Aurora Borealis Viewing Tour

Basic Aurora Itinerary

Day 1:

• arrive at the Ft. McMurray airport, transfer to Sawridge Inn, check in, supply rental clothing; followed by Welcome Dinner, (See Note 1) including orientation, Aurora slide show, and instruction in aurora photography by our professional photographer. (See Note 2)
  Note 1. The Welcome Dinner might be on either the first or second night depending on the flight schedule.
  Note 2. The Aurora slide show might be at the viewing site.
• transfer to private viewing site (15 minutes form hotel), heated building with flush toilets, hot drinks and snacks; Aurora viewing
• transfer back to hotel, overnight stay

Day 2:

• full free day until evening
• transfer to private viewing site (15 minutes form hotel), heated building with flush toilets, hot drinks and snacks; Aurora viewing
• transfer back to hotel, overnight stay

Day 3:

• full free day until evening
• transfer to private viewing site (15 minutes form hotel), heated building with flush toilets, hot drinks and snacks; Aurora viewing
• transfer back to hotel, overnight stay

Day 4:

• morning departure from Ft.McMurray

What is included

• 3 nights at Sawridge Inn
• Welcome Dinner (3-course meal) with orientation
• 3 nights of Aurora watching, transfers, private viewing site, comfortable warming-up building with indoor toilets, snacks with hot drinks
• Aurora slide show, instructing and assisting guests in Aurora photography by photographer/astronomer.
• many activities while waiting for the Aurora to appear, i.e. Deep Sky Objects slide show, Boreal Forest information session, Boreal Forest mid-night walk, mini rocket launch, games, sky tours etc. N. B. All or none of the activities might be included, depending on the Aurora and the weather.
• guide(s) at all times
• Ft. McMurray Airport/hotel transfers
• The GST is included.

Options

1. Oilsands/City Shopping Tour

On the afternoon of Day 2:

• visit the Oilsands Discovery Centre for a video, demonstration and viewing tour to learn more about the oilsands. Drive to an oilsand mined area, view large equipment used in the mining process, visit the Bison paddock to view these magnificant animals, return to the City for a drive through and shopping (approx. 4 hrs)
• guide/s, transfers

PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum

2. Aboriginal Experience Tour

On the morning of day 3:

• instruction in moose hide preparation, visit Teepee (sitting around fire, talking about the Indian ways), instruction to make your own Dream Catcher, etc. (approx. 3.0 hrs)
• guide/s, transfers

PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum

3. Wilderness Experience Tour

On the afternoon of Day 3:

• 2.5 km walk along nature trail, learn about the Beavers, the fauna and flora of the area, identify animal foot prints, learn how to snare small animals, how to build a survival shelter, how to make a fire, tea and roasting marsh-mallows. This will introduce you to winter survival in Northern Alberta i.e. shelter (approx. 2.5 hrs)
• guide/s, transfers

PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum

Please note that Option 2 and Option 3 might be switched during midweek tours.

4. Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding

This is a self-guided option. It can be taken any day, and lasts approximately 4 hours.

• enjoy downhill skiing or snowboarding at Vista Ridge Ski Resort with ski lodge, fast food outlet, lounge, 4 well-groomed runs and modern ski lift
• skis, poles, boots and transfers included (or snowboard, boots and transfers)

PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum

5. Tubing

This is a self-guided option. It can be taken any day, and lasts a minimum of 4 hours.

• specialized tubing course with up-hill towing mechanism for maximum enjoyment for all ages

PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum

6. Fall Colours and Sunset Photography Tour

This option is seasonal, and can be taken on the afternoon of Day 2 or Day 3.

• drive to scenic sites to photograph the changing colours of the leafs and spectacular sunsets with professional photographer (approx. 3 hrs)
• guide/s, transfers

PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum

Notes about all our tours and options

1. changes in Options might occur due to weather conditions.
2. option tours depend on availability.

Checklist

• ski suit, several layers of warm clothing, toque, mitts, boot (protective clothing available for rent in Ft. McMurray; includes suit, boots and mitts)
• day pack for extra clothing, camera, personal belongings
• sunscreen, sunglasses, swim suit (hot tub and pool at hotel)
• for Aurora photography bring 35 mm SLR manual camera, ISO 400 or 800 film, tripod and cable release. Digital cameras are fine, providing they can be manually operated (professional photographer on staff to assist)

Rates