Alaska's Famous Iditarod Dog Sled Race
6 Days
from
$2,718 pp*
Highlights:
Alaska
(Anchorage, Talkeetna)
Trip Start/End:
Anchorage
/
Anchorage
Trip Schedule:
Departs on
28-Feb-2013
Witness the excitement of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across Alaska! Extending for over 1049 miles through some of the roughest, toughest country in North America, mushers and their dog teams race from Anchorage to Nome. The mushers face an incredible journey, bitter cold, fierce winds and long, lonely hours of darkness. Experiencing the race, the Iditarod Trail, and winter in Alaska is unforgettable. From race start in Anchorage to the checkpoint at Finger Lake, our Iditarod Tour follows the race using a combination of land and air travel. As an added bonus, you can also experience Anchorage's world-renowned Fur Rendezvous Winter Carnival. The Fur Rondy dates now coincide with Iditarod race festivities, so you can experience two great Alaskan wintertime traditions in one visit!
Trip Itinerary
Anchorage
Hilton Anchorage
Day 1: Anchorage
Arrive in Anchorage today and transfer to your centrally located downtown hotel via taxi. Later this afternoon an information meeting will take place where you will meet your guide and your fellow travellers.
In the evening you have reservations for the Iditarod Mushers Banquet where you will have a chance to talk to the mushers. Feel the excitement build as they draw starting positions for Saturday's race start
Accommodation: Hilton Anchorage (4*) Located in the heart downtown Anchorage, the Hilton Anchorage (4*) stands out for its convenience and comfort. Guests will find countless recreation, shopping, dining and cultural opportunities easily accessible during their stay at this hotel. The Hilton Anchorage is just a 15 minute drive from Ted Stevens International Airport, two short blocks from the Alaska Railroad Depot and within easy walking distance of the Anchorage Convention District.
Turnagain Arm
Day 2: Anchorage
Depart on a city tour of Anchorage this morning, including a "behind the scenes tour" of the Iditarod communications center. Your Alaskan tour continues as you travel south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm to the mountain community of Girdwood where you will ride the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway. A seven-minute ride brings you to a viewing deck which provides panoramic views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, sparkling streams, towering spruce, and an array of wildlife. The observation deck at the 2,300 foot level of Mt. Alyeska is a perfect place to enjoy the view and take advantage of the telescopes.
After lunch (not included) your tour continues to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the shores of Cook Inlet in Portage. After the tour, you'll return to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hilton Anchorage (4*) 
Sled Dog Race
Day 3: Anchorage
Race day! Watch the start of the race in downtown Anchorage. After watching the mushers and their sled dog teams take off, you will go flightseeing towards Mt. McKinley and stop at an official Iditarod checkpoint along the way. This flight takes you within six miles of McKinley's 20,320 ft. summit. Fly over the foothills of Denali to view the entire length of the Ruth Glacier, the Great Gorge (at over 9,000 feet, the worlds deepest) and the massive south face of McKinley. Along the route you will make a landing at Yentna, the first checkpoint for Iditarod mushers when they depart Willow tomorrow. You will have an hour on the ground here to provide insider look at the activities that go on at a race checkpoint 86 miles from the race restart. This will be a beehive of activity with race volunteers positioning food bags and bales of straw for the racers. This is probably the biggest and busiest checkpoint on the trail because all of the teams hit here at once on the first night of the race. Your flights return to Lake Hood in Anchorage where you transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hilton Anchorage (4*) 
Talkeetna, AK
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Day 4: Talkeetna - Anchorage
After a stop at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters and museum you will continue to the official Race Restart. At 2:00 pm, the mushers exit urban Alaska countryside for the great wilderness trek to Nome.
This morning you'll depart from your Anchorage hotel and travel north to the uniquely Alaskan "Northern Exposure" style town of Talkeetna.
Accommodation: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4*) Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4*) is set on a ridge above the small community of Talkeetna on the south side of Mt. McKinley. Built atop a high bluff, the lodge overlooks the Susitna River Valley and surveys the entire Alaska Range, with Mt. McKinley right in the middle. This lodge offers unforgettable views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range, yet is just minutes from adventures of a lifetime.
Sled Dogs
Day 5: Talkeetna - Anchorage
Today experience a full day of mushing knowledge and history before returning to Anchorage. You'll have an extended private visit with Iditarod veteran Vern Halter’s kennel. The presentation includes a demonstration of survival gear, explanations of dog care, mushing requirements, and an extended sled dog ride! Following will be a wilderness bonfire. Come prepared with your questions! Lunch is included.
You'll return to Anchorage by coach for overnight.
Accommodation: Hilton Anchorage (4*) Day 6: Anchorage
Departure from Anchorage, transfer by taxi to meet your scheduled flights.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Hilton Anchorage
Hilton Anchorage (4*) - Anchorage
Located in the heart downtown Anchorage, the Hilton Anchorage (4*) stands out for its convenience and comfort. Guests will find countless recreation, shopping, dining and cultural opportunities easily accessible during their stay at this hotel. The Hilton Anchorage is just a 15 minute drive from Ted Stevens International Airport, two short blocks from the Alaska Railroad Depot and within easy walking distance of the Anchorage Convention District.
- Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4*) - Talkeetna
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4*) is set on a ridge above the small community of Talkeetna on the south side of Mt. McKinley. Built atop a high bluff, the lodge overlooks the Susitna River Valley and surveys the entire Alaska Range, with Mt. McKinley right in the middle. This lodge offers unforgettable views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range, yet is just minutes from adventures of a lifetime.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $500). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 91 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $500 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 61-90 days will be subject to loss of 60% of program price. 31-60 days will be subject to loss of 85% of program price. 30 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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