• 8 Days
  • From $4,999
  • 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. Bundle up in your warmest outdoor gear as you explore this winter wonderland, beginning in Anchorage with learning about Native heritage and enjoying 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. Guests should wear appropriate cold-weather clothing, including insulated jackets and warm winter boots with good traction, as icy conditions are common.

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Fly to Alaska
    We board a flight to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and check in to our hotel for a two-night stay.
  • Day 2: Anchorage Museum & Leisure Day
    Today offers ample free time to explore as you wish! This is a great time to embark on an optional flightseeing excursion, watch a short educational film at the Anchorage Public Lands Information Center, marvel at the Captain Cook Monument in Resolution Park, or shop for souvenirs. Later in the afternoon, a knowledgeable guide joins us for a stroll through the halls of 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 this morning. 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. Our first stop is 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 enjoy an included dinner before our audio-visual presentation by a professional northern lights photographer, “Aurora” Dora Redman, who shares tips on how to get the best shots. Tonight’s lodge has a back deck pointing towards Denali, so we can 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: Rail Journey
    All aboard the Alaska Railroad! Today’s scenic ride 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 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 an indoor webcam to alert guests when Mother Nature’s magical light show is happening.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 5: Fairbanks
    Enjoy a leisurely morning before we begin exploring the state's second-largest city. Our first enriching visit is the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center, where interactive exhibits and life-sized dioramas illustrate what life is like in the Alaska Interior. Following an included lunch, we’re off to the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. This institution contains an astonishing collection of more than 2.5 million artifacts that take you through millions of years of history! Afterwards, there’s time to pursue individual interests and grab a bite to eat. This evening, we return to the Aurora Pointe Activity Center in hopes of watching more aurora borealis displays and stargazing.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 6: Leisure Day & Ice Art Championships
    Indulge in a full day at leisure to relax or explore as you wish in charming Fairbanks. This afternoon, you may choose to join us for an optional excursion to the Santa Claus House. We regroup in the early evening for dinner and a visit to 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! Tonight, we seek out the enchanting northern lights in the night sky one more time at Aurora Pointe.

    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 sit alongside classic fashion apparel from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. Tonight, we gather for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate our Alaskan adventure before our overnight flight home.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 8: Arrive Home
    We arrive home this morning with wonderful memories of our times exploring Alaska’s natural and cultural wonders.

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

11 Excellent Meals

  • Daily breakfast
  • Farewell Dinner in Fairbanks

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