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This 13-day/ 12-night trip is designed for people who want to explore Alaska during winter and have an adventure of a lifetime as they shadow the Iditarod, “The Last Great Race on Earth”. Our focus is on the sled dog race, but the overall experience offers a rich and detailed look at Alaska, its people and the local activities in winter. Thanks to the 12 hours of daylight in March, there will be plenty of time to partake in numerous outdoor activities while surrounded by incredible winter landscapes. Throughout the journey, we stay at cozy inns and other rustic but warm accommodations.
Alaska Sky Trekking the Iditarod Sled Dog Race
Day 1
Witness the Iditarod’s ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage from your front row perch. Your official volunteer badges give access to the race chute, where you may assist in the handling of a racing team sponsored by Sky Trekking Alaska. After lunch, a scenic skiplane flight takes you over the glacier-filled valleys of the Chugach Mountains to the door of your first hotel. Accommodations are at Lake Lucille Inn, Standard Room
Day 2
At the Iditarod re-start in Wasilla, you’ll man a road crossing on the race trail—meaning that mushers will pass by within feet. Following a trailside lunch, the afternoon continues with optional snowmobile rides along the trail. Accommodations are at Lake Lucille Inn, Standard Room
Day 3
Today you fly from Wasilla along the Iditarod Trail to follow the race. After a breathtaking flight around Mt. McKinley, land for a trailside lunch prepared by your pilot/guides, and watch mushers as they pass through a checkpoint. Depending on weather, the race progress, and runway conditions, the pilot will make another landing at Skwentna, Finger Lake and/or Rainey Pass. Accommodations are at Lake Lucille Inn, Standard Room
Day 4
Finally, it’s time to try your own hand at mushing. Visit a nearby race kennel to meet the dogs, harness teams and head out on a private system of groomed trails where you’ll have the chance to drive your own team! A catered campfire lunch will be among the day’s highlights. Accommodations are at Lake Lucille Inn, Standard Room
Day 5
Aboard your ski plane, you’ll head for McGrath, 220 miles northwest of Anchorage on the Kuskokwim River. McGrath also happens to be on the Iditarod trail, so watch for the mushers from the air. This is a popular checkpoint for mushers to take their 24-hour mandatory rest. Accommodations are at Takusko House and the Hotel McGrath, Standard Room
Day 6
Travel via ski-equipped aircraft to the halfway point of the race to greet and observe the front-running mushers. You will also tour some historic buildings abandoned during the Gold Rush era. A picnic lunch will be prepared by your pilot/guides. Accommodations are at Takusko House and the Hotel McGrath, Standard Room
Day 7
Leaving McGrath, your pilot will fly across the Yukon Kuskokwim delta in search of wildlife and scenery. En route, you’ll stop at village checkpoints along the Yukon River to observe mushers and experience life in rural Alaska. Later, continue to the quaint fishing village of Galena, a checkpoint on the Northern Route. Accommodations are at cozy B&B’s in Galena.
Day 8
Meet a retired Iditarod musher to hear a firsthand account of this epic race. After stopping at the checkpoint in Kaltag, fly through the coastal mountains and along the Iditarod trail as it transitions to the Bering Sea coast and the village of Unalakleet—an exciting checkpoint on the trail. Mushers change sleds at this point to the lightweight racing sleds needed for the Norton Sound sea ice and the final push to Nome. Accommodations are at Maggie’s Sleep Inn, Standard Room
Day 9
Meet the frontrunners as they arrive in Unalakleet. It could be early in the morning or late at night, as each year brings new times, and different weather can make a big difference in when mushers arrive here. Spend the day visiting the checkpoint and meeting the locals. Accommodations are at Maggie’s Sleep Inn, Standard Room
Day 10
Leaving Unalakleet, you’ll head out on the trail toward Nome, watching for mushers along the way. Upon your arrival in Nome, you will be met by a local guide Richard “Hello Central” Beneville (you’ll understand the nick-name when you meet him). Accommodations are at the Aurora Inn, Standard Room
Day 11
Go on a snow cat ride to the safety checkpoint, view Eskimo dancing, take a museum tour, go on a Nome tour with Richard Beneville, or take a fly-out to the checkpoint at White Mountain. Accommodations are at the Aurora Inn, Standard Room
Day 12
Another exciting day in Nome will mean watching the mushers cross the finish line—as well as participating in whichever of yesterday’s activities you didn’t already get to! Tonight’s dinner will be a crab feast prepared by a chef. Accommodations are at the Aurora Inn, Standard Room
Day 13
After breakfast, you will bid your farewells and will be transported to the Nome Airport for your departure for Anchorage. Safe travels!
To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners.
