2021 & 2022 Globus Guided Tours - Globus® Vacation Packages

Alaska's Northern Lights with Iditarod (AAE)

8 Day Tour from Fairbanks to Anchorage

2027 Tour Details

Fix your eyes on the sky for the chance to witness the wonder of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) turning the night into a luminescent spectacle. Celebrate Alaska’s longest season and seek adventure in Denali National Park, with fewer crowds and better mountain views. On this thrill-filled Alaska vacation, chase the “Greatest Show on Earth” at night, ride the world-famous Alaska Railroad, visit the kennels of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and put your own paws in the snow at the Girdwood mountain resort. Come out for the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage to Alaska’s best sporting event, “Alaska’s Last Great Race,” with mushers barking commands to teams of sled dogs in hopes of being the first to cross 1,000 treacherous miles of rugged winter terrain, then continue to Willow to cheer at the Official Start, as they take off towards the finish-line in Nome.

Special features included in this tour:
• Two visits to the Fairbanks countryside with Local Guide to view the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights - weather permitting) [LF]
• Guided sightseeing in Fairbanks including visits to the University of Alaska Museum of the North and Trans-Alaska Pipeline
• Visit to Denali National Park including the Murie Science and Learning Center
• Rail journey aboard the Aurora Winter Train on the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service from Fairbanks to Talkeetna [LF]
• Visit to Happy Trails Kennels, home of 4-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser, with mushing demonstration [LF]
• Experience the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod and guided sightseeing in Anchorage
• Visit to Willow for the Official Start of the Iditarod
• Premiere accommodations for two-nights in Girdwood at the Hotel Alyeska

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.268.3636
Alaska's Northern Lights with Iditarod map
National Park Tours – National Park Foundation

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinner


Notes:

Aurora viewing is not guaranteed, as it is dependent on weather and solar activity.

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 Aurora Borealis evening outing on Day 1.

All activities are dependent on the temperature, weather and solar activity/sky conditions.

In the event the Iditarod Ceremonial Start is cancelled due to weather or road conditions, activities will be substituted in Anchorage.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

Welcome to Fairbanks!
You’ve arrived in the “Golden Heart” of Alaska and gateway to Denali National Park. Later this evening, join your Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Local Guide and travel companions for your first glimpse of one of nature’s most magnificent shows—the aurora borealis (Northern Lights).

LOCAL FAVORITE
NATURAL WONDERS Witness the stunning Northern Lights spectacle in the sky with a Local Guide. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of light dancing across the night sky in a dramatic display of celestial waves and brilliant beams. When conditions are right, the aurora dances across the horizon and lights up the night sky with such beauty, even Alaska’s tough ol’ “Sourdoughs” (old timers) are impressed. (weather permitting)

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Day 2 FAIRBANKS

Fairbanks Fun

Enjoy a leisure start to the day. This afternoon, explore Fairbanks on a city tour. Visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, one of the most challenging and remarkable engineering feats of modern time. This evening is another opportunity to view the amazing aurora borealis light up the northern skies.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NORTHERN LANDSCAPE Explore Alaska Native heritage, natural wonders, diverse wildlife and Arctic dinosaurs at Alaska’s cultural landmark, the Museum of the North. Discover breathtaking architecture designed to convey a sense of Alaska, inspired by the lines and shapes found in Alaska’s coastlines, mountains, and glaciers.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Fairbanks with a dinner out in this iconic Alaskan city. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for the best bites, brews, and things to do!

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 FAIRBANKS–ALASKA RAILROAD–TALKEETNA

Riding the Rails

Travel from Fairbanks to Denali National Park to visit the Murie Science and Learning Center, Denali’s winter visitor center. Next, board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for your scenic journey south on the Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Aurora Winter Train to the quaint community of Talkeetna. Upon arrival in Talkeetna, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties.

LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Board the Alaska Railroad train for spectacular views through panoramic windows designed for soaking in the stunning scenery on this journey that showcases America’s 49th state. Keep an eye out for views of Denali (also known as Mount McKinley)—as well as wildlife along the way!

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 4 TALKEETNA–BIG LAKE–ANCHORAGE–GIRDWOOD

Heart & Soul on the Trail
Continue south today to meet four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser at his Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite Happy Trails Kennel. Hear personal stories while viewing a glimpse of the grandeur Alaska has to offer along the Iditarod Trail. This afternoon, enjoy free time for lunch on your own and to explore Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, before arriving at the town of Girdwood to overnight at the luxurious Hotel Alyeska for a 2-night stay.

LOCAL FAVORITE
LEGENDARY LIVES Visit Happy Trails Kennels, home of Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and family. Happy Trails Kennel was established in Big Lake in 1982 with the express purpose of raising and training happy, fast long-distance sled dogs to race and win the Iditarod. Martin's loving care and faith in his hounds was made evident by his Iditarod wins to earn the 9-year record for the fastest Iditarod race ever.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Settle into your basecamp for adventure at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood - Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring fine dining experiences, a saltwater pool, ski mountain along with the Nordic Spa. Alyeska is the perfect base camp for endless adventure and relaxation.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 GIRDWOOD

Alaskan Adventure
Enjoy a full day at leisure—perfect for joining in a wide variety of optional activities. Consider flightseeing, fat-tire biking, snowmachine tours, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, a trip to the local brewery, ride on the aerial tram, or just relax at the Nordic Spa.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Girdwood, a scenic mountain town originally built as a supply camp for gold miners, features outdoor activities for all levels. Ask your Tour Director or tap your GlobusGO mobile app for the highlights and recommendations for things to do!

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 6 GIRDWOOD–ANCHORAGE. CEREMONIAL START OF THE IDITAROD

Making Tracks
Return to Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. Meet the mushers and dogs, enjoy local food vendors, and join the celebration of Alaskan culture before they head into the wilderness. Later, discover the highlights of Alaska’s largest city on a guided sightseeing tour and enjoy free time this afternoon. Join your Tour Director for a farewell dinner this evening.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the start of the Iditarod race and cheer on the amazing sled dogs and mushers. See mushers compete from all over the world and enjoy other Iditarod festivities.

ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Anchorage, one of the northernmost urban cities on Earth. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for the highlights and recommendations for things to do!

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 7 ANCHORAGE. WILLOW

Official Start

Depart Anchorage for the adventure north to the Official Start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Visit Wasilla enroute to Willow, and cheer on your favorite teams at the starting line in Willow, at the true start of the race. Mushers take off across Willow Lake on the 1,049 mile (1,688 km) journey by dog sled to Nome. Return to Anchorage for free time this evening.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HERO DOGS The Iditarod race honors the emergency vaccine delivery in 1925, when mushers and dog teams delivered life-saving serum over 674 miles in under 6 days during a diphtheria outbreak. The current race highlights the Iditarod National Historic Trail and honors Native Alaskan heritage.

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Day 8 ANCHORAGE

Safe travels until we meet again!
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.

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.



The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.