Exploring Uncharted Alaska

Eklutna

1] Eklutna has been inhabited by Athabascans for at least 400 years and is located just 28 miles north of Anchorage. Rent a car and tour the village, which features a museum of rare Shamanistic relics, a Russian Orthodox Church that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and a cemetery of about 80 Athabascan spirit houses. Eklutna can be visited in a half-day from Anchorage.

From Anchorage to Barrow

2] From Anchorage, fly directly to Barrow, the northernmost community in North America. Visitors enjoy a fully narrated, guided tour rich in history and culture. Learn the history of Mound No. 44, where five Eskimo bodies have been preserved for 500 years. Enjoy an Eskimo ceremonial program including dancing, demonstrations and a blanket toss. Barrow is truly the land of the midnight sun where visitors can comb the beach along the Arctic Ocean and visit a traditional hunting camp. Overnight in Barrow.

From Barrow to Kotzebue

3] From Barrow, fly south to Kotzebue, located just above the Arctic Circle on Alaska’s northwest coast. Visitors may take a guided walk on the tundra and enjoy a visit to the Cultural Camp where they learn about traditional foods and crafts. The NANA Museum of the Arctic exhibits dioramas of Alaskan wildlife, and features an audio-visual presentation about winter survival in the arctic. Overnight in Kotzebue.

From Kotzebue to Nome

4] From Kotzebue, fly to Nome, end of the Iditarod Trail. Located on the southwest coast of the Seward Peninsula, Nome is only 130 miles from Siberia. Known primarily for its gold rush history, Nome is also rich in Alaskan culture. Approximately 60 percent of the residents are Eskimo, and three Native languages are commonly in use. Touring opportunities include hiking the tundra or miles of beach, driving or flightseeing through the countryside, panning for gold, dog team demonstrations or a historic tour. Spend a night in the friendly town of Nome.

From Nome to Gambell

Fly on from Nome to Gambell, at the extreme northwestern tip of St. Lawrence Island, for an unforgettable journey into a 2,000-year-old Eskimo village. Visitors see what life in remote Alaska is truly like on a unique walking tour, which provides a glimpse of the Eskimo’s cultural heritage and the activities of subsistence living. Depart for Anchorage via a short stop in Nome.