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Iditarod Official Start Tour
Witness the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the renowned dog sledding adventure across Alaska.
Trip Features
Mode of Travel
Tour Overview
Experience the world famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Be there for the ceremonial start and the official restart of this iconic dog sledding competition in Alaska. This tour features a five night stay in Anchorage and a guided trip to the official Iditarod Race Restart in Willow, Alaska. Here you see professional mushers take off for their long journey to Nome in Alaska’s Far North Region. You will also take part in a scenic sightseeing tour along Turnagain Arm or upgrade to a small plane flight to one of the first check points along the Iditarod Trail. On your last day, you will get the opportunity to try out dog mushing yourself.
What's Included
- 5 nights 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 (approx. 8-10 hours)
- 6-hour Turnagain Sightseeing Tour incl. a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and lunch
- 9-hour Dog Sledding Adventure incl. roundtrip transportation from Anchorage, visit of an Iditarod Mushers kennel, approx. 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
1Anchorage Arrival
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
2Anchorage
Day at leisure in Anchorage today. Enjoy the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race in downtown Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage.
Day
3Anchorage
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
4Anchorage
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.
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
5Anchorage
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.
Day
6Anchorage Departure
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
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Browse Dates & Rates
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.
Browsing Optional Add-on's for the Iditarod Official Start Tour:
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