Iditarod and Northern Lights Tour: Alaska Iditarod Tours

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Itinerary

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First Day of the Iditarod and Northern Lights Tour: Anchorage: Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to hotel via courtesy shuttle. The rest of the day is free to wander around and explore this pleasant city and its shops. The hotel is located only ten minutes from the downtown shopping area. The hotel also offers a health club, pool and whirlpool for your convenience to help you unwind from your long flight up to Alaska.

Day 2: Anchorage - The Start of the "Last Great Race" the Iditarod: At 8 a.m. you will meet your guide and your fellow travelers in the lobby of the hotel. We will have a pre-trip meeting before heading out. After our meeting we will board our comfortable van and head downtown for the start of the “Last Great Race.” The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins on 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage. Mushers can be seen on the trail along the Glenn Highway to Eagle River. The racers then pack up and head to Wasilla for the restart of the race on Sunday, an event which also draws big crowds. Later this afternoon, we will go to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and listen to fascinating stories about Alaska’s native cultures and get an insightful perspective into traditional native ways of life. Programs and exhibits demonstrate how Alaskan Natives fulfill their culture today. The Village Store provides an outlet for authentic Native arts and crafts. After the tour, you will have a free day to enjoy local activities, shopping, or dining in Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage. B

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Day 3: Anchorage , Willow & Trapper Creek: At 7 a.m. we will board our comfortable van, and travel north to Willow, home of the Iditarod Headquarters and the official re-start of the Iditarod race. Experience the excitement of cheering for your favorite mushers as they set out for a 1050 mile race to Nome. From here, we continue north through the Chugach State Park to Talkeetna , a classic Alaskan small town with lots of history and tales about mountaineers and bush pilots. You will arrive this afternoon at your cabin which features complete bathroom and shower facilities, kitchenette, dining area and living area. From your beautiful cabin, you can gaze at the sunset or enjoy an evening coffee. The sunsets from your cabin are always spectacular. BLD

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Day 4: Trapper Creek: Today you can enjoy incredible scenery as you take a snowmobile tour. Snowmobiling is one of the easiest and most enjoyable recreational activity that Alaska has to offer. You will travel through snow covered meadows, forests and groomed trails. The trails are highlighted by crystal clear views of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Hunter & Mt. Foraker. We will stop at one of the local lodges that features a magnificent view of Mt. McKinley and “ Alaska’s Best Homemade Pie.” Later, head back to the cabins to snowshoe, cross-country ski or sit back and relax for the rest of the afternoon. At the end of our very exiting day, we will nestle back into our cozy cabin overlooking the Alaska Range. Tonight, go outside and scan the sky for the Northern Lights. BLD

Day 5: Trapper Creek: After breakfast we visit Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Premier Iditarod Kennel. Vern Halter is an accomplished musher who presents his story of Alaska and the Iditarod in a provocative fashion that captures the essence of the Iditarod. Vern weaves in the history of sleddogs from early native use, gold rush use, the famous Serum run to Nome during the 1925 diphtheria epidemic-the focus is on the husky. The uniqueness of the Iditarod from the standpoint of length, diversity of competition and the “no help” rule are highlights. Training and care of Iditarod dogs is demonstrated. The logistics of the race and fooddrops, checkpoints, veterinarian care, the Iditarod Air Force and trail conditions inspire questions. Race strategy and the changes to the Iditarod Race Vern has

seen in his twenty five years of racing elicit more dialogue. Clothing and survival gear along with sleds and equipment are topics that are backed up with demonstrations. Later, you can take an optional scenic flight over Mount McKinley. This is considered to be the greatest flight on Earth! You’ll talk about this flight forever! This magnificent flight takes you around Mt. McKinley, the Shelton Amphitheater, and the Great Gorge. Listen as your pilot describes the natural wonders of Denali National Park. This is an unsurpassed photo opportunity, so make sure you bring plenty of film for your camera. BLD

