Alaska | Iditarod Adventure

Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. travelers age 18 and over are required to carry valid government-issued identification—such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport, permanent resident card, or other acceptable form of ID—for air travel within the U.S. If you are traveling with identification that is not REAL ID-compliant, you may use an alternative identity verification system called TSA “Confirm.ID” upon check-in and prior to entering the security line at the airport. There is a $45 fee to use this option, and it is valid for a 10-day travel period. If you use Confirm.ID, you may experience additional wait times at the airport.

A passport is required if traveling to Alaska through Canada.

To enter the U.S. by air, Canadian citizens need a passport or valid NEXUS card; to enter the U.S. by land or water, Canadian citizens need a passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province or territory where a U.S.-approved EDL/EIC program has been implemented, or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

If you are not traveling from the United States or Canada, please check with the U.S. Embassy for requirements based on your nationality.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

FROSTBITE

If traveling in winter, frostbite can be a concern. Frostbite is damage to the skin from freezing and is due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Symptoms include patches of reddened skin that become white, hard, and swollen; or skin that burns, tingles, or is numb or painful. Severe cases can result in blisters or ulcers forming and may involve deeper tissues. The most common sites for frostbite are the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, nose, and cheeks.

To avoid frostbite, dress warmly and in layers but avoid tight clothing as it may reduce circulation. Keep the face and extremities covered. Avoid overheating and excessive perspiration. Change wet clothing, especially socks and gloves.

HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia is life-threatening. It is caused by cold, wet, or windy weather that causes the body to lose heat faster than it can produce heat. Hypothermia can occur in rugged mountain terrain where the weather can change extremely fast, or after being soaked in a stream crossing or a boating accident since most Alaskan waters are very cold all year long.

Symptoms include feeling cold, uncontrollable shivering, clumsiness due to loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech, inability to think clearly, and eventual unconsciousness and cessation of reflexes including heart and lung functions. Many victims in the later stages of hypothermia feel warm and try to shed clothing.

To treat hypothermia, first warm the core of the body before the extremities. Remove any wet clothing. Re-warm the victim slowly; do not warm fast by immersing in warm/hot water. Provide shelter out of the weather. Warm drinks are not necessary, but may help in the psychological recovery. Do NOT give alcohol. Try to keep victim awake as this helps keep the body temperature up.

ANIMAL BITES/RABIES

Avoid wild animals that seem curious or don’t run away from humans. Arctic fox, red fox, wolves, caribou, dogs, and possibly river otters are known to carry rabies in Alaska. In the unlikely event of being bitten, clean the wound and control bleeding. Seek medical attention immediately.

Respiratory Illness Protocols

Please review our Respiratory Illness Protocols page, which explains our policy and procedures if you or another traveler should develop symptoms of a respiratory illness during your trip. Your participation in a Holbrook Travel program indicates that you are in agreement with these protocols.