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America’s final frontier, Alaska is home to the “Last Great Race on Earth”—the Iditarod, a 1,050-mile trek across some of the most barren terrain in the world. No other sport serves as such a testament to the love and dedication of man and dog. Become part of this unique event. Meet the mushers and learn why they sacrifice it all. Meet the true athletes, the dogs, and appreciate how their docile nature adds to their incredible endurance. Discover Alaska in winter with its breathtaking vistas and outdoor fun—snowshoe, snowmobile, dog sled or just relax in this exquisitely simple haven.

Day 1 - Depart for Anchorage, Alaska

SPECIAL NOTE: This wintertime Alaska journey interesting and unique, with travel to somewhat remote locations. The accommodations are the best available. (See the Accommodations section for more details.) Many of the activities and the sightseeing takes place outside, so clothing and preparation for cold weather is essential.

Depart your home city on Wednesday for Anchorage, Alaska. Upon your arrival, you will be met, and taken directly to your historic hotel, where you will enjoy a deluxe view room.

Anchorage is a unique destination located in one of the world's most spectacular settings – Alaska. Recognized as a four-time All-America City, Anchorage is a modern city surrounded by spectacular wilderness and embraced by six mountain ranges. During winter Anchorage is truly a wonderland. Thousands of lights decorate downtown Anchorage and the excitement of many activities reverberates throughout the entire city. You are here at the transition of Winter to Spring – when the daylight time increases by minutes each day, with an average of 10 hours of daylight during this journey.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at Crow’s Nest, a gourmet restaurant atop Captain Cook Hotel, offering panoramic views of the Cook Inlet.

Day 2 - Anchorage

The Iditarod is a unique test of sport and spirit – for the mushers and their canine teammates. This morning travel outside Anchorage to visit the kennels and home of veteran Iditarod mushers, Vern and Susan Halter. Hear about the history of sled dogs from early native use, to the gold rush era and the famous Serum Run to Nome during the 1925 diphtheria epidemic (the inspiration for the Iditarod). Vern will explain the uniqueness of the Iditarod from the standpoint of length, diversity of competitors (men and women and native champions), the ‘NO HELP’ rule and the training and care of Iditarod dogs. With 25 years of racing, Vern and Susan will talk about race strategy and the changes to the Iditarod Race over the years. You’ll learn about the clothing and survival gear, the sleds and equipment, and of course meet the canine athletes and learn about their care and training.

Enjoy lunch in the casual atmosphere of their home and you have the chance to get to know what it’s like to live this unique lifestyle.

En route back to Anchorage stop at the Iditarod Headquarters, to learn more about the history of the Iditarod, with the museum’s interpretive displays, historical artifacts and videos.

Tonight, meet the mushers—champions and novices—at the casual and camp Mushers’ Banquet. Here you’ll get a better feel and understanding on how this remarkable, challenging and unique international race is also an intimate and local tradition. It seems everyone in Alaska has some sort of tie to the race – personally, historically or just as a fanatic fan. Included in the festivities is announcing the musher starting order assignments – a great opportunity to put names to faces and choose your favorites.

Day 3 - Anchorage

All day you’ll feel the excitement as final preparations get underway for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. And be a part of it this morning when you attend “dog handler boot camp.” Learn how to handle sled dogs and discover their gentle, fun-loving nature. This training will give you the opportunity to be part of the Iditarod by being a volunteer to help the dog teams each get to the starting line on Saturday morning. For those who are bit shy about dog-handling, this is a unique insight into all the work required to start this race – and a great photo opportunity.

Next we explore downtown Anchorage and learn about the history of this young, diverse and rebel-spirited city. Visit the historic Ship Creek district, where Anchorage began, and in Earthquake Park you’ll learn the history of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, the strongest ever recorded in North America, measuring 9.2 on the Richter Scale. It shook all of Southcentral Alaska and became a turning point of Alaska and Anchorage development.

Visit the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, a world-class museum with a permanent collection of more than 17,500 objects, 2,000 artifacts and 350,000 historical photographs. This collection offers an overview of the Alaska's rich history and an introduction to its varied culture. Life-size dioramas show Alaskan homes and work environments from the 1920s; traditional village dwellings of Alaska's Aleuts, Eskimos and Indians; homes of early Russian settlers and Gold Rush-era pioneers; and an actual piece of the Alaska Pipeline.