Day 6: Fairbanks: After breakfast we will journey north to Fairbanks to watch a splendid display of Northern Lights. We will stay at a deluxe waterfront lodge overlooking the Chena River. The resort features spacious rooms with river view, steam room and sauna and a lobby filled with original Alaskan art, slate floor and a two story fireplace. This afternoon, we will travel to view the ice sculptures of the World Ice Art Championship, which is held in Fairbanks every year. While there are other ice sculpting competitions in the northern hemisphere, none are like the World Ice Art Championships. International ice sculptors carve blocks of ice and with the mixture of pure water and cold temperatures, the ice forms quickly and densely, giving it a glacial blue tint. It is so clear that a person can read a newspaper through a four foot block of ice. The sculptors have pronounced Fairbanks’ ice as the best in the world for sculpting. At night, the carvings glow with colored theatrical lights, enticing visitors to come back at 8 or 9 pm to view the carvings a second time. The pass allows re-entry. After viewing the ice sculptures, you will have a free day to enjoy local activities and shopping around Fairbanks. B

Day 7: Chena Hot Springs: After breakfast, we will travel approximately 90 minutes outside Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort. This resort offers a first rate Alaskan winter experience and the healing waters of Chena Hot Springs has been compared to mineral waters found in hot springs famous all over Europe. Chena Hot Springs Resort is world renown for being one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights. It is located under the most active band of Northern Lights and away from the light pollution of the city. The skies over Chena are often clearer than those over Fairbanks, just 60 miles away. Viewing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis has been listed as one of the “top 100 things to do before you die” by the Travel Channel and in a survey of Japanese, it was listed as one of the top ten things they want to do before they die (second only to viewing the Pyramids). Locals

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will tell you that one of the best experiences one can have is sitting in the tranquil environment of the Rock Lake at Chena Hot Springs Resort watching the lights dance above your head while you soak, relax and revitalize your spirit in the soothing mineral water! Enjoy many of the optional outdoor activities at Chena Resort, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, horse drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile rides, or a splash in the thermal pool and outside hot tub. At night, you will board a snow cat, a large track vehicle that will take you to the top of a remote ridge to get unobstructed views of the Northern Lights. There is a heated yurt for your comfort and we will serve you hot drinks such as tea, cider and hot chocolate.

Day 8: Chena Hot Springs: This morning you will have breakfast at the Lodge. Afterwards, you will have a day to enjoy the many outdoor activities available for you at Chena Hot Springs. Choose from an optional 3 hour dog mushing tour and learn what it takes to have a dog team in Alaska. Learn how to “mush” your own team of dogs on the trail, or you may take a guided snowmobile ride, where you will find pristine trails and beautiful scenery. Later, immerse yourself in the beauty of Chena Hot Springs’ winter wonderland. You can also take a 30 minute excursion aboard a horse-drawn wagon. The sleigh ride moves quietly across the snow covered trails; human sounds are diminished as nature takes center stage. Other activities available for you at Chena Hot Springs are cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, horseback rides and flight seeing. Later this evening, we will visit the Ice Hotel, where you can enjoy a Martini in a genuine "ice glass" Tonight, enjoy the solitude of this area or take a short walk from the Chena Lodge to the Aurorarium, a warm lookout building with large plate-glass windows where you scan the northern sky for the Northern Lights, or simply relax at the comfortable Lodge.

