Alaska: Hot Springs, Northern Lights + Photography Adventure with Emilie Hofferber
february 1-7, 2025
Experience the magic of alaska in the winter!
This adventure is rated 2 out of 5 difficulty level. Moderate level activities (i.e. short to medium hikes up to 5 miles, some elevation, intro to new skill/activity that is guided by 3rd party like mountain biking, climbing, rafting, etc.). Activities are included, but optional if outside of your comfort zone.
**1 hike listed is over 5 miles, but all activities are optional. If you are uncomfortable with the mileage, please reach out to ask for more details.
Women Who Explore is thrilled to partner with the talented photographer, Emilie Hofferber, for an unforgettable week-long adventure in Northern Alaska! Join us as we explore stunning landscapes by day and, with a bit of luck, capture the enchanting beauty of the Northern Lights at night!
On this winter escape you’ll spend a couple days exploring Fairbanks where you can visit local museums, wander through local shops, and enjoy in local cuisine. Next we’ll head to Chena Hot Springs, located 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, this is the perfect place to getaway, relax and catch the aurora. Our group will be staying in two small rustic cabins located on the property with access to the hot springs throughout our stay. Spend your days soaking in the hot springs, explore ice castles, play games, learn new photography techniques and skills, and enjoy winter walks. And of course, you’ll be chasing those pastel skies and Northern Lights with Emilie as you put your new photography techniques into practice!
Fairbanks is world-famous for Northern Lights and with 2025 forecasted to be the pinnacle of an 11-year solar cycle for the Northern Lights, NOW IS THE TIME to come with us for a visit!
Book your adventure at bottom of page!
A Letter From Your Trip Host
Hi! My name is Emilie and I've been taking photos since I was in high school. In 2021, I decided it was time for me to *try* going full time with photography and am now entering my fourth year of taking photos of pretty places for a living and have had clients such as American Airlines, Lexar, Lumix, Visit Maine, The North Face & more! During my first year, I lived in a 13 year old Subaru Outback to figure out how to make my dreams come true. I now live in a van that allows me to feel truly at home anywhere I go.
This past year I was able to experience the magic of the Aurora for the first time during the iconic May 11 storm. I watched it in Grand Teton National Park and it completely changed my life. I’ve been obsessed with chasing the aurora ever since. This summer I caught the aurora 5 times while in the Canadian Rockies and I want to experience the magic with *you*
Whether you’re a pro photographer who has always dreamed of seeing it and haven’t had the chance, a hobbyist who is new to capturing the night sky and a little nervous to do it on their own, or just someone who wants to experience it and take photos on the camera they already own (it’s ok if it’s a smartphone!) — I want to be here to help make memories, create a fun and supporting environment for photography, and share my passion with you without getting too wrapped up in the technical specs of camera gear.
In addition to spending our nights under the sky, there will be ample opportunity to take photos in beautiful Alaska around the cabins, near the hot springs, and wherever adventure might take us. One of my biggest beliefs when it comes to photography is that your gear really doesn't matter. When I started my career, I ended up going viral for photos that I had taken on a $13 film camera. On this trip, I'll be providing everyone with disposable cameras so that we can focus on compositional elements without gear getting in the way! If you don't have a pro set up, that's totally okay, we'll figure out how to maximize the camera on your phone together and I'll teach tips for mobile editing to create the best scenes possible for you. Did you just get a new camera and you're nervous about switching the settings to manual? I'll break it down for you in a way you'll remember. Are you interested in starting film photography and you've tested out a few rolls on your film camera but want to take it to the next level? Awesome, let's do it!
Taking photos can be intimidating sometimes, but I want to create a fun environment where everyone creates together! I always say that my best photos come from when my spirit is high and the energy around me is good. Let's create some magic together in the beautiful scenery of Alaska & under the night skies of the Aurora!
Day 1:
Welcome to Alaska!
Arrive in Fairbanks mid-afternoon and catch our hotel’s airport shuttle to a quaint lodge that overlooks the Chena River. Here you will meet the rest of your adventure crew and your trip host, Emilie. After you get checked into your room, the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities at our hotel.
Our hotel offers an array of exciting activities that you can enjoy during our stay! Grab a sled for a thrilling ride down the sledding hill, enjoy a friendly game of winter bocce ball, or unwind with a soothing massage. You can also watch an aurora-themed film in the hotel’s onsite theater, wander their 100-Book Alaskan library and check out their impressive collection of local Alaskan art. It’s a place with something for everyone to enjoy!
