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Embrace the wintery wilderness of Alaska

Ready to chase the Northern Lights, explore virtually untouched natural wonders and maybe even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus along the way? This 8-day adventure through Alaska is perfect for travellers looking to connect with nature in one of the world’s most stunning winter wonderlands. Explore one of Alaska’s largest glaciers, the Matanuska Glacier, take part in a guided snowshoeing experience in the pristine Denali State Park and just when you’re ready to warm up, you can bliss out in Chena’s natural hot springs. With the opportunity to view the Northern Lights from strategically chosen viewing points every night of the trip that the weather permits, this is an adventure that you will never forget.

Start
Anchorage, United States
Finish
Fairbanks, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
SASA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Enjoy nightly guided Northern Lights viewing opportunities, at locations strategically chosen by your local leader near your accommodation.

  • Take part in a leader-led Snowshoe Hike in the stunning Denali State Park.

  • Stay at Sheep Mountain, which is virtually untouched by tourists, making it perfect for spotting the Northern Lights thanks to no light pollution.

  • Visit Santa Claus’ house in the North Pole, with the option of a reindeer walk through birch forests.

  • Soak in Chena’s natural hot springs for some well-earned relaxation time.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a winter trip so you must have the appropriate footwear and clothing.

  • Packed lunches will be simple, so if you think you will get hungry between meals, perhaps bring some of your own snacks along on day trips too.

  • Weather is unpredictable in Alaska, especially in the winter, so we may need to make itinerary changes to keep the group safe and well at all times. If this occurs, we will do our best to find comparable activities and experiences.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Alaska_Prince_William_Sound_Cruise
Pax in Chena Hot Springs
Alaska_Northern_Lights
Cruise_View_of_Matanuska_Glacier
Alaska_Dog_Sledding
Snowshoe_Hike_in_Denali_with_Pax

Itinerary
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Welcome to Alaska! Today you can arrive in Anchorage any time that suits you to check in to your accommodation. If you have some free time, you might like to head out for a stroll in the crisp, Alaskan air and get acquainted with the town. This evening your Welcome Meeting will take place at 6 pm where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, you may like to enjoy dinner with the group – your leader will be full of recommendations for the best local restaurants. Every night of this trip, providing the weather permits, you will be given the opportunity to join your local leader – at the most strategic location within driving distance of your accommodation – for the chance to see the Northern Lights.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

This morning, after breakfast you’ll hop into your private van and travel along the scenic Seward Highway. It is one of only 13 highways in the US with the distinction of ‘All American Road’, meaning it is considered a tourist attraction unto itself. Along the way, you will have great opportunities to view and photograph some of the most scenic vistas that you pass, before arriving at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). The AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round, providing spacious enclosures and quality animal care. This morning you’ll have the chance to learn more about some of Alaska's iconic animals and how they are nursed to recovery. After a quick break to enjoy a packed lunch, you’ll continue driving, through the Anton Anderson Tunnel to Whittie before boarding a boat for a 3.5 hour cruise on Prince William Sound. Here you’ll be surrounded by the mighty tidewater glaciers and should keep an eye out for harbor seals and otters playing in the water. After this, you can choose to head to town for dinner with the group or do your own thing. For those who are tired after a fun-filled day, there’ll be time for a quick nap before you’ll have the option of trying your luck at viewing the Northern Lights again.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Turnagain Arm - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  • Turnagain Arm - Prince William Sound Cruise
  • Anchorage - Northern Lights Viewing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today after breakfast you’ll drive up to The Matanuska Glacier, one of Alaska's most famous destinations. At 27 miles (43 kilometres) long and 4 miles (6 kilometres) wide, it is Alaska's largest glacier that can be accessed by road. It is also one of the most accessible areas to walk on of any glacier in Alaska. Spend some time soaking up the views of the ice that formed thousands of years ago high in the Chugach Mountains. Depending on weather conditions, each day is unique due to the dynamic nature of the glacier. Hop back in your vehicle for a short drive right up to the toe of the glacier, where you’ll spend the next few hours, including enjoying lunch at a local eatery. Tonight, you’ll be staying at a lodge in Sheep Mountain – this area has very few tourists so there is no light pollution, meaning it’s the perfect place to see the Northern Lights if weather permits.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Matanuska - Glacier Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning is a free day, so you’re welcome to just relax at the lodge or take part in one of two optional activities – dog sledding or a helicopter flight, including landing on a glacier. If you opt for trying your hand at Alaska's official state sport, known to the locals as ‘dog mushing’, you’ll meet Iditarod racing dogs at the real racing trails north of Anchorage. Each ride consists of up to three riders hooked up to a dog sled team, led by a local Alaskan musher as your guide. Enjoy the serenity of the Alaskan winter landscape in a way that only a dog sled ride can provide. Otherwise, you might like to see Denali and the Alaska Range from above on a helicopter flight! Follow the river systems of Talkeetna across the Susitna Valley into an incredible landscape of icefalls, glaciers and snowy peaks. See the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier, mile high granite walls filled with a 4,000 foot (1219 metre) thick river of ice, the Don Sheldon amphitheater and the deepest canyon in North America. No matter how you decide to spend your day, there’s always the option of meeting up with the group for dinner to swap stories at the end, before heading out in search of the Northern Lights.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Talkeetna - Northern Lights Viewing
Optional Activities
  • Talkeetna - Optional Flight Tour with Glacier Landing - USD346
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning after breakfast you’ll be heading to Denali National Park for a day filled with activities. First, head off on a two-hour leader-led snowshoeing experience along some of the picturesque local trails, with a break to stop and enjoy your packed lunch. We explore what's considered the "front country" of Denali.

