Amazing Alaska with Iditarod

February 25, 2025 thru March 4, 2025

Have you always wanted to witness the Iditarod? Or longed to see the Aurora Borealis? Dreams come true this winter in Alaska. You’ll meet the dogs and mushers, witness the start of “The Last Great Race on Earth”, take an unforgettable rail journey through the landscapes of the Alaskan wildernessand view the unforgettable Northern Lights. This tour has it all—including outdoor gear to keep you warm!


Transportation

Roundtrip air transportation

From TUS

Transportation

Motorcoach

All transfers and deluxe motorcoach included

Duration

8 days, 7 nights

Activity Level 4

Active

Meals

14 Meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners)

Availability

Available

Pickup/Dropoff

Roundtrip door-to-door livery service


Tour Highlights

  • Museum of the North
  • Welcome Dinner
  • Aurora Pointe Activity Center for “Aurora Hunting”
  • Running Reindeer Ranch
  • Alaska Pipeline
  • Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
  • Ice Alaska – World Ice Art Championships
  • Alaska Railroad Aurora Train
  • Iditarod Ceremonial Start & Events
  • Fur Roundy Town
  • Anchorage Museum
  • Alyeska Ski Resort & Tram Ride
  • Anchorage Winter City Tour
  • Mat-Su Valley Sled Dog Kennel Tour
  • Farewell Dinner

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip air transportation from TUS
  • All motorcoach transportation & airport transfers
  • Roundtrip door-to-door livery service
  • 7 nights lodging
  • 14 Meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners)
  • Admissions & tours as described
  • Services of a Tour Director
  • Baggage handling where available
  • Taxes & gratuities for included items (except for housekeeping)


Day 1 - Fly to Fairbanks

This morning we fly to Fairbanks. Warm winter coats and boots will be waiting for you to use throughout the trip. While a lot of regions are coy about their snowfall, Alaska boasts about it blankets of white and wonderful winter activities. Check in for three nights at the Springhill Suites Hotel.

Day 2 - Fairbanks and Northern Lights

Start your journey with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a winter gear exchange to prepare for the day. Explore the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center and delve into the region’s heritage at the Museum of the North. The evening brings a Welcome Dinner at the iconic Pumphouse, setting the stage for a night of Aurora “hunting” at Aurora Pointe Activity Center, a prime location for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights*. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. This phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen.

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 3 - Alaskan Discovery

Today we visit Running Reindeer Ranch, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to walk with reindeer through a beautiful forest setting, learning about these magnificent creatures up close. Lunch at Ivory Jacks, followed by a visit to the iconic Alaska Pipeline, a marvel of modern engineering stretching across Alaska’s vast landscapes. Constructed between 1974 and 1977 in response to the 1973 oil crisis, the pipeline is a critical component of U.S. infrastructure, contributing significantly to the nation’s energy supply.

Delve into history at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, where a stunning collection of vintage automobiles and historical fashion awaits, capturing the essence of early 20th-century innovation and style. The day continues with awe-inspiring ice sculptures at Ice Alaska, home to the World Ice Art Championships, showcasing the incredible talent of ice artists from around the globe.

Enjoy an independent dinner at your leisure. If we were not able to see the Northern Lights on Day 2, we will try again this evening!

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 4 - Alaska Railroad Aurora Train

All aboard! Spend the day on the Alaska Railroad Aurora Train. The journey is just as splendid as the destination. The 350-mile train ride takes 12 hours and is an expedition, passing through four different climate and vegetation zones. You will enjoy the train’s amenities, such as the dining car, as we traverse the wild wilderness of Alaska on our journey south to Anchorage where we check in for four nights at the Hilton Anchorage. The northern lights shimmer over the state and the signature event, the Iditarod, makes Anchorage the hottest place to be for unrivaled adventure.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Iditarod 2025

This morning you’ll be part of all the excitement at the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod 2024. You can’t compare it to any other competitive event in the world! A race covering 1000 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. She throws jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. A race extraordinaire, a race only possible in Alaska. To celebrate the Iditarod, the streets of Anchorage come alive during Fur Rendezvous. Fur Rondy, as it is known by the locals, has proudly represented the pioneering spirit of Alaskans since 1935 with winter sports, native culture and tons of unique events. In addition to the many official cultural and sporting activities, the Anchorage community hosts numerous Rondy Round Town events, offering wacky winter fun for all ages. Some of the events of the Fur Rondy Festival celebrating the culture, crafts and activities of After spending some time taking in the event, visiting with race teams and witnessing the media coverage, you’ll have the afternoon to explore the shops and culture of Anchorage and to learn all about Alaska and see Alaskan artwork and artifacts at the Anchorage Museum.

