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Iditarod Race Official Start Tour

Witness the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the renowned dog sledding adventure across Alaska.

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Tour Code: 249CTA

Tour Overview

Experience the renowned Iditarod Sled Dog Race with this exciting getaway in early March, launching this iconic sled dog race in Alaska. Be at the raceway for the Ceremonial Start and then the Official Restart of this historic dog sledding competition. This Iditarod tour features a five-night stay in Anchorage and a guided trip to the Official Iditarod Race Restart in Willow, Alaska. Professional mushers take off on their journey to Nome in Alaska’s Far North Region. You will also take a scenic sightseeing tour along Turnagain Arm or upgrade to a short plane flight to one of the first checkpoints along the Iditarod Trail. On your last day, you will get the opportunity to try out dogsledding yourself.

What's Included
  • Five nights of accommodations
  • Transportation to and from the Iditarod race restart in Willow including hot food and drinks and access to a warm-up tent near the starting line in Willow (approximately 8 hours)
  • 6-hour Turnagain Sightseeing Tour, including a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and lunch
  • 9-hour Dog Sledding Adventure incl. roundtrip transportation from Anchorage, visit to an Iditarod Mushers kennel, approximately 60-minute dog sled ride, and lunch
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Meals unless noted above, transfers between your hotel, the airport and day tour starting points, and gratuities.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival (March 1, 2024)

Arrive into Anchorage and transfer to your hotel on your own. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides an excellent start to your vacation. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage (March 2, 2024)

Day at leisure in Anchorage today. Enjoy the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race in downtown Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 3
Anchorage (March 3, 2024)

Today, depart in the morning for Willow Lake, the location of the official start of the Iditarod. Spend the day cheering on the mushers and their teams as they start the long journey north. You will have access to hot food and drinks in a warm up tent along the trail start and a great view of the action. Return in the evening to overnight in Anchorage.

Day 4
Anchorage (March 4, 2024)

Today is your turn to try out dog mushing. After a scenic drive north to dog mushing country, you will get an introduction into mushing your own team. Help harness the dogs before setting out on a 5-mile self drive mini expedition! Two guests will share one dog sled and a small dog team of 4-7 Alaskan huskies. After 2.5 miles, stop for photos with your dog team and to alternate from standing to riding on the passenger bench. Upon return to the kennel, reward the dogs with some treats and enjoy a lunch yourself. Overnight in Anchorage.

OR upgrade your program with the following fly-out excursion to a check point of the Iditarod Trail (additional cost): Depart in the morning on a ski plane and fly over beautiful winter scenery and part of the Iditarod trail. Cheer on mushers as they are coming through the check point and experience the real race first hand. Lunch is included.

Return in the afternoon for an overnight in Anchorage.

Day 5
Anchorage (March 5, 2024)

Today travel south from Anchorage along the scenic Turnagain Arm to the mountain community of Girdwood. Take the Aerial Tramway up Mt. Alyeska and enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and hanging glaciers. Before returning to Anchorage, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 6
Anchorage Departure (March 6, 2024)

Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer to the airport on your own. Depart or start an additional program.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates


* Minimum age: 12 years.

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

 

They helped me setup a train tour from Fairbanks to Anchorage and secure lodging along the way, even adjusting the days of my stay so I could explore the towns! I have happily recommended them to family and friends I know for their own trips!

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