Wednesday, December 04, 2024

10-Days | Iditarod & Northern Lights

Tour Package III: Iditarod Race & Northern Lights

 

Alaska Winter Adventure: Iditarod Race & Northern Lights Viewing

Iditarod Join our Winter Adventure Tour: View the Aurora Borealis at Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks, take the Alaska Railroad Snow Train to Anchorage and observe the Iditarod Sled Dog Race activities. The tour includes the Iditarod Race Start on Anchorage's 4th Avenue, the Iditarod Race Restart in Willow, a city sightseeing tour of Anchorage and the Mushers Banquet. The banquet is taking place in the evening where you can meet the Iditarod Mushers personally and get some pictures taken. Join us on a cruise tour of Prince William Sound (Whittier), ski for a day at the Alyeska Resort  - Alaska's largest ski area, or choose from various fly-out options to remote Iditarod race checkpoints around famous Rainy Pass within the Alaska Range foothills.
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Day 1:  Fairbanks (Saturday)

Arrive in Fairbanks. Complimentary transfer to your **** Resort Hotel on the banks of the beautiful Chena River near Pikes Landing. Relax during your first evening in Fairbanks and get ready for a few days of winter fun and adventure in Alaska. You can watch the Aurora Borealis at night dancing on the northern sky and/or enjoy a dinner at the scenic Pikes Landing Restaurant. Fairbanks is synonymous with winter from late October through March with some of the best Northern Lights viewing in the world made possible by the right weather and clear skies. Beautiful and mysterious curtains, the colors range from green to red to purple, with the brightest and most common color, a yellow-green. Fairbanks sits under what is called the "Auroral Oval", a ring-shaped region around the North Pole. The location offers a great balance of occurrence, frequency and activity. Intensity varies from night to night, with the best viewing from late evening through the wee hours of the morning. Overnight: Fairbanks

Day 2:  Fairbanks - Chena Hot Springs Resort (Sunday)

Morning on your own: explore the city and check out the winter activities around the All American Championship Sled Dog Race, Ice Carving Sculpture Championship or visit the famous Alaska University Museum with the States largest collection of gold, gold mining history and Alaskan heritage. The Geophysical Institute is recognized as the best in the world for Aurora research. Afternoon transfer from your hotel to Chena Hot Springs - a prime Northern Lights viewing area in the hills about 60 road miles northeast of Fairbanks – far away from any city lights. Enjoy spectacular 360-degree Aurora displays through large picture windows from the comfort of a heated cabin above the resort or outside. Overnight: Chena Hot Springs Resort

Day 3:  Chena Hot Springs Resort (Monday)

Relax in the large heated mineral indoor pool, the outdoor rock lake and in numerous hot tubs – which are providing a great opportunity to soak or swim until the Northern Lights are appearing in the evening again. Guided 1-hour Aurora Ice Museum tour. Afternoon at leisure or optional sled dog kennel tour, snowmobiling, x-country skiing. Dinner (optional) at the rustic log lodge restaurant and than take a short hike to a heated cabin for another night of outstanding Northern Lights viewing opportunities. The 440-acre resort is also known for its healthy outdoor opportunities in the pristine wilderness of Alaska´s great Interior - first discovered by gold prospectors at the turn of the century. In 1912 - the 40 sq mile geothermal area was the premier place to soak - for residents of the booming town Fairbanks. Overnight: Chena Hot Springs Resort

Day 4:  Chena Hot Springs Resort - Fairbanks (Tuesday)

After breakfast time to enjoy the Chena Hot Springs Resort facilities. Recover from the exciting Aurora viewing during the past night and relax in the natural hot springs. During the afternoon minibus return transfer to Fairbanks. Rest of the day available for your own activities or alternative local sightseeing tours (optional). Please inquire. Your last evening in Fairbanks provides another chance for breathtaking Northern Lights viewing pleasures and a dinner in a nice restaurant along the frozen Chena River. Overnight: Fairbanks

Day 5:  Fairbanks - Alaska Railroad Train to Anchorage (Wednesday)

Transfer to the Fairbanks rail station and departure at 8:30 AM for a very scenic full-day rail tour to Anchorage. All seats within the comfortable train compartments are pre-reserved and the staff takes care of your entire luggage. Enjoy the ride ! You'll get fantastic and breathtaking views of the snow covered Alaska Mountain Range with it's towering 20.320 feet high Mt. Denali. Short stopovers are at Denali National Park and Talkeetna before arriving in Anchorage in the evening around 8:00 PM. Check into your downtown hotel. Overnight: Anchorage

Day 6:  Anchorage - City Tour & Mushers Banquet (Thursday)

Embark on a captivating 3-hour journey through Anchorage, beginning at the historic Ship Creek's Port of Anchorage—where Alaska's largest city was born. This tour will guide you through an enchanting world of snow sculptures, the historical intrigue of Bootleggers Cove, and the natural wonder of Earthquake Park. Cruise around Lake Hood, recognized as the busiest seaplane base globally, before venturing to the scenic Turnagain Arm, Beluga Point for a chance to observe wildlife, and Potter Marsh within the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, a haven for bird enthusiasts. The adventure doesn't end there. At 4:00 PM, join us at the Dena'ina Center for an exclusive Musher Meet & Greet, setting the stage for an evening dedicated to the spirit of the Iditarod. By 6:00 PM, the festivities continue with a banquet and fundraiser, an event that brings together the excitement of live auctions, the delight of a three-course meal, and insightful musher presentations. The night's pinnacle moment is the mushers' drawing of their official starting positions for the race—a ceremony brimming with anticipation and camaraderie. This unforgettable evening offers guests endless opportunities to capture photos, engage in meaningful conversations with the mushers, collect autographs, and partake in the thrill of the auction. Join us for an experience that not only celebrates the adventurous spirit of the Iditarod but also brings you closer to the heart and soul of Anchorage.

