The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race is a 1000 mile trek by dogsled from Anchorage to Nome. Almost 100 dog teams and mushers head off on the historic Iditarod Trail starting the first Saturday in March, reaching Nome about ten days later. The race is followed closely by Alaskans as well as fans from around the world. At the finish line, the entire town of Nome (and visitors from around the world) line the streets to watch the winner cross under the burled arch that signifies the finish line for the race. Alaska Vacation Store can create a custom Iditarod 2010 race package for you. Each of the packages is customized to meet your specific desires and budget.

All of our packages* begin in Anchorage the first few days of March 2012. Your exact arrival date will depend on the pre-race activities that you want to experience and the amount of time you have for your adventure.

February 29 - March 2: Arrive in Anchorage. There are numerous activities that we can schedule for you in the days preceding the race, including day cruises of Resurrection Bay, dog sled and sleigh ride trips, the Iditarod Start Banquet, downhill and cross country skiing, to name just a few. March 3: The race starts in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, and you will be at the starting line for "The Last Great Race." Saturday's events center around the ceremonial start. Mushers depart from 4th Avenue in Anchorage for a trip through town. After they complete their run, they pack up the dogs and head north to Willow, where he race starts in earnest on Sunday.   March 4:  Today is the Iditarod re-start, when the mushers leave Willow for Nome. You'll be there for the re-start on Sunday, and in the evening head off to the town of Talkeetna for the night. March 5:  On Monday morning, you'll fly to the Rainy Pass Checkpoint. Guests often spot teams along the trail from the air. You'll spend the day at one of the most important checkpoints from the standpoint of race strategy.  You'll return to Talkeetna this evening. March 6:  From here, our packages diverge. The hard core race fans will continue on the trail traveling between checkpoints by air, all the way to Nome. Others will head off to enjoy the hospitality of some of the small inns that we work with, before heading to Nome for the finish of the race. Others will change gears, and head off on a northern lights viewing adventure. March 7-11: Some guests head out to some of the more remote checkpoints, or take time in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. March 12-15: Those guests who stay for the end of the race will head to Nome for the finish, and return home on Wednesday night or Thursday.

There are numerous ways we can customize this trip for you - Some of the activities that we suggest include single day and multi-day dog sled adventures, northern lights viewing, downhill and cross country skiing, ice fishing, the International Ice Art Championship in Fairbanks, and a visit to a hot spring.

Prices: Package prices will vary depending on the length of your tour and the activities you choose. Packages start at about $2700 per person, double occupancy (package only, no air). Typical airfare to Alaska will be about $750 round trip from most locations in the United States.

Note: Guests that wish to travel to Nome for the finish of the race should make their final arrangements as soon as possible, since lodging availability is limited.

Plan your 2012 Iditarod Adventure now!

* Our Iditarod packages are NOT escorted.

About Alaska,
and about our friends

Alaska is full of great people and great companies. Alaska Vacation Store creates fantastic custom Alaska vacation packages. If you're interested in a honeymoon in Alaska, or even a spectacular destination wedding, you can visit www.alaska-honeymoon.com to get more information. One of our friends keeps bees and sells her raw, natural, Alaska fireweed honey. Her website is www.alaskahoney.com. If you're looking for an Alaskan dogsledding adventure, we partner with Paws for Adventure... and if you're interested in flightseeing Mt. McKinley or heading out to a checkpoint on the Iditarod, we partner with Talkeetna Air Taxi.