The Epic Arctic Adventure

The Epic Arctic Adventure
8 Days/7 Nights
Nome, Shishmaref, Kotzebue, Barrow, Iniakuk Lake,
Talkeetna, Anchorage
This winter sky trek adventure is designed to explore the Bering
Sea Coast beyond Nome and travel above the Arctic Circle.
This is an Extreme Trek for the true adventurer. We will travel
across some of the most remote regions of the Earth and visit
Inupiat Eskimo villages and wilderness areas few will ever see.
Vast untouched landscapes abound. The route crosses over the
Brooks Range - the oldest and northern most mountains in the
US, through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and into the
Gates of the Arctic National Park. Travelers will see some of
the nation’s most remote and untouched wilderness areas
where roads are few!
By late March the Arctic days are becoming long, with 12 to 14
hours of daylight. Clear, crisp, and beautiful weather is typical
for this time of year.
Highlights include visiting remote Inupiat and Athabascan villag-
es to meet artists and people living authentic hunting and gathering lifestyles, traveling to the northernmost city in the US - 350
miles above the Arctic Circle. Enjoy dog sledding in the Brooks
Range; incredible Northern Lights; relaxing in a log lodge;
snowshoeing and traveling across hundreds of miles of untouched, extremely remote, wilderness areas. These areas include the Arctic Coastal Plain, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
and Gates of the Arctic National Park. If we are fortunate we will
spy on Polar Bears from above or in Barrow from a special vehicle equipped to travel on ice roads. From the Brooks range back
to Anchorage enjoy airborne views of Mt. McKinley, the largest
mountain in North America.
Day 1 Sunday March 18; Pickup at the Nome airport by local
guide Richard Beneville of Nome Discovery Tours for an exciting
introduction to Nome, with a transfer to the Aurora Inn for check
in. Meet your STA guide and attend the Iditarod Sled Dog Race
Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Dinner at the banquet.
Day 2: Monday March 19; Depart Nome 10AM. Sky Trek to
Shishmaref for a visit and lunch. Spot moose, musk ox, fox and
caribou along the American River . Village tour in Shishmaref a
super friendly and inspiring fellowship of people. Depart after
lunch to cross the Arctic Circle (N66’33’44”) on our way to
Kotzebue. Tour John Baker’s kennel. Dinner and overnight at the
new in 2011, Nullagvik Hotel.
Day 3: Tuesday March 20; Depart Kotzebue at 10AM traveling
north over the Baird, and Delong Mountains, the western stretches of the Brooks Range. We will be flying through the Noatak
National Preserve. Weather permitting there will be a stop along
the way. Destination: Barrow at the “Top of the World”.
Dinner at the famous “Pepe’s North of the Border” and overnight
accommodations at the King Eider Inn.
Day 4: Wednesday March 21; After breakfast, enjoy a Barrow
guided motor coach tour to view polar bears, fox, snowy owls
and to step foot on the northern most piece of North America
and the frozen Arctic Ocean. Meet local people and sample their
foods. After a mid day lunch, visit the Inupiat Heritage Center
and other activities as available. Photographic opportunities are
unique. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant of choice and overnight accommodations at the King Eider Inn.
Day 5: Thursday March 22; After breakfast, depart Barrow as
the temperatures dictate. Fly southeast over the north slope
through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Gates of the Arctic National Park spying on Musk Ox, fox, Dall sheep and caribou. Land for a visit in Anaktuvuk Pass, lunch along the way.
Continue to Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodations. Enjoy the Northern Light displays from
this incredible wilderness retreat at the base of the Brooks
Range.
Day 6: Friday March 23; Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get
ready for a full day of winter fun in the outdoors or relax by the
fire in the comforts of the lodge. Choose from guided Dog Sledding your own team, snowshoeing, a snow machine tour, igloo
building and winter photography. Your guides will make this a
day to remember! Enjoy a home cooked meal, stories and overnight accommodations at Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge hosted
by John Gaedeke/ owner and guide extraordinaire. John is an
amazing caretaker of people. Everyone loves John!
Day 7: Saturday March 24; Breakfast and packing for departure
mid morning. A possible quick stop in Bettles for fuel and then on
to Fairbanks for a second fuel stop. Lunch along the way and a
grand tour of Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park. Continue to
Talkeetna the hub for the climbers who attempt to climb the highest peak in North America. Dinner and overnight accommodations in Talkeetna.
Day 8: Sunday, March 25; Breakfast at the Historic
Roadhouse, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, fresh coffee
and sourdough pancakes are guest favorites here.
Enjoy a Talkeetna city tour and shopping before the
departure to Anchorage on the final leg of this Epic
Arctic Adventure.
The Epic Arctic Adventure
8 Days/7Nights
Nome, Shishmaref, Kotzebue, Barrow, Iniakuk Lake,
Talkeetna, Anchorage
Cost ; $11,585.00 per person based on double occupancy
Included: Air transportation from Nome to Anchorage, private aircraft with pilot guide with you 8 days/7
nights, all meals, lodging and activities in the above
written itinerary.
Not Included: Air transportation from your home to
Nome, AK, and return from Anchorage, AK. Liquor,
incidentals and any additional guided activities not
listed in the written itinerary. Lodging, and meals beginning Day 7 and with dinner if delayed by weather.
Gratuities for STA staff and additional guides.