Alaska's Iditarod with Fairbanks
Alaska's Iditarod with Fairbanks
Alaska's Iditarod with Fairbanks
11 Days Starting in Fairbanks, Alaska and ending in Anchorage, Alaska
Visiting: Fairbanks, Anchorage, Girdwood, Willow
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AIQ-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with "Alaska's Iditarod with Fairbanks" tour, where you'll experience the breathtaking beauty and rich culture of Alaska. Begin your journey in Fairbanks, the gateway to Denali National Park, and witness the mesmerizing aurora borealis. Explore the historic city of Anchorage, enjoy scenic drives along Turnagain Arm, and visit the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward. Travel on the iconic Alaska Railroad, and immerse yourself in the excitement of the Iditarod Trail Race, including a visit to the Happy Trails Kennels and the ceremonial start in Anchorage. With luxurious accommodations and opportunities for leisure activities, this tour offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Fairbanks,Alaska
Location: Fairbanks
Accommodation Name: Pike's Waterfront Lodge
You’ve arrived in the “Golden Heart” of Alaska and gateway to Denali National Park. Later this evening, join your Local Guide and travel companions and get your first glimpse of one of nature’s most magnificent shows—the aurora borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 2: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Accommodation Name: Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your morning begins at leisure. Later this afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Fairbanks that includes a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Afterward, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, one of the most difficult and remarkable engineering feats of modern time. This evening is another opportunity to view the amazing aurora borealis as it lights up the northern skies.
Day 3: Fairbanks,Alaska Railroad,Talkeetna,Anchorage
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel from Fairbanks to Talkeetna today on the world-famous Alaska Railroad. Continue to Anchorage and your hotel.
Day 4: Anchorage
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Anchorage. You may want to explore the historic downtown area or join in some of the festivities happening throughout the city, including a winter carnival, ice-sculpting contest, a melodrama, dog mushing, and more. Check at your hotel’s front desk for an up-to-date list of activities.
Day 5: Anchorage,Seward,Girdwood
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Alyeska Resort Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, meet your Tour Director and travel companions at a welcome breakfast. Then, board your motorcoach and make one of the world’s great drives as you travel along dramatically scenic Turnagain Arm. Marvel at the dramatic views, and keep your eyes open for Dall sheep, eagles, and other wildlife. In coastal Seward, visit the Alaska Sealife Center. Later, arrive in the ski resort community of Girdwood, where you’ll spend the next two nights at the luxurious Hotel Alyeska.
Day 6: Girdwood
Location: Girdwood
Accommodation Name: Alyeska Resort Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day at leisure—perfect for joining in a wide variety of optional activities. Consider flightseeing, skiing, snowshoeing, or you may choose to just relax at the hotel’s spa. An included aerial tram ride offers breathtaking panoramas of Turnagain Arm and seven glaciers.
Day 7: Girdwood,Anchorage
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Return to Anchorage and join an included tour through the historic downtown district and the Lake Hood Seaplane Airport, the world’s busiest seaplane base. Next, visit the Alaska Zoo for a behind-the-scenes tour. This afternoon, there is time to explore Anchorage on your own. You may want to visit the Anchorage Museum. Tonight, enjoy Iditarod festivities and dinner at the [LF] Mushers Banquet. Enjoy Alaskan entertainment, see the mushers draw for starting positions, and have the opportunity to meet them for photos and autographs.
Day 8: Anchorage. Excursion To Big Lake
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel north to Big Lake and visit the home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser at his [LF] Happy Trails Kennels. Hear his fascinating personal stories, including how his sons are named after Iditarod checkpoints; all while viewing the grandeur Alaska has to offer along the Iditarod Trail. Then, visit the Iditarod Trail Race Headquarters to view pictures, videos, and other mementos of the Last Great Race. This evening is at leisure back in Anchorage. Maybe shop for souvenirs, try some fresh seafood, or sample a locally made brew.
Day 9: Anchorage. Ceremonial Start Of The Iditarod
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, head to 4th Avenue to get a great spot for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. Later, visit the Anchorage Museum, a large art, history, cultural, and ecology museum. After time exploring the museum, enjoy a private farewell dinner onsite. A chance to reminisce over your Alaska winter adventure with your fellow adventurers.
Day 10: Anchorage. Excursion To Willow
Location: Willow
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel north today to the quaint community of Willow, which started as a mining camp when gold was discovered in 1897. Here, you’ll view the Official Restart of the Iditarod.
Day 11: Anchorage
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Marriott Downtown Anchorage
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You may choose to extend your time in Anchorage and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Fairbanks at Pike's Waterfront Lodge, in Anchorage at Marriott Downtown Anchorage, and in Girdwood at Alyeska Resort Hotel.
