Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/665932
Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland Tour | 13 ULTIMATE ALASKA WINTER WONDERLAND TOUR 11 DAYS/10 NIGHTS Featuring Aurora Viewing, Iditarod Mushers' Banquet and Alaska's World-Famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race Meals Included: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (S) Snack, (D) Dinner 1 1 5 1 4 4 2 2 11 3 A L A S K A R A N G E Denali (Mt. McKinley) Bering Land Bridge Natl. Pres. Gates of the Arctic NP Kobuk Val. NP Arctic NWR Yukon Flats NWR Koyukuk NWR Nowitna NWR Kodiak NWR Kenai Fjords NP Alaska Peninsula NWR Denali NP & Pres. Lake Clark NP & Pres. Katmai NP & Pres. Selawik NWR Kanuti NWR Innoko NWR Yukon Delta NWR Togiak NWR Wood- Tikchik SP Yukon- Charley Rivers Natl. Pres. Wrangell- St. Elias NP & Preserve Bristol Bay Norton Sound Kuskokwim Bay Gulf of Alaska B e ri n g S t r a i t Y u k o n R i v e r K u s k o k w i m R . Anchorage Fairbanks Nome Council Bethel Denali Seward Glenallen Homer Girdwood Palmer Valdez Cordova Kodiak Teller Dillingham Kotzebue 0 200 miles 0 200 km DAY 1: ARRIVAL Arrive in Fairbanks to be escorted to your 2-night accommodations in that city. Your adventure begins tonight when you board your motor coach to view the aurora borealis. DAY 2: FAIRBANKS CITY TOUR, CHENA HOT SPRINGS & AURORA VIEWS The day is yours until the early afternoon, where you'll join your guide for a city tour of Fairbanks, including a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Chena Hot Springs is next on the itinerary, and another aurora viewing this evening ends your day in spectacular fashion. A snowcoach will take you up the hill to catch a prime glimpse of this phenomenon. (B) DAY 3: ALASKA RAILROAD This famous train will take you on a scenic journey south to the state's largest city, Anchorage. A leisurely pace for this full-day ride provides endless opportunities to really see the beauty of Alaska, from the north to south face of Mt. McKinley to the wildlife along this dramatic way. (B) DAY 4: ANCHORAGE Explore this unique city independently—it's an ideal springboard for all kinds of activities: day cruises to see calving glaciers and breaching whales, hiking its gorgeous mountains; indulging in some of the world's freshest seafood at a five-star restaurant; or taking in a ballet performance. (B) DAY 5: TURNAGAIN ARM Your motor coach will take you south on the breathtaking Turnagain Arm highway, along the coastline and into Girdwood, where you'll overnight for two days. En route, you'll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Alaska Sealife Center to learn more about the creatures that inhabit this lovely land. (B, L) DAY 6: GIRDWOOD Take advantage of optional tours and amenities at the resort, including a tram ride that takes you high above the valley for panoramic views. Today is free to do as you like. (B) DAY 7: ANCHORAGE, ALASKA ZOO & IDITAROD Head back north for a tour of Anchorage and for a behind-the-scenes look at the Alaska Zoo. The Anchorage Museum is a recommended stop before tonight's Iditarod festivities and dinner at the Mushers' Banquet. The next four nights will be spent in Anchorage. (B, D) DAY 8: MARTIN BUSER & IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS Meet four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser at his Happy Trails Kennel, an award-winning facility. Personal stories will be told against the backdrop of the stunning Iditarod Trail. Put it all in context at the Iditarod Headquarters and a replica station before turning in for the night. (B) DAY 9: IDITAROD Kick off the Iditarod from the sidelines by cheering on mushers from all over the world. This exciting experience is capped by a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D) DAY 10: IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE Witness the official start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Willow, where every two minutes, a new group of mushers speed across Willow Lake to begin their 1,131-mile journey to Nome by dogsled. Grab a bite and a beverage at the Willow Community Center, and pick up some local crafts before going back to your hotel in Anchorage. (B, S) DAY 11: DEPARTURE End your epic adventure with a transfer to the Anchorage airport for your flight home. Pre- and post-tour stays as well as cruise alignment options are available for this tour. Consult your travel agent for more details on this and other escorted itineraries.