In the evening, meet back up with the rest of the group for a welcome dinner where we will have a chance to get to know each other and share our excitement for our week ahead. Back at the hotel, settle in for the evening and rest easy knowing that tonight our hotel offers a Northern Lights Alert call. Just let the front knot desk to call and they’ll wake you up so you can enjoy the show in their aurora observatory room.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2:
exploring fairbanks
Wake up and enjoy a delicious hot breakfast with views overlooking the Chena River as your trip host Emilie goes over the basics of the aurora, how it works, apps to use, how to read them. and more. Afterwards, you’ll have time to enjoy the hotel’s amenities and charge your cameras before the group meets up for an afternoon adventure.
Grab a light lunch or snack before our driver picks us up at 12:30 p.m. We will make our way outside the city to the Running Reindeer Ranch. Here we’ll take one of their famous Reindeer Walks where we will get to meet their goofy and playful herd of furry friends. We’ll learn about the natural history of the boreal forest along with the reindeer themselves. Then we will take a guided nature walk through the taiga where we’ll watch the reindeer as they leap and frolic through the woods roaming freely alongside us. Afterwards we’ll enjoy refreshments and their famous cookies.
After a fun encounter with locals, we will make our way back to the hotel where the rest of the evening is yours to relax, enjoy the hotel or head out to explore Fairbanks. Dinner is at your own pace this evening.
Before you head to bed, don’t forget to charge your electronics for the night and most importantly tell the front desk to put your name on the Northern Lights Alert call!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
To the hot springs we must go
Today we’ll enjoy another delightful breakfast before we pack our bags and check out, it’s on to our next adventure - Chena Hot Springs!
We will be spending the next 4 nights at a top destination in Alaska for soaking in the hot springs and viewing the Northern Lights. Our driver will pick us up mid-day so you’ll have an easy morning to pack and get ready. This is also an opportunity for those who would like to visit a local general or grocery store for any essentials, snacks, etc. before heading north.
Once we are all packed into our transfer, you can sit back and enjoy the hour-long scenic drive as we head north east into the backcountry of Alaska. Our final destination is Chena Hot Springs. We are here for the next four nights so we'll take time to settle into our two cozy, rustic cabins and explore our resort tucked away in the wintery forest wonderland.
Enjoy the rest of the day soaking in the hot springs, schedule a massage treatment or enjoy a geothermal greenhouse tour.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the property, take a dip in the hot springs, schedule a massage treatment or sign up to enjoy their geothermal greenhouse tour. Enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant or grab a soup and sandwich in the Aurora Cafe before you meet back up with Emilie and the rest of the group to spend the evening learning how to capture the aurora on whatever camera you traveled with.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
aurora ice museum + wintery walks!
Start your day with a relaxing dip in the hot springs and watch the sunrise or stay snuggled in bed a little longer. Breakfast is at your own leisure and available at the onsite breakfast at 7 a.m. and the cafe opens at 9 a.m.
Today we will meet as a group for a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, all harvested right at Chena Hot Springs. Our guide will provide us with a parka before showing us the iconic ice sculptures and interesting facts about the museum. After the tour, there will be some free time to explore on your own, take pictures or visit the ice bar to enjoy an Appletini delicately served in a glass made from ice.
The rest of the day you’ll have time to enjoy an afternoon soak or explore some of the winter hiking trails on the property. As the sun goes down, meet up with Emilie for an evening, hands-on portrait session. Emilie will share some of her tips and tricks on how to capture the best lighting, posing and more as you both photograph and pose for your fellow photographers.
Enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight and then meet up with the rest of the crew for a late night soak to warm up before bed. Don’t forget to look up and with little luck the magical Northern Lights will appear. With our cameras always ready, we will be sure to capture the magic!
Day 5:
relax, snowmobile adventure or both!
Enjoy another magical winter sunrise soak or snuggle in bed and catch up on that much needed sleep, either way this morning is yours to enjoy as you please.
After breakfast the group will meet up for an optional winter walk on the Beginner’s Loop trail and mini winter photo session. The rest of the afternoon is a choose your own adventure kind of day. Sign up for the resort’s guided snowmobile tour where you’ll enjoy a 3-6 mile tour on the Monument Creek Trail. This tour is offered as a single rider only and the experience will make you fall in love with Alaka. For those looking for more down time, book a hot stone massage or aromatherapy session, grab a book and relax at the cabin or enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs.
Tonight meet up with the group and play games as you wait for the Northern Lights to make an appearance. Together we’ll practice the techniques we have learned to capture a stunning night sky.
Day 6:
a visit with the locals - chena kennel
Enjoy a relaxing morning your way and meet the group at 11:45 a.m. Together you’ll head to the Chena Kennel for a guided tour to learn about Dog Mushing. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the kennel as well as meet some of the amazing 50+ Alaskan Husky dogs that live here.
After the tour, the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Blissfully soak the hours away in the natural springs until nightfall, sign up for an afternoon ice fishing experience or relax with a spa session. In the evening, meet up with the group to practice using your camera to capture a stunning winter sunset.