Day 9: Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks: This morning we will have breakfast at the Lodge, followed by our departure to Fairbanks. We will visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum. Situated on a ridge overlooking Fairbanks and the Alaska Range, UAF has the best view in town! Here you will marvel at the natural and cultural history of Alaska, the science behind the Northern Lights, view a 36,000 year old Steppe bison mummy, see the state’s largest gold display, and also learn about the trans-Alaska pipeline. The afternoon is free to wander and explore this city. Tonight, we will go to the University of Alaska to scan the sky for the Northern Lights

Day 10: Fairbanks to Anchorage: We will enjoy breakfast together this morning and bid farewell to our trip leader and fellow travelers as we head our separate ways for the journey back home. At 8:30 am we will rail back to Anchorage aboard the Alaska Railroad. Traveling on the Alaska Railroad in the winter offers one of a kind serene experience like you have never seen before. The snow covered wilderness reveals spectacular, pristine scenery. Enjoy a pleasant dinner in the dinning car viewing scenery along this route that is about as breathtaking as it gets. You will arrive in Anchorage at 7:45 pm where you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to do last minute shopping and dining before heading back home. B

The rest of the afternoon is free to do last minute shopping and dining before heading back home.

Tour Add-Ons

Attend the Iditarod Musher’s Banquet: Enjoy the Iditarod Festivities at the Musher’s Banquet. Mingle with the mushing community from near and far and bring your camera for a photo opportunity with your favorite musher. Overnight in Anchorage.

Price: $275.00 per person includes one extra night lodging in Anchorage, dinner at the Musher’s Banquet and transportation to and from the Sullivan Arena. (Limited seating)

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Nome Iditarod Race Finish: Join the celebration as the Iditarod mushers arrive in Nome after nine days and 1049 miles. Learn about the history of this amazing race and the numerous hardships mushers and their dog teams overcome. Immerse yourself in native Eskimo culture by experiencing traditional Eskimo dances and ways of life. Shift from the traditional to the modern and you'll find yourself hitting a round of golf on the Bering Sea! Please call for price. Includes round trip airfare from Anchorage to Nome and lodging in Nome.

Price: Please call us for current pricing and availability.

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Mt. McKinley Flight Seeing: Denali National Park and the Mt. McKinley area offer viewers one of the last vast wilderness areas untouched by modern man. Over six million acres of open alpine tundra, wildlife, mile high granite gorges, blue glacier ice flows and giant icy peaks. Our flights are safe, smooth and exciting. This tour covers more of Denali National Park than any tour available. You will circle Mt. McKinley and traverse the Alaska Range twice.

There is no better way to view the remote regions of the park. See active gold mines, Kahiltna base camp where the climbers begin their ascent, and the Wickersham Wall of McKinley, the steepest continual vertical relief in the world.

Price: $325 per person for 1.5 hour tour. All flights are subject to weather.

Note: This tour has a great glacier landing option. Call us for more details.

Tour Add-On Details

Travel Information

Note: Adventure travel is exactly is as its name implies, an adventure! Although every attempt is made to adhere to these itineraries, participants need to acknowledge and willingly accept the unexpected route and itinerary changes due to factors beyond our control. Aurora viewing is subject to weather conditions and solar activity. Some activities are subject to change when temperatures are below -30�F.

Tour includes: Transportation, lodging, transfers and baggage handling and meals as indicated on the itinerary. All rates are per person in U.S. dollars based on shared occupancy. Tour does not include Alaska Sales tax, air transportation to and from Anchorage or any optional tours, liquor, items of personal nature or purchases made onboard the vessels. Winter clothing rental is available at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Toasty warm outdoor pants, parka and �bunny� boots are available for a fee.

Travel Insurance: We strongly suggest purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment at the time you sign up for one of our trips. This coverage will offset cancellation charges in the event of illness before or during your trip. Trip cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance is available at a supplemental cost. Please visit Insure my Trip for more details.

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Tour Dates

2009 March 6 - March 15

2010 March 5 - March 14

Tour Cost:

$3,895.00 per person

B= Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

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	HELPFUL INFORMATION "A Guide to The Last Great Race" Aurora Borealis - Northern Lights Guide How to Photograph the Northern Lights Aurora Webcam What to Wear - Winter Guide for Alaska You will need Adobe Reader to view any of the above documents. You can download Adobe Reader for free by clicking the Adobe icon below.