Aurora Alaska

January 15 - 20, 2009

$1,895.00

Indigenous Alaskans believe the northern lights are “children playing, yet to be born”.  We think they’re one of the most beautiful sights that nature bestows upon us.  For that reason we’ve chosen to travel to Alaska at the best time to view the aurora.  This also assures us of the unmatched beauty of vistas covered with snow.  Wildlife abounds – in the waters of Resurrection Bay, around Anchorage and on the magical train journey through Denali National Park to Fairbanks.  You'll need to bundle up for our dog sled ride. Learning to "mush"  your own team is an option. Soaking in natural hot springs surrounded in snow is an unimaginable luxury.  Alaska is majestic, serene, breathtaking and wild – see it at its best!

Thursday  
Assemble in Anchorage at 6.30pm.  Tour leader is flying from Seattle Alaska Airlines flight #93 to Anchorage leaving at 3.38pm which arrives Anchorage at 6.19pm.  Transfer to lodging.  Dinner.

Friday.
After breakfast we’ll drive across Moose Pass to Seward and join a scenic boat trip on Resurrection Bay.  The scenery is quite unelievable with snow down to the water’s edge.  Cruise past Kenai Fjords National Park and view Bear Glacier and small icebergs that have calved off.  See bald eagles and sea otters and maybe whales.  At Fox Island, the light brown stellar sea lions will be sunning on the rocks.  Lunch on board.  Our drive back to Anchorage includes a drive through a wildlife center which cares for black bear and cubs, moose, bison, caribou and muskox.  Dinner and lodging in Anchorage.

Saturday.
Today we board the Aurora Train to Fairbanks.  This 500 mile, all-day trip is full of splendor as we view the wilds of Alaska from the comfort of our warm and spacious rail car.  The mountains, glaciers and forests are blanketed in pristine snow with only the occasional moose or lynx to bear witness to our passage.  If it’s a clear day, Mt McKinley will be in view as we pass through Denali National Park.  The aurora, or northern lights, should be visible as the sky darkens closer to Fairbanks.  Delicious meals will be served on the train.  A van will transport us to our resort one hour north of Fairbanks.  A late evening soak in the natural hot springs will ensure a wonderful night’s sleep.

Sunday
A lazy breakfast awaits you whenever you decide to get up. The morning is yours to relax in the hot springs, go cross-country skiing, snow shoeing or ice skating, get a massage ($30 for 40 minutes), visit the sled dogs or walk the trails. You can even sign up for a 4-hour dog-mushing school (this costs $280 and you’ll need to book in advance). After lunch we’ll head out on a dog sled ride which will be 2 – 6 miles depending on snow conditions. It’s great fun to be zipping through the forest watching the dogs work as a team. There’ll be time before dinner to enjoy the hot springs. You may wish to catch a few hours sleep as tonight at 11pm we’ll board an enclosed snow cat for a Northern Lights Tour. This will take us up the mountain to a heated yurt, our base for viewing the aurora. The optimal time for this viewing is between 12am and 2am. There’ll be plenty of hot drinks to help keep us warm. We’ll be tucked back into bed by 3am.

Monday
Checkout is at 11am so you have plenty of opportunity to sleep-in and squeeze in another hot soak in the springs. Transport will return us to Fairbanks for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll visit a Heritage Museum on the University of Alaska campus. Transfer to the airport and catch a flight back to Anchorage (included). Dinner and lodging in Anchorage.

Tuesday
After an early breakfast in Anchorage, transfer to the airport for an 8am departure on Alaska Airlines flight 2 to Seattle and connect with flights to your home-town.