13 Day Iditarod Race Start, McGrath Checkpoint and Chena Hot Springs Tour
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Our 2025 Iditarod Race Start, McGrath Checkpoint and Chena Hot Springs Tour Package combines our 6 Day Race Start Tour with an exciting flight to the Rainy Pass Checkpoint and two days in the McGrath checkpoint and a 5 day trip to Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs for outstanding aurora viewing.
Once we leave Anchorage and fly over the spectacular Alaska Range to the village of McGrath, you will be in an area steeped in Alaskan mining history and Athabaskan Indian culture. You will visit the McGrath Museum to meet local experts on the history of the area. This tour is richly rewarding in both the interaction you will have with the Iditarod racers and the local residents. We then fly to Fairbanks to view the World Championship Ice Art competition. Carvers from around the world will turn one ton blocks of clear ice into spectacular works of art.
The aurora borealis has fascinated man for centuries and is truly a natural wonder no one should miss. Bands of green, red, purple and white streaking across the sky are symbolic of winter nights in the arctic. This tour takes you to one of the best places in Alaska for viewing the aurora: Chena Hot Springs Resort . Chena Hot Springs is a rustic resort nestled in the Chena Hills and has a wonderful outdoor pool that is perfect for watching the aurora streak across the sky. Sixty miles away from Fairbanks, the resort is beyond the interference of the city's lights and even has heated viewing huts on a remote mountain to further enhance the viewing pleasure. Staying at the resort for 5 nights gives you the best chance of seeing the aurora. Optional activities such as dogmushing, snowmobiling, skiing, hiking and snowshoeing make it the perfect place for a winter getaway.
13 Day Iditarod Race Start, McGrath Checkpoint and Aurora 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
- Attend the Musher's Meet and Greet followed by the Musher's Banquet
- Visit to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art
- Visit to the Iditarod Museum
- Scenic flight over the Alaska Range to the Rainy Pass checkpoint.
- Two days in the McGrath checkpoint meeting mushers and watching them care for their dog teams
- 3 night stay at Chena Hot Springs, one of Alaska's premier locations for Aurora displays
- Tour of the Ice Museum at CHSR
- Snowcat ride to a remote aurora viewing hut in the Chena Hills
- Informative geothermal energy tour and Aurora Ice Museum Tour
- Attend the World Championship Ice Art Competition in Fairbanks
- Three days to relax and soak in the hot springs lake
Cost and Details
Feb 26- March 10, 2025. $9950 pp. shared accommodation, single supplement $1400 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
Iditarod Banquet admission tickets
Dog Mushing at the Alaska School of Mushing kennel
Group meals in Anchorage as indicated on the itinerary
Admission to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art
Transportation to the Willow Restart and Iditarod Museum
Flight to the Rainy Pass checkpoint
Two Nights Accommodation at the Hotel McGrath
Flights between Anchorage, McGrath and Fairbanks
Continental breakfast, lunches and dinners in McGrath
Three nights lodging at the Chena Hot Springs Moose Lodge
One night lodging ib Fairbanks
Lunches and Dinners at Chena Hot Springs
Tour Information Packet
Coming into the checkpoint
Five 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
