This incredible 9 day / 8 night tour combines 4 days in Fairbanks with the start of the Iditarod, from Anchorage to Nome it is one of the largest sled dog race in the World!
Iditarod Racing Start: one of the largest sled dog race in the world!
We begin our tour with 4 days in Fairbanks; the ‘Golden Heart City’ located just 190km from the Arctic Circle and dominated by Denali, the highest mountain in North America. From this location you will have the opportunity to witness the breathtaking phenomenon, Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights. This tour will give you a unique and privileged insight into the hospitality and culture of Alaskan Natives, and you will learn a little of the history of the time of the Gold Rush. You will also get to experience local outdoor pursuits such as ice fishing and dog mushing, before relaxing in steaming hot mineral springs. In the latter half of this tour we will transfer through the stunning mountain landscapes of the Denali National Park to Anchorage, for the start of the Iditarod, the longest dog sledding race in the world! First organised in 1973, it has earned its title of “The Last Great Race on Earth” by challenging participants to cover 1000 miles of the roughest yet most beautiful terrain on the planet. Participants will cover vast tundra, jagged mountain ranges, dense forests and frozen rivers, whilst combating temperatures far below zero; low visibility and highly challenging weather conditions.
Our access pass will allow us to be present at the draw of starting numbers, and the opportunity to meet with some of the mushers and their dogs.
This tour operates within a minimum number of 6 participants.
Iditarod Racing Start: Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
You will arrive at Fairbanks where your guide will greet you and transfer you to your accommodation. Arrival is usually in the evening, so you may want to enjoy a meal before getting a good night of rest.
Day 2: Sightseeing Fairbanks
Today will be filled with sightseeing in Fairbanks. Visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, Yukon Quest Headquarters, the Museum of the North or just spend some time in downtown Fairbanks. Spend another night in your accommodation.
Day 3: Meet Santa Claus
After breakfast we will head out to Chena Lake for a spot of Ice Fishing, before journeying to the North Pole to pay Santa Claus a brief visit! In the early afternoon we will continue to follow the Chena River to the Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you will have the opportunity to relax in the hot, healing mineral springs. We will make quick stop at the Turtle Club in Fox on the way home for a delicious Prime Rib Steak Dinner, and then spend the night back in your accommodation. There may be the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, but unfortunately sightings are not guaranteed.
Day 4: Husky tour through the Alaskan wilderniss
After breakfast we will head to Nenana which is famous as the home of Husky Champions! You will learn plenty of information about these incredible creatures, including details about breeding, their nutritional and training requirements. This will act as a pre-cursor to an amazing 20km husky mushing tour through the Alaskan wilderness before stopping in the Monderosa bar for the best Hamburger in Alaska! Once the sun sets we will be able to go across to the Ice Park in Fairbanks to experience the ornate and illuminated ice carvings.
Again, there may be the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, but unfortunately sightings are not guaranteed.
Day 5: Denali National Park
Today we will leave Fairbanks and journey through the beautiful Denali National Park to Anchorage. On the way we will visit the Iditarod race headquarters, before staying overnight in Anchorage or Girdwood.
Day 6: Winter activities
On this day you can choose to participate in various winter activities including snowshoeing and skiing. Alternatively you can choose to spend the day exploring Anchorage at your leisure. When early evening arrives we will head across to the Mushers Banquet where the atmosphere will be electric as the start numbers are drawn. This evening also offers the opportunity to speak personally to the mushers and ask them about the race ahead.
Day 7: Explore the beauty of Alaska
A day of exploration awaits us. We will drive along the fjord on the Kenai Peninsula to the icebergs of the Portage Glacier where it will be possible to see the natural wildlife including eagles, bears, moose, musk ox and caribou. On our return we will drive up Mt. Alyeska to the Seven Glacier observation deck, where you will be privileged to witness tremendous views of the mountains, glacier and sea. If the weather is in our favour, a spectacular sunset will provide an incredible backdrop to the evening. A delicious dinner at the Summit Restaurant will be followed by an overnight stay in Anchorage or Girdwood.
Day 8: Iditarod starting ceremony
The Iditarod starting ceremony is today. We will have VIP access and be able to witness the huge fanfare which will see the teams leave the start line individually from 4th Avenue. Then you will have the rest of the day at leisure in Anchorage.
Day 9: Iditarod Racing Start - stay exicted
It’s Race Day! We will drive to the race start in Willow where we will be able to give the nervous mushers and their canine teams a great send off as they begin their incredible journey. If there is time we will travel to the trail in Knik where we may be able to see the dog teams as they pass. You will then return to Anchorage where you will then be transferred back to the airport for your journey home. Alternatively you can choose to stay on for additional nights, and we would be happy to arrange this for you. Whenever you choose to depart, you can be certain that you will take with you many amazing memories of your time witnessing the start of the Iditarod, the greatest husky race on Earth.
Please note, this tour is designed primarily so that you have the opportunity to witness the beginning of the renowned Iditarod race. If you wish to participate in a dog sled ride you may be able to do so, but under supervision.
If you are looking for traditional dog sledding tours we have many that can easily be added to the start or finish of this tour.
