Indigenous Alaskans believe the northern lights are “children playing, yet to be born”. We think they’re one of the most beautiful sights that nature bestows upon us. For that reason we’ve chosen to travel to Alaska at the best time to view the aurora. This also assures us of the unmatched beauty of vistas covered with snow. Wildlife abounds – in the waters of Prince William Sound, around Anchorage and on the magical train journey through Denali National Park to Fairbanks. You'll need to bundle up for our dog sled ride. Learning to "mush" your own team is an option. Soaking in natural hot springs surrounded in snow is an unimaginable luxury. Alaska is majestic, serene, breathtaking and wild – see it at its best!
Thursday
Assemble in Anchorage in the late afternoon. Your Alaskan Guide will meet your flight and transfer you to our Motor Inn for a two-night stay. Dinner is included for those who arrive around 6pm.
Friday
After breakfast we’ll drive through a tunnel to the quirky town of Whittier and join a scenic boat trip on Prince William Sound. The scenery is quite unbelievable with snow down to the water’s edge. Cruise to Blackstone Bay to view the glacier and small icebergs that have calved off. See bald eagles and sea otters and maybe whales. The light brown stellar sea lions will be sunning on the rocks. Lunch will be provided on board. Our drive back into Anchorage includes a drive through a wildlife center to see musk ox, bison, moose, fox, elk and even some grizzlies just awake after their long winter hibernation. We’ll dine at a restaurant in town.
Saturday
Today we board the Aurora Train to Fairbanks. This 500 mile, all-day trip is full of splendor as we view the wilds of Alaska from the comfort of our warm and spacious rail car. The mountains, glaciers and forests are blanketed in pristine snow with only the occasional moose or wolf to bear witness to our passage. If it’s a clear day, Mt McKinley will be in view as we pass through Denali National Park. The aurora, or northern lights, may be visible as the sky darkens closer to Fairbanks. We’ll eat lunch and dinner on the train. A van will transport us to our Alaskan Lodge for a two-night stay. Our log house in the wilderness has a deck, perfectly designed for viewing the aurora. The optimal time for this viewing is between 12am and 2am. There’ll be plenty of hot drinks to help keep us warm.
Sunday
A lazy breakfast awaits you whenever you decide to get up. The morning we’ll drive north to a hot springs resort and enjoy a long soak in the pristine pools. It’s amazing to see our mist-soaked hair freezing while our bodies stay toasty warm. After lunch at the resort we’ll head out on a dog sled ride which will be 2 – 6 miles depending on snow conditions. It’s great fun to be zipping through the forest watching the dogs work as a team. You can even sign up for a four-hour dog-mushing school (this costs $300 and you’ll need to book in advance). It’s also fun to visit the ice hotel and you can order a drink in an ice glass. You’ll be glad we’re not sleeping there! Return to our lodge for dinner and more aurora viewing from our deck.
Monday
After another delicious breakfast at our lodge we’ll drive into Fairbanks and visit the heritage museum on the University of Alaska campus. Lunch in town and then visit the Ice Park where wonderful sculptures from the annual World Ice Art Championships are on display. Transfer to the airport and catch a flight back to Anchorage (included). Dinner and lodging in Anchorage. Trip ends.
Tuesday
Our Motor Inn provides a shuttle transfer to the airport for departure to your home-town.