Day 4 - Anchorage & Finger Lake

More than 80 mushers and 1000 dogs huddle in downtown Anchorage for the exciting ceremonial start of the Iditarod. Be part of the starting-line action as a volunteer dog handler, or just enjoy our VIP access to the festivities. We will have special local experts on hand to give you insider tips on the mushers and their dogs, as well as where to get the best photos. It may be cold, but with all the excitement, and some hot beverages on hand, you won’t mind.

In the afternoon, board our ski-plane for a scenic flight above the Iditarod Trail to the exclusive Winterlake Lodge. The lodge lies 198 trail miles northwest of Anchorage, and positioned right along the historic Iditarod Trail. We land on nearby Finger Lake, a finger-shaped 2-mile lake with views of the Trimble Glacier and the start of Rainy Pass.

Positioned on 15 acres and overlooking the lake, the Winterlake Lodge offers a wide variety of winter activities and with comfortable log cabins and a cozy main lodge is a peaceful hideaway. Settle into your accommodations, then perhaps take an exploratory walk around the property, or just sit by the woodstove and explore the extensive ‘Alaskana’ library.

Tonight you may join lodge owner and renowned Alaskan chef, Kirsten Dixon, in the kitchen for a hands-on cooking demonstration, before a gourmet Alaskan dinner.

Day 5 - Finger Lake & Girdwood

Today you’ll have an opportunity to experience and enjoy the Alaskan wilderness. Enjoy this remote paradise at your own pace, and based on your own energy level. You can walk, snowshoe, or cross-country ski. The snowshoe expeditions and cross-country ski excursions include instruction for beginners, and there are trails that suit beginners and experts alike. There is also snowmobiling and dog sledding - You won’t be expected to compete in the Iditarod, but on the sled dog excursion, you will get instructions and try your hand at on driving your own team. And there is no need to wander far, as right behind the lodge, Wolverine Mountain offers intriguing hiking and wildlife viewing.

Take a break for a sumptuous lunch, and to just relax in your cozy cabin or the main lodge.

Mid-afternoon, we ski-plane out as the race check-point crews start preparing for tomorrow’s Iditarod team arrivals, Keep an eye out to spot the mushers making their way along the trail.

After landing near Anchorage, it is a short 40-mile drive to the quaint town of Girdwood. Tucked amid the Chugach Mountain Range on Alaska's south central coast, the Alyeska Resort is the place to discover the mystique of the Last Frontier. Enjoy the comforts of this deluxe resort within the rugged setting with glaciers, bald eagles and towering spruce trees.

The Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway is a five minute ride to an altitude of 2,300 feet, and up to a viewing deck offering breathtaking panoramic views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, towering spruce, and an array of wildlife. At the top, enjoy a gourmet dinner at Seven Glaciers restaurant.

Day 6, Monday - Girdwood

This morning enjoy your choice of another variety of activities offered at the luxurious Alyeska Resort—including snowshoeing, Cross-country skiing or ice skating.

There are approximately 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, and this afternoon, we take a helicopter flight to view one of the world’s largest ice masses. Understand the proportions of man-to-mountain as you hover above this scene of endless white and then land on a glacier. This is a truly unique breathtaking experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Tonight dine at the resort, or venture out to one of the local dining options.

Day 7 - Girdwood & Anchorage

A short drive from Girdwood, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where native wounded and orphaned animals like bears, caribou, moose, and others get nursed back to health in their natural habitat. Enjoy a private behind-the-scenes tour of this unique facility.

On the way back to Anchorage, travel along the Seward Highway, a National Forest Scenic Byway. You’ll be amazed at the massive moving ice flows we see as we skirt the picturesque Turnagain Arm. Watch for sheep and eagles.

Tonight toast farewell to this Northern paradise over some fine Alaskan cuisine.

Day 8 - Depart for Home

This morning you will taken to the airport in Anchorage for your flight home or on to your next destination.

3/09

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