THE IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE & AURORA BOREALIS
Be a part of the exciting Iditarod action, celebrating the athletes including mushers and dogs as they race to Nome, Alaska! From meeting the mushers to watching The Iditarod race at an official checkpoint in rural Alaska, take in all the activities that create such a legendary event. Sleeping under the Aurora Borealis north of Fairbanks 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 visit a musk ox farm
- Customize Alaska experience with two “Pick Your Adventure” Days
Included land highlights:
Iditarod Musher’s Banquet
Palmer Musk Ox Farm
Exclusive Iditarod Musher Q&A Session
Iditarod Ceremonial Start
Aurora Borealis Photography lesson
Aurora Borealis Viewing
Iditarod Official Start
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
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:
Most mobility levels
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 Iditarod 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 involved with competing.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
View the ceremonial start of the Iditarod in downtown Anchorage along 4th Avenue and witness the unmatched excitement of the athletes (dogs) for the mushing experience before the start. After lunch, travel to Talkeetna for the next two evenings. Cozy up in front of the lodge’s impressive 46-foot river rock fireplace, or step outside and watch for Alaska’s evening light show, the breathtaking aurora borealis.
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. Join a professional photographer of the aurora borealis for an exclusive John Hall’s Alaska opportunity, a photography presentation with a local Alaska artist sharing tips on how to properly capture the northern lights.
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 JHA Iditarod experience apart from all others. Begin with a breathtaking morning flight aboard a small aircraft to flyover The Iditarod trail while enroute to an Iditarod race checkpoint. After landing in a rural Alaska community, spend time watching the mushers arrive and ready their dog teams for the next push towards Nome. After a thrilling day, re-board the aircraft for a scenic flight returning to Fairbanks for the evening.
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, rest up with a free afternoon before tonight’s spectacular late-night aurora viewing opportunity.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s time to learn a new sport and favorite Alaska pastime – curling! Join in the fun at the Fairbanks Curling Club with a private demonstration in curling. After a delicious lunch at a local favorite, travel to Borealis Basecamp, a unique winter stay for the last two nights and perfect location for the ultimate aurora borealis experience. Sleep in an Alaska-style private igloo 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 $1,700 per person credit to their account. While this is an amazing experience, John Hall’s Alaska understands small planes may not be for everyone. Eliminating the flightseeing trip, per person pricing is $10,319 double occupancy, $12,299 single occupancy. Please let the reservations team know this at the time of reservations or before final payment.
March 4, 2026
#300- Iditarod & Aurora Adventure11-Day Land Tour
March 4 – March 14, 2026
2026 TOUR SAVINGS
Check Discount – SAVE $200 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. Alaska Specialists are available for tour bookings 8am-4pm M-F and 8am-4pm on Saturday.
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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