07-Days | Coach - Winter Wonderland

Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer to your downtown hotel. Remaining day at leisure. Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and is beautifully located along Cook Inlet and the Ship Creek Valley. The downtown area has many unique shops and department stores. Check out the many winter festival activities during the ongoing annual Fur Rendezvous with: Native Arts Market, Theater Show, Snow Sculpturing Competition, Snowshoe Softball Matches and Firework Displays while the cities gears up for the Iditarod Ceremonial Race Start on the weekend. Overnight: Hilton Hotel Anchorage.

Today, travel south along the spectacular Turnagain Arm. You'll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a behind the scenes tour to see grizzly, moose or musk ox up close. Afternoon transfer to Girdwood and the Alyeska Ski Resort. The remaining day is at leisure with plenty of time to rejuvenate at the world-class spa facilities of the hotel, dog sledding, downhill skiing or snowshoeing. All beautifully appointed rooms are featuring: choice of double or king size beds, TV, phone, wireless internet access, safe, refrigerator and luxurious bathroom. You may enjoy a gondola ride to the mountaintop for a romantic dinner at the "Seven Glacier Restaurant" with spectacular views over the valley and magnificent glaciers. Overnight: Alyeska Resort

Motorcoach tour along the snow capped Chugach and Kenai Mountain Range to the small fishing port of Seward. Visit the Alaska Sealife Center – the worlds largest cold-water marine search institute - for an in-depth look above and below the ocean floor. The center is also the only permanent stranding, rescue and rehabilitation facility for marine mammals in Alaska. Return to Girdwood with the remaining day at leisure: The Alyeska Hotel is a true deluxe wilderness resort who offers full spa facilities, a large indoor pool, fitness center, sauna, an ice skating ring and a total of eight different restaurants. TIP: don't miss out on a dinner at the excellent Sakura Teppanyaki Restaurant. Overnight: Alyeska Resort

Morning departure from Girdwood north to Anchorage. Enjoy an Anchorage City Tour through the historic downtown district, the worlds largest and busiest floatplane base in the worlds - Lake Hood - and visit the Alaska Zoo for a behind the scenes tour. Tonight, enjoy the Iditarod festivities at the Musher's Banquet (Ticket & Dinner Included). Mingle with the musher community from near and far and bring the camera for a photo with your favorite musher! Overnight: Hilton Anchorage

Travel north on the Parks Highway. The morning highlight will be a visit at the Happy Trails Kennels - home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser. Listen to its first-hand, personal stories while getting a glimpse of the grandeur Alaska has to offer along the Iditarod trail. On your return to Anchorage stopover at the Iditarod Headquarters with a replica Iditarod Trail station. Overnight: Hilton Anchorage.

Iditarod Day!  This morning, head down to 4th Avenue to get a great spot at the starting line of the Iditarod. Spend time cheering on musher's from all over the world. Watch each of them depart for the 1100-Mile trip Nome or take off early and enjoy other Iditarod festivities in Anchorage. During the afternoon, enjoy the cultural viewing opportunities available at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight: Hilton Anchorage.

Transfer to the Anchorage airport and end of tour. You may extend and enhance your Alaska winter tour experience with one of our Iditarod checkpoint fly outs or full tours. Please refer to our winter program itineraries.