The Northern Lights in
Gold Rush Country

March 14 – 22, 2021

Melita Trips and Dennis Mammana are proud to offer you another trip in our long line of wildly successful Alaskan adventures! Experience the vastness of our country’s wildest state and of course, get a chance to view the aurora borealis; one of nature’s rarest and most majestic sights.

We’ll be lodging at two of the state’s premier resorts; while enjoying many adventure-filled excursions – from the running of the reindeer to the famed Soapy Smith’s gastronomical experience!

In addition to a horizon-expanding journey and a sky-expanding view, we’ll be adding a mind-expanding component to our trip. As with all Melita Trips expeditions, we’re proud to be able to offer you something rare and special about the universe we share. This trip we offer insights into the hidden secrets of permafrost. We’ll explore the permafrost tunnel and learn about Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old steppe bison, preserved in glacial ice.

Join us and learn secrets about the world from a time long before recorded history! And don’t forget, Alaska is one of the largest and most pristine natural landscapes left on our fair planet. Dog-sledding excursions can garner a view of natural wonders for our intrepid traveler that only you can experience with Melita Trips and memories that will last a lifetime!

Trip Includes:

Roundtrip air from Seattle, WA to Fairbanks, AK
Airport transfers on Days March 14 & 22
Accommodations as listed in itinerary
Meals: All breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Fairbanks Tour & Museum of Alaska
Running Reindeer Ranch & dog sled kennel
Forty-Thousand Year old permafrost tunnel
Poker Flat Research Range
Ski Land viewing & Chena Hot Springs pool
and Aurora Ice Museum & Bar

Tour Expert

Dennis Mammana

Astronomy Author and Sky Photographer

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Sunday, March 14, 2021

Transfer to the Wedgewood Resort. In the afternoon, meet your fellow travelers for a drink before heading out to view the ice sculpture masterpieces at the World Ice Art Championship. Later this evening, conditions permitting, we’ll begin our hunt for the lights!

Day 2 – Monday, March 15, 2021

Introductory lecture by Dennis Mammana. Tour of Fairbanks, with stops at The Museum of Alaska, at the University of Alaska (starring Blue Babe, the mummy of a 36,000-year-old steppe bison discovered perfectly intact buried deep in the permafrost), the old turn of the century historic quarter, and a walk around Pioneer Park, which will take you back to the gold rush days. That evening, keeping with our Gold Rush theme, we’ll have our official welcome dinner at the historic Chatanika Lodge. After a brief rest, we’ll head out again into the night for the Lights.

Day 3 – Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Lecture by Dennis Mammana. Today we’ll get up close and personal with two animals thoroughly woven into the fabric of Alaskan culture; the reindeer and the sled dog. In the morning, we’ll visit The Running Reindeer Ranch, and in the afternoon, we’ll spend some time at one of the most famous kennels in Alaska. This is a great opportunity to boast about your own sledding experience! This evening, we’ll gather up in one of the newest viewing centers in the area. Stay inside and have a nice cup of tea, take a catnap, or play Scrabble with a friend, while we wait for the aurora to arrive.

Day 4 – Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Our first stop will be at the permafrost tunnel, a tunnel built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the ’40’s, which literally allows you to descend back in time. The research going on here is both scary and fascinating. The afternoon will take us back to a favorite; a private tour of the Poker Flat Research Range. This evening, we’ll get ready for the Lights again, but this time at Ski Land, another perfect place to stay warm, grab a bite to eat, and wait for the action.

Day 5 – Thursday, March 18, 2021

Enjoy a leisurely morning before heading to our favorite spot, Soapy Smith’s, for a gastronomical experience! Next, we’ll take a scenic drive to Chena Hot Springs. On our way, we’ll stop for a photoshoot at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, one of the most amazing engineering feats of the 20th century. We’ll check-in at Chena Lodge and relax before enjoying the lights.

Day 6 – Friday, March 19, 2021

Today is a free day! Enjoy a dip in the Hot Springs, go for a hike, or just take a nap, because we will have more lights to find this evening!

Day 7 – Saturday, March 20, 2021

On our penultimate day in Chena Hot Springs, you may sleep late or enjoy some excursions around the area. Look forward to our afternoon tour of the Aurora Ice Museum & Bar, while enjoying a complimentary drink in a frozen glass! More lights!

Day 8 – Sunday, March 21, 2021

After breakfast we’ll enjoy our drive back to Fairbanks. We will check-in to the Wedgewood Resort again and relax after a long week. This evening will be our farewell dinner at the Fairbanks favorite Pump House. Our last night of lights.