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Meals
Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided city tour of Fairbanks, visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, and a tour of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
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Transportation
Travel from Fairbanks to Talkeetna on the Alaska Railroad and continue to Anchorage by motorcoach.
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Activities
Included activities such as viewing the aurora borealis, visiting the Alaska Sealife Center, and an aerial tram ride in Girdwood.
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Special Events
Attendance at the Iditarod festivities, including the Mushers Banquet and the ceremonial start of the Iditarod.
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Excursions
Excursions to Big Lake to visit Happy Trails Kennels and the Iditarod Trail Race Headquarters, and to Willow for the Official Restart of the Iditarod.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as flightseeing, skiing, snowshoeing, and spa treatments in Girdwood are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Airfare
International and domestic airfare to and from Anchorage is not included.
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Additional Nights
Extra nights in Anchorage or Fairbanks are available for purchase but are not included in the tour package.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Notes
The aurora is most active February – March with viewings scheduled from 10 pm – 2 am. Appearance of the Northern Lights is dependent on temperature and sky conditions. Schedule arrival by 3 pm to attend the evening viewing. Guests may choose to arrive a day early and purchase a hotel pre-night in Fairbanks to ensure arrival in time for the next evening’s lights. In the event the Iditarod Official Start is relocated (beyond Willow) due to weather and trail conditions, a full day of activities will be substituted in Anchorage.
Accommodation
Fairbanks: Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Anchorage: Marriott Downtown Anchorage, Girdwood: Alyeska Resort Hotel
Mode of Transport
Travel from Fairbanks to Talkeetna on the Alaska Railroad, and continue to Anchorage by motorcoach.
Check out our Q&As
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What can I expect to see on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska, known as the 'Golden Heart' of Alaska and the gateway to Denali National Park. In the evening, you will join your Local Guide and travel companions to get your first glimpse of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights).
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What activities are planned for the second day in Fairbanks?
On the second day, you will have a leisurely morning followed by a city tour of Fairbanks, which includes a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. In the evening, you will have another opportunity to view the aurora borealis.
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How will we travel from Fairbanks to Anchorage on the third day?
On the third day, you will travel from Fairbanks to Talkeetna on the world-famous Alaska Railroad and then continue to Anchorage.
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What can I do during the full day at leisure in Anchorage on the fourth day?
During the full day at leisure in Anchorage, you can explore the historic downtown area or join in various festivities happening throughout the city, such as a winter carnival, ice-sculpting contest, a melodrama, and dog mushing. You can check with your hotel’s front desk for an up-to-date list of activities.
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What wildlife might I see during the drive along Turnagain Arm on the fifth day?
During the drive along Turnagain Arm on the fifth day, you might see Dall sheep, eagles, and other wildlife. The drive offers dramatic views and is considered one of the world's great drives.
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What optional activities are available in Girdwood on the sixth day?
In Girdwood on the sixth day, you can join a variety of optional activities such as flightseeing, skiing, snowshoeing, or you may choose to relax at the hotel’s spa. An included aerial tram ride offers breathtaking panoramas of Turnagain Arm and seven glaciers.
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What special event is planned for the seventh day in Anchorage?
On the seventh day in Anchorage, you will join a tour through the historic downtown district and the Lake Hood Seaplane Airport. You will also visit the Alaska Zoo for a behind-the-scenes tour. In the evening, you will enjoy Iditarod festivities and dinner at the Mushers Banquet, where you can see the mushers draw for starting positions and meet them for photos and autographs.
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What will we do during the excursion to Big Lake on the eighth day?
During the excursion to Big Lake on the eighth day, you will visit the home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser at his Happy Trails Kennels. You will hear his fascinating personal stories and view the grandeur of Alaska along the Iditarod Trail. You will also visit the Iditarod Trail Race Headquarters to see pictures, videos, and other mementos of the Last Great Race.
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What happens on the ninth day during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod?
On the ninth day, you will head to 4th Avenue to get a great spot for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. Later, you will visit the Anchorage Museum, a large art, history, cultural, and ecology museum. In the evening, you will enjoy a private farewell dinner onsite.
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What is planned for the excursion to Willow on the tenth day?
On the tenth day, you will travel north to the quaint community of Willow, which started as a mining camp when gold was discovered in 1897. Here, you will view the Official Restart of the Iditarod.
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What should I know about the aurora borealis viewing?
The aurora borealis is most active from February to March, with viewings scheduled from 10 pm to 2 am. The appearance of the Northern Lights is dependent on temperature and sky conditions. It is recommended to schedule your arrival by 3 pm to attend the evening viewing. Guests may choose to arrive a day early and purchase a hotel pre-night in Fairbanks to ensure arrival in time for the next evening’s lights.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Feb 21, 2025 - Mar 03, 2025Friday - Monday
Feb 27, 2026 - Mar 09, 2026Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.