Northern Lights - Ice Championship Ice Carving

March 8 to March 13, 2009

Your Exclusive Knightly Tours Northern Lights Tour includes:


3 Nights Fairbanks Princess
2 Nights Chena Hot Springs
5 Breakfasts
1 Dinners (Pump House Final Night Dinner)
Escort
Private Transfers

Day1 - March 8, Sunday Arrive in Fairbanks

Today you will arrive in Fairbanks the "Golden Heart City". Transfer to your hotel for the night and enjoy the beauty of your hotel. Overnight Fairbanks

Day 2 - March 9, Monday Fairbanks Orientation and Northern Lights

This morning will feature an orientation of the schedule of events in Fairbanks.

After lunch, we'll leave Fairbanks for a scenic 60-mile drive east along the scenic Chena River Valley to Chena Hot Springs to enjoy the wonders of the hot springs and search for the Northern Lights. (B) Overnight Chena Hot Springs

Day 3 - March 10, Wednesday Full day at Chena Hot Springs Resort

This resort is recognized internationally as the best North America site to view the northern lights. Guests enjoy the unique Rock Lake natural mineral hot pool, exquisite Moose Lodge and gourmet meals.

Optional activities include northern lights Aurorarium, Snow Coach Aurora Tour atop one of Alaska's oldest mountains, dog sled rides, cross country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling.

For the adventurous there will be a variety of dog sled ride opportunities with veteran Alaska dog mushers. (B) Overnight Chena Hot Springs

Day 4 - March 11, Thursday Depart Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks

Enjoy breakfast this morning and enjoy a final swim in the hot springs pool before we depart for Fairbanks where we check in at the Fairbanks Princess Hotel.

On the way stops will be made at the University of Alaska Museum, Alaska's official repository for natural science collections: everything from gold bullion to butterflies to "blue" bison, an Ice Age relict, and the Alaska Bird Observatory.

A short visit to the Large Animal Research Station to see Musk Ox breed in captivity will wind up the afternoon. Later this evening we will visit the Ice Park to view the multi and single block carvings lit and showcased in a rainbow of colors. (B) Overnight Fairbanks

Day 5 - March 12 Tuesday Tour to Fairbanks and Ice Carving Competition

This morning we return to the Ice Park for a more close up inspection and viewing of all the intricate carvings. The World Ice Art Championships attract ice carvers from around world. The park encompasses 25 acres, and hosts visitors and the carving competition for three weeks in March. At this time, the competition is "icy" as the carvers showcase the intricate, complex, larger-than-life multi-block final competition. You won't believe what you see!

As this is our last day and evening together we will dine at the famed "Pump House" and enjoy a truly great Alaskan meal before depart tomorrow for our home cities. (B, D) Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 6 - March 13, Friday Depart Fairbanks

Today your northern adventure ends with individual transfers to the airport. If time permits your escort will shuttle you around town to any site you wish to revisit. (B)