Alaska Winter Adventure
8 Days Starting in Anchorage and ending in Fairbanks
Visiting: Anchorage, Sheep Mountain, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks/Chena Hot Springs, Fairbanks
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SASA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Ready to chase the Northern Lights and explore virtually untouched natural wonders? This 8-day adventure through Alaska is perfect for travellers looking to connect with nature in one of the world’s most stunning winter wonderlands. Explore one of Alaska’s largest glaciers, the Matanuska Glacier, take part in a guided snowshoeing experience in the pristine Denali State Park and just when you’re ready to warm up, you can bliss out in Chena’s natural hot springs. With the opportunity to view the Northern Lights from strategically chosen viewing points, this is an adventure that you will never forget.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Anchorage
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Welcome to Alaska! Today you can arrive in Anchorage any time that suits you to check in to your accommodation. If you have some free time, you might like to head out for a stroll in the crisp, Alaskan air and get acquainted with the town.
Day 2: Anchorage
Location: Anchorage
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning your Welcome Meeting will take place at 9 am where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, you’ll hop into your private van and travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm of the Seward Highway. It is one of only 13 highways in the US with the distinction of ‘All American Road’, meaning it is considered a tourist attraction unto itself. Along the way, you will have great opportunities to view and photograph some of the most scenic vistas that you pass, before arriving at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). The AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round, providing spacious enclosures and quality animal care. This morning you’ll have the chance to learn more about some of Alaska's iconic animals and how they are nursed to recovery. Head back to Anchorage in the late afternoon and enjoy some down time for your own discoveries. Tonight, providing the weather permits, you will be given the opportunity to join a local guide – at the most strategic location within driving distance of your accommodation – for the chance to see the Northern Lights.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Sheep Mountain
Location: Sheep Mountain
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Get ready for another special day. This morning you’ll head to out to the Matanuska Valley to visit a local musk oxen or reindeer farm (depending on availability) to learn about these iconic animals of the north. Then continue your adventure north to a remote lodge in Sheep Mountain – this area has very few tourists so there is no light pollution, meaning it’s the perfect place to see the Northern Lights if weather permits. After an included dinner, you'll have a chance to spot the Northern Lights from the lodge grounds
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Sheep Mountain
Location: Sheep Mountain
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today after breakfast you’ll drive up to The Matanuska Glacier, one of Alaska's most famous destinations. At 27 miles (43 kilometres) long and 4 miles (6 kilometres) wide, it is Alaska's largest glacier that can be accessed by road. It is also one of the most accessible areas to walk on of any glacier in Alaska. Spend some time soaking up the views of the ice that formed thousands of years ago high in the Chugach Mountains. Depending on weather conditions, each day is unique due to the dynamic nature of the glacier. Hop back in your vehicle for a short drive right up to the toe of the glacier, where you’ll spend the next few hours, including enjoying lunch at a local eatery before your return to Sheep Mountain.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Talkeetna
Location: Talkeetna
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hit the road this morning for the quirky town of Talkeetna. This small village is famous for its big views of Denali and the Alaska Range to the north. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own. You may like to take a scenic flight to capture views of North America's tallest mountain, Denali, or maybe you'd prefer to stay grounded and try a beer tasting at the local brewery, take a walk along the river, or hang with the locals in a cozy pub. No matter how you decide to spend your day, there’s always the option of meeting up with the group for dinner to swap stories at the end.
Day 6: Denali
Location: Denali
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning is free to explore Talkeetna, or you may wish to try your hand at Alaska's official state sport, dog sledding. Known to the locals as ‘dog mushing’, you’ll meet racing dogs. Each ride consists of up to three riders hooked up to a dog sled team, led by a local Alaskan musher as your guide. Enjoy the serenity of the Alaskan winter landscape in a way that only a dog sled ride can provide. In the afternoon, we head to Denali National Park for to experience the picturesque local trails by snowshoe on a two-hour guided walk with a break to stop and enjoy your packed lunch. We explore what's considered the "front country" of Denali. The snowshoeing is considered easy to moderate. If there's not enough snow today, then you'll embark on a scenic hike instead. Tonight, celebrate your adventures during an included dinner in Healy.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Fairbanks/Chena Hot Springs
Location: Fairbanks/Chena Hot Springs
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you're northbound again as we head to Fairbanks. We'll drop our luggage at the hotel before heading to Chena Hot Springs Resort for some well-deserved relaxation in the natural hot springs. The resort was officially formed back during the gold rush, when weary gold miners discovered that soaking in the warm waters helped their aching bodies after a day of digging. Chena is also home to the world's largest year-round ice museum where you'll discover a frigid wonderland of ice sculptures, an ice chapel, and even an ice bar. Perhaps treat yourself to a drink from an ice glass (at own expense). Tonight, you'll have the chance to search for the Northern Lights again if weather permits.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today your Alaskan adventure comes to an end after breakfast. There are no activities planned and no accommodation provided for the night, so say goodbye to your fellow travellers and local leader. You’ll either need to arrange additional post-trip accommodation or make your way home from here.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Lodge (2 nights) -
Turnagain Arm - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
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Anchorage - Northern Lights Viewing
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Palmer - Farm Visit
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Matanuska - Glacier Tour
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Denali National Park - Leader-led Snowshoe Walk
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Fairbanks - Northern Lights Viewing
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Fairbanks - Aurora Ice Museum (Entrance fee & Transport)
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Fairbanks - Chena Hot Springs (Entrance fee & Transport)
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. A welcome meeting will be held at 9 am on Day 2 in Anchorage. There are no activities planned for the first day or final day so you may arrive and depart at any time.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 3. Temperatures at this time of year in Alaska can be well below freezing. Please ensure you bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
Mode of Transport
- NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
- Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
- The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
- While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This is a winter trip so you must have the appropriate footwear and clothing. If you don't want to take all your winter gear consider buying some in Anchorage.
During winter in Alaska many of the restaurants and stores close for the season, therefore our choices in restaurants will be limited.
Packed lunches will be simple, so if you think you will get hungry between meals, perhaps bring some of your own snacks along on day trips too.
Weather is unpredictable in Alaska, especially in the winter. Although the first snow typically occurs in October, there is sometimes very little snow until late November in some regions. Depending on weather, we may need to make itinerary changes to keep the group safe and well at all times. If this occurs, we will do our best to find comparable activities and experiences. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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