Important informations: Thanks to the ever changing landscapes provided by Mother Nature, no tours are identical. The sights and sounds you will experience will create new and lasting memories of your time husky sledding. Don’t miss out; book your trip of a lifetime today!
Additional Information:
The order of tours and activities within this itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and other contributing factors that must be taken into account by the guides when planning your tour. You will receive the exact order of activities once you arrive on site. The far north can have fluctuating and unpredictable weather with very strong temperature differences. The safety of guests and animals comes first, and for this reason, we reserve the right to change the itinerary and intensity of activities if and when needed. This involves both adjustments due to insufficient snow (meaning we cannot drive the sleds) or too much snow (snowstorms and extreme cold can cause accidents and various other problems). The required adjustments and fallback options in rare cases are based on the day-to-day conditions and can be compensated by shorter or longer daily stages, alternative accommodations, or even single day trips. In extremely rare cases we may organise alternative transport (ie. cars, quad bikes, etc). Feel free to contact us if you would like a more detailed assessment of this tour and travel period.
These videos contain snapshots of our local partners to provide a brilliant first impression. Please note that selected tour may not correspond precisely to these recordings.
These pictures provide a general impression of our local partner and the surrounding area. Please note that selected tour may differ from these pictures.
All Reviews of Goldstream Husky
●●●●● 5.0 of 5 Stars (9 Reviews) on Facebook ●●●●● 5 of 5 Stars (3 Reviews) on heyHusky
Die Husky-Veranstaltung bei und mit Andy Hütten war ein besonderes und tolles Erlebnis.
Andy Hütten mit seinen liebenswerten Ecken und Kanten gibt seine jahrzehntelangen Erfahrungen mit seinen geliebten Hunden gerne weiter. Nach einer genauen Einschulung geht es dann gleich los mit den Schlittenhunden-Ausfahrten. Es war zwar zeitweise "saukalt", ist ja Winter in Alaska , aber die schöne Landschaft mit den Schlittenhunden zu erkunden war einfach ein Traum. Beim gemeinsamen Abendessen in der superwarmen Stube gibts dann noch spannende Geschichten vom Andy. Ein Aufenthalt bei Andy in Alaska ist etwas aussergewöhnliches und kann ich nur empfehlen. Vielen Dank lieber Andy.
Michael H. from Deutschland ●●●●●
Februar 2017 -
Toller Urlaub, super Hunde
Jörn E. from Deutschland ●●●●●
03.02.19 bis 14.02.19 - Kein Urlaub von der Stange
Also, die Kurzfassung dieses Abenteuerurlaubs würde ich bezeichnen als: kein Urlaub von der Stange. Dies durchzieht sich durch die meisten Aktivitäten und Gegebenheiten dieser Huskytour. Der „Oberguide“ ist ein Urbayer in Alaska. Sehr erfahren im Mushen, aber auch in Wandern und Klettern. Immer einen flotten Spruch auf den Lippen und eine Geschichte im Gepäck. Ein „uriger“ und sympathischer Zeitgenosse, der einem das Hundeschlittenfahren lebendig, klar, verständlich und respektvoll nahe bringt. Dabei ist seine Zuneigung zu den Hinden deutlich zu spüren. Das Wohl der Tiere stellt er dabei in den Vordergrund, was ich absolut verständlich und angebracht finde. Weiter geht es mit der Beziehung zwischen dem „Urbayern“ und seiner Freundin, die nicht von der Stange erscheint. Wenn Ihr dort hinfahrt, macht Euch ein eigenes Bild. Aber die Zuneigung zwischen den beiden ist deutlich zu spüren; das Wichtigste in einer Partnerschaft. Weiterhin war es eine tolle Verköstigung mit Frühstück, Kaffee und warmen Abendessen. Und nach einer tollen Tour durch Alaska mit tollen Hunden, schmeckt es noch einmal viel besser. Abends besteht die Möglichkeit sich über die Eindrücke auszutauschen, zu lesen oder etwas zu spielen. Letzteres kam bei uns nicht zu kurz und war mit herzlichen Lachen und Bombenstimmung verbunden. Ann-Christin und Andy haben sich in ihr Privatleben begeben, was auch völlig in Ordnung war, dennoch entging ihnen unser „Gackern“ nicht. Ein kleiner Kritikpunkt: gelegentlich kamen Gäste für eine Tour zwischendurch, um eine Tour mit den Hunden zu machen. Es wirkte etwas wie „dazwischengepackt“. Es schränkte unsere Touren nicht ein, dennoch hätte ich mir einen offeneren Umgang mit diesem Vorgehen gewünscht. Im Allgemeinen kann ich nur sagen, wer Schnee liebt, nicht alles vorgesetzt bekommen möchte, sondern sich auch um das Füttern und die Sauberkeit der Hunde kümmern möchte, ist hier genau richtig. Ich werde „meine Hunde“ und die Touren immer in schöner Erinnerung behalten. Vielleicht komme ich noch einmal wieder und werde dann hoffentlich auch Bandit, Storm, Jewel und Co., sowie Ann-Christin und Andy wiedersehen. Zum Schluss eine kleine Anregung: eine Sauna wäre toll; das einzige, was nach einer Tour gefehlt hat...
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