The highlight of the cruise is a one-hour stop at the Chena Indian Village, where Alaskan Native guides will take you on a guided tour. You'll see an Athabascan Indian village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, and fur pelts. Our guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin, and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate.

At the primitive area, you'll learn the difference between reindeer and caribou, and find out why reindeer were introduced into the Interior. You'll also get to see reindeer up close. Our guides will show you a spruce bark hut, which Athabascans used as primitive shelters, and an authentic birch bark canoe made without any metal fasteners. 

You'll visit the home of renowned Athabascan beadwork artist Dixie Alexander and see the garments she's sewn from animal hides. She'll let you see her latest projects, and when one of our guides models a Yupik Eskimo winter parka, you will want to have your camera ready. To the side of Dixie's cabin are hides of the largest game animals in the Interior--moose, bear, and caribou. You'll learn how Athabascan Indians called animals, how they tanned the hides, and how they preserved them.

Finally, you'll visit the fenced dog yard where Iditarod champion Susan Butcher keeps some of her dogs. You'll get to see them up close and hear stories about how these champions helped Susan win four Iditarod races. At the end of your tour, you'll have 15 minutes to wander around camp, revisit stops, and take any pictures you may have missed. Your friendly Alaskan Native guides will also be happy to answer any of your questions.