Depart from the hotel around 1:00 pm to enjoy Fairbanks city tour. Asian lunch is included.
The UAF Museum of The North — The University of Alaska Museum of the North is a vital component of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the only research and teaching museum in Alaska. Explore Alaska Native cultures, natural wonders, and diverse wildlife, and experience 2,000 years of Alaska art. (You will take a tour of Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center if UAF Museum of the North is closed. And get refund USD 12.00 per person.)
Santa Claus House — It’s Christmas year-round in the North Pole, Alaska—just 20 minutes away from Fairbanks. It has the world’s largest Santa statue. You can choose holiday gifts for your special friends, or you can mail a postcard to them. (You will take a tour of North Pole Village if Santa Clause House is closed.)
Chena Hot Springs Aurora Viewing — Depart from the hotel around 5:30 pm and enjoy the warmth of these natural Hot Springs in winter. You have the chance to visit the world’s only all-year around open Ice Museum (at your own expense) made of 1,000 tons of ice. It will be a memorable experience to see the creative things that are being carved out of ice! You can order an apple martini that comes in an ice molded martini glass (at your own expense, at least 21 years old). As daylight wanes, you can watch the northern lights while enjoying the hot springs! Back to Fairbanks hotel around 2:00 am the next morning. (Night two, fee is included.) (If it's not convenient for you to enjoy the hot springs due to lack of physical fitness, the tour guide will help to change your hot spring ticket to Ice Museum ticket which has the equal value.)
You could enjoy a free morning before Fairbanks City Tour. Optional tour: Dog Sled Tour.
Dog Sled Tour (This tour would take approximately 2 hours, Pick-up and drop-off at the specified hotels.)
We will depart at around 10:30 am from hotel, then an Alaskan resident Leslie, will take you to experience dog sledding and introduce you the dog sledding culture. Leslie came to the Alaska twenty years ago, started from 2 Alaskan Malamutes and has grown into 50 dogs and a dog sledding cultural exhibition center now. As the annual dog sled race in Alaska becomes so popular all over the world, Leslie opens a training ground for the sled dogs and trains young mushers. She also provides dog sled adventures for the tourists and the income is to prepare for various International dog sled races. She is honored very much by the local community for supporting young mushers and helping them raise funds. In Leslie’s dog sledding cultural exhibition center, it uses pictures, audios, and physical objects to show visitors how an Alaskan native use the dog sled as a traditional commuting tool and its profound cultural traditions. You will also have a chance to play with the cute dogs.
*In winter (approximately from November 16th to the beginning of April, the specific date will be adjusted according to the local weather and temperature) you will experience the thrill of the dog sledding over the snow for about 20 to 25 minutes. Two passengers will sit on one sled that is being pulled by a team of dogs. The leading dogs are responsible for the direction and the dog near the seat is the most powerful. You will be speeding on the trail through the forest, splashing snowflakes and have lots of fun.
*In autumn when there is insufficient snowfall (approximately from September 16th to November 15th, the specific date will be adjusted according to the local weather and temperature), the musher will let the dog team pull a ATV instead of a sled for about 5 to 10 minutes. Usually the mommy dog will breed in early fall, so you may have the chance to play and take pictures with the newborn puppy! Leslie will also take you to the kennel and explain the history, breeding, and training of the dog sledding in Alaska. And you will have a chance to sled firsthand with the musher and enjoy the cooperation and the team work spirit of the sled dog team.
Hotel breakfast and Asian lunch are included but dinner is at your own expense.