Day 7:  Anchorage - Free Day for Activities (Friday)

Indulge in a day of leisure, exploring the myriad of winter wonders that Alaska offers. Kickstart your adventure just north of Anchorage with a 2-hour sled dog tour, where you'll get up close with the enthusiastic dogs before embarking on an unforgettable trail ride. Choose to cozy up in a specially designed sled or embrace the thrill of mushing it yourself. For adrenaline seekers, a 3-hour snowmobile expedition through Alaska's pristine backcountry awaits, offering the chance to encounter wildlife and marvel at the majestic Denali in the distance. If you're captivated by natural beauty, consider a full-day excursion to Matanuska Glacier, where you'll trek across its vast expanse, encountering stunning crevasses, towering seracs, and intricate ice formations. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Prince William Sound with a glacier cruise or carve through the snow at Alyeska Ski Resort, each offering distinct perspectives of Alaska's breathtaking landscapes. Whatever adventure you choose, you're guaranteed to experience the enchanting beauty of Alaska's winter wonderland.

Day 8:  Anchorage - Iditarod Ceremonial Race Start (Saturday)

The legendary Iditarod race starts at 10:00 AM on 4th Avenue in Alaska's largest city. Get up early and observe the start preparations, take close up pictures from about 50 Mushers, over 1000 Sled Dogs and enjoy the bustling and exciting race atmosphere before the teams are leaving from the starting line for the "1050 mile race to Nome". Anchorage parks and green belts are providing also a great alternative to observe the race activities. The Balto Statue marks the ceremonial starting point of the Iditarod. Balto was the final lead sled dog in a relay of dogsleds that brought vaccine from Anchorage to Nome just in time to stop a diphtheria epidemic that was threatening to devastate Nome's population in the winter of 1925.

Day 9:  Anchorage - Iditarod Restart Tour Willow (Sunday)

After breakfast board the motorcoach for a guided tour to the official Iditarod Race Start in Willow. Leave at 9:30 AM and enjoy the drive along the scenic Glenn Highway with a brief stopover in Wasilla. Continue to Willow where the Iditarod restart ceremony begins at 2:00 PM. Enjoy the busy and bustling Iditarod race atmosphere and the musher's final preparation. For mushers, thousands of cheering fans at the official race restart -- following Saturday's ceremonial start in Anchorage -- now give way to remote Alaska wilderness and the promise of a finish line in Nome some 1,000 miles away, but not before crossing a trail that may prove perilous for both mushers and dogs. Return to Anchorage approximately 7:00 PM.

Day 10:  Anchorage - Departure (Monday)

Morning at leisure in/around Anchorage. Time for your last shopping activities, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center or have a nice seafood lunch with delicious Alaska Salmon or King Crabs in one of Anchorage's top restaurants. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Please note: Individual program extensions are available. Extend your stay and fly to Rainy Pass Lodge or Nikolai Checkpoints.

Tour Services Included:

  • 9 Nights Standard or Deluxe Hotel Accommodation
  • Local Taxes
  • Chena Aurora Snowcoach Tour (1x)
  • Tour of the Ice Museum
  • Alaska Railroad Train to Anchorage
  • Reserved Seating
  • Anchorage City Sightseeing Tour

  • Mushers Banquet Ticket, Meet & Greet including Dinner
  • Iditarod Restart Tour to Willow
  • Round Trip Transfer to Chena Hot Springs Resort
  • Fairbanks Airport & Railroad Station Transfers
  • Anchorage Airport Transfers (Standard Hotel only)
  • Sightseeing Information 
  • Tour Documentation

Rates per Person in US $

Tour Number: IDI3 Iditarod & Northern Lights
Single Double Triple Quad
2025 ✦ Feb 22 - March 03 | Standard Hotel Category $ 2910.00 $ 2060.00 $ 1835.00 $ 1710.00
2025 ✦ Feb 22 - March 03 | Deluxe Hotel Category $ 3770.00 $ 2485.00 $ 2120.00 $ 1940.00

Optional Additional Tours

✦ Anchorage: Guided Matanuska Glacier Hike (Tour Guide, Round Trip Shuttle from Anchorage)  $309.00
✦ Anchorage: Alaska Snowmobile Tour (3 hrs )   -  Round Trip Shuttle add $100 per person  $245.00
✦ Anchorage: Rainy Pass Checkpoint Day Tour including lunch $1030.00
✦ Chena: Dog Sled Tour (40 minutes) $65.00
✦ Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise (includes transfer from Anchorage)
$ 350.00
✦ Mt. Denali Flightseeing Tour $ 535.00