Itinerary
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Wednesday, 4 Mar 2020: Arrive Anchorage, Alaska; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour will begin at 6:00pm in the lobby of the hotel with introductions. We will get better acquainted at our Welcome Dinner and discuss the upcoming days. Overnight Anchorage - 4 nights
Thursday, 5 Mar 2020: Winter Scenic Tour; Free Time; Musher's Banquet (B,D)
This morning, we'll enjoy an overview of Alaska's largest city on a guided sightseeing tour. We'll top off our morning with views of the Chugach Mountains, Denali, and the Aleutian Islands from Flattop Scenic Overlook. After returning to our hotel to rest and refresh, we'll head out late this afternoon to enjoy Iditarod festivities at the Musher’s Banquet, a must for anyone attending the Iditarod for the first time. Mingle with the mushing community and watch as the mushers draw their bib number. Attire for this banquet is Alaskan-style (casual).
Friday, 6 Mar 2020: Anchorage Annual Winter Festival (B)
Today is a time to enjoy the many winter festival activities during Anchorage's Annual Winter Fur Rendezvous, a winter festival known locally as Fur Rondy or "Rondy." Enjoy crowd-pleasing events such as the Native Arts market, Theater Show, Rondy carnival activities, a snow sculpturing competition, snowshoe softball and firework displays. Or perhaps you'd rather spend the day your own way. Your Tour Leader will have suggestions for things to do.
Saturday, 7 Mar 2020: Iditarod Start; Running of the Reindeer (B)
This morning we'll head downtown for the ceremonial start of The Iditarod in downtown Anchorage. Mushers can be seen on the trail along the Glenn Highway to Eagle River. The racers then pack up and head to Wasilla for the restart of the race on Sunday, an event which also draws big crowds. This afternoon, we'll explore more of Alaska's unique culture and traditions. There will also be an opportunity to run with - or watch - the "Running of the Reindeer" down three city blocks of Anchorage.
Sunday, 8 Mar 2020: Fly to Fairbanks; Ice Sculptures; Northern Lights Excursion (B,D)
This morning, we'll fly to Fairbanks, Alaska to see the amazing ice sculptures at the World Ice Art Championship. Sculptors carve blocks of ice and with the mixture of pure water and cold temperatures, the ice forms quickly and densely, giving it a glacial blue tint. It is so clear that a person can read a newspaper through a 4-foot block of ice. The sculptors have pronounced Fairbanks’ ice as the best in the world for sculpting. Tonight, we'll head out to look for the Northern Lights. (The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.) Overnight Fairbanks - 2 nights
Monday, 9 Mar 2020: Dog Sledding; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Today, we will try our hand at mushing our own team of dogs. Lend a hand in readying the dogs by harnessing and hooking the team up to the sled. Once on the trail, everyone will have an opportunity to mush your very own team of Alaskan huskies through the mountains. Not only are the dogs incredible, but so too are the highly trained pros. Ask your guide about the history, techniques, and subtleties of dogsledding – they are extremely knowledgeable and the close relationships between musher and dogs are especially engaging. We will regroup tonight for our Farewell Dinner.
Tuesday, 10 Mar 2020: Return Home from Fairbanks (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Schedule your departure at your convenience. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.