Alaska in Winter: Northern Lights & Dog Sledding Adventure - 8 Days

Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening and afterwards choose to have an optional dinner together as a group.

In the morning visit the tranquil beauty of the Eagle River Nature Centre for a hike along one of the many trails located in the mountainous landscape of Chugach State Park. Return to Anchorage for lunch on your own, before a private afternoon visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre for a more in-depth look into Alaska’s Indigenous history. Following the tour, the group will spend free time at the museum before a winter evening to explore Anchorage and have dinner on your own.

After breakfast the group will head further north to the mighty Matanuska Glacier for an unforgettable walk on the icy blue surface with a local guide. Then, continue onwards to Talkeetna where there will be free time in this outdoorsy, mountaineering town. The days might be short, but tonight there could be an opportunity to see The Northern Lights, and a great view of Mt. Denali.

Start the morning with a walk around Talkeetna Lakes and soak in the snowy scenery. Then, get ready for an epic Alaskan winter activity this morning with an incredible dog sledding experience where you’ll learn to mush with the most successful Iditarod dogs of all time. The Alaskan Iditarod race is an annual 1,000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. It’s known for testing the unique bond between mushers and their canines. See the pups for yourself and feel the adrenaline rush of sledding. The remainder of the afternoon is free for optional activities in the area like a flight sightseeing tour, nordic ski rentals, or a fat bike activity.

Today is every traveller’s winter Alaska dream! Start with a visit to a reindeer farm located just outside of Talkeetna where you’ll learn some interesting facts about these beautiful beasts and have the opportunity to feed them amid the forest. Then, board the Aurora Winter Train through the gorgeous snowy landscape of Alaska’s tundra en route to Fairbanks. Along the hundreds of miles of track, the group will pass by the state’s most spectacular landscapes, chugging through spruce forests white with frost and along wide rivers completely frozen beneath layers of ice. Meals can be purchased on board. Arrive to Fairbanks later in the evening and transfer to the hotel.

Leave Fairbanks behind today and travel to the Chena Hot Springs, located on a property in the Chena River State Recreation Area surrounded by forest. The resort offers plenty of winter oriented activities to choose from and of course some steamy hot springs to soak in while surrounded by snow. Upon arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to experience the many amenities and outdoor activities on offer. This evening after dinner on your own, the group will reconvene and depart on an included Aurora Viewing tour to try and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, if the weather allows.

Enjoy a relaxing morning at the resort to perhaps go for a walk on the property, or soak in the steaming waters one last time. Then, travel to North Pole, Alaska where this small city has fully embraced its year-round commitment to all things Christmas and Santa Claus. Explore the town and have lunch at your leisure before travelling back to Fairbanks. Spend the remainder of the afternoon on your own, or perhaps choose to visit the Museum of the North, and the Morris Thompson Cultural Centre. This evening, there will be an optional group farewell dinner at a local spot.

Depart at any time.