The team at Alaska Tour & Travel is an adventurous bunch, and we don't take recommending day tours and excursions lightly. That's why, when we're not manning the phones at our office in Anchorage, we like to go out and experience what our guests will. Next stop? Richenda takes us out on the multiday Arctic Ocean Adventure.
When did you go on the tour?
Middle of summer, July 6, 7, and 8. The tour was three days and two nights:
- Day 1 - Fairbanks to Coldfoot with stops at the Yukon River and Arctic Circle
- Day 2 - Coldfoot to Deadhorse with stops at Wiseman, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, and the Coastal Plain
- Day 3 - Arctic Ocean dip and a return flight by small plane to Fairbanks
My tripmate snaps a photo at Atigun Pass on Day 2.
What were the days like? Set the weather scene.
The day we left Fairbanks it was hot, close to 85 degrees. Wildfires are common in Interior Alaska in the summer, so not only was it hot, it was also quite smoky. It stayed that way through the first day driving to the Yukon River, across the Artic Circle, and into Coldfoot. On our second day it started out clear and sunny so we had perfect views climbing Atigun Pass. By the time we pulled into Deadhorse at the end of the day, it was a misty 38 degrees. Jackets on! It even sleeted a bit the next morning when we dipped our toes into the Arctic Ocean.
Cool(er) morning at Coldfoot Camp. Rooms were simple, but comfy.
Let’s talk logistics. Where’d you meet? How did the operator prep you for the tour?
I called the tour operator the day before my trip was set to depart and talked to Jake who confirmed my meetup time and location as well as my ID information, which is required for access to the Arctic Ocean. We also went over luggage restrictions. Because we're flying back to Fairbanks on a small plane, we're limited to just 10-15 pounds per person. Best to pack in something soft sided, too.
The tour kicked off at the operator's office on the morning of the first day. I met my fellow travelers, there were just four of us and we all turned out to be traveling solo, which was unique. We also got to meet our guide, Tim. He was a bird expert, having worked throughout Alaska conducting biology field studies for much of his career, who now spent his retirement guiding these Arctic tours. Tim gave us a full trip brief, detailing each day and showing us on a map our route from Fairbanks to Deadhorse. After that we stocked up on coffee and loaded into the tour van to start our 500-mile journey north.
Looking northward toward the Coastal Plain as we worked our way out of the Brooks Range.
Overall impressions? What’s the vibe like? What did you see/experience/learn?
It was a remarkable experience, from start to finish. We got to see parts of Alaska most locals never have the chance to lay eyes on. Our guide provided fascinating narration nearly the whole time, all while skillfully managing our tour van on the notoriously rough Dalton Highway (aka the Haul Road of Ice Road Truckers fame). The accommodations in Coldfoot and Deadhorse were certainly basic. But they were also clean and perfectly comfy after long days on the road. The food at both those remote outposts was fantastic, too. To top it all off, going with a small group gave us all a chance to get to know one another over those three days. By the time we touched down in Fairbanks we'd already started a group text to share photos.
Icepack on the Arctic Ocean had only broken up a week before.
What was your favorite moment on the tour?
The landscapes are unbelievable, especially that view cresting over Atigun Pass in the Brook Range. We learned so much about the Arctic's remarkable wildlife and unique ecology, even got to dig into the tundra and touch permafrost. But what stands out to me the most are the fascinating people we met along the way. People just passing through, like backpackers waiting on the road for a supply drop. People there for just the summer season, like the National Park rangers staffing the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot. And lifelong locals, like Jack in Wiseman, whose stories of life in the far Arctic we could have listened to for days.
Now that you’ve done this tour, what advice would you give guests?
- Prep yourself for long days. We were on the go for about 10 to 12 hours on the driving days with many stops along the way.
- Pack layers. Our temps ranged from 35 and misty in Deadhorse to nearly 90 in Coldfoot.
- Yes, it was buggy. It's just a fact of life in the middle of summer on the tundra. Layers help for this, too (no shorts!). We applied bug spray for our Wiseman stop, and our guide also had headnets, though we never really needed them thanks to a consistent breeze.
If you're a second or third time visitor to Alaska, or if you really want to get "out there" and see places few do, the Arctic Ocean Adventure is the way to go. This multiday tour is available northbound (like I did it), as well as southbound where you start the tour with a flight up to Deadhorse and work your way back by road to Fairbanks. Let us know if you have questions!
More Like This: Denali Glacier Landing Flight from Talkeetna
At Alaska Tour & Travel, we specialize in building custom trips for every timeline, personality, and budget. If you'd like to have an Alaskan plan your Alaska trip, give us a call at 800-208-0200.
Posted in: Best Things to Do, Local Advice, Trip Reports