Iditarod and Northern Lights

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and meet your escort.

This morning begins with a Welcome Breakfast, where you will meet your fellow travelers. After breakfast this morning your driver will introduce you to the “Golden Heart City” as you tour to Chena Hot Springs Resort. As you head north a stop will be made at the Trans Alaska Pipeline.

You then travel the picturesque Chena Hot Springs Road, following the Chena River for most of the 60 scenic miles to the historic Chena Hot Springs Resort, the most accessible and developed hot spring resort in Alaska’s Interior.

To enjoy nature and see the Aurora Borealis up close, an Aurora Viewing Snow Coach Tour is included with your vacation package. This late-night trip departs the Chena Activity Center and takes you to the top of a hill to a heated Mongolian Yurt tent and views of the amazing Northern Lights, the natural light displays in the sky.

This will be your home for two nights. (Breakfast Included)

The area is noted as one of the best areas in North America to view the northern lights. In addition to the Aurora Viewing Tour, your stay will include unlimited use of the natural hot springs pools both indoor and outdoor and will include a visit to the Ice Museum.

You may also partake in many other optional activities that you and your escort will be able to schedule. (Breakfast Included)

After breakfast this morning you have time to enjoy some optional activities or the beautiful hot springs. At midday you will tour back to Fairbanks stopping at the world class Ice Park, home to some magnificent sculptures created from a single block of ice. (Breakfast Included)

This morning transfer to airport for a short flight to Anchorage. On arrival enjoy a short tour of the city of Anchorage showing all the highlights of the downtown area. Check into the Anchorage Hilton, which will be your home for four nights.

This evening you will attend the Musher’s Banquet. The Iditarod Musher’s Banquet is the first major celebration of this great race. Meet all the Iditarod dog musher’s and more. During the fun filled evening, you will enjoy the camaraderie and good times before the mushers head out on the grueling 1,100-mile journey to Nome. Return transfer will be arranged by your escort. (Breakfast & Dinner Included)

Today you focus on learning about the ‘Anchorage. After breakfast you begin a tour of the Anchorage area. You travel the Seward Highway, designated by Congress as a “Scenic Byway”. Beautiful mountains and views of Turnagain Arm surround you. We stop at Alyeska Resort, to ride the Tram to the top of mountain. We get back to Anchorage where you have free night. (Breakfast Included)

After breakfast at your leisure, you head to 4th Avenue for the ceremonial Iditarod Race start, where thousands of fans and worldwide media will assemble to cheer on the musher’s. The main street is blocked off and transformed into a sled dog track. Hundreds of cheering spectators line the street the morning of the race to watch the preparation and start of the Iditarod and you are in the heart of it.

The balance of the day and evening are yours to enjoy Anchorage. (Breakfast Included)

This morning enjoy some free time after breakfast. You then will depart for the town of Willow. Today the race to Nome begins for real, with the official re-start at Willow. Mushers will hookup their dogs and race across more than 1,000 miles of Alaska’s wilderness. You will have a far better, closer look at the teams and mushers.

Upon returning to Anchorage, you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Here you can trade stories with your fellow travelers one last time. (Breakfast & Dinner Included)

Enjoy breakfast this morning before your transfer to the airport for your homeward bound journey. (Breakfast Included)