Overview
Itinerary
Your journey starts in Fairbanks, in the great state of Alaska. Originally a gold rush boomtown, now known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska.” Due to varied arrivals, there are no group activities planned for today. Stay: Pikes Waterfront Lodge (3 Nights)
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 and pose for a perfect souvenir snapshot.
In the afternoon, embrace the Iditarod spirit as you step into a sled with an expert guide and glide over the snow with a 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 green. (B/D)
Enjoy a full day at leisure in the city of Fairbanks. Take this opportunity to relax or flex your sense of adventure with optional excursions: consider flightseeing to the Arctic Circle.
Later in the evening, enjoy another chance to spot the northern lights. (B)
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 (when conditions allow).
Later, perhaps you will spend some time on the lodge's expansive deck, a great place to search for the northern lights, or just enjoy some hot cocoa by the roaring fireplace in the great room. (B/L/D) Stay: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
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) Stay: Hilton Anchorage (2 Nights)
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)
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. Your hotel room is available for your use whether your flight is today, tonight, or tomorrow morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Hop in a sled and experience dog mushing like a local.
- Search for the northern lights in Fairbanks' star-filled sky.
- Visit Musk Ox Farm and learn about the sustainable domestication project.
- Pass by floating glaciers and playful otters on a winter glacier cruise in Prince William Sound.
- Enjoy a scenic ride from Fairbanks to Talkeetna via Alaska Railroad.
- Peruse antique cars and glamorous fashions of the past at the Antique Auto Museum.
- Enjoy a taste of wild Alaskan salmon.
- Learn all about the Iditarod as you dine on the property of a legendary racing kennel.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- To truly experience the program and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
With a maximum of 24, dive deeper into your destination & access places and experiences that larger groups can’t. Read more
Purchase Collette's Travel Protection Plan, & you can cancel for any reason and get your money back! Read more
Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive Collette bookings. Read more
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Fairbanks, AK. Cost: $659.
- Make like a true Alaskan adventurer as you set off to cross the Arctic Circle. As you travel by air, just east of the gates of the Arctic National Park, view the rugged Brooks Mountain Range and tundra landscape. In Coldfoot, learn about the traditional people that continue to sustain their lifestyle and culture in the Yukon River Valley. Finally, achieve the mark of a true explorer as you cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 4 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option must be booked at least 15 days prior to departure. Due to weather conditions or other circumstances, this option may require alteration or cancellation. We recommend wearing layers due to changes in temperatures. For the colder seasons, we suggest a mid-weight jacket, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and sunglasses. You must be able to get in and out of a small aircraft and be able to climb a ladder to get into the aircraft. Due to the nature of this option, we require advance notice for any traveler weighing 340 lbs/154 kg or more. The maximum weight capacity for each aircraft is 1400 lbs/635 kg. Due to weight restrictions, bags are weighed prior to boarding and cannot exceed 10 lbs/4 kg. Flight time is 50 minutes each way and 45 minutes at Coldfoot Camp.
Download Brochure
Collette Explorations (2025-26)
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
