The lower cost of this tour relative to similar ones gave me pause, but we had a great time!
So, you can see a few spots where money was saved. The van, for instance, was an ordinarinary older Ford Econoline - not a fancy new Mercedes Sprinter.
But the overall experience? Just as good - perhaps getter.
This is a small firm - not a big agency. Your tour will be run by the owner and his wife. They'll contact by text or email ahead of time - to fine tune the perfect pick up time for best viewing.
You'll go with a dozen people at most, and take, perhaps, a 90 minute drive to a very simple mountain "lodge" outside Fairbanks.
The guide has extensive Iditarod experience, so you'll "kill time" discussing that, as you wait for the Northern Lights ideals. They can't offer a guarantee - it's nature after all - but he gave us a very fair assessment that ended up being perfectly accurate.
We hung out, had coffee, chatted, and by maybe 1am, the "show began". He began taking us outside, pointing out photo spots, etc. He also has basic photo advice, for many common camera phones.
As a complete non-photographer we got *dozens* of amazing pictures. We also shared pictures among willing group members.
Advice.. hmm.. dress warmly, and consider good warm gloves which allow you to use your camera or phone while still wearing them. Otherwise, you'll be dashing in and out to thaw your fingers between photos.
After a few hours, and many great photos, it's back to town for dropoff at hotels, etc, and a night of good memories and impressisve photos.
I'd book again in a heartbeat.
Oh.. a flashlight is nice - but *please* don't bring some massive high power one - remember, we're trying to preserve our night vision, so something suble is all that's needed.
Communication - by email, and text day of, was prompt and clear.