Alaska Winter Family Holiday
Alaska Winter Family Holiday
Alaska Winter Family Holiday
5 Days Starting and ending in Fairbanks
Visiting: Fairbanks
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SSFA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
5-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
See the best of icy Alaska in the winter on this family-focused adventure from Fairbanks. Get ready to chase the Northern Lights, explore virtually untouched natural wonders and maybe even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus along the way. This 5-day adventure through Alaska is perfect for families looking for a change of scenery in one of the world’s most stunning winter wonderlands. Explore America’s northernmost reaches as you take in spectacular scenic viewpoints from lakeside to mountaintop, vist the 'North Pole', and take to the snow for a dog sledding experience alongside adorable huskies. And, when you’re ready to warm up, chill out in Chena’s natural hot springs. This is an adventure full of family time you’ll never forget.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Accommodation: Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
Welcome to Alaska! Fairbanks lies almost at the heart of Alaska, and you're free to relax in your comfortable hotel or explore the wintery downtown before an important welcome meeting this evening at 5pm, where you'll meet your leader and group. Get used to the common phenomenon of icefog here – it can get as cold as -50° Fahrenheit! Today’s highlight is a journey to chase and hopefully photograph the Aurora Borealis around Fairbanks. The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most amazing and memorable natural wonders, and your guides will use innovative technology to predict the best Aurora viewing conditions and find the best place to try and spot it. You might be holed up in a rustic cabin or hop in a van to escape the clouds and find the Aurora. The colours of the lights are more vibrant through a camera, so your guides will give everyone tips on how to take the perfect photo.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Accommodation: Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning take the family for a relaxing soak in the natural waters of the nearby Chena Hot Springs resort. Chena’s water is used by people throughout Alaska, the Lower 48 states, and international visitors and dignitaries from every corner of the globe. The hot springs’ recorded history dates to the early 1900s, but there’s evidence indigenous people used the water before that as well. 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. This afternoon you’ll visit the Aurora Ice Museum, which was created using over 1000 tons of ice and snow, all harvested at Chena. The museum is filled with ice sculptures, a polar bear bedroom and even a snowball fight area, and stays a cool 25° Fahrenheit (-7° Celsius) inside all year-round. Depending on the conditions today and your success yesterday, there’ll be another chance to wrap up warm and view the Northern Lights, with your guide helping the kids understand this amazing phenomenon.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Accommodation: Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today is no normal day, because straight after breakfast you’ll be driving up to the local North Pole to visit Santa Claus’s house! Here it’s Christmas every day, so let the kids experience the magic of the holiday in this festive fairyland, with the chance to see inside Santa’s house, complete with an incredible range of Christmas decorations and toys. But that’s not all the Christmas miracles – just like the song, next it’s time to join in some reindeer games with a reindeer walk through the birch forest! Led by a native Alaskan you’ll walk alongside your new furry friends, while learning about the adaptations that make reindeer ideal for Arctic living. After the hour-long walk, head inside to learn a bit more about reindeer while enjoying homemade cookies and drinks. Return to Fairbanks and have the rest of the day at your leisure. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations on what to do and where you could eat, so be sure to ask them.
Included Activities:
-
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Day 4: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Accommodation: Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today you’ll take part in an iconic Alaskan sport – dog sledding. Yes, you heard right! You’ll ride – or as the sledders call it, ‘mush’ – on real racing trails north of Anchorage and meet real Iditarod racing dogs. Keep an ear out for your local guide explaining how to train and steer the dogs, plus some fun stories along the trail. The kids will love it and it’s a way to enjoy the quiet of the Alaskan winter wilderness landscape that you only get on a dog sled. When you arrive back at the kennel, see the great facilities provided for your furry friends, and perhaps even meet some adorable husky puppies! Tonight, celebrate the end of this winter wonder by sharing magical stories from your time at the North Pole and racing through the wilderness with huskies, then maybe get together for one final group dinner.
Included Activities:
-
Day 5: Fairbanks
Location: Fairbanks
Meals Included: breaksfast
With no activities planned for the family today, you are free to say your goodbyes to your group leader and family friends and leave the accommodation, either continuing your own Alaskan adventure or beginning your homebound journey. If you would like to spend more time in Fairbanks, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Fairbanks - Dog Sledding
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Fairbanks - Chena Hot Springs (Entrance fee & Transport)
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Fairbanks - Aurora Ice Museum
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Fairbanks - Northern Lights Viewing
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Fairbanks - Santa Claus House
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Fairbanks - Walk with the Reindeer Experience
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Meals
5 breakfasts
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Accommodation
Lodge (4 nights)
Transport
- Private Minivan
Accommodation
- Lodge (4 nights)
Check out our Q&As
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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
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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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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Low Deposit
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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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
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