The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is one of the most
exciting sporting events in the world and we put you in the middle
of it. Experience the unmatched excitement of the start of the
Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Watch frenzied, leaping sled dogs straining
at their harnesses to begin the 1000 mile race to Nome as anxious
mushers and their handlers battle to control the excited dogs. Be
part of the race by being a dog handler at the race start. Mingle
with the mushers and race personnel along the trail
at the
McGrath, Nikolai and Takotna checkpoints with our "Iditarod Trail
Add-on".
Now in our 14th year, Alaska Iditarod Tours was the first company
to offer tours of the Iditarod Race and still offers the finest tour
available. Read our testimonial page from some of the scores of
clients who have been our guests and had the time of their life. Our
Iditarod Tour includes outstanding sightseeing, adventure and the opportunity to be a volunteer in this
exciting sporting event. If you have ever wanted to experience
Alaska and one of the most unique and exciting sporting events in
the world, this trip is for you!. 2009 tours sold out, make your reservation now for 2010.
Day One Tuesday: Guests arrive and check into the Anchorage Hilton Hotel. Evening group
meeting.
Day Two Wednesday: Pickup at your hotel with a scenic ride along Turnagain
Arm to the port of Seward Alaska. Here we will take a 3 hour cruise in
beautiful Resurrection Bay . In the afternoon we will travel to the village of Girdwood
and stay at the magnificent Alyeska Ski Resort.(L,D)
Day Three Thursday: We will spend the day at Alyeska. Clients can book
optional activities such as downhill or cross-country skiing, flightseeing
by plane or helicopter, snowmobiling, dogsledding, exploring the village
of Girdwood or just enjoying the hotel amenities. In the afternoon we
will head back to Anchorage and attend the Musher's Banquet in the
evening. (D)
Day Four Friday: In the morning we will visit the Iditarod Race Headquarters and clients wishing to be handle the dogs at the race start will go through their dog handler certification training. Afternoon and evening are free. Clients may purchase tickets for the "Iditarod Fun Raiser Dinner and Auction" in the evening. . (L)
Day Five Saturday: Iditarod excitement clicks into high gear today with
the ceremonial Race start in Anchorage. We will get an early start and watch
the mushers unload their teams in the staging area and later join the
crowds cheering on their favorite mushers as they race down 4th Ave.(D)
Day Six Sunday: Morning departure to the official restart of the
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow. Another chance to be a part of the
Race by working as a dog handler or security personnel. (D)
Day Seven Monday: Clients not continuing onto McGrath or Fairbanks will depart Anchorage.
| Iditarod Tour: |
6 nights, $2100 per person, double
occupancy; single supplement: $400 |
| Dates: |
March 2 - March 8, 2010 |
| Includes: |
Accommodations, pre-race activities, admissions, group meals as indicated. |
Optional "Iditarod Trail Tour Add-0n":
Day Seven Monday: Continuing on from our Iditarod Tour,clients will
fly to the community of McGrath on the Kuskokwim River. You will have
opportunity to explore the town of McGrath, the old townsite of McGrath
and meet a lot of interesting and friendly people. Clients can book optional activities such as dogmushing . Lodging ; McGrath . (L,D)
Day Eight Tuesday: Today you will fly to the Athabaskan community of Nikolai and
watch as the lead mushers come in from their grueling travels through the
Alaska Range and the Farewell Burn. Nikolai is a great place to watch the
musher's care for their dogs and experience a little of bit of life in a
remote Native village. In the late afternoon we will return to McGrath and
spend the evening watching the lead mushers come into the McGrath
checkpoint. Lodging ; McGrath (B,L,D)
Day Nine Wednesday: The Takotna checkpoint has earned a reputation as the
friendliest checkpoint on the trail and the spot where many of the lead
mushers take their 24 hour layover. Today we take a short flight there and
spend the day watching the mushers and their teams. We will spend the
evening watching the lead mushers come into the McGrath checkpoint.
