it is home to a large number of volcanoes.

The seaside community of Sitka (with traces of its Russian heritage) is the perfect place to start if you wish to go on Alaska land tours to the dormant Mt Edgecumbe volcano. Sitka tours can satisfy the intrepid explorer in you when you choose to:

• hike the volcanic coastline of Kruzof Island to Mt Edgecumbe

• grab a pair of binoculars and go wildlife watching in Sitka Sound for whales, otters and tufted puffins

• go on a Brown Bear Quest and see if you can also spot Sitka blacktail deer, American bald eagles, river otters and mink

• have an eco-adventure aboard a raft along the Sitka coastline in search of whales, sea lions and a myriad of seabirds