THE IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE & AURORA BOREALIS
Be a part of exciting Iditarod action celebrating the athletes as they run to Nome, Alaska! From meeting the mushers to watching The Iditarod race firsthand in remote Alaska, these exciting activities are included during this legendary event. Sleeping under the Aurora Borealis rounds out this all-inclusive experience.
- Celebrate the history and importance of dog mushing in Alaska
- Attend Iditarod Musher’s Banquet, the official race start and ceremonial race start
- Fly to a rural Alaska village and observe an active Iditarod checkpoint
- Sleep under the northern lights
- Experience dog sledding at Trail Breaker Kennel and Borealis Basecamp
- Customized with two “Pick Your Adventure” Days
Included land highlights:
Iditarod Musher’s Banquet
Musk Ox Farm
Exclusive Iditarod Musher Presentation
Iditarod Ceremonial Start
Aurora Borealis Photography Lesson
Aurora Borealis Viewing
Iditarod Official Restart
Rural Iditarod Checkpoint Visit
Overnight in Private Igloos Under the Aurora Borealis
Two “Pick Your Adventure” Days
Private Curling Lesson
Trail Breaker Kennel Dog Sledding Experience
World Ice Art Championships
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
Accommodations:
3 Nights – Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage
2 Nights – Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna
3 Nights – Sophie Station Suites, Fairbanks
2 Nights – Borealis Basecamp, Fairbanks
More About AccommodationsActive Rating:
MODERATE SOFT ADVENTURE
Requires ability to board small aircrafts & walk a quarter to half a mile in snow.
Included Meals:
29
Breakfast, lunch, & dinner on full tour days, plus arrival day dinner and departure day breakfast.
Itinerary
Welcome to Anchorage! Upon arrival, all John Hall’s Alaska guests are greeted by a John Hall’s Alaska representative and transferred to the luxury Hotel Captain Cook, the accommodations for the next three evenings. The remainder of the day is open for a complimentary visit to the Anchorage Museum or exploring Fur Rendezvous festivities happening around town.
Dinner
Begin the day with a Welcome Breakfast and a chance to meet fellow travel companions before heading out on the first “Pick Your Adventure Day” – glacier flightseeing, skiing or snowboarding, winter waterfall nature walk, fat tire biking, or a relaxing spa treatment. Later this afternoon, attend the annual kick off to The Iditarod with the Musher’s Banquet, giving guests a chance to meet and greet with several Iditarod mushers. Watch as participants draw their bib numbers for the race.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ease into the day with a late morning tour of the Palmer Musk Ox farm. Witness these prehistoric animals and learn about Alaska’s ongoing domestication project. Spend time at Alaska’s Iditarod Headquarters this afternoon. As a special treat this evening, an experienced musher joins guests for a JHA exclusive presentation and dinner. Hear stories of The Iditarod while learning about the training and preparation that goes into competing.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, take in the ceremonial start of The Iditarod in downtown Anchorage along 4th Avenue. Witness the dogs’ excitement for running before the start. After the start and lunch, travel to Talkeetna, the home for the next two evenings. This evening, join a professional aurora borealis photographer for an exclusive John Hall’s Alaska opportunity, a photography presentation with tips on how to properly capture the northern lights.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, travel to Willow to witness the exciting official start of The Iditarod. After an exhilarating once in a lifetime day, return to Talkeetna for a delicious dinner. Spend the evening relaxing while catching a glimpse of the alpenglow on the Alaska Range mountains before watching an evening of aurora borealis.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Talkeetna and head north to Fairbanks via the spectacular Parks Highway. After settling into Sophie Station Suites for a three-night stay, take an evening trip to the World Ice Art Championships. Enjoy a magical stroll through over 100 colorfully lit ice sculptures masterfully crafted by some of the finest sculptors from around the world.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the day which sets the John Hall’s Alaska Iditarod experience apart from all others. Begin with a breathtaking morning flight aboard a small aircraft to fly over The Iditarod trail, catching glimpses from above of the mushing teams. Touch down in a rural Alaska community and official Iditarod checkpoint to spend time watching the mushers arrive, provide a brief rest and prepare dog teams for the next push towards Nome. After a thrilling day and once in a lifetime experience day, reboard the aircraft for a scenic return flight to Fairbanks.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a long day, a relaxing morning is due. Enjoy lunch at a local Fairbanks favorite before joining the fun of the Fairbanks Curling Club with a private demonstration in this Olympic sport and Alaska pastime. This evening, catch up on some much-needed relaxation or join the tour managers for some local aurora borealis sightings, venturing outdoors over the campfire for a chance to see this phenomenon.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relax this morning before visiting Trail Breaker Kennel – home of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Enjoy an exclusive presentation and an exhilarating dog sled ride! After lunch and time with the pups, travel to Borealis Basecamp, a unique winter stay for the last two nights and the perfect location for the ultimate aurora borealis experience. Sleep in an Alaska-style private igloo with glass-domed ceilings while viewing the aurora borealis from the comfort of a climate-controlled room. Let’s just say Iceland, Finland and so many more have nothing on Alaska!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is all about winter adventure. Surrounded by miles of pristine boreal forest in the Alaska wilderness, enjoy an Alaska style day on snow machines, dog sleds, and other optional winter activities. Spend one more evening in the tranquil wilderness while experiencing the magic of Alaska’s northern lights, colorful skies and incredible winter environment.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Late this morning, following breakfast, board the motorcoach to transfer to the Fairbanks International Airport. Guests with flights departing after 3pm will visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, home to a world-class collection of historic automobiles and fashions.
Breakfast
Departures and Pricing
Per Person Pricing Includes: Accommodations; fully-guided service; luxury land and small plane transportation; airport transfers; daily activities and tours; meals, baggage handling, and corresponding gratuities; taxes; and black sub-zero jacket.
Cold weather gear, such as boots and pants are available for rent or purchase through recommended sources.
PLEASE NOTE: Guests may forgo the Iditarod checkpoint trip and receive a $1900 per person credit to their account. This is an amazing and enriching experience, but understand that small planes may not be for everyone. Without the flightseeing trip, per person pricing will be $10,199 double occupancy, $11,899 single occupancy. Please let us know this at the time of booking or before final payment.
March 3, 2027
#300- Iditarod & Aurora Adventure11-Day Land Tour
March 3 – March 13, 2027
TOUR SAVINGS
Check Discount – SAVE $300 per person when you pay your tour balance by check or cash versus credit card! $500 per person deposits may still be made by credit card.
Group Discount –John Hall’s Alaska is proud to offer a “Friends and Family” discount for multiple rooms traveling together. This discount may be retroactively applied, meaning you may book and if a friend or family member books after, discounts will be applied to all reservations in the party. These discounts can be combined with early booking discounts and final payment by check discounts. Discounts are as follows:
- 2-3 Rooms – $50 per person
- 4-7 Rooms – $100 per person
- 8-11 Rooms – $150 per person
HOW TO RESERVE THIS TOUR
To confirm your reservation, a deposit of $500 USD per person is required within ten days of securing reservation. To reserve space by credit card, please contact the office at 800-325-2270. Reservations may also be secured online.
Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, and personal checks are acceptable forms of deposit payment. To confirm your space by credit card, please contact our office: 800.325.2270.
ARRANGING YOUR FLIGHTS
This tour begins in Anchorage, Alaska, and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska. Flights must arrive before 10pm on Day 1; early check-in cannot be guaranteed before 4pm. On Day 11, flights may depart Fairbanks after 1pm. Guests will depart Borealis Basecamp late morning.
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