Day 1 : Fly to Alaska

Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and check in to our hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 2 : Anchorage

Downtown Anchorage is ours to explore this morning. Now is a great time to go on an optional flightseeing excursion, watch a short educational film at the Anchorage Public Lands Information Center, visit the Captain Cook Monument at Resolution Park, or shop for souvenirs. In the afternoon, a knowledgeable docent joins us for a stroll through the halls of the Anchorage Museum where we acquaint ourselves with Alaska's native heritage followed by time to explore on our own. We have the evening at our leisure.

Day 3 : Talkeetna Sled Dogs

A scenic drive takes us north into Alaska’s Interior. We travel along the Chugach Mountains to the Matanuska Valley, Alaska’s primary agricultural region, and along the Susitna River to the village of Talkeetna near the base of Denali, North America’s tallest peak. Upon arrival we visit the scenic homestead of four-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey for a tour of his sled dog kennel and a dog sled ride of our own! We then check in to our Talkeetna hotel for a one-night stay and enjoy an included dinner. We watch an audio-visual presentation about aurora borealis presented by professional aurora photographer Dora Redman who shares tips on how to get the best shot. Our lodge’s back deck points towards Denali, so keep an eye out for views of the majestic peak in the moonlight, stars, and shimmering auroras.

Day 4 : A Journey by Rail

All aboard the Alaska Railroad! Today’s scenic journey takes us into the heart of Denali National Park’s six million acres of wilderness. Keep your camera handy for extraordinary views of the Alaska Mountain Range as we travel almost 250 miles north. Dinner is included on the train, then disembark in “The Golden Heart of the North,” Fairbanks. We check in to our accommodations in Fairbanks for a four-night stay. Tonight we watch for northern lights at the Aurora Pointe Activity Center, far enough away from city lights to impact our viewing. A cozy fire with coffee, tea, and locally produced snacks await us. Our guide will educate us about the Aurora Borealis as our excitement builds. The center is equipped with a webcam to broadcast Mother Nature’s magical light show to guests inside as well.

Day 5 : Fairbanks

Alaska’s second largest city is ours to explore today. An Alaskan Native docent joins us for a tour of the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center, whose interactive exhibits and life-sized dioramas illustrate what life is like in the Alaska Interior. The afternoon is at leisure. Enticing wintertime excursions include flightseeing, snow machining, ice fishing, or a visit to Chena Hot Springs. Other opportunities include a visit to the Museum of the North, the Ice Museum, or Golden Heart Plaza, a scenic public park overlooking the Chena River. This evening we return to the Aurora Pointe Activity Center for another night of watching for Aurora Borealis displays and stargazing.

Day 6 : Ice Art Championships

Enjoy a relaxing late morning before visiting the World Ice Art Championships. Springtime celebrations like the Ice Art Championships are major cultural moments in the Alaska Interior as a means to say farewell to winter. Ice sculptors from across the world display their jaw-dropping works of art made from enormous blocks of ice. Tonight we gather for another evening seeking out the enchanting Northern Lights in the heart of the Last Frontier.

Day 7 : Antique Auto Museum

Begin our last full day in Fairbanks with a late leisurely morning. This afternoon we visit Fairbanks’ Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum where a collection of almost 100 restored vehicles appear alongside classic fashion apparel from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Tonight we gather for a Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner. Later we board our overnight flight home.

Day 8 : Arrive Home