Winter Wonderland and Iditarod

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

Tour Code: 237CTA

Tour Overview

This 5-day guided winter tour by bus from Anchorage treats visitors to educational fun at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the opportunity to visit an Iditarod sled dog kennel preparing for this year’s race. The professional guides and drivers are experts in Alaska and live here year-round. At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, you’ll love getting close to Alaska animals in the winter, including moose and bison. Then you’ll learn about the Iditarod Sled Dog Race from a real Iditarod musher during a special kennel visit just prior to the start of this year’s “Last Great Race,” and his team of fabulous four-legged athletes will surround you before they hit the trail to Nome.

What's Included
  • Four nights of hotel accommodation with baggage handling
  • Local, knowledgeable guide throughout the tour
  • Ground transportation as follows: van transportation for group size 1 to 9 people (driver guide only) or full-size motorcoach transportation for group size 10 – 50
  • Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Anchorage Museum
  • Anchorage sightseeing tour
  • Visit Martin Buser’s dog kennel
  • Iditarod Musher’s Banquet event *
  • Four breakfasts (B) and one dinner (D)
  • All applicable taxes and fees

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

What's Not Included

Meals other than mentioned, beverages during meals, and gratuity. Airport transfer to hotel on Day 1.

 

Tour Itinerary

Witness the excitement of the beginning of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race! A guided group tour highlighting activities around the race including the Musher's Banquet, a visit to Martin Buser's kennel, and touring southcentral Alaska.

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival (February 28, 2024)

Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer to your downtown hotel on your own. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore. Overnight in Anchorage.

Important note: the Anchorage hotel will be determined 30 days prior to arrival, however please contact us if you would like to book any additional night for extending your Alaska winter vacation and adding optional activities.

Day 2
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 3
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 4
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 5
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. 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 Winter Wonderland and Iditarod:

Anchorage Winter Photo Safari

If you’re going to be in Anchorage this winter, a photography day tour is a fun experience for amateur to avid photographers alike to learn about Anchorage’s many attractions! This 4-hour sightseeing tour with your camera is a great way […]... Browse itinerary

Have just returned home from our amazing tour of Alaska. What a beautiful state with very friendly people. Can't thank you enough for organizing a perfect itinerary for us. We had such a good time.

Jim & Jane | Washington