Alaska Aurora Rail Adventure | Bettles Lodge

Day 1 Anchorage | Arrival Upon arrival in Anchorage, transfer at your own cost to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. While not the capital of the state, Anchorage is the largest city and cosmopolitan center of Alaska with nearly 300,000 people calling it home. Built originally as a railway depot, the city grew with the development of the farming collective in the Mat-Su valley and the building of Air Force bases. With the discovery of oil, the city became the commercial and financial center of the state. Situated on the Pacific Ocean on Cook Inlet and moderated by the ocean, the city does not often get the extreme weather that much of Alaska is renowned for. A vibrant and unique city on the edge of the Alaskan wilderness, there are plenty of opportunities for exploring if you choose. The quaint log cabin visitor center is a good place to start.

Day 2 Anchorage to Talkeetna with Winter Dog Sledding | Coach Your full day adventure begins with a transfer from Anchorage to Talkeetna. Upon arrival in Talkeetna, enjoy a town tour and lunch before heading to the homestead of Dallas Seavey, a four-time Iditarod Champion. After receiving a thorough orientation of how to handle the huskies and harnessing your team to the sled, you will embark on your own 6-mile mini-expedition. Follow your musher guide into the groomed dog sled trails of Talkeetna’s snowy boreal forest. After, return to the kennel, where you will have plenty of time to take photos with the dogs and meet the puppies! The rest of your day is at leisure in Talkeetna.

Day 3 Talkeetna to Fairbanks | Alaska Railroad Today, travel Talkeetna to Fairbanks onboard the Aurora Winter Train. Along the way, the train stops as needed at Healy and Nenana before arriving to Fairbanks this evening.

Day 4 Fairbanks to Bettles Lodge | Flight Make your own way to the East Ramp of the Fairbanks Airport. Depart Fairbanks this morning for your scenic 1-hour flight to Bettles Lodge over the Yukon River and above the Arctic Circle with experienced and knowledgeable Alaskan pilots. The Bettles Lodge staff will greet you at the airplane to take your luggage and show you to the lodge for check in. You will then be escorted by your knowledgeable guide for a tour around the Village of Bettles. Bettles is isolated from the outside most of the year, with only an ice road two months in the winter. Find some peace away from cell phone service and the electronic world to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the wilderness. After dinner, guests can relax while waiting for the Aurora Borealis at the lodge or Aurora viewing cabin. (Dinner is included today)

Days 5 - 6 Bettles Lodge Two full days at Bettles Lodge. After breakfast, enjoy a guided snow shoe excursion or a self-guided cross country ski around the lodge. You may want to enjoy an optional activity in the afternoon (Not Included). In the evening, enjoy a bonfire out by the fire pit. Guests will have time at leisure, to enjoy the Aurora Borealis. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included both days)

Day 7 Bettles Lodge to Fairbanks | Flight On your return flight to Fairbanks, you will take the morning or afternoon flight and will return by approximately 1.00pm or 5.00pm. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy Fairbanks. (Breakfast is included today).

Day 8 Depart Fairbanks Upon check-out of your hotel it’s now time to say goodbye to your magical Alaskan Aurora rail adventure.