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907-917-8687
Reindeer Encounters, Scenic Hikes, From Anchorage
Hatcher Pass,
Reindeer and Iditarod Dogs
Approximately 7-hour tour from 9 AM to 4 PM.
7 hours
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From $177
per person, small group
Anchorage Hotel Pickup
downtown and midtown
Summer Tour Only
May through September
- 850+ reviewsAcross Google, Tripadvisor, and Viator
Hatcher Pass, Reindeer and Iditarod Dogs
From your Anchorage hotel, travel the scenic Old Glenn Highway to a personal Reindeer Farm visit, then take in Hatcher Pass mountain views and rushing rivers. After an optional lunch and a stop at the Gateway Visitors Center, meet Iditarod dogs and take a short ride with an award-winning musher before returning to Anchorage.
Your guide is a local Alaskan, and the small-group tour is limited to 11 guests.
The road, reindeer & Hatcher Pass
- Free Anchorage pickupComplimentary pickup at your Anchorage hotel or lodging ($25-30 value).
- The scenic Old Glenn HighwayA guided drive through one of Alaska's most beautiful valleys.
- A personal Reindeer Farm tourMeet, feed and walk among the herd, up close.
- Hatcher PassPanoramic mountain overlooks and a short walk to rushing glacial rivers.
The Iditarod dogs & your day
- Optional lunch & the Gateway Visitors CenterLocal food and a look at the Mat-Su's gold rush history.
- Dog sledding at Iditarod HeadquartersRide with an award-winning Iditarod musher and meet his dogs.
- Small groups, up to 11 guestsA comfortable van and a local Alaskan guide all day.
Tour Highlights & Itinerary
- 01
Free Anchorage Pickup
Free pickup at your Anchorage hotel or lodging ($25–30 value for direct pickup).
No car, no parking, no maps. We come to you, and the tour starts the moment you step in.
- 02
Old Glenn Highway to the Reindeer Farm
A guided tour through the scenic Old Glenn Highway to the Reindeer Farm, with a guided, personalized tour of the farm.
Quiet farm roads under the mountains, then a chance to feed reindeer by hand.
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The Old Glenn follows the valley farmland settled in 1935, when families came north to farm the Matanuska Valley.
- 03
Hatcher Pass
Stop at Hatcher Pass for scenic overlooks and a short walk to the rushing rivers.
High alpine tundra, rushing rivers and old gold-mining country in the Talkeetna Mountains.
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The road climbs along the Little Susitna River. Near the top sits Independence Mine State Historical Park, a gold mine that worked through the 1930s and 40s.
Honest note: the upper road is usually open only in summer, and weather in the pass can change quickly. Bring a warm layer.
- 04
Optional Lunch & Gateway Visitors Center
Next stop is an optional lunch and the Gateway Visitors Center.
A warm stop for coffee, restrooms and a quick look at the Mat-Su Valley's seasons and wildlife.
- 05
Dog Sledding at Iditarod Headquarters
A short dog sledding excursion at the Iditarod Headquarters.
Meet the dogs at the home of the Iditarod, the famous race of about 1,000 miles to Nome.
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Meet an award-winning Iditarod musher and the dogs too. Take a ride with him!
The race first ran in 1973. The musher shares what life on the trail is really like before you take a ride.
- 06
Return to Anchorage
Sit back on the drive home.
Sit back on the drive home. Your guide shares dinner recommendations and what else to see in Anchorage.
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Your guide shares dinner recommendations and what else to see in Anchorage.
What's Included in the Tour?
Local Alaskan Guides
Welcome Anchorage Tours employs knowledgeable, local Alaskan tour guides.
Entrance Fees Included
Enjoy the experience. No extra charges.
Day Tour Duration
Approximately 7-hour tour. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wildlife Viewing
The Reindeer Farm includes reindeer, moose, alpacas and more!
Short Dog Sled Ride
Meet an award-winning Iditarod musher and his dogs at the Iditarod Headquarters.
Generous Snacks
Portable, wholesome snacks and water.
Questions people ask
How long is the tour, and when does it start?
Approximately 7 hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For other times, call 907-917-8687 to arrange a private tour.
How much does it cost?
Small-group tours are $177 per person. Private tours are $1,347 for up to 4 guests, and each additional guest is $100.
When is Hatcher Pass open?
We run this tour May through September. The upper pass road opens as the snow clears, usually by late June; before that we work the lower valley, the Reindeer Farm and Iditarod Headquarters, which are open the whole season. When snow returns around October, parts of the pass close and full access isn't available.
What is the ride like?
You'll travel in a clean, comfortable van with up to 11 guests, enjoying great views through large windows and a smooth, well-maintained ride from start to finish.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup at your Anchorage hotel or lodging is free - a $25-30 value.
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Do we really get to meet the reindeer?
Yes. The personal Reindeer Farm tour lets you meet, feed and walk among the herd, up close.
Is there a dog sled ride?
Yes. At Iditarod Headquarters you ride with an award-winning Iditarod musher and meet his dogs.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is optional. We stop for local food and a visit to the Gateway Visitors Center, and you choose what suits you.
What's the difference between the small-group and private tour?
The small-group tour carries up to 11 guests in a spacious van. A private tour ($1,347 for up to 4 guests) gives your party its own vehicle, a dedicated guide and timing you set - start earlier, linger where you like, skip what you don't.
What if the weather is bad?
Tours run rain or shine, and the vans are warm and dry. Alaska is worth seeing in every kind of weather. If conditions close a stop, your guide will swap in something else worth your time. In genuinely extreme conditions we'll contact you to adjust timing or offer options.
What should I bring?
Layers - Alaska weather can change three times before lunch. Comfortable walking shoes, a rain jacket, and your camera or phone.
How do I book directly?
Right here on this page, or by calling or texting 907-917-8687. Booking direct puts you in touch with the people who actually run the tour.
Our Promise
Our promise is to always deliver, to the best of our ability, excellent service and memorable experiences, and to put people first over profit. We are a local, Alaskan-owned family business. We are in this business because we love Alaska and hospitality. We desire to share the joy of this beautiful place whenever we can! Best, James and Jen
