❂ Alaska in Winter ❂ Racing Dog Sled Teams of the Iditarod in the Land of “Northern Lights”!

Anchorage, Fairbanks and Denali National Park

February 27 - March 7, 2022 9 Days and 8 Nights

Itinerary February 27, 2022 - Your Journey Begins! Today you’ll board your flight bound for Fairbanks, Alaska, just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle! On your evening arrival, you’ll be met and assisted with your hotel transfer.Overnight: Fairbanks - Pike’s Waterfront Lodge (or similar)February 28, 2022 - Adventures in Fairbanks! After your hotel breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Fairbanks featuring visits to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center’s world-class exhibits of Alaska's seasons, Native art, music, stories & dance, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the 800-mile landmark of engineering completed in 1977. This afternoon is yours to enjoy lunch on your own and explore Fairbanks, or perhaps take in an optional tour such as dog mushing or Arctic Circle flightseeing. This evening, with Mother Nature’s cooperation, you’ll experience your first chance at Aurora Borealis viewing before returning to the hotel with dinner on your own.Overnight: Fairbanks - Pike’s Waterfront Lodge (or similar) (B)March 1, 2022 - Fairbanks to Denali! Following breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic ride south to Denali National Park, visiting the remote town of Nenana along the way, home of the unique Nenana Ice Classic, an annual contest to guess the exact time the Tanana River ice will break up. Larger than New Jersey, Denali National Park and Preserve is a vast wooded wilderness mostly untouched by human hands, save for its one road through the park, and is prized for its varied and abundant wildlife. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Murie Science and Learning Center which is the Denali Visitor’s Center in wintertime. View the National Park film “Heartbeats of Denali,” hear from a local ranger about the park, enjoy a box lunch, and even try your skills at snowshoeing! Tonight, you’ll get another opportunity to view the Aurora Borealis, those brilliant “Northern Lights” caused by collisions of the sun’s electrically charged particles

entering earth's atmosphere, creating a vivid spectacle seen only when weather and conditions permit and visible only above the magnetic poles!Overnight: Denali/Healy - Totem Inn Healy (or similar) (B/L)March 2, 2022 - Ride the Rails from Denali to Anchorage!After breakfast and check-out, you’ll head out to the Denali Rail Stop to board the world-famous Alaska Railroad. You’ll ride from Denali to Anchorage in a train car with large picture windows offering spectacular wintertime views! Your eight-hour rail journey follows a historic, unspoiled route through beautiful countryside and there’s a good chance of seeing a variety of wildlife. There are several dining options on the train with food, beverage and bar service available to enjoy on your own. On arrival in Anchorage, you’ll check in this evening with dinner on your own. Overnight: Anchorage - Sheraton Anchorage (or similar) (B)March 3, 2022 - Wildlife Center and the Musher’s Banquet! Today after your hotel breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Anchorage highlighting the historic downtown area, Lake Hood where 190+ floatplanes take off and land daily, and Earthquake Park to learn about the 1964 earthquake, with time for lunch on your own. Later, you’ll travel along scenic Seward Highway to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage Valley, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research and quality animal care. You’ll see Alaskan wildlife up close and personal as your guide shares some history and stories of the center’s resident animals. Return to Anchorage in the early evening where you’ll enjoy a rousing night of pre-Iditarod festivities with dinner at the Musher’s Banquet celebrating this year’s Iditarod race teams!Overnight: Anchorage - Sheraton Anchorage (or similar) (B/D)March 4, 2022 - Meet the Iditarod Dog Team! After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take a scenic ride south to Big Lake. There you’ll meet four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser at his training facility, get to hear his colorful tales from the racing trail,

Experience the grand spectacle of the Alaskan winter ~ from the electrifying excitement of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race and majestic wildlife of the Denali wilderness, to the very real possibility of witnessing the breathtaking “Northern Lights”!

