[Updated for 2023!] Alaska is famed for its wildly romantic landscapes. Picture giant mountains, endless valleys, powerful frozen rivers, sparkling meadows of snow, enchanting forests of birch and spruce – and you and your own dog team traveling through it all. Our state is vast and home to an unbelievably diverse array of landscapes. From the Arctic to the Iditarod Trail, we have a multi-day dog sledding adventure for you!
Aurora Dog Sled Tours
A two day, one night dog sledding/aurora viewing tour. Drive your own dog team through the snowy boreal forest and frozen bogs. Our destination is our remote northern lights viewing camp where a three course wilderness dinner will be prepared for you while you watch for swirls of aurora in the inky night sky. All-inclusive, from pick-up to drop-off.
Accommodations: Wilderness camping in a heated tent; cabin upgrades available upon request.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night. This trip is approximately 30 miles roundtrip.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Aurora Safari — 5 days, 4 nights.
Scheduled around the new moon, this immersive hut to hut dog mushing aurora tour is unlike any other! We will travel by dog team into the remote, pristine wilderness of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. The White Mountains are marked by rolling black spruce forest, rocky limestone cliffs, open river valleys, and mountain ridges adorned with mystical black granite tors. These scenic vistas are characterized by low unobscured northern horizons, providing a dream backdrop for the aurora. It is estimated that visitors who stay in Fairbanks for three days have a 90% chance of viewing the northern lights. We maximize your chances with a 5 day, 4 night aurora tour scheduled during the darkest skies of the year.
Accommodations: Two nights of wilderness camping in a heated tent, two nights in remote BLM log cabins.
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights. This trip is approximately 80 miles roundtrip.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Cache Mountain Crossing — 7 days, 6 nights.
Warning! Scenic! A Northern extension of the Rocky Mountains, the White Mountains are marked by rolling black spruce forest, rocky limestone cliffs, open river valleys, and mountain ridges adorned with mystical black granite tors. This seven day trip travels a scenic loop through thick boreal forest, alongside the fantastic rock arches of Limestone Gulch, across Beaver Creek (a National Wild & Scenic River), and over the mountains via a pass called Cache Mountain Divide. BLM provides beautiful log cabins dotted at regular internals along the route. This trip is approximately 160 miles and is the most technical of the trips we offer, due to the remote and rugged nature of the terrain traversed.
Accommodations: Shared accommodations in remote BLM log cabins.
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights. This trip is approximately 160 miles and includes one full day of orientation and mushing lessons before departure.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
Arctic Circle
Long spring days invite intrepid dog sledders to explore the stunning treeless landscapes of the Itikmalik River of the Brooks Range, far above the Arctic Circle. Explore the tundra and creek valleys surrounding our Arctic camp, situated just outside Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Play in the shadows of the rugged Brooks Range mountains and search for dropped caribou antlers on our daily forays into and around the Park. If we are lucky, the sun will shine bright late into the evening, inviting long lunches with warm afternoon naps on the sleds, and fresh outdoor dinners with sunglasses still needed. After sundown, watch the aurora swirl through the late evening twilight, dancing overhead in the giant Arctic sky. These are the most rustic and adventurous of our trips, with tent camping, an outdoor latrine, and millions of acres of tundra to explore by dog team.
Accommodations: Seven nights of wilderness camping in tents.
Duration: 7 days. 4 to 10 day options available.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Past Adventures (not being offered in 2024)
Interior Alaska
Tolovana Hot Springs Tour — 6 days, 5 nights.
