Detailed Port Descriptions

Day 1 - Wednesday, February 26             Fairbanks

Your journey starts in Fairbanks, in the great state of Alaska. Originally a gold rush boomtown, now known as the ’Golden Heart of Alaska’. Transfer from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to your hotel. Hotel: Pikes Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks

Day 2 -     Thursday, February 27             Fairbanks

Today after breakfast you will begin your CME sessions.

Day 3 - Friday, February 28                       Fairbanks

Feel the brisk air and discover Fairbanks, the perfect combination of nature and civilization. Look into the past at the Antique Auto Museum, where vintage cars sit between timely artifacts and fashionable designer dresses from times gone by. Hop in a car yourself, throw on some flapper accessories, and pose for a perfect souvenir snapshot. In the afternoon, embrace the Iditarod spirit and try your hand at dog mushing, stepping into a sled with an expert guide and gliding over the snow with your very own pack of sled dogs. Stay for dinner at the kennel owner’s home and learn more about what the life of a musher is like. Later this evening, chase the legendary northern lights, considered one of the most amazing natural spectacles in the world. Walk out in the snow under an unspoiled bed of stars and search for the shimmering hues of purple and green. (B, D)

Day 4 -  Saturday, March 01                      Fairbanks

This morning, partake in another CME meeting. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure in the city of Fairbanks. Take this opportunity to relax or flex your sense of adventure with optional excursion: consider flightseeing to the Arctic Circle. Later in the evening, enjoy a final chance to spot the northern lights. (B)

Day 5 -  Sunday, March 02                         Fairbanks—Alaska Railroad—Talkeetna

Begin your day hopping on Alaska Railroad’s Snow Train for a full-day journey to Talkeetna. Sit back and relax as you are whisked away, through snow-covered mountains and striking valleys. Have your cameras ready – the train conductor will point out wildlife as you pass by. Lunch is included in the train’s dining car. Check into the iconic Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, perched on a ridge offering unforgettable views of Denali. Later, perhaps you will spend some time on the Lodge’s expansive deck; a great place to enjoy some hot cocoa by the roaring fireplace in the great room. (B, L, D) Hotel: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna

Day 6 - Monday, March 03                       Talkeetna—Palmer—Anchorage

Start your day with a lecture on the down-to-earth Alaskan lifestyle before taking a step into the past when you visit Musk Ox Farm. Learn about the Musk Ox project – a sustainable domestication effort that has worked to preserve, protect, and increase awareness for these wooly creatures since 1954. Your day concludes in Anchorage, an urban enclave surrounded by wilderness. (B) Hotel: Hilton Anchorage, Anchorage

 Day 7 -  Tuesday, March 04                     Anchorage

Head to Whittier and embark on an incomparable glacier cruise of Prince William Sound, narrated by an expert guide. Blue skies collide with stark white glaciers, and playful otters dip in and out of the calm waters. Embrace the sheer magnitude of Alaska’s natural beauty as you venture through a geological wonderland. Feel like a true explorer during a beach landing.* Toast to your Alaskan adventure at a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 8 -  Wednesday, March 05              Anchorage

Enjoy a relaxing morning before heading to the Anchorage Museum. Alaska’s largest museum tells the story of the states multi-faceted culture and history from many different perspectives. The remainder of your day is at leisure. A day room has been extended for your use before your transfer to the airport. (B)  Note: Flights must not be booked to depart any sooner than 3pm