• 8 Days
  • From $4,599
  • Airfare Included

Alaskan Aurora Adventure

Tour Style:
Land
Activity Level:
Leisurely
Highest Elevation:
2,400 ft while on the train, at Broad Pass Summit
11 Meals:
6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners

Witness Mother Nature’s shimmering northern light show and visit several top attractions during an unforgettable weeklong trip into the heart of Alaska. Begin in Anchorage to learn about Native heritage and enjoy time at leisure. Travel into the historic village of Talkeetna for a tour of six-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey’s homestead and take a dog sled ride! Embark on a scenic rail journey along the Alaska Railroad, northbound through Denali National Park’s breathtaking wilderness. In Fairbanks, explore ancient cultural artifacts at the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North, admire stunning sculptures at the World Ice Art Championships, and view an expansive collection of restored vehicles at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. We also spend three evenings at Aurora Pointe Activity Center and get cozy around a fire with snacks as we search the night sky for the spectacular aurora borealis.

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Fly to Alaska
    Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and check in to our hotel for a two-night stay.
  • Day 2: Anchorage
    Today offers ample free time to explore as you wish! This morning is a great time to embark on an optional flightseeing excursion, watch a short educational film at the Anchorage Public Lands Information Center, visit the Captain Cook Monument at Resolution Park, or shop for souvenirs. Later in the afternoon, a knowledgeable docent joins us for a stroll through the halls of the Anchorage Museum to share fascinating information about Alaska's Native heritage, followed by time to discover more history on our own and an evening at leisure.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 3: Talkeetna Sled Dogs
    A picturesque drive takes us north into Alaska’s Interior. We travel past the Chugach Mountains to the state’s primary agricultural region in Matanuska Valley, then along the Susitna River into the village of Talkeetna, near the base of Denali. Upon arrival, we visit the scenic homestead of six-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey for a tour of his sled dog kennel and a dog sled ride of our own! We then check in to our Talkeetna hotel for the night and enjoy an included dinner. Afterwards, we attend an audio-visual presentation by the professional photographer “Aurora” Dora Redman, who shares tips on how to get the best shot of the famed aurora borealis. Our lodge’s back deck points towards Denali, so watch for views of its majestic moonlit peak as well as stars and shimmering lights in the night sky.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 4: A Journey by Rail
    All aboard the Alaska Railroad! Today’s scenic journey takes us deep into Alaska’s Interior. Enjoy dinner on the train and keep your camera handy for extraordinary views of the Alaska Mountain Range while traveling 250 miles north. We disembark in Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart City for a four-night stay. Tonight, we watch for northern lights at the Aurora Pointe Activity Center, located far enough away from city lights for unimpeded viewing. Get cozy around a warm fire with coffee, tea, and locally produced snacks as our guide shares their knowledge of the aurora borealis. The center is also equipped with a webcam indoors to alert guests when it’s time to see Mother Nature’s magical light show outdoors.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 5: Fairbanks
    The state's second-largest city is ours to explore today. Enjoy a leisurely morning, then visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center, whose interactive exhibits and life-sized dioramas illustrate what life is like in the Alaska Interior. Following an included lunch, we visit the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. This institution contains an astonishing collection of more than 2.5 million artifacts representing millions of years of biological and cultural life. Afterwards, delight in free time to spend as you please before returning to the Aurora Pointe Activity Center for another evening of watching aurora borealis displays and stargazing.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 6: Ice Art Championships
    Indulge in a full day at leisure to relax or pursue individual interests in charming Fairbanks. This afternoon, you may choose to join us for an optional excursion to the Santa Claus House. Later, we visit the amazing World Ice Art Championships, a major cultural moment and one of the biggest springtime celebrations in the Interior. Sculptors from across the world display their jaw-dropping works of art made from enormous blocks of ice, some over 25 feet tall! This evening, we spend more time seeking out the enchanting northern lights in the night sky.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 7: Antique Auto Museum
    Take advantage of a restful morning or more time to explore the city on your own. This afternoon, we visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, where a collection of nearly 100 restored vehicles appear alongside classic fashion apparel from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Tonight, we gather for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate our Alaskan adventure, then board our overnight flight home.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 8: Arrive Home
    We return home with fond memories and new friendships made during our time in Alaska.

What's Included

All Accommodations

  • 2 nights at Hilton Anchorage
  • 1 night at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
  • 4 nights at SpringHill Suites Fairbanks

Attractions & Highlights

  • Anchorage Museum
  • Time at leisure in Anchorage & Fairbanks
  • Sled dog kennel tour & dog sled ride
  • Audio-visual presentation by professional photographer “Aurora” Dora Redman
  • Aurora viewing & stargazing at the Aurora Pointe Activity Center
  • Rail journey from Talkeetna to Fairbanks aboard the Aurora Winter
  • Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center
  • Museum of the North
  • World Ice Art Championships
  • Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

11 Excellent Meals

  • Farewell Dinner in Fairbanks

Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.