Nome Iditarod Race Finish Tour

IDITAROD RACE FINISH TOUR & NORTHERN LIGHTS IN NOME

On this tour you will fly from Anchorage to Nome for the finish of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Located on the edge of the Bering Sea on the southwest side of the Seward Peninsula, Nome is a vital hub for Northwest Alaska. The Three Lucky Swedes discovered placer gold in Anvil Creek in 1898 and the gold rush was on. In 1899 the population of Nome swelled from a handful to 28,000.  Today our population is 3,500 and there is still some gold mining happening.

Every year in March, Nome hosts the finish of one of the toughest sled dog races in the world. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a 1,049 mile trek through some of the most extreme wilderness in the nation. During the finish of the race Nome's population grows by approximately 1,000 people and turns Nome into what people everywhere warmly refer to as the "Mardi Gras of the North". With hundreds of events to participate in and the ability to rub elbows with some of the most notorious names in the dog mushing industry, the finish of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome is an event not to be missed.

In Nome, you will have a chance to experience the Inupiaq Eskimo lifestyle and culture. We will travel along the frozen coastline and surrounding snow covered hills and follow dog teams as they approach the finish line, an experience you won't want to miss. We will stand at the finish line when the Iditarod Champion comes up the chute and cheer the other mushers as the make their way into Nome over the days. If weather permits, we will spend time watching the northern lights and we will hopefully see them as we wait for mushers to arrive at the finish line.

IDITAROD FINISH & NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR IN NOME (5 Days)

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage: Arrive in Anchorage at your leisure. We recommend the following hotels for your stay, the Courtyard by Marriott or the Springhill Suites as they offer complementary transportation between the airport and the hotel. Rest of the day is open for activities of your choice. Let us know if you want us to book your hotel rooms. 

Day 2: Anchorage to Nome: This morning we will meet the group at the Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport for a (10:00am) morning flight to Nome. Please make arrangements with your hotel for transfer to the Ted Stevens Airport. You will arrive in Nome on a scheduled Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage. Upon arrival in Nome, we will check into our accommodations in Nome, the Aurora Inn located on Front Street. Later this morning we will explore the many sights of this Inupiaq community. We will explore this city and learn more about the rich history of this 1900's gold rush town and the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. At night, we will head outside of town for opportunities to see the northern lights. Nome can provide some outstanding northern lights viewing. Your Professional Photographer guide will assist you with your photography to make sure you capture the northern lights. Overnight in Nome at the Aurora Inn.

Day 3: Nome: This morning we will head for Front Street to witness the finish of the Iditarod and the crowning of the Iditarod Race Champion. We will watch and cheer on our favorite mushers as they cross under the famous burl arch. Later this morning, we will take a city tour of Nome. On this city tour we will have opportunities to view wildlife and gold rush landmarks across a beautiful and wild landscape. Muskox sightings on this trip are very common. We will be traveling along the last stretch of frozen wilderness that mushers competing in this event take on their home stretch to the finish line in Nome. Along the way, we will make stops to see the mushers on their way to the finish line. Overnight in Nome.

Day 4: Nome: Today it is time to explore Nome and the surrounding area and get a taste of the Inupiaq Eskimo culture and lifestyle. Get to know the deep knowledge of the area's cultures and history. Driving around, you'll absorb the historic flavor of this city's 100 years along with thousands of years of Eskimo history. You'll visit the port, the cemetery, tour through town, and take a drive along the waterfront to view old gold dredge equipment. Later, we will have a chance to experience dog mushing “Alaska style” with team of sled dogs on a trail across the frozen tundra just outside of Nome. Feel the excitement as you are being pulled by some of the most amazing and powerful 4-legged athletes in the world. This unique experience provides an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about dog mushing. Overnight in Nome.

Day 5: Nome to Anchorage: Today, you can take an optional flight* to a remote Iditarod checkpoint. You will fly along the coast of Norton Sound, and have opportunities to see the spectacular sea ice. On this optional flight you will see mushers and their dog teams as they arrive, rest and leave this checkpoint. In the afternoon, we bid farewell to Nome and to the Iditarod. We will depart Nome this evening (8pm) for our way back to Anchorage. We recommend that you book departing flights from Anchorage after 11:00pm. Let us know if you need to book hotel for this evening in Anchorage.

*Optional flight is weather dependent and based on availability. CLICK HERE for more information about this flight.

Want More Iditarod Action?

Combine this tour with our Iditarod Start Tour and create one Grand Iditarod Adventure!

TRAVELER INFORMATION

ABOUT THIS TOUR: Adventure travel is exactly is as its name implies, an adventure! Although every attempt is made to adhere to these itineraries, participants need to acknowledge and willingly accept the unexpected route and itinerary changes due to factors beyond our control. Aurora viewing is subject to weather conditions and solar activity and its not guaranteed. Some activities are subject to change when temperatures are below -30°F.

WHAT IS INCLUDED & WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Transportation in Nome, lodging in Nome, hotel transfers and baggage handling and meals as indicated on the itinerary. All rates are per person in U.S. dollars based on shared occupancy. Single supplement is $975 for this tour. Tour does not include Alaska taxes, air transportation to and from Anchorage or Nome, meals or any optional tours, liquor, items of personal nature. Please call us prior to booking your flights to Nome so that we can recommend the best flights to book for Nome.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS TOUR: (Moderate): The Nome Iditarod Race Finish Tour does not require a high degree of physical fitness. However, we will be exposed to extremely cold weather, often experiencing temperatures well below freezing, which in itself can be physically challenging. We may also have to walk in deep snow. Most nights we will stay up past midnight to look for the northern lights, which typically appear later in the evening.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly suggest purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment at the time you sign up for one of our trips. This coverage will offset cancellation charges in the event of illness before or during your trip. Trip cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance is available at a supplemental cost. CLICK HERE to purchase travel protection.

WINTER GEAR RENTAL: Anyone visiting Alaska in the winter time should bring a warm hat, gloves, neck scarf, and a heavy coat.  Layering is the best way to keep warm in Alaska.  A light weight thermal with a fleece and a loose fitting jacket is recommended.  Please refer to our "What to Wear Winter Guide" by clicking the link below. In Anchorage, 6th Avenue Outfitters rents insulated snow type pants, parkas with hoods, and boots.  We do not guarantee availability or sizing. There are no reservations on garments and it is first come-first serve. Please call 6th Avenue Outfitters for availability.

ALASKA AIR LINES BOOKING INFORMATION: Air transportation between Anchorage and Nome is provided by Alaska Airlines. You should plan ahead and book your flight to Nome as soon as possible as these flights often sell out months in advance. We recommend a morning departure from Anchorage (flight #151 that departs at 10am). Return flight is flight #153 which departs Nome at 8:15pm. To book your flights to Nome (OME) please CLICK HERE.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:  We strongly suggest purchasing trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment at the time you sign up for one of our trips. This coverage will offset cancellation charges in the event of illness before or during your trip. Trip cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance is available at a supplemental cost. Click Here to purchase travel protection.

WINTER GEAR RENTAL: Anyone visiting Alaska in the winter time should bring a warm hat, gloves, neck scarf, and a heavy coat.  Layering is the best way to keep warm in Alaska.  A light weight thermal with a fleece and a loose fitting jacket is recommended.  Please refer to our "What to Wear Winter Guide" by clicking the link below. In Anchorage, 6th Avenue Outfitters rents insulated snow type pants, parkas with hoods, and boots.  We do not guarantee availability or sizing.  There are no reservations on garments and it is first come-first serve. Please call 6th Avenue Outfitters for availability.