(c) Matt Hage/ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Get a taste of Alaska during the winter with this 7-day winter adventure beginning in the northern city of Fairbanks and traveling south for the annual ceremonial start of the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race in February. Experience the thrill of riding a dog sled powered by a professional guide and take in a winter glacier cruise through Prince William Sound.
Welcome to Fairbanks, upon arrival meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel. Explore the nearby local shops and restaurants as you settled into the winter wonderland.
Overnight in Fairbanks, your home for two nights.
Today, start off with a customized sightseeing tour of the city with your private driver/guide, including a visit to the Museum of the North. Later that day, experience a ride on a dog sled near the Chena River where you will have the opportunity to meet the huskies on your team and experience their excitement as they power you down the trail. This is an interactive tour that includes handling of the huskies and will teach you how to harness and hook up a team. Once your team is ready to go, you’ll mush among snowcapped black spruce and white birch on winding trails that take you through Chena River Valley. Tonight step away from the city lights and experience the phenomenon knows as the “aurora borealis” or northern lights.
This morning transfer to the Fairbanks Rail Depot for an exciting journey south on the Alaska Railroad. Enjoy the beautiful winter scenery from large picture windows in your rail car while you sit back and relax. Upon arrival meet your driver/guide who will bring you to your hotel. Talkeetna offers exquisite views of Denali and the rest of the Alaska Range, and is a great location for viewing the northern lights as well. Your driver/guide can make recommendations on dining options and activities in town.
Overnight in Talkeetna.
(c) Jeanne L. Baker. All rights reserved.
Meet your private driver and journey south to Anchorage by private vehicle. Once you have arrived in Alaska’s largest city, enjoy a private city tour that can be customized to your interests.
This evening join guests from around the world at the Iditarod’s prized Mushers Banquet that begins the race start and celebrations to come. Guests help raise funds for the Iditarod via a robust live and silent auction while enjoying a delicious dinner and watch the mushers take the stage to draw for their official start order for the race. All proceeds raised at this fundraiser go towards the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
After dinner, settle into your Anchorage hotel for the evening.
After breakfast depart for Whittier Alaska, a small seaside town only accessible by one-way tunnel. Travel south along the scenic Turnagain Arm and learn the history of how it got its unique name. Along the way make a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The 200-acre facility provides an up-close and personal experience with the most famous Alaskan wildlife and is home to dozens of rescued wild animals.
After arriving in Whittier board your vessel for a day cruise into Prince William Sound. See the glaciers of Blackstone Bay along with the prolific marine wildlife that call this area home. Learn about the natural geology of this glacier-carved fjord from knowledgeable naturalist guides. Return to Anchorage this evening.
The day’s Iditarod race excitement begins just blocks from your hotel on Anchorage’s 4th Avenue. Professional mushers line up in starting order before taking off on an 11-mile ceremonial course through Anchorage.
This afternoon, continue enjoying the downtown winter festivities available in Anchorage on your own. Some of the sights to take in include snow sculptures, local vendors selling handmade goods, the Running of the Reindeer, and Alaskan Native games such as the Blanket Toss.
Tonight try for another chance of capturing the northern lights with the help of a private photography guide. You’ll have the ultimate vantage point for capturing the aurora high above the city while you watch the northern lights dance over Anchorage.
(c) Jody O. All rights reserved.
Today, say farewell to Alaska. A private transfer will bring you to the Anchorage Airport in time for your departing flight home.
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