Here is a chance to experience the best Alaska has to offer in the winter: attend the start of one of the greatest dog races in the world, view the northern lights from the world renown Chena Hot Springs and drive your own dog team. You'll spend half a day at our dogmushing school learning about sled dogs and how to drive you own team. If you are a dogmushing enthusiast, this trip is for you.

Known as the "toughest sled dog race in the world", the 2008 Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race will travel over 1000 miles from the start in Fairbanks Alaska, through the interior of Alaska and along the Yukon River, to its finish in Whitehorse, British Columbia. Following historic Gold Rush and Mail Delivery routes, the mushers will brave some of the harshest weather and terrain in the arctic during the race. With only 10 checkpoints along the trail and some of them over 200 miles apart, the mushers must rely on their wilderness skills and the determination of the team to fulfill their goal of being the 1st team to cross the finish line.

The aurora borealis has fascinated man for centuries and is truly a natural wonder no one should miss. Bands of green, red, purple and white streaking across the sky are symbolic of winter nights in the arctic. Our Northern Lights Tour takes you to one of the best places in Alaska for viewing the aurora: Chena Hot Springs Resort. This rustic resort is nestled in the Chena Hills and has a wonderful outdoor pool that is perfect for watching the aurora streak across the sky. Sixty miles away from Fairbanks, the resort is beyond the interference of the city's lights and even has heated viewing huts on a remote mountain to further enhance the viewing pleasure. Optional activities such as dogmushing, snowmobiling, skiing, hiking and snowshoeing make it the perfect place for a winter getaway.

Our tour also spends time in Fairbanks visiting local museums and galleries.

Wednesday, Clients arrive in Fairbanks. Transportation to the Marriott Spring Hill Suites hotel.

Thursday, Today we explore the historic gold rush city of Fairbanks. The University of Alaska Museum is a fantastic place to learn about the aurora borealis and the natural, artistic, and cultural heritage of Alaska and the Circumpolar North. Besides the University museum, we will visit local galleries that feature some of Alaska's best known artists. Tonight we will attend the Yukon Quest Musher's banquet. This is a great opportunity to meet the mushers and learn more about their personal lives and the challenges they will face on the trail. Lodging : Fairbanks (B,L,D)

Friday, Today is your day to learn about dog mushing. You'll start with a 1/2 hour ground school to familiarize yourself with the equipment, dogs, putting on harnesses, etc...You'll then hook up a team of about 8 dogs and go out for a 5 mile run with an instructor showing you how things work. You'll trade places on the runners and have the instructor coaching you with the team. Then you'll head out for a 10 mile run with a smaller team for you to drive and receive a certificate of accomplishment. Lodging ; Fairbanks (B,L,D)

Saturday, Today we attend the race start and cheer our favorite mushers on as the begin their grueling trip to Whitehorse. We will leave Fairbanks and head out the Angel Creek checkpoint and Chena Hot Springs. Along the way we will stop at different points to view the teams along the trail and at the checkpoint you will have a chance to see how the mushers care for their teams along the trail. Lodging ; CHSR (B,D)

Sunday, 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 or snowshoes. Optional activities available as add-ons include,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-cat to a remote viewing site for a late night aurora display. Lodging; CHSR (B,D)

Monday, 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)

Tuesday ,Today we will head back toward Fairbanks. We will view the Trans Alaska pipeline, as well as the historic gold dredge #8 and visit the community of Fox. We will have a farewell dinner tonight and maybe catch one last aurora display. Lodging ; Fairbanks (B,L,D)

Wednesday, Clients fly out of Fairbanks.