Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland and Iditarod

Fully guided Alaska winter experience combining aurora viewing, scenic touring and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race start.

Tour Code: 238CTA

Tour Overview

Visit Alaska to discover the beauty and magic of winter on this 8-day “Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland” vacation, including experiencing the Northern Lights and Alaska’s famous sled dog race – the Iditarod! This unique Alaska winter tour from Fairbanks includes Northern Lights viewing in Alaska’s Interior region and riding the Alaska Railroad south from Healy and Denali to Anchorage. You’ll tour the scenic route along the Seward Highway, Turnagain Arm, by bus and visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to learn about Alaska’s winter wildlife, including moose, bison, and more. Then you’ll get to quiz a professional Iditarod musher about the Iditarod Sled Dog Race during a special kennel visit before witnessing the start of the Iditarod itself, “Last Great Race,” where you will be surrounded by fabulous four-legged athletes known as sled dogs before they hit the trail to Nome.

What's Included
  • Seven nights accommodation with baggage handling
  • Local and knowledgeable guide throughout the tour
  • Ground transportation is as follows: van transportation for group size 1 – 9 people (driver-guide only) or full-size motorcoach transportation for group size 10 to 50 people
  • Two Northern Lights viewing tours (Fairbanks and Healy)
  • Fairbanks sightseeing tour, including Morris Thompson Cultural Center
  • Alaska Railroad journey from Denali to Anchorage
  • Iditarod Musher’s Banquet event*
  • Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center & Anchorage Museum
  • Anchorage sightseeing tour
  • Martin Buser kennel tour
  • Seven breakfasts (B), one boxed lunch (BL), one dinner (D)
  • All applicable taxes and fees

* Guaranteed seating if booked by January 1, 2024. For bookings placed later, Musher’s banquet tickets are on request. There may still be seats available. Please contact us for details.

What's Not Included

Meals other than mentioned, beverages during meals, and gratuity.

 

Tour Itinerary

A group tour highlighting Alaska's winter season and the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Enjoy stunning winter scenery as you travel in a deluxe motorcoach from Fairbanks to Denali and on the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage. The professional guides and drivers are experts on Alaska; traveling with them is like traveling with a friend. This tour is a truly enjoyable way to experience all Alaska has to offer in winter.

Day 1
Fairbanks Arrival (February 25, 2024)

Upon arrival in Fairbanks, transfer to your hotel on your own or by hotel courtesy shuttle. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Fairbanks.

Please note:  the group hotel in Fairbanks will not be known until 30 days prior to arrival, but please contact us if you would like to book any extra nights for adding optional tours.

Day 2
Fairbanks (February 26, 2024)

Late this morning enjoy a city tour of Fairbanks including a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and a stop at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. This evening, join your guide and fellow guests as you board the motorcoach to go on a Northern Lights viewing tour (depending on weather and solar activity). Overnight Fairbanks. (B)

Day 3
Fairbanks to Healy/Denali (February 27, 2024)

In the morning board the motor coach to depart Fairbanks for the small community of Healy, the closest year round community to Denali National Park. Upon arrival, visit the Murie Science Learning Center which acts as the Visitor Center in the wintertime. Afterwards possibility to snowshoe. Tonight, you’ll have another chance to view the Northern Lights (weather and solar activity depending).  Overnight Healy. (B, BL)

Day 4
Healy/Denali to Anchorage (February 28, 2024)

Transfer to the Healy Rail Stop where you will board the Alaska Railroad for your scenic journey to Anchorage. Keep an eye out for views of Denali! Overnight Anchorage. (B)

Day 5
Anchorage - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (February 29, 2024)

Today starts with a city tour of Anchorage featuring the historic downtown area, Lake Hood floatplane base, and Earthquake Park. Later, travel along the spectacular Turnagain Arm – an American scenic byway – for a visit to the non-profit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and an in-depth look at Alaskan wildlife along with their rehabilitative and preservation efforts. Tonight enjoy Iditarod festivities including meeting mushers and a dinner at the Mushers’ Banquet! Feel the excitement as the mushers draw starting positions for Saturday’s official race start. Overnight in Anchorage. (B, D)

Day 6
Anchorage - Kennel Visit (March 1, 2024)

Today travel north to meet 4-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser at his Happy Trails Kennel. Hear his personal stories from being on the trail while viewing a glimpse of the grandeur Alaska has to offer while along the Iditarod trail. Before returning to Anchorage a visit will be made to the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla. Overnight in Anchorage. (B)

Day 7
Anchorage - Ceremonial Iditarod Start (March 2, 2024)

This morning head to 4th Avenue to get a great viewing spot of the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Spend time cheering on mushers from all over the world as they tour through the city. This afternoon visit the Anchorage Museum, a large art, history, ethnography, ecology and science museum. Overnight in Anchorage. (B)

Day 8
Anchorage - Official Iditarod Start - Departure* (March 3, 2024)

This morning depart for an adventure north to Willow for the official start of the Iditarod. Be sure to dress in layers for warmth as the entire day will be spent outside cheering on your favorite dog teams. A chance to stop along the way at a local grocery store to pick up on-own lunch items, snacks and maybe a portable chair for sitting. The departure time from Willow will depend on weather conditions and guests’ comfort level. It is the goal to see as many of the mushers as possible depart while still arriving back into Anchorage by 6:00/6:30pm.

Upon return to Anchorage, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight or add an optional post night in Anchorage.

*This day includes walking on snow and ice (and a few hills) to get to the official start of the Iditarod, where mushers take off from a lake. Guests are encouraged to take their time to get to the venue, as there is not a rush. In the event, that the Iditarod Official Start is relocated beyond Willow due to weather / trail conditions, a full day of activities will be substituted for the guests in Anchorage (e.g. Alaska Aviation Museum, Iditarod movie presentation).

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

Post-nights in Anchorage may be available. Please contact us for details.

Please inquire for child rates. Minimum age 7 years!

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland and Iditarod:

Fairbanks Winter Dog Sledding Tour

This Fairbanks tour is full of dog sledding adventure and fun. Experienced guides showcase their Alaska sled dogs and share insights into Alaska’s unique dog mushing lifestyle and popular winter sport. Then spend 1-hour on the trails! Learn dog calls […]... Browse itinerary

I am emailing to let you know that all of your trips were fabulous, and I truly had a great time! Thank you so much for your help and all you did for me. It was fun visiting Fairbanks!

Agnieszka | Washington