This is a trip that shows off the expansive beauty and hidden treasures of Interior Alaska. It involves scenic winter wilderness travel accentuated by a relaxing stint at backcountry hot springs. There is hardly anything more enjoyable than viewing the northern stars and shimmering aurora from a steaming hot tub, deep in the remote Alaskan wilderness! After a day of orientation and gear check at Arctic Dog Adventure Co, we will take two days to travel to the hot springs; have a rest day to soak and relax in the hot tubs; then take another two days to retrace our route home. We travel along ridge lines and over local high points marked by windblown tundra and sastrugi. We pass through a few miles of exposed alpine terrain before dropping down through old wildfire burn and into the old boreal forest that hugs the banks of the Chatanika River. We cross the river and enter the scenic and wild-life rich Minto Flats. Our first camp will be in a sheltered slough among the creeks and lakes of the Flats. The day day we will follow the historical Livengood-Dunbar trail into the Tolovana River Valley. We wind through technical river portages and across windblown bogs before gently ascending the creek valley on the south side of Tolovana Dome that houses the natural hot springs and three beautiful cabins. Tolovana is an absolute oasis amidst the vast, harsh landscapes of Interior Alaska. Explore each of the three hot tubs that are spread along the hot springs ravine. In between soaks we will eat well, cuddle the sled dogs, and rejuvenate before our trek back to town.
Accommodations: Private room at downtown Fairbanks hotel, two nights of wilderness camping in a heated tent, as well as two nights shared accommodations at a hot springs cabin, fully immersed in the rustic luxury that is Tolovana Hot Springs.
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights. This trip is approximately 130 miles roundtrip and includes one full day of orientation and mushing lessons before departure.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Dates: Email us for availability and a detailed itinerary.
Denali Highway
Denali Dream Expedition — 5 days, 4 nights.
This is an out-and-back trip along the remote and wild Denali Highway, an obscure dirt road that connects Denali National Park with the wilderness of the Wrangell St. Elias Mountains and the Copper River Valley of Eastern Alaska. The highway is closed in winter, totally snowed in and abandoned to all but the most hardy of winter travelers. The route parallels the majestic Alaska Range — home to North America’s largest mountain, Denali, and its formidable sister peaks, Mt. Deborah and Mt. Hayes. In the afternoon, winter alpenglow turns the mountains into pearly pink glowing gems — a sight to remember. Wildlife is usually abundant on this trip — moose, fox, caribou, and ptarmigan are most often spotted. Wolf packs range freely. We often follow their tracks on a trip that takes us across a high mountain plateau where caribou dot the landscape, and across the vast valley of the mighty Susitna River, carved tens of thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age. Run along ancient eskers and back again on this non-technical trip along one of America’s most remote and beautiful roads.
Accommodations: Enjoy two nights of shared accommodations at a remote camp as well as three nights in private rooms at the beautiful wilderness lodges located along the route.
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights. This trip is approximately 130 miles roundtrip (not including road miles) and includes one full day of orientation and mushing lessons before departure.
Difficulty: Easy.
Dates: This trip is run according to demand February through March. Email us for availability and detailed itinerary.
Alaska Range Traverse — 7 days, 6 nights.
Travel the entire length of the stunningly scenic Denali Highway. This trip traverses the south side of the Alaska Range from Cantwell to Paxson. Unparalleled mountain views and geological phenomenons abound on this unique and wild tour. Travel through thick boreal forest and across open tundra down to the powerful Susitna River and up into the Maclaren plateau where the trail curves over giant moraines left behind by the last glacial period. We will climb windswept Maclaren Summit and travel through the Tangle Lakes region, an archaeologically significant site. The route follows the ancient hunting routes of Pleistocene era tribes through the Landmark Gap region. With the exception of a few remote lodges, the tundra is free from development and it feels as though the mammoths that used to roam this area could step out from a mountain valley at any moment. Ptarmigan abound, especially on the Maclaren side of the road and the dogs surge forward when they catch scent of the white birds. Join us on a traverse through ancient landscapes by an equally timeless mode of transportation — dog sled.
Accommodations: Enjoy two nights of shared accommodations at remote camps as well as four nights at the beautiful full-service wilderness lodges located along the route.
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights. This trip is approximately 135 miles (not including road miles) and includes one full day of orientation and mushing lessons before departure.
Difficulty: Easy.
Dates: Email us for availability and detailed itinerary.
Nome Creek Basecamp Tour — 3 days, 2 nights.
