TRAVELLERS WORLD LTD

Day 1: Anchorage (Arrival Day)
Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer to your downtown hotel. Remaining day at leisure and time to explore the historical and scenic points of interest within the downtown area: walk along the Coastal Trail towards Earthquake Park with a magnificent Cook Inlet and Mount Susitna view, take a picture from the Captain Cook Monument, visit the Museum of History and Art, check out the Ice Sculpturing competition, or take a bus to the Alaska Native Heritage Center with a variety of interactive displays, shows and five separate culture galleries about the different native groups that used to live in Alaska. Overnight: Anchorage.

Day 2: Anchorage - Race Start
The Iditarod race starts at 10:00 am on 4th. Avenue in Alaska's largest city. Get up early and observe the start preparations, take close up pictures from the Musher’s and the dog teams and enjoy the bustling and exciting race atmosphere. About 80 Musher’s and over 1000 sled dogs are leaving shortly from the starting line for the "1050 mile race to Nome". Anchorage parks and green belts are providing also a great alternative to observe the race activities. Remaining day at leisure. Don't miss a seafood dinner with a breathtaking view across Cook Inlet at Anchorage's renowned "Crow's Nest Restaurant". Overnight: Anchorage.

Day 3: Anchorage - Willow (Iditarod Re-Start) - Anchorage
Morning at leisure. Private limousine transfer around noon from Anchorage on the scenic Glenn Highway to Willow with a brief stopover at the Iditarod Headquarter and Museum in Wasilla. Check out the many Iditarod memorabilia at the very interesting museum before continuing to the official Iditarod restart ceremony in Willow which begins at 2:00 pm. Enjoy the busy and bustling Iditarod race atmosphere and the musher’s final preparation for the 1050-mile trip throughout Alaska’s backcountry to the fnishing line in Nome. Our tour is fully escorted! Return to Anchorage approximately 5:00 pm. Everning at leisure. Time to attend the many festivities during the ongoing annual Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage with: Native Arts Market, Theater Show, Winter Carnival Activities and the Snow Sculpturing Competition. Overnight: Anchorage.

Day 4: Anchorage - Wilderness Lodge - Finger Lake Checkpoint Fly out
Morning transfer from your hotel to Lake Hood. Fly-out from Anchorage with private ski planes to a remote wilderness lodge – located 100 Miles away from the civilization. You may observe some race teams and activities already from the air. Continue your scenic flight journey to the Finger Lakes checkpoint within the eastern fringe of the mighty Alaska Range. Observe race activities and watch the Musher’s gearing up for the most difficult trip across infamous Rainy Pass. Many teams camp here for a while. It is not uncommon for the area to have 10 ft. of snow on the ground. We provide a deli style lunch, fruits and soft drinks for your convenence. Late afternoon return flight to the wilderness lodge. After a delicious dinner it’s time to relax, watch out for the Northern Lights and enjoy the peace, solitude and atmosphere of the remote Alaska backcountry setting. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge.

Day 5: Wilderness Lodge - Rainy Pass or Puntilla Lakes Checkpoint Fly out
Breakfast at the lodge. Morning ski-plane fly-out for a phantastic flightseeing trip to Rainy Pass and the nearby Puntilla Lake checkpoint. The gateway to the interior offers truly the most spectacular scenery of the entire Iditarod Trail. Many teams are taking their mandatory 24 h. layover here before venturing via the treacherous Farewell Burn area and into the flatlands of the interior. A deli style lunch, a hot soup, fruits and soft drinks included. You’ll spend the whole day within the incredible wilderness area along the trail observing various dog-mushing activities. Return to the wilderness lodge by ski-plane in the late afternoon. Enjoy a delicious evening 3-course dinner and share the stories of the day with your fellow travelers. Another night to watch out for Aurora Borealis activities on the northern sky. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge.

Day 6: Wilderness Lodge with optional Fly-out to Nikolai Checkpoint - Anchorage
Breakfast at the lodge. Morning at leisure. Time for ice fishing and snowmobile tours. Lunch at the lodge. Late afternoon return flight to Anchorage and transfer to your hotel. Optional: Morning fly-out to the McGrath or Nikolai Iditarod Checkpoints. With a population of 125 people - Nikolai is the first of many tiny Native villages along the Iditarod Trail. Area orientation and introduction to dog mushing. You have the opportunity to run your own dog team and explore the surrounding countryside. This is usually the preferred area were the leading race teams are taking their mandatory 24 hour layover. A deli style lunch is included. Late afternoon return flight via the wilderness lodge to Anchorage. Hotel Transfer. Overnight: Anchorage.

Day 7: Anchorage - Portage Lake - Alyeska Resort - Anchorage
Day at leisure or for shopping activities in Anchorage. Afternoon: Get into your large and luxurious limousine and leave Anchorage for a 5 hour sightseeing tour. You will drive along Turnagain Arm with dramatic views of mountain scenery and the inlet with the second highest tide in North America. Watch out for Beluga Whales, Dall Sheep and other wildlife. Arrive at the Portage Glacier Valley and Portage Lake: walk along the shore of the lake to see icebergs floating around up close. You’ll notice several nearby „hanging glacier“ and a beautiful scenery around you. Continue your journey to the Alyeska Resort – Alaska largest ski area and enjoy later a 3-course dinner at the famous Double Musky Restaurant. After dinner - Return to Anchorage. Overnight: Anchorage.

Day 8: Anchorage Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure in/around Anchorage. Time for your last shopping activities, a visit of the Alaska Native Heritage Center or for a nice seafood lunch with delicious Alaska Salmon or Crabs in one of the many Anchorage top restaurants. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. End of tour package.