Recently, the BBC released an article showcasing the hottest and hippest travel trends for 2025 vacation destinations and activities. While we like to think we buck most trends, these many opportunities – from night tours to something called “Calmcations” – resonated with our Greatland Adventures team. So we’re taking a riff on the great BBC story with our own trendy, relatable, and utterly marvelous lineup of Greatland Adventures tours you can take advantage of in Alaska. Read, enjoy, and book your unforgettable experience today!
As BBC writer Laura Hall says, noctourism is a combination of tours and evening or nighttime experiences, and they’re hot for 2025. Lucky for travelers, Greatland Adventures’ northern lights tours are already in place and ready for some supercharged aurora viewing in either Fairbanks or Anchorage. We’ve written a lot about chasing the northern lights on our blog, and aurora tours are one of the most popular among visitors, but here’s an even brighter light (ha) for 2025: Solar activity is going to be very high in 2025, sending charged particles on a fast track to Earth with levels we haven’t seen in years, and that means fabulous aurora borealis displays. And where better to see them than on a guided tour with an expert, all-local team?
Greatland’s northern lights tours operate between August and April and are extremely popular, so be sure to book ahead of your visit, and read up on our tips for maximizing your aurora-chasing experience!
Check out our full lineup of northern lights tours, here.
With humans’ busy, overscheduled, and fast-paced lives, it’s no wonder people feel the need to ask for tranquility during their vacations. Alaska checks this box for several reasons, the most obvious of which is Alaska’s vast stretches of wilderness with no cell or internet connections and few people. Suppose relaxation and immersion into nature are what you seek. In that case, we’ve got you covered in a big way, with experiences like hiking the scenic Chugach State Park near Anchorage or flying out to Katmai National Park to view brown bears fishing for salmon in crystal clear waters.
For those visiting with children, Alaska is the place to be if you’d like to reconnect with youngsters away from homework, tablets, or Snapchat. We wrote about traveling with kids recently, and some of our favorite trips include private city tours in Anchorage or Fairbanks where kids can learn about the unique history, people, and events shaping our state; dogsledding through a wintery, still forest, or trekking on an ancient glacier.
We guarantee (mostly) that no traffic noise or ringing cell phones will be found!
Hall says in her story that most Gen Z’ers are over online dating, so why not strive to meet potential mates in real life while traveling? Alaska, of course, is a perfect place to find other adventurous, outdoor-centric people, particularly on Greatland Adventures tours where our group size is limited and there are plenty of opportunities for getting to know your fellow guests through good conversation. We recommend the Matanuska Glacier tour, offered in both summer and winter months, departs from Anchorage and takes visitors 90 miles east to one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. Hike up to three miles across the Matanuska’s icy surface with an experienced local guide, check out the stunning glacier views, and have plenty of time to take amazing photos. Also, this tour stops at a local eatery on the way back to Anchorage, adding a bit more time for sharing this incredible experience with your companions.
Don’t want to hike? The Greatland Adventures Turnagain Arm Scenic Tour is a fun day exploring the Seward Highway’s winter scenic beauty as we travel from Anchorage to Portage Valley on this full-day glacier and wildlife tour. We’ll look for wildlife as we drive and tour the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears, musk oxen, bison, and more. Before returning to Anchorage, we’ll ride Alyeska Resort’s iconic aerial tram to the top of Girdwood Valley.
As the Earth becomes undeniably warmer, some traditional summer destinations central to vacationers are losing their allure, particularly among those who live in warm climates to begin with. Alaska’s weather, while changing, is still considered rather mild during the summer.
Anchorage daytime temperatures between June and August tend to range from 55F to 65F, with stretches above 70F or even higher, depending on the year and one’s location. Nights are cool and short, with Alaska’s famous midnight sun staying up well past midnight and rising a few short hours later in the Southcentral region. In the Interior city of Fairbanks, temperatures during the day tend to be warmer and conditions drier, with 70-80F days not uncommon. The sun sets even later there, with nearly 24-hour daylight and cool evening temperatures making activities plentiful and enjoyable.
If you want to really cool off, consider visiting Alaska during the winter months, when activities like dog sledding, aurora-viewing, and snowshoeing abound. Spend your vacation surrounded by rugged mountains, snowy forests, and abundant recreational opportunities popular with Alaskans. One of the most popular wintertime tours is our Chena Hot Springs trip, a full-day adventure out of Fairbanks that includes transportation, a narrated history tour, scenic stops, and plenty of soaking time in the famous thermal pools.
Not from a snowy, cold place? Don’t worry! We provide all guests with a comprehensive list of clothing suitable for our Alaska weather and are happy to answer any questions related to base layers, footwear, and other cold-season gear.
Whatever trend you follow, or don’t, make a Greatland Adventures vacation part of your Alaska experience in 2025. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Turnagain Arm Winter Scenic Tour
Travel the scenic Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm to Portage Valley. Take a scenic tram to the top of a mountain and view Alaska's iconic animals up close. The choice is yours!
Private Anchorage Sightseeing Tour
Get a perfect introduction to the greater Anchorage area on this 3-hour tour. Stops include Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Beluga Point, Potter's Marsh, and Flattop Mountain.
Experience the joys of Alaska's official state sport with real Iditarod sled dogs.
