Introductory Offer: Dog Sledding in Gates of the Arctic National Park (5 days)

For curious beginners: half-day dog sled tours in Gates of the Arctic National Park

The Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge lies about 100 kilometers (60 mi) north of the Arctic Circle in complete seclusion. You reach it by small ski plane, which takes you right to the front door of your idyllic, comfortable log house. Your guides John Gaedeke and Brent Sass – and of course the many dogs – are already waiting and can't wait to show you real life in Alaska!

Life at the lodge is cozy and relaxed; everything here follows the rhythm of nature and the animals. In March and April temperatures are already quite mild – despite the still plentiful snow, they hover around freezing. Perfect conditions you'll get used to in no time.

Day 1: Welcome to the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge

Once you've settled into your rooms, your guide Brent Sass gives you a first taste of dog sledding: he tells you about his routines with the dogs, shows you what has to be done before and after a dog sled trip and how best to care for the dogs. Of course, he doesn't do all this just in theory – the dogs are always by your side anyway, so there'll be plenty of chances to put it into practice. Plus lots of cuddles, which they can never get enough of – of course!

The lodge also offers lots of other things to do, such as fatbiking in the snow – a real blast on extra-wide mountain bike tires! Nature here offers many ways to have fun; let your guide John Gaedeke surprise you with his tips! Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ski touring are just a few of them, that much we can reveal.

Days 2 to 4: Dog sledding and plenty of winter sports

Over the next few days, three- to five-hour scenic tours with the dog sleds through the Brooks Range await you. Dog sledding isn't hard; the most important thing is to hold on tight, because the energetic dogs love speed – you can race across the wide-open spaces at up to 40 kilometers (25 mi) per hour!

For the rest of the day you can do the activities John recommends – or simply relax and enjoy nature. There are lots of options to choose from on the spur of the moment.

And in the evening you'll sit around the campfire with your guides and listen to stories about Alaska – thrills guaranteed!

Dog sledding options:

• If you'd like to spend more time with the dogs, you can also plan a two-day tour with Brent Sass, spending the night out in nature in tents. A dream experience!
• The two cabins belonging to the Iniakuk Lodge, located in Gates of the Arctic National Park, also make a great stopover on a two-day tour: the expedition cabins Arrigetch Peaks Wilderness Cabin and Gates of the Arctic Caribou Cabin.

Day 5: Farewell at the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge

This trip will be over far too quickly. One last tour with the dogs, one last fatbike ride or snowshoe hike, one last campfire. And by then at the latest you'll say: "This can't have been the last time!" Quite often, the conversations on the last evening at the lodge revolve around just one thing: planning your return to this enchanting place as soon as possible.

For now, though, the small plane takes you back to Fairbanks, where you can catch your flight home or continue with an add-on to this trip.

See you again – in Alaska and on murkl.com!