Lodging ; McGrath. (B,L,D)
Day Ten Thursday:Today is a free day in McGrath with teams entering and
leaving McGrath. We will work to schedule slots for clients who are
interested in being a volunteer checker. Lodging ;McGrath (B,L,D)
Day Eleven Friday: The tour comes to an end and clients return to Anchorage.(B,)
| Iditarod Trail Add-on:
|
March 8 - March 12, 2010. $2400 shared
accommodation, single supplement: $440 |
| Includes: |
Accommodations and meals in McGrath, rt air transportation between Anchorage and McGrath, charter flights to the Nikolai and Takotna checkpoints. |
Optional "Northern Lights / Ice Art Championship Add-0n":
Day Seven Monday: Morning departure for Fairbanks. In the afternoon we will explore
Fairbanks with a late afternoon / evening visit to the Ice
Art Park. Lodging ; Marriott Springhill Suites (L,D)
Day Eight Tuesday: Today we will visit the University Museum . In the afternoon we will
depart Fairbanks and travel to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. We will stop for a dog sled ride along the way and then head to the resort to spend the evening soaking in the hot springs and watch the northern lights play across the sky. Lodging ; CHSR (B,L,D)
Day Nine Wednesday: The Chena Hot Springs Resort is a winter wonderland with numerous
activities to occupy our time. In the morning we will tour the area with
either cross country skis, snowshoes or hiking. Optional activities
available as add-ons include, more dog mushing, horse drawn sleigh rides and
snowmobiling. Of course, the hot springs are always there for a relaxing
soak. If the weather is clear and the potential for viewing the aurora are
good, we will travel by snow-monkey to a remote viewing site for a late
night aurora display. Lodging ; CHSR (B,D)
Day Ten Thursday:We will spend another full day at Chena Hot Springs cross country
skiing/snowshoeing enjoying the scenery, taking a dog sled ride or other
optional activities and of course, the hot springs. Tonight we will have
another chance to spend the night gazing at the aurora streaking across the
northern sky. Lodging; CHSR (B,D)
Day Eleven Friday: Today we return to Fairbanks with a visit to the Trans-Alaska
pipeline and the community of Fox.. Evening departure for Anchorage. (B,L)
| Northern Lights Add-on:
|
March 8 - March 12, 2010. $2000 double
occupancy, single supplement: $400 |
| Includes: |
Accommodations and group meals as indicated, transportation around Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs, dogsled ride, Snowcat ride, admission tickets. |
"Iditarod Finish in Nome":
Day One March 14, Sunday: Clients arrive into Nome on their own. Your guide will orient you to the city. Lodging ; Nome (D)
Day Two March 15, Monday: Fly from Nome to Unalakleet, the first village the mushers will stop at on Norton Sound. Lodging ; Nome(B,L,D)
Day Three March 16, Tuesday: Fly to White Mountain and/or other Norton Sound checkpoints Lodging ; Nome (B,L,D)
Day Four March 17 Wednesday: The Nome party clicks into high gear today as the leaders approach the finish line. We will cheer on our favorite mushers as they cross under the famous burl arch on Front Street. Lodging; Nome (B,L,D)
Day Five March 18 Thursday:Today we will take a tundra buggy tour to the Safety checkpoint. This 22 mile ride along the coast gives us more opportunities to view the mushers heading to Nome along the Iditarod trail. Lodging; Nome (B,L,D)
Day Five March 19 Friday:Clients will depart for Anchorage. Those wishing to extend their trip 3 more days to stay for the Musher's Finish Banquet may do so at the time of booking their tour.
| Iditarod Race Nome Finish Tour:
|
March 14 - March 19, $3400 double
occupancy, single supplement $500 |
| Includes: |
Shared accommodations and meals in Nome, transportation between Nome and checkpoints. |
| Contact: |
Alaska Iditarod Tours at
1-604-720-0744, or email us. | |