Day One – Thursday

Welcome to Anchorage! When you arrive at the Anchorage Airport, there will be taxi service available just outside of the baggage claim area, or car service (Lyft & Uber) available outside of check in on the second floor. This should be about a 15-minute ride from the airport to downtown. Your host at the locally owned boutique style inn will have check in directions on the front door for you when you arrive. The Inn is known for their Alaskan hospitality, prime location close to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and easy walk to many of our favorite eateries and local shops in downtown Anchorage!

Please meet your guide at 6:45pm at the Copper Whale Inn lobby. We will walk two blocks to our welcome dinner from here.

Today Includes: Overnight Anchorage, Welcome Dinner at Glacier Brewhouse

Day Two – Friday

Today, we will enjoy Alaska’s favorite sport – dog sledding! We visit the home of the six-time Iditarod champion kennel at Dallas Seavey Racing. This adventure is one hour of riding the runners of the dog sled on the training trails at Dallas Seavey Racing, meeting the four-legged athletes, and touring the kennel with plenty of time for pictures with the dogs! The dog sled ride is an iconic 5 mile mush through the boreal forest of Talkeetna – learning the basic commands to navigate your team along the established trail. Moderate fitness level is recommended. For those not wanting to drive their own team, join your musher guide to sit and enjoy the views from a tour sled!

Your Salmon Berry Tours guide will provide you with transportation into Talkeetna with a stop en route at the Denali Brewing Company to enjoy samples of their craft made beers on tap. Upon arrival into Talkeetna, enjoy dinner at the Denali Brewpub Restaurant with your fellow travelers. An aurora presentation after dinner is a great way for travelers to understand the science behind the Alaska night sky and the aurora borealis phenomenon!

Today Includes: Dog Sledding with Dallas Seavey Racing, Beer Tasting & Dinner at Denali Brewing Company, Aurora Presentation, Overnight Talkeetna (B, L, D)

Day Three – Saturday

After breakfast, your local guide will escort you to the rail platform for the journey north to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks. Take in the views or simply relax during your scenic afternoon/evening ride aboard the historic Alaska Railroad! Upon arrival into Fairbanks, a shuttle will take you from the train depot to your overnight accommodations along the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, close to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center/Fairbanks Visitors Center, shops and our favorite eateries! Check in and then get prepared for departure for tonight we set out for aurora viewing. Escape the night lights of the city and search for the northern lights at an aurora viewing location outside of Fairbanks. Learn the history of the area, Alaska Native folklore, and personal stories of living in the Alaska! This evening excursion includes roundtrip transportation and hot drinks with your local guide.

Today Includes: Rail: Talkeetna to Fairbanks, Evening Aurora Tour, Overnight Fairbanks (B, L, D)

Day Four – Sunday

This afternoon join your local Salmon Berry guide for your chance to warm up at the famous Chena Hot Springs before chasing the Northern Lights! This small group tour begins in Fairbanks and makes the wintery drive to Chena Hot Spring Resort. Here, we will visit the Aurora Ice Museum and relax in the Chena Hot Springs mineral water rock pools. Enjoy a late dinner this evening before we search for the elusive Aurora Borealis at a private aurora viewing location outside of the city. Enjoy the silence, remoteness and get a good glimpse of off-grid living. No matter if you sit in front of the huge panoramic windows from the comfort of the cabin or head outside to search for aurora. If interested, a guided snowshoe hike is available for a night hike! During your tour, your local Alaskan guide will be there to direct you through each activity.

Today Includes: Evening at Chena Hot Springs (swim/soak pass & ice museum tour) Dinner, Private Aurora Viewing, Overnight Fairbanks (B, D)

Day Five – Monday

Your local guide will take you to the Museum of the North this afternoon before the evening farewell dinner & aurora viewing tour. Tonight, is an exclusive evening with a professional photographer to assist with aurora borealis photography. Your hosts and their canine companions open their home to you 25 miles from Fairbanks and the city lights. Our casual Alaskan BBQ includes Frank’s aurora burger (salmon burger and veggie burgers also available) as well as reindeer sausage, salmon, corn on the cob, mixed salad and dessert.

Today Includes: Fairbanks City Tour, Evening Aurora Viewing Tour with local photographer, Farewell Dinner, Overnight Fairbanks (B)

Day Six – Tuesday

You can customize your departure today to fly straight home from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) – please schedule your departure flight for 6am or LATER… your aurora tour does not return until the early hours of this morning!

Today Includes: Continental Breakfast, Hotel Courtesy Shuttle to the Airport (B)