08/17/2026
Alaska is either our most popular or second most popular destination every year.
And while many travelers immediately think cruise, that is only one way to experience Alaska.
I recently created this 9-day land itinerary for clients who came to me with three priorities: dog sledding, fishing, and the Northern Lights.
So we built the trip around those experiences.
Their journey includes:
• 3 nights in Anchorage, including the Turnagain Arm, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a guided hike on Matanuska Glacier
• Dryland dog sledding with an Iditarod racing team while traveling north to Talkeetna
• 2 nights in Talkeetna, including a guided river fishing trip
• A scenic Alaska Railroad GoldStar journey north through the Interior
• 3 nights in Fairbanks
• A walk with reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch
• A dedicated Aurora Borealis viewing experience north of Fairbanks
• Free time to explore Fairbanks
• An evening at Chena Hot Springs, including another opportunity to watch for the Northern Lights
Of course, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed, but traveling in September and spending multiple nights in the Fairbanks area gives them several opportunities to hopefully see them.
This is one of the things I love most about planning Alaska.
Instead of starting with a cruise or a prepackaged itinerary, we can start with the experiences that matter most to you and build the vacation around them.
What would be on your Alaska wish list?