Visit Fairbanks, Alaska

Alaska’s second largest city is cradled in the Tanana Valley, at the end of the Alaska Highway and some 300 km (186 miles) south of the Arctic Circle.

During the summer months Fairbanks enjoys as much as 21 hours of natural light and temperatures that rise as high as 40°C (104°F).

Trans-Alaska pipeline

Founded by a gold prospector in 1901, the town — like many others in Alaska — struggled until the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline in the mid 1970s. Now this eclectic mix of log cabins, modern office buildings and a university campus is considered to be Alaska’s gateway to the Arctic. Several tours are available from Fairbanks, including trips to the Arctic Circle, Gold Dredge No. 8, the Botanical Gardens and the Large Animal Research Station.

Arctic Circle trip

This thrilling day trip starts with an early morning mini-coach journey beyond the Arctic Circle where you board a light aircraft flight to the native village of Anaktuvuk Pass: ‘the place of caribou droppings’. This village lies far to the north in the central Brooks Range and is the last remaining settlement of the Nunamiut and the inland northern Inupiat people. Here you learn about the culture and lifestyle of the local people before the return journey to Fairbanks.