Once Alaska’s wintertime chill descends, several “bucket list” events make Fairbanks, Anchorage and Denali feel like the hottest places on Earth! With the elusive Aurora Borealis lights shimmering in the late nighttime skies and unrivaled outdoor adventures, whether you prefer to play in the snow, curl

up by the fireplace or celebrate action-packed winter festival events in classic style, Alaska becomes the perfect winter destination!On this ultimate wintertime Alaska experience, Anchorage welcomes you to its rip-roaring annual Fur Rendezvous Festival (“Fur Rondy” to the locals) and its unique highlight, the start of the immortal Iditarod race that you’ll get to enjoy up close not just once but twice, while also meeting some of its endearing canine athletes! You’ll also visit spectacular Denali National Park beneath soaring Mt. Denali, the tallest peak in North America, with the rare chance to view its abundant wildlife, including grizzlies, caribou, moose, wolves and eagles - and perhaps even those incredible Northern Lights!

Here’s truly the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the thrilling Iditarod race, all the colorful festivities surrounding it, and so much more!!

CST # 2057913-10

Reservations for “Alaska in Winter” are accepted on a first come/first served basis.An initial $650.00 deposit is required to hold space on this tour.

This deposit is fully refundable up to November 19, 2021. Final payment is due in the TRIPS office on or before November 19, 2021. Therefore, please make sure that payment is submitted to your club director at least 15 days prior to this date.

100% non-refundable as of November 19, 2021.Contact Laurie Baker at (419) 521-2712 or email lbaker@mymechanics.com

We accept most major credit cards. Make checks payable to Mechanics Bank/The Good Life

c/o Laurie Baker 2 South Main Street Mansfield, OH 44902Passport Name:______________ DOB:________________________Compliant DL:________________ Ohio effective on October 1, 2020

The taxes, fuel surcharges, and other fees imposed by airlines and cruise lines have been included in the cost of your tour as of printing on May 12, 2021. Any increases in these fees or baggage fees imposed by any air carriers or cruise lines are the responsibility of the individual passenger. TRIPS makes arrangements with airlines, hotels and other independent parties to provide travel services you purchase. We do not own or operate any of the accommodation, transport or other facilities used in connection with our programs. We therefore cannot accept liability for negligence of the staff of these organizations. These parties are independent suppliers over whom we have no direct control. TRIPS is not liable in the event of any failure by any person or company to render any transportation, accommodation or other travel service provided on tours, or for expenses incurred due to delays caused by weather, strikes, war, civil disturbances, natural disasters, flight delays, government actions, mechanical failures or any acts of God. TRIPS cannot assume any responsibility for flight delays, cancellations or missed connections and is not liable for any expenses or consequences resulting therefrom, and such expenses are to be borne by the traveler. Specific airline Conditions of Carriage will apply. These conditions are the subject of International Agreements and may limit or exclude liability. The participant waives any claim against TRIPS for any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, due to any act or negligence of any airlines, surface transportation companies, hotels or any person rendering any of the services or accommodations included. TRIPS cannot be held responsible for any claims, losses, damages for delay of baggage or other properties, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset and disappointment, distress or frustrations, whether physical or mental, resulting from the act or omission of any party providing services. The participant assumes and understands that all travel has inherent risk that may result in injury or death and that participation in activities, including but not limited to: driving, hiking, walking, touring, visiting archaeological sites, walking on uneven surfaces, riding on rough roads, rafting, boating, riding in helicopters, on trains, boats, swimming, horseback and any other activities. The information contained in this brochure and online has been compiled with all reasonable care, is accurate to the best of our knowledge and is given in good faith. All services are subject to the laws of the countries in which services are rendered. Payment for any TRIPS tour shall constitute consent to all provisions in these Terms & Conditions and is binding on all travel participants.