Then we will head to the restaurant to enjoy a final dinner together sharing our favorite moments from the past week. After a delicious meal, we’ll make our way back outside to capture the night sky and enjoy a soak under the stars.
Day 7:
Good-bye Alaska
It has been an amazing adventure, but our time together has come to an end. After a final dip in the hot springs and breakfast, we’ll pack our bags, check out and make our way to the airport on our scheduled transfers.
We hope this isn’t good-bye, but see you soon on the next adventure! We can’t wait to travel with you again!
Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs, located about 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska, is renowned for its natural hot springs and stunning views of the Northern Lights. The resort features cozy, rustic cabins providing a peaceful stay amidst the beauty of Alaska. The property is home to several geothermal hot springs, allowing guests to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters while enjoying picturesque views of the surrounding landscape throughout their stay. There is an onsite restaurant and bar serving local cuisine open from 7am - 10 pm daily. The Aurora Cafe is open from 9 am - 9 pm daily serving soups, sandwiches, finger foods and other snacks. At the activities center, you can sign up for extra activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding, and ice fishing during your free time.
Ptarmigman Cabin:
An adorable loft cabin located on the river with one full bed, two twin beds, and a futon. Inside you’ll find a mini fridge, coffee maker, toaster, table and chairs. There is a toyo stove (oil version) which will heat the cabin along with additional space heaters for each room, and it has its own porta potty. There is also access to the hot spring bath house with showers until 11:45 pm daily and the main lodge is open 24 hours a day with access to a restroom.
Caribou Cabin:
This cute, cozy, peaceful Alaskan cabin sits near the hot springs. It’s the perfect place to have a truly relaxing vacation. This is a loft style cabin with two full size beds, two twin beds and a twin size futon. The cabin also includes a refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave. The cabin has a heater and mini space heaters as well. It has its own porta potty. There is also access to the hot spring bath house with showers until 11:45 pm daily and the main lodge is open 24 hours a day with access to a restroom.
Questions? Please reach out to us at info@womenwhoexplore.com
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$2,995 double and cozy cabin shared occupancy. No single upgrades are available.
If you are traveling solo, you will be assigned roommates upon request.
A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates.
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• 3 days/2 nights accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Fairbanks, Alaska
• 5 days/ 4 nights accommodations in the cozy, rustic loft style cabins at the famous Chena Hot Springs
• Hotel airport shuttle from the Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to hotel in Fairbanks
• Return airport shuttle from Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
• Local transportation to Chena Hot Springs Resort, to/from Running Reindeer Ranch, and to/from welcome dinner
• Access to the outdoor natural hot springs rock lake, hot tub, interior pool daily from 7 am - 11:45 pm
• 2 hour guided Reindeer Walk + world famous cookies
• Guided tour and entrance fees to the Aurora Ice Museum
• Guided tour of the Chena Kennels
• Daily photography excursions to capture aurora and sunset
• Personal film camera (disposable) to use during the trip with scanning and developing by Dark Slide Film Lab included (woman owned and operated film lab)
•Photography workshop with Emilie Hofferber focusing on shooting the aurora and night sky
• Meals included: welcome dinner, farewell dinner and 2 breakfasts
• Trip checklists, detailed packing list, training guide, and pre-travel support provided in a private Facebook and/or WhatsApp group
• Pre-trip Q&A Zoom call to meet your fellow travelers, trip hosts and ask any questions
• WWE Swag to make your heart happy!
• Small group; maximum of 6 women + your trip host, Emilie Hofferber
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• International Flights to/from Fairbanks International airport (FAI).
• Tips and gratuity for guides (at the discretion of the client)
• Airport transfers outside of designated times and meeting location
• Alcohol, additional beverages, snacks and meals as noted above. Meals at Chena Hot Springs are not included except for dinner on Day 6
• Any additional excursions or activities not included in the above itinerary
• Visa and entry requirements as applicable and any pre-travel medical expenses such as immunizations or required Covid-19 testing
• Travelers insurance to cover medical expenses while traveling abroad (proof of insurance required)
• Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, meals, souvenirs, etc.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please reach out to the trip host after booking if you have any food allergies/sensitivities. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private Facebook group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support. Please let us know if you do not have or use Facebook (see contact information below).
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Please see our Terms of Service.
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Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
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Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.
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The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere. While we make every effort to predict and locate the Northern Lights, they are a natural occurrence and cannot be guaranteed.
The visibility of the Northern Lights is heavily dependent on weather conditions, including cloud cover, atmospheric activity, and light pollution. Despite our best efforts, viewing opportunities may be limited due to adverse weather conditions beyond our control.