Winter Driving Adventure
Watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky during your Aurora viewing tour. Experience first hand why Alaskans love winter!
Offered by All Alaska Tours
Local Phone: 907-277-3000
Toll-Free: 866-317-3325
Email: mytrip@alaskatours.com
Price: $1224 adult / $190 child
Available: October 1, 2009 – April 30, 2010
This winter safari is for adventurous travelers who prefer to take on the challenges and rewards of a winter SUV driving tour. In winter, the land is a realm of its own: outstanding scenery, warm hospitality and virtually no traffic! With a reliable four-wheel drive SUV, pre-booked accommodations and a detailed travel kit, you are set to explore!
Activities abound in the winter, such as flight seeing to Mt. McKinley, relaxing in an outdoor hot spring, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, crossing the Arctic Circle and viewing the amazing Aurora Borealis. The main highways are open and well-maintained, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
YOUR ITINERARY
9 days & 8 nights of adventure
Day 1 - Arrival — Anchorage
- Arrive in Anchorage
- Pick up a 4x4 SUV
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Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, at any time. Pick up your SUV and drive to your hotel. Overnight in downtown Anchorage.
Day 2 - Anchorage to Talkeetna — Talkeetna
- Drive through the Mat-Su Valley to Talkeetna
- Opportunity for views of Mt. McKinley
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Drive 113 miles north; plan 2.5 hours driving time, not including stops.
Begin your driving adventure today heading north on the Parks Highway to Talkeetna. This small but unique gold mining community is famous for its special charm and as the expedition base for mountaineers seeking to summit Mt. McKinley. You'll have time this afternoon for an optional flight seeing tour to Denali National park and Mt. McKinley. Overnight in Talkeetna.
Day 3 - Talkeetna to Denali — Healy
- Denali State Park
- Denali National Park
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Drive 167 miles north; plan 3 hours driving time, not including stops.
Today you will continue driving north, through Denali State Park and past Denali National Park. The park is closed to traffic but is staffed by rangers in the winter. You can drive about 5 miles into the park and visit the ranger station. Just a short distance past the park, you will reach Healy. This town of 900 people is home to Alaska’s only commercial coal mine. Overnight in Healy.
Day 4 - Denali to Chena Hot Springs — Chena Hot Springs Resort
- Natural mineral hot springs pool passes
- Watch the Northern Lights
- Optional Ice Hotel tours
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Drive 173 miles north; plan 3.5 hours driving time, not including stops.
Your journey continues northward today through Fairbanks to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. This comfortable resort is famous for its mineral hot springs and as an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis. This afternoon, enjoy the outdoor hot mineral springs and tour the Ice Palace, where everything from the chandeliers to the martini glasses are made of ice. Or if you prefer, take a dog sled rid
Day 5 - Free Day — Chena Hot Springs Resort
- Natural mineral hot springs pool passes
- Optional dog sledding
- Optional snowshoeing or skiing
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Today is free to enjoy the amenities of the resort and optional tours. This evening, you may want to add a Snow Coach Aurora Viewing tour. Overnight at the Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Day 6 - Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks — Fairbanks
- Granite Tors State Park
- Chena River State Recreation Area
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Drive 61 miles west; plan 90 minutes driving time, not including stops.
Today is at your leisure to drive to Fairbanks. On your way back, you may want to explore the Chena River State Recreation Area. You may wish to drive to the nearby town of North Pole to visit the world-famous Santa Claus House. Overnight in downtown Fairbanks.
Day 7 - Free Day — Fairbanks
- Optional visit to North Pole
- Optional city tour
- Optional Aurora viewing tour
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The day is at your leisure to explore the city of Fairbanks. Take a drive to North Pole, located just outside Fairbanks, and visit the Santa Claus House. Or enjoy an optional activity, such as dog sledding, a guided city tour, or Northern Lights viewing tour. Overnight in downtown Fairbanks.
Day 8 - Fairbanks to Anchorage — Anchorage
- Return rental SUV
- Alaska Airlines flight to Anchorage
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Today, drive to the Fairbanks airport where you will return your rental car and depart on a scheduled flight back to Anchorage*. Upon arrival in Anchorage, transfer to your hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight in downtown Anchorage.
*If Day 8 is a Sunday, you may opt to take the train to Anchorage instead of the flight at no additional cost.
Day 9 - Departure — Anchorage
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Depending on your departure flight, you may have time for an optional tour, like a private city tour, sleigh ride, or snowshoeing. Transfer via hotel courtesy shuttle to the airport. Depart at any time.
