Come experience the true essence of the Far North, traveling to a remote wilderness lodge by dog sled and spending three days learning to "mush" your own team, before witnessing firsthand the indescribable "Last Great Race", the 1100 mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. After attending the Race start, fly by ski-equipped bush plane to a remote homestead on the Yentna River along the Iditarod Trail. Spend the next day exploring the area by dog sled, snowshoes or skis while you wait for the first teams to pass by the bonfire on the river that evening. Early the following morning, head up the river to the isolated race checkpoint at nearby Skwentna, where you can witness the mushers readying themselves and the hundreds of dogs for the thousand miles of unforgiving wilderness ahead. Depending on the progress of the race, head farther up the trail by air to see the front-runners at the unofficial checkpoint of Finger Lake, before heading back to Anchorage and visiting the chaos of Race Headquarters.
This very special tour is for those that long to experience the real Alaska, and the reasons so many have chosen to call it home year around --from those that came for the gold rushes and decided not to leave, to those that still spurn the comforts of modern civilization for the adventure of frontier living. Offered only once a year, this incomparable tour by Adventure Alaska guarantees experiences that most will only read about.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Gear check and visit to Race Headquarters; travel by road from Anchorage through the Kenai Mountains to overnight in log cabins in the tiny end of the road gold rush village of Hope on Cook Inlet; evening mushing "intro."
Day 2: Morning departure for Homer on Kachemak Bay. Mushing class continuation at Outback Kachemak Kennels before before departing by dog sled for a remote lodge (inaccessible by road) in the Caribou Hills above Homer.
Day 3: Day trips from the lodge driving your own dog team (perfecting your technique), skijoring (cross country skiing by dog power!), snowshoeing, or just plain relaxing; the northern lights will surely treat us to a show.
Day 4: Travel back to Homer by dog sled (you're an expert now!); return to Hope and overnight in the cabins along Bear Creek; dinner at Bear Creek Lodge; pre-race briefing and footage of previous Iditarods.
Day 5: Travel to Anchorage; attend the start (indescribable) of the Iditarod; early afternoon departure from Lake Hood by bush ski-plane for flight to a remote homestead 70 air miles northwest; dinner and overnight at homestead.
Day 6: Morning explorations of the neighborhood by snowshoe or snowmachine; dinner and bonfire rendezvous on the Yentna River as the first dog teams come through. Watch for northern lights; second overnight at homestead.
Day 7: Pick-up by ski-plane and travel along race course to remote Finger Lake, official checkpoint; wander amongst the arriving mushers and race chaos; return flight to Anchorage and visit to bustling Race Headquarters.
Season: Feb. 28 - March 6, 2006
Trip price: $3375 per person
Trip price includes all modes of transportation, lodging, meals and instruction, with extensive additional information sent upon request. Supplementary arctic winter gear is supplied by Adventure Alaska with suggestions as to personal clothing sent upon deposit. Remote facilities range from deluxe to very "Alaskan" (part of the experience!). With space available for only two groups of six persons, this trip fills quickly each year and early reservation for this unique experience is highly recommended.
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