Summary
Trip Length
6 days / 5 nights
Price
from USD$ 2,139
Details >
Outline
Arrive Anchorage
2 nights Anchorage
1 night Wasilla
1 night Talkeetna
1 night Anchorage
Depart from Anchorage
Starts
Anchorage, Alaska
2008 Date
February - March
Accommodation First-class or moderate-class hotels
Options & Upgrades
Extra nights / tours
Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race - Alaska
Witness the excitement of the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race across Alaska! Extending for over 1049 miles through some of the roughest, toughest country in North America, mushers and their dog teams race from Anchorage to Nome. The mushers face an incredible journey with bitter cold, fierce winds and long, lonely hours of darkness.
Experiencing the race, the Iditarod Trail, and the Alaska winter is unforgettable. From the start of the race in Anchorage to the checkpoint at Finger Lake, our Iditarod Tour follows the race using a combination of land and air travel. As an added bonus, you can also experience Anchorage's world-renowned Fur Rendezvous Winter Carnival - an Alaska festival you’re sure to enjoy. The Fur “Rondy” dates coincide with the Iditarod race festivities, so you can experience two great Alaska festivals in one visit! Alaska winters are sure to inspire with great activities and beautiful surroundings.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - February 28 - Arrival in Anchorage & Banquet
Arrive in Anchorage today and transfer to your centrally located downtown hotel on your own. Later this afternoon an information meeting will take place where you will meet your guide and your fellow travellers. In the evening the group will attend the Iditarod Mushers Banquet where you will have a chance to talk to the mushers. Feel the excitement build as they draw starting positions for Saturday's race start! Overnight Anchorage.
Day 2 - February 29 - Anchorage & Mt. Alyeska
Depart on a city tour of Anchorage this morning, including a behind the scenes tour of the Iditarod communications center. Your Alaskan tour continues as you travel south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm to the mountain community of Girdwood. From here, ride the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway. A seven-minute ride brings you to a viewing deck which provides breathtaking panoramic views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, sparkling streams, towering spruce, and an array of wildlife. The observation deck at the 2,300 foot level of Mt. Alyeska is a perfect place to enjoy the view and take advantage of the telescopes. After lunch (not included) your tour continues to the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center on the shores of Portage Lake. Overnight Anchorage.
Day 3 - March 1 - Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race
It’s race day! Watch the start of the race in downtown Anchorage. After watching the mushers and their sled dog teams take off, we will travel to other locations in the surrounding area for up-close viewing of the teams as they travel along Anchorage trails en route to their first checkpoint in Eagle River. We will continue to follow the race as we travel to Wasilla for the evening. Overnight Wasilla.
Day 4 - March 2 - Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race & Dogsledding
Stop at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters and museum before continuing to Iditarod veteran Vern Halter’s kennel for a tour. The presentation includes a demonstration of survival gear, explanations of dog care, and a dog sled ride! At 2:00 pm, the mushers exit urban Alaska countryside for the great wilderness trek to Nome. Continue north to the uniquely Alaskan "Northern Exposure" style town of Talkeetna. Overnight Talkeetna.
Day 5 - March 3 - Winterlake Lodge & Anchorage
Journey by ski plane this morning to the remote Iditarod race check-point at Winterlake Lodge. Winterlake Lodge lies 198 trail miles northwest of Anchorage along Alaska's historic Iditarod Trail. Winterlake Lodge is also the location of the Finger Lake checkpoint. We spend the day experiencing the activities at the bustling checkpoint before flying back to Anchorage's Lake Hood by ski plane. Overnight Anchorage.
Day 6 - March 4 - Iditarod Trail Tour Ends
Departure from Anchorage, transfer on your own to meet your scheduled flights.
2008 Departure Dates
This trip has been scheduled around the Iditarod Dogsledding Race and is only available from Thursday February 28 to March 4.
| Dates & Rates | USD$ | CAD$ | ||
| Double | Single | Double | Single | |
| Feb 28 - Mar 4 | 2,139 | 2,460 | 2,567 | 2,952 |
Options & Upgrades
• This tour can be done in 11 days / 12 nights begining March 3 and will follow the entire Iditarod Race Trail 1,049 miles by ski plane - contact us for this itinerary
• Add extra nights and tours to the start or end of this trip in the spectacular Alaska
Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people sharing a room
• Triple pricing is available
Includes
• Professional Alaskan tour guide throughout (English speaking)
• 5 nights accommodations including taxes and luggage handling
• Admission to the mushers banquet
• Anchorage city tour
• Alyeska Tram
• Dream a Dream Kennel tour and sled dog ride
• Ski plane flightseeing from Talkeetna to Finger Lake Iditarod race check point and return flight from the checkpoint to Anchorage
• All other transportation as noted
• All taxes
Not Included
• Transfers on arrival and departure dates in Anchorage
• Meals other than mentioned
• Gratuity
• Personal items
• Hospital, medical and trip cancellation insurance