Meals included: (B)

Day 6 - Frosty Views

Head to Alyeska Ski Resort and take a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska, with an elevation of 2,300 feet. Witness frosty views of the Turnagain Arm and up to seven “hanging” glaciers. Lunch awaits at the Bore Tide Deli atop the resort, where you can dine with panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains.

After departing Alyeska in the early afternoon, return to Anchorage and dive back into the festive atmosphere of the Fur Rondy events. Conclude your day with an independent dinner in Anchorage, followed by an evening of fun at the Rondy Carnival, where rides and games provide entertainment against the backdrop of Alaska’s winter landscape.

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 7 - Anchorage & Dog Sledding

After a city tour of Anchorage, we will enjoy a tasty and scenic lunch in Wasilla. Drive along the Chugiak and Talkeetna Mountain ranges to the Mat-Su Valley for a tour of a sled dog kennel and learn more about racing.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Farewell Alaska

Bid farewell to the enchanting winter wonderland of Alaska. Today, we depart from Anchorage International Airport and head home.

Meals included: (B)

Itinerary subject to change. For departures from outside of Tucson or Albuquerque, please call for special air pricing. *Northern lights viewing are subject to weather and are not guaranteed.


Package Pricing

$5,055 per person

Double occupancy

Deposit: $200

$5,795 per person

Single occupancy

Deposit: $200

Final Payment Due:

December 24, 2024

Deposit: N/A

Price Includes

• Roundtrip air transportation from TUS
• All motorcoach transportation & airport transfers
• Roundtrip door-to-door livery service
• 7 nights lodging
• 14 Meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners)
• Admissions & tours as described
• Services of a Tour Director
• Baggage handling where available
• Taxes & gratuities for included items (except for housekeeping)


Booking Policy

Final Payment Due: December 24, 2024

Cancellation Fees

  • None through December 24, 2024
  • $200 – December 25, 2024 – January 7, 2025
  • $3,400 – January 8 – 21, 2025
  • 100% after January 21, 2025

We pride ourselves on great service and an enjoyable experience for all and will go over our booking policies after you make your request for booking. If you’d like to learn more about our booking policies before your trip, give us a call at (520) 325-8839, or visit our Booking Policies page. Click here for more information on our booking policies.

Travel Insurance

In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to help protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

Please click here for more information.


ITINERARY

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 4

The activity level for this your is 4: Active.

Expectations: The tour includes well-paced walking tours with regular breaks. Up to 2-3 hours of walking each day. To fully take advantage of all this tour has to offer, guests need to be able to walk longer distances, climb several flights of stairs and navigate steps and uneven terrain walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators). Your itinerary can include significant changes in temperature and altitude and may require a higher number of longer travel days with morning and/or evening activities. Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Excursions require standing and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited.

Appropriate for: OLDER Travelers who are physically fit, expect a vigorous pace and enjoy participating in two to three hours of physical activity per day.

AIRLINE TICKETS

You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Tucson International Airport. If you have an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation.

If you are joining the tour from locations other than Tucson, we make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.

AIRPORT SECURITY

Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline and border security will turn you away.

BAGGAGE

We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carryon baggage and contents due to enhanced security measures. If you have further concerns, please visit the TSA's Web-site at www.tsa.gov. There is room inside the motorcoach for your hand carried bag.

CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES

On our scheduled airline for this tour, passengers are assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.

GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE

The traditional end-of-tour gratuity to your tour director is included on this tour. All hotel porterage and airport skycap (when available) fees are included. We also include the gratuities for the coach/livery drivers.

LIVERY

For your convenience, we have a (round-tour) door-to-door pickup service with each multi-day tour. (This service is not available to all clients depending on your location.) Approximately 2 to 3 days prior to the departure date you will receive a call from our office and we will tell you your assigned pickup time. (These times can vary up to 15 minutes depending on traffic.)

LODGING REQUESTS

If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.

Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.

TRAVEL REQUESTS

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.

RESPONSIBILITY

Pleasurebent Tours acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS

Temperatures in Anchorage and Seward will range from 20 to 30 degrees, while low temperatures in Fairbanks may drop down to near 0. Included rental gear will be a parka and warm boots suitable for daily wear as well as the outdoor winter activities planned. Dress in layers including thermal underwear and sweaters, and bring hats, scarves and ear coverings. Also bring an alternative coat and waterproof footwear for days when the parka and boots may not be necessary.

Inquire About This Tour

Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.

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