and you’ll also be introduced to his dog sled team and watch them perform! Then it’s “puppy time,” saving the very best for the final and most beloved part of the visit - when you’ll even get to hold the puppies to help with their socialization training! Later, you’ll return to Anchorage with lunch on your own and a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters en route. You’ll have this evening and dinner at your leisure to begin enjoying this very special week of Fur Rondy, Alaska's premier winter festival! Overnight: Anchorage - Sheraton Anchorage (or similar) (B)March 5, 2022 - Begin the Ceremonial Iditarod Race! This morning following breakfast, you’ll head out to a central location in downtown Anchorage to watch the exciting Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race! Once it kicks off, you’ll get to cheer on your favorite mushers from all over the world as the dog teams race off towards Nome! They’ll cover over 1000 miles of the roughest terrain Mother Nature has to offer, with jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause total loss of visibility, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs! Mushers will leave the starting gate every two minutes, so you can stay to watch each of them depart or take off early to enjoy other Iditarod festivities nearby with lunch on your own. This afternoon you’ll visit the Anchorage Museum, telling the real story of the North through art and design, history, science and culture. For the rest of the day and evening, you’ll get to enjoy even more of the annual weeklong Fur Rondy Festival. Since 1935, Fur Rondy has proudly represented Alaska’s pioneering spirit with a variety of fun events including a popular snow sculpture contest, a

large and colorful native arts market, a traditional blanket toss, old-time melodrama shows, and a carnival too!Overnight: Anchorage - Sheraton Anchorage (or similar) (B)March 6, 2022 - Begin the Official Iditarod Race! After your breakfast, you’ll embark on the scenic journey south to the town of Willow for the official re-start of the Iditarod, stopping at a grocery store in Wasilla to pick-up any snack or lunch items you might want. Be sure to dress in layers to maximize warmth, as the entire day will be outdoors cheering on your favorite dog teams. Having watched the mushers and their dog teams participate in yesterday’s festive ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, you’ll see today in Willow that it becomes all business as they’re now officially on the clock. On arrival, you’ll likely walk a bit to find the perfect spot along the fence line to watch the race. Mushers will then take off for real across beautiful Willow Lake on their 1,049-mile journey to distant Nome! The Willow Convention Center provides a handy spot nearby for a break from the cold with vendors selling food, drinks, and local crafts. And don’t miss out on snacks provided throughout the day that you’ll be informed about as well! Returning to Anchorage, this last Iditarod-week evening will be yours free to enjoy the many nearby Fur Rondy festivities with dinner on your own. Overnight: Anchorage - Sheraton Anchorage (or similar) (B/Snacks)March 7, 2022 -Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow! Today after breakfast and check-out, you’ll transfer to the Anchorage airport for your flight home. Memories of your time spent in magnificent Alaska in Winter will last a lifetime! (B)

Inclusions • Roundtrip airport transfers including gratuities• Roundtrip airfare to Fairbanks and from Anchorage (checked baggage

fees not included)• Eight nights deluxe hotel accommodations in Fairbanks, Denali and

Anchorage• Eight breakfasts daily at the hotels, one box lunch, and Iditarod day

snacks at Willow• Iditarod Welcome Dinner at the Musher’s Banquet!• Visit to the Iditarod dog team at Happy Trails Kennel• Attendance at the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod Dog Sled

Race in Anchorage, and at the Official Restart in Willow! • Visits to Anchorage Museum, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center,

Denali Nat’l Park’s Murie Science and Learning Center, and more• Alaska Railroad scenic train ride from Denali to Anchorage! • “Northern Lights” Viewings in Fairbanks / Denali (weather permitting)• $100 Gift Card for your own use at meals, shopping, etc! • Deluxe motorcoach transfers to and from all hotels and attractions• All admissions as described in the detailed itinerary• Services of a TRIPS escort while in Alaska• Hand warmers are provided to ensure your comfort • Porterage of one suitcase per person• All government taxes and fees

Alaska in Winter $4,998.00

per person /double occupancy

Single Supplement is an additional $798.00

Trip cancellation/interruption Travel Protection is available and recommended.

Check with your TRIPS representative for details.

**Please note that itineraries are subject to change.