Dee Dee Jonrow

11 Day Iditarod Race Start and McGrath Checkpoint Tour

Our 2024 Iditarod Race Start and McGrath Checkpoint Tour Package combines our 6 Day Race Start Tour with a 5 Day McGrath Checkpoint tour. Once we leave Anchorage and fly over the spectacular Alaska Range to the village of McGrath, we will be in an area steeped in Alaskan mining history and Athabaskan Indian culture. In McGrath we will visit the remnants of Old Town McGrath, the jumping off point for miners headed to the gold rush in Iditarod, Cripple and Ophir. We will visit the McGrath Museum to meet local experts on the history of the area. We will also fly to Nikolai a traditional Athabaskan Indian village. You will find this tour to be richly rewarding in both the interaction you will have with the Iditarod racers and the local residents.

11 Day Iditarod Race Start and McGrath Checkpoint Tour Package Highlights

  • Attending the Iditarod Race Starts in Anchorage and Willow.
  • Learn about dog mushing and ride the runners on a 6 mile trail at the Alaska Mushing School
  • Sightseeing excursion to the Alaska Wildlife Center, beautiful Alyeska ski resort and scenic tram ride up Mount Alyeska.
  • Attend the Musher's Meet and Greet followed by the Musher's Banquet
  • Opportunity to be an Iditarod team dog handler with VIP privileges.
  • Visit to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art
  • Visit to the Iditarod Museum
  • Scenic flight over the Alaska Range and Rainy Pass.
  • Sightseeing excursion along the Iditarod trail.
  • Visit to the Athabaskan village of Nikolai.
  • Optional Dog Mushing, snowmobiling and flight seeing activities.
  • Opportunity to be a volunteer checker at the McGrath checkpoint
  • Cost and Details

    Feb 27- March 8, 2024. $6500 pp. shared accommodation, single supplement $1000 - $1600 depending on availability. Price includes all local taxes.

    Tour Includes

  • 6 Nights Accommodation at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage, right near the ceremonial start line
  • 4 Nights Accommodation at the Hotel McGrath
  • Admission tickets
  • Lunches and dinners in Anchorage as indicated on itinerary
  • Continental breakfast , all lunches and dinners in McGrath
  • Dog Mushing at the Alaska School of Mushing kennel
  • Group meals in Anchorage as indicated on the itinerary
  • Mushers Banquet tickets
  • Transportation to the Iditarod Race Headquarters Museum
  • Transportation to Alyeska and Willow Restart
  • Admission to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art
  • Tour to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  • Tour to scenic Alyeska Ski resort and Tram ride up Mt Alyeska
  • Transportation to Willow Restart, Alyeska and Iditarod Museum
  • Flights between Anchorage and McGrath
  • Flights between McGrath and Nikolai
  • Coming into Nikolai

    Coming into Nikolai

    Mitch Seavey

    Iditarod Champion Mitch Seavey

    Booking button

    Dog in Box

    John Baker

    Resting Dog

    coming under the burl arch

    John Baker Champ

    musher

    Pat HallFive Time returning client Pat Hall at the Safety Checkpoint

    "Next year, 2016, will be my fifth visit to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race travelling with Alaska Iditarod Tours. My experiences with Richard's tours have always been exactly what I wanted. This includes booking the entire race (start to finish), accommodation, meals, side trips, extra activities and great company. Many friends are made as there are several return visits which gives us an opportunity to meet new friends and renew friendships. Richard's tours are very relaxed, flexible and because he has been travelling to the Iditarod for many years, he has a great understanding of the needs of his clients and has connections with the Iditarod family. I would absolutely recommend Alaska Iditarod Tours as a complete Iditarod experience one never forgets." Pat