Day 1: Day 1 (Mon) – Arrive Fairbanks
Stop At: Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska United States
Arrive in Fairbanks and meet your Southwest Adventure Tours tour director. After transferring to your hotel (call Springhill Suites at 907.451.6552 for pickup), the rest of the day is free to relax from your travels and explore Fairbanks on your own. There are many shops, museums and restaurants nearby and it will be a good time to shop for any remaining gear you need for the Alaskan winter weather. The hotel offers an “Aurora Wake-up Call”, so if the aurora becomes visible from the property, each room on the list is called so you won’t miss a thing! As long as it is dark and clear there is always a chance to see the Northern Lights. Remember, the more nights spent “aurora hunting” the better the chance you’ll have seeing them.
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation included:
Springhill Suites, Fairbanks, AK
Day 2: Day 2 (Tue) - Fairbanks and Aurora Viewing Lodge
Stop At: Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska United States
After breakfast, join the group for sightseeing in Fairbanks. Take a short drive to the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center (MTCVC). Be sure to get a photo at the “Antler Arch” and to pick up an aurora certificate to commemorate a successful sighting! Then head to the Museum of the North, discover Alaska Native cultures, natural wonders, diverse wildlife and Arctic dinosaurs. Explore 2,000 years of Alaska art. Learn about research by museum scientists. See original exhibits and breathtaking architecture. You will head back to the hotel where you have time for lunch on your own and a chance to enjoy a plethora of local shops and art galleries featuring local artists and craftsmen.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
Accommodation included:
Springhill Suites, Fairbanks, AK | Meals: B, D
Day 3: Day 3 (Wed) - Dog Sledding – Chena Hot Springs – Aurora Viewing
Stop At: Paws for Adventure, Herning Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA
This morning, relax and sleep-in after a late night. Enjoy a late breakfast, before departing Fairbanks and venturing out for a Dog Sledding Adventure. Arrive at a local kennel to meet some of Alaska’s most enthusiastic athletes! These friendly Alaskan huskies will whip you around the beautiful hidden twists and turns of the trails that run through the Boreal Forest. You have the unique opportunity to visit (“hands-on”) with the sled dogs in their home kennel and hear tales of the many years of experience with these canine athletes. Your mushers are not only long-time guides, but also have personal stories of Alaskan expeditions and/or racing experiences to share.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Accommodation included:
Lodging: Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Day 4: Day 4 (Thu) – Aurora Ice Museum – Winter Hike
Stop At: Aurora Ice Museum, 56.5 Chena Hot Springs Road, Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks, Alaska 99711 United States
After a leisurely morning and late breakfast, enjoy a tour of the world’s largest year-round ice environment, the Aurora Ice Museum. The structure was created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, all harvested at the resort. Keeping the museum icy cold in the heat of summer comes from the patented absorption chiller, the first of its kind in the world used for this purpose. In the afternoon, it is time to experience the 440 beautiful acres and scenic trails of the resort under your own power. You can choose either snowshoes or cross-country skis, then get out on the trails for a quiet winter trek through the forest. The rest of the day is free to enjoy all the amenities and optional activities offered at the resort. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and the northern lights tonight.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Accommodation included:
Lodging: Chena Hot Springs Resort
17600 Chena Hot Springs Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Day 5: Day 5 (Fri) – North Pole –& Ice Fishing – Aurora Viewing Lodge
Stop At: Rod's Alaskan Guide Service, 3355 Repp Rd, North Pole, AK 99705, USA
Your final day is filled with wonder, Depart the hotel and enjoy fun Alaskan winter pastime, Ice Fishing! In the warmth of a comfortable icehouse, a seasoned guide will help you land a fish and will even cook what you caught for a fresh fish snack. A true Alaskan experience! After Fishing you take a short drive to the City of North Pole, where Christmas lives on, all year round! Enjoy Lunch at one of the local restaurants. Don’t forget to snap a picture with Santa Claus and order letters from Santa that will arrive just before Christmas (no matter what time of year you visit). There are shops that feature hand-made Alaskan gifts and be sure to swing by “The North Pole” for an unforgettable photo. Return to Fairbanks and check in for a final night. After a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, take one more excursion to an Aurora Viewing Lodge for a final night of the Northern Lights.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Accommodation included:
Lodging: Springhill Suites Fairbanks
575 1st Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Day 6: Day 6 (Sat) – Journey Home
Stop At: Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska United States
Depending on your flight time, enjoy a late morning or possibly some last-minute shopping before transferring to the Fairbanks Airport for your departure flight home.
Meals included:
Breakfast