After lunch, you’ll visit the Denali visitor's center to learn about the nature and culture of the area, as well as the Murie Science and Learning Center for more information on the national park. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please – you might want to explore Denali National Park further at your leisure for more stunning views of the wintery landscape. Then, meet up with the group for an included dinner at your hotel for the evening before the option of another opportunity to spot the Northern Lights in the surrounding wilderness.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Denali National Park - Leader-led Snowshoe Walk
  • Denali National Park - Visitor Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today is an exciting day, because straight after breakfast you’ll be driving up to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus’ house! Here it’s Christmas every day, so embrace your inner child with the chance to see inside Santa’s house, complete with an incredible range of Christmas decorations and toys. Enjoy a leader-led orientation walk of the town and have the option of stopping for lunch (or maybe just locally made sweets if that’s what you’re in the mood for!) before having the choice of a free afternoon, or the chance to take part in a reindeer walk through the birch forest. Led by a native Alaskan you’ll walk alongside your new furry friends, while learning about the adaptations that make reindeer ideal for Arctic living. After the hour-long walk, head inside to learn a bit more about reindeer while enjoying homemade cookies and drinks. Tonight, you can choose to join the group for dinner to share magical stories from your day at the North Pole, before the chance to search for the Northern Lights again.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fairbanks - Northern Lights Viewing
Optional Activities
  • Fairbanks - Running Reindeer Ranch (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - USD75
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning is a free morning, so enjoy breakfast when it suits you before you head for a relaxing soak in the natural waters of the nearby Chena Hot Springs resort. Chena’s water is used by people throughout Alaska, the Lower 48 and International visitors and dignitaries from every corner of the globe. Their recorded history dates to the early 1900's but there is evidence indigenous people used the water before that as well. The resort was officially formed back during the gold rush, when weary gold miners discovered that soaking in the warm waters helped their aching bodies after a day of digging. This afternoon you’ll have the option of visiting the Aurora Ice Museum, which was created using over 1000 tons of ice and snow, all harvested at Chena. The museum was completed in January 2005 and stays a cool 25° Fahrenheit (-7° Celsius) inside all year-round. This evening your group may choose to partake in a farewell dinner, before one last opportunity to spot and photograph the majestic Northern Lights.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fairbanks - Chena Hot Springs (Entrance fee & Transport)
Optional Activities
  • Fairbanks - Aurora Ice Museum (Entrance fee & Transport) - USD15
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today your Alaskan adventure comes to an end after breakfast. There are no activities planned and no accommodation provided for the night, so say goodbye to your fellow travellers and local leader. You’ll either need to arrange additional post-trip accommodation or make your way home from here.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (1 night)

Included activities

  • Turnagain Arm - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  • Turnagain Arm - Prince William Sound Cruise
  • Anchorage - Northern Lights Viewing
  • Matanuska - Glacier Tour
  • Talkeetna - Northern Lights Viewing
  • Denali National Park - Leader-led Snowshoe Walk
  • Denali National Park - Visitor Centre
  • Fairbanks - Northern Lights Viewing
  • Fairbanks - Chena Hot Springs (Entrance fee & Transport)

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Alaska Winter Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Temperatures at this time of year in Alaska can be well below freezing. Please ensure you bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
4. Please note these trips require a minimum of 4 travellers to depart.
5. Please see here for the most up to date COVID-19 information about travelling to and within Alaska, including travel declarations & testing requirements: https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/. Please note our local partner in Alaska also requires a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival in order to join this trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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