Aurora

2026 Iditarod Race Start and Northern Lights Tour .

This tour combines our very popular 7 Day Race Start guided tour with a 5 day tour self-guided tour to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. 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.

11 Day Race Start and Chena Hot Springs Tour Highlights

  • Spectacular flight to the Rainy Pass Checkpoint
  • Learn about dog mushing and ride the runners on a 6 mile trail at the Happy Trail Kennels
  • Attend the ceremonial Iditarod Race Start in Anchorage
  • Attend the Iditarod Race restart in Willow
  • Attend the Mushers Meet and Greet followed by the Mushers Banquet
  • Visit to the Iditarod Museum in Wasilla
  • Visit to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art
  • 3 night stay at one of Alaska's premier locations for Aurora displays
  • Snowcoach ride to remote aurora viewing hut in the Chena Hills
  • Informative geothermal energy tour and Aurora Ice Museum Tour
  • Three days to relax and soak in the hot springs lake

Cost and Details

March 4- March 13, 2026. $6000 pp. shared accommodation, single supplement $1300. Price includes all local taxes.

Tour cost Includes

  • 10 nights lodging
  • Dog Mushing at the Happy Trails Kennel
  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • Musher's Banquet tickets
  • Transportation and admission to all activities and events listed
  • Flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks
  • Ground Transportation between Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs
Aurora band

Spectacular aurora displays

Dog in Box

John Baker

Resting Dog

clients

aurora

husky

team