Alaska’s Glaciers, Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Walk on a glacier, soak in hot springs and watch for the northern lights - experience it all!

Tour Code: 229CTA

Tour Overview

Do it all on this tremendous winter tour in Alaska with two nights in Anchorage, glacier hiking on Matanuska Glacier, and two nights at Chena Hot Springs for the ultimate prize: northern lights viewing! You’ll start out exploring Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. The town is nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet and offers abundant shopping and many restaurants. Then, take a scenic trip north to the massive Matanuska Glacier, where an experienced glacier guide will walk over ancient blue ice while you look for towering ice spires and stunning ice caves. Next, continue your winter journey north to Fairbanks aboard the Alaska Railroad. Your final destination is Chena Hot Springs Resort, known for its natural mineral hot springs and a prime location for viewing the northern lights (aurora borealis). In addition to world-class aurora viewing, this Alaska resort near Fairbanks offers guests lots of outdoor fun, including cross-country skiing, dog sledding tours, snowmobiling, and more. Guests can relax and rejuvenate in the resort’s hot springs and warm pools or enjoy a professional massage. With various Alaska winter activities, this “Glacier, Hot Springs and Northern Lights” adventure tour provides travelers a highly memorable Alaska reward

What's Included
  • 4 nights accommodation in moderate class hotel in Anchorage and Fairbanks
  • 8-hour Matanuska Glacier Adventure, including lunch
  • Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks
  • Round-trip transfers from Fairbanks
  • 2 nights at Chena Hot Springs Resort in the Moose Lodge building (room with private bath)
  • Two days pool passes for Chena Hot Springs
  • 4-hour Aurora Viewing Expedition tour at Chena Hot Springs (in tracked, military-style Small Unit Support Vehicle)
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Meals, optional excursions and gratuity.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage and the rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy Alaska’s largest city. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage - Matanuska Glacier Adventure

Today’s adventures begin with a pick up from your Anchorage hotel. Your Glacier Guide will narrate points of interest during the scenic 100-mile drive north through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley on your way to the mighty Matanuska Glacier. Photo stops will be made along the way so that you can capture the stunning valley and mountain peaks. Once you have arrived at Matanuska Glacier, your experienced Glacier Guide will outfit each person with ice cleats, walking sticks, and helmets for their safety. This fully guided glacier experience on foot will allow you to meander along the surface of ancient blue ice while you explore towering ice spires and gorgeous ice caves. Your time on the glacier will be from 2 to 3 hours. The glacier walk is considered a moderate activity with an elevation gain of approx. 140 ft (2 flights of stairs). A lunch is included either before or after your glacier hike. Overnight in Anchorage.

NOTE: Additional warm supplemental winter outerwear can be requested at the time of booking.

Day 3
Anchorage to Fairbanks

In the morning, you’ll take the hotel courtesy shuttle to the Anchorage train station. Here you will board the famous Alaska Railroad and travel through beautiful Alaska’s winter landscape to Fairbanks. During the train ride, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska Range and possibly even the mountain of Denali (weather permitting). You will arrive in Fairbanks in the evening and transfer to the hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 4
Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort: Mineral Springs and Northern Lights Viewing

Sleep in this morning, then, around mid-day, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to rustic Chena Hot Springs Resort, 90 minutes east of Fairbanks. While the facilities of the resort can be considered rustic and may not be up to date, the location of the resort offers great possibilities for northern lights viewing.  Chena Hot Springs hosts mineral spring-fed hot tubs and a warm indoor swimming pool, providing guests with total relaxation. Combined with numerous outdoor activities, Chena Hot Springs offers a great Alaskan winter experience. This evening, enjoy a 4-hour Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) Expedition tour. The aurora tour takes place on a tracked, military style Small Unit Support Vehicle*. Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Day 5
Chena Hot Springs Resort Fun: Dogsledding, Snowmobiling, Cross Country Skiing, Massages

The day is at your leisure to enjoy all the resort has to offer. Optional activities include dog sled rides, snow machine tours, or cross country skiing, and professional massages. Winter gear can be rented at the resort for a fee. Don’t miss visiting the Aurora Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs. Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Day 6
Chena Hot Springs Resort to Fairbanks

This morning, you will be transferred back to Fairbanks. The afternoon is free for you go enjoy optional Fairbanks city tours and visit local attractions. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 7
Departure from Fairbanks

Take the hotel shuttle to the airport for your departure or start an additional winter tour.

* Please note that during the tour you will be sitting in a small confined space with other people.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates


Minimum age for this tour is 8 years due to the included activities.

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.

 

We had a fabulous time in Alaska on our life quest to get to all the National Parks! I cannot rave about our trip enough!!!

Irene | Trip Advisor