Anchorage & Talkeetna Northern Lights Getaway

Arrive in Anchorage today, surrounded by incredible Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountain Range views. As Alaska's largest city, this destination is rich in local culture and brimming with adventure. Head to your hotel for check-in, then spend the evening resting ahead of tonight's adventure. You will be picked up from your hotel tonight and taken into the wilderness surrounding Anchorage in search of the northern lights. Alongside a professional photographer guide, look up over snow-capped mountain peaks, look over the red, violet, and green hues as they dance across the sky until the wee hours of the morning. Overnight Anchorage.

Please note: There is limited access to traditional restrooms on this tour, though there is plenty of tree coverage in a pinch.

The day is yours to enjoy Anchorage as you please. You may wish to sleep in and linger over coffee and breakfast at a local eatery or explore the region by daylight. The city has several attractions, including a number of art galleries, the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Alternatively, you could join an optional excursion, such as a flightseeing tour over the glaciers, valleys, and mountains of the Anchorage region, or a helicopter tour over Knik Glacier, including an optional glacier landing. In the evening, seek out fresh Alaskan seafood or grab a beer at one of the many local breweries. Overnight Anchorage.

Rise early this morning to make your way to Anchorage's railway station for your early departure on the Aurora Winter Train. Your destination is Talkeetna, the gateway to Denali. The train journey weaves through the Alaskan backcountry, beginning with crossing the Knik River and continuing through the snowy expanses with the frosted Chugach Mountains in the backdrop. After approximately three hours, Mount Denali comes into view, and the train pulls into the station in Talkeetna. Your hotel, the Susitna River Lodge, is just a five-minute walk or even shorter transfer from the station. and Take the remainder of the day to explore the quaint town on your own.

Downtown is filled with historic early 20th-century buildings and is a National Historic Site. Just beyond its bounds, bountiful nature awaits your exploration. On an optional flightseeing tour, you can see its most remarkable feature, Mt. Denali. Because Talkeetna is so remote and has little light pollution, it is an exceptional place to experience the northern lights. Instead of exploring this afternoon, you may instead rest up for a nocturnal adventure on your own tonight, seeking out the spectacular show that is the aurora borealis. Overnight Talkeetna.

What better way to immerse yourself in an Alaskan winter than by participating in its national sport, dog sledding? Your adventure begins as you arrive at the homestead of five-time Iditarod Champ Dallas Seavy, where you learn about the sport, its hardships, and its great adventures. Meet grown sled dogs and puppies, and learn what makes these incredible athletes tick. You will also learn all the lingo you need to mush on your own - a good thing, as the second part of this excursion allows you to take to the trails on your own mini mushing experience! Led by a guide and with two people to a sled, venture along a six-mile path through the forest. The adrenaline of the race, paired with the pristine wilderness, makes this a truly unforgettable experience. Venture back to the homestead for a tour of its grounds before grabbing lunch at a local hotspot in Talkeetna.

Your day wraps up with an included transfer to Anchorage, where your tour concludes this evening. Make your way to Anchorage's international airport for your return flight home, or speak to a Rail Specialist about booking a post-night stay in Anchorage to continue your Alaskan winter adventure.

• Lunch