the iditarod middle trek - sky trekking alaska · the quintessential alaska in summary, the middle...
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The Quintessential Alaska
The Iditarod Middle TrekMarch 9 – March 13, 20165 Days/5 Nights
The Iditarod Middle Trek is designed for people wanting to experience the middle part of the last great race. This trek’s intention is to highlight the strategic moves of mushers and dog teams as they battle fatigue, some of the race’s most extreme weather and trail conditions, and personal challenges beyond the imaginable.
Day 1: The Middle Trek begins from Anchorage with a flight to the checkpoint of the interior village of McGrath.
McGrath is located on the Kuskokwim River, 220 miles northwest of Anchorage. Originally a village site of local Athabascan Indians, McGrath also proved to be an attractive trading site for pioneers and prospectors when they came in the late 1800’s. In 1907 a US commissioner was sent from Nome to establish a trading post and recording office. Many gold miners still mine the local area and use McGrath as their supply post. McGrath is a popular checkpoint for mushers to take their 24 hour mandatory rest.
On Day 1 and 2, dinners and overnight accommodations will be at a clean, modern B&B that serves quality meals and offers warm hospitality.
Day 2: Guests will travel via ski-equipped aircraft to the checkpoint of Iditarod or Cripple, the half-way point of the race to greet and observe the front running mushers. At Iditarod you will tour the historic abandoned
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The Quintessential Alaska
buildings of a past gold rush era. A picnic lunch will be prepared trailside by the pilot/guides during this exciting day of adventure.
Day 3: Guests will depart McGrath for a flight across the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta in search of wildlife and scenery and mushers along the trail. Enjoy stops at the village checkpoints located on the Yukon river to observe mushers and experience life in rural Alaska. Some of the highest winds and coldest weather can be found in the interior and along the Yukon River, a sometimes unbearable challenge for mushers and dog teams. We will then continue to Galena.
Galena is located on the Yukon River and a checkpoint on the Northern Route. Cozy B&B’s, excellent meals and warm hospitality await you in this quaint little fishing village. It is such a fun place to visit, we’ve added it to our annual itinerary even though the trail passes through there every other year.
Day 4: This day begins with a visit from a local retired Iditarod Musher. Listen to his stories and descriptions of his Iditarod experience. Departure in the afternoon with a quick stop at the checkpoint in Kaltag located on the Yukon River and then a flight through the coastal mountains and along the Iditarod trail as it transitions to the Bering Sea coast and the village of Unalakleet.
Unalakleet is located on Norton Sound in the Bering Sea. It is an exciting checkpoint on the trail. Mushers change sleds at this point to the lightweight racing sleds needed for the Norton Sound sea ice and the final push to Nome. Archaeologists have dated Eskimo house pits in the Unalakleet area back to 200 AD. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at Maggie’s Sleep Inn, the most popular place to stay in Unalakleet. Meals are prepared by Peace on Earth.
Day 5: Enjoy meeting and seeing the front runners as they arrive in Unalakleet. It could be early in the morning or late at night, each year brings different trail conditions and weather that can make a big difference when mushers arrive here. Spend the day visiting the checkpoint and meeting the locals of Unalakleet. You will have an afternoon departure to Nome with your Sky Trekking Alaska pilot or guide.
Upon your arrival in Nome, you will be met by our local guide Richard “Hello Central” Beneville (you’ll understand the nick-name when you meet him). Overnight accommodations will be at the Dredge 7 Inn. Celebration dinner will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.
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The Quintessential Alaska
In summary, the Middle trek is designed for guests wanting to see and experience the interior and final stages of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Highlights include aerial views of the Alaska Range, the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta and the Bering Sea Coast and Norton Sound, observing top mushers each day and local culture. Meals and lodging is provided. Air and ground transportation (ground, where available) is provided and all activities are guided as listed in the above itinerary.
For information and excellent images of the Iditarod trail visit our website at www.skytrekkingalaska.com Iditarod Trail Tours.
For reservations and availability contact our office at 907.315.6098 (winter); 907.246.6318 (summer), or e-mail us at [email protected].
Come join us for Iditarod 2016!
Price: $8,820.00 per person
Included: Air Transportation from Anchorage to Nome, meals, lodging and activities as listed in the above itinerary, STA gear bag, hat and backpack, ground transportation in Nome and where available in the villages. This trek begins in Anchorage March 9 and concludes the evening of March 13th, 2016 in Nome.
Not Included: Liquor, Staff gratuity for STA (recommended as a group tip to be divided among the staff at the conclusion of your trek), air transportation to and from your home and Anchorage, Alaska and from Nome to Anchorage at the end of the trek. Incidentals not in the written itinerary.