Rock walls bristling with granite tors tower over the broad expanse of the valley. Wind-blown ridge tops expose tundra and last season’s cranberries, a hint of a different season. Ptarmigan startle and soar overhead down the valley, black tails and wingtips catching our eyes. The Nome Creek Valley is a timeless place, seldom traveled in winter. Join us on a three day trip into this remote and wild region. We will pick you up in Fairbanks and drive to the eastern edge of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. We will mush over the front range ridges of the White Mountains down into Nome Creek Valley. Nome Creek was a rich source of gold during the turn of the century. Along the way we pass historical mining sites including the famous “Davidson Ditch.” We will leave man-made impressions on the landscape behind when we cross Nome Creek. Nome Creek is a wide and wild basin rich with berries, windswept tundra, sastrugi, ptarmigan, and wolf tracks. We will depart from the main trail to establish a basecamp amongst the wind protected willows. From basecamp we will day trip further up into the alpine, wherever the weather and our whim steers us. This trip is fairly non-technical, making this a great trip for all ages and ability levels.
Accommodations: Two nights of wilderness camping in a heated tent.
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights. This trip is approximately 50 miles roundtrip.
Difficulty: Easy.
Dates: This trip is run according to demand. Email us for availability and a detailed itinerary.
Full Moon Aurora Tour — 3 days, 2 nights.
The most magical feeling can be found on this tour. Headlights off, the landscape is illuminated by a bright white winter moon. We flit through tall shadows cast by black spruce and emerge into the brightness of a sparkling snow meadow. Hoarfrost glitters in the moonlight and the dogs trot effortlessly down the trail. It feels like flying. If we are lucky, aurora will begin to dance overhead. The moonlight does not dim the aurora, it simply illuminates the pristine landscape surrounding us. It is an Alaskan secret, the pleasure of these full moon aurora nights. Living under the midnight sun for half the year, full moon nights are rare and treasured by those who live here. We welcome you to join us on a dog mushing aurora tour that celebrates this magical combination. This tour takes place during the darkest time of the year — mid December. Most of our mushing will be in twilight and in the dark. We have bright headlights to illuminate the trail, but if we are lucky, we won’t need them, as the moonlight is almost as bright as daylight! We will base out of one cabin for both nights, selectively chosen for its advantageous northern view.
Accommodations: Shared accommodations in a remote BLM log cabin.
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights.
Difficulty: Easy.
Dates: Email us for availability and a detailed itinerary.
Southcentral Alaska
Harness Your Power: Women’s Retreat — 7 days, 6 nights.
This women's retreat is designed for adventurous spirits ready to experience an authentic Alaskan mushing experience-- driving your own dog team. Experience the meditative nature of mushing. Equal parts adventure and introspection, travel by dog team is an ideal way to absorb the energy and wisdom of a landscape. The huskies in your team will become your new best friends. They are trusting, loving, vivacious, and hum with forward energy. Their enthusiasm is contagious and you will share in their excitement for new adventure. Always aware of their natural environment, the dogs will help key us into our surroundings. Follow their lead. Huskies live in the moment. They teach us grounding and awareness. Our route follows the Susitna River, an ancient passageway fed by glaciers, infused with powerful water and mountain energy. We will follow its winding course, stopping at hand-built wilderness lodges along the way. Solid and warm, the lodges are comfortable spots in which to rest and recharge for the next day’s adventures. Our turnaround point is the beautiful Northwoods Lodge, renowned for its luxurious accommodations and amenities. Have you ever experienced the magic of a sauna in winter? Stepping outside, steam rising off your skin, feeling impervious to the cold air... It’s an amazingly powerful energizer. Our journey will be marked by a relaxed pace, serene river travel, open air lunches, charming husky antics, and coaching in a supportive and empowering environment. We will equip and empower you with the knowledge to drive your own sled dog team and teach you the tools to to feel confident in both the outdoors and your personal life. Unplug from daily life, connect with nature, find inner peace. Leave feeling empowered, revitalized, refreshed. Come with us for a transformational experience that will light your life. This trip is offered in partnership with Live Your Adventure - Wendy Battino.
Accommodations: Private room in Talkeetna, two nights of wilderness camping in a heated tent, two nights private accommodations at Northwoods Lodge.
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights. This trip is approximately 100 miles roundtrip and includes one full day of orientation and mushing lessons before departure.
Difficulty: Easy.
Dates: March 10-17, 2020.