ANCHORAGE. Welcome to Anchorage! Meet your Tour Director this evening between 5 pm and 8 pm in the hotel reception area.
2
ANCHORAGE - VALDEZ. Meet your fellow travelling companions at this morning's welcome orientation. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, where cabbages can grow to an amazing 31.7 kilogram (70 pounds) in the 24-hour daylight, up over Tahneta Pass with wonderful vistas of Matanuska and Worthington Glaciers. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the seaside port of Valdez, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Alaska". (B,D)
3
VALDEZ. CRUISE ON PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND. Board your boat for a CRUISE on Prince William Sound and along the 4.8 kilometres (3 mile) face of Columbia Glacier, keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife, including seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales! Before returning to Valdez, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, where supertankers are loaded with crude oil from Prudhoe Bay. (B,L)
4
VALDEZ-DELTA JUNCTION-FAIRBANKS. Great scenery all the way as you travel along the Richardson Highway. Stop at DELTA JUNCTION, a living history homestead with a museum, original roadhouse, and farm animals. Then, head west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, the state's second largest city. (B,D)
5
FAIRBANKS. Visit the EL DORADO GOLD MINE, then ride the narrow-gauge railroad and head inside the mine's permafrost tunnel. Try your luck as you pan for gold. Later today, board the sternwheeler DISCOVERY for a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers with a stop at the Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! (B)
6
FAIRBANKS-DENALI NATIONAL PARK. Board the world-famous ALASKA RAILROAD for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today's ride ends at DENALI NATIONAL PARK, where North America's highest peak, 6,193.5 metres (20,320 foot) Mount McKinley, majestically dominates the park's 6 million acres. The afternoon is free. This evening, enjoy song, dance, and delicious food at the DENALI DINNER THEATRE. (B,D)
7
DENALI NATIONAL PARK. Morning at leisure. Optional activities include a float trip down the Nenana River and a helicopter ride over the park. Then, dress comfortably for a WILDERNESS EXPEDITION into Denali National Park to seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and other wildlife. (B)
8
DENALI NATIONAL PARK - ANCHORAGE. Continue your exploration of Denali National Park as you head south toward Anchorage. Stop along the way at HAPPY TRAILS KENNELS, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his dogs. Meet an Iditarod competitor and learn how they race and care for their dogs. You will also see a demo on mushing complete with a mock Iditarod checkpoint and get a chance to play with the sled dogs! Upon arrival in Anchorage, take a city sightseeing tour. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner(B,D)
9
ANCHORAGE-SEWARD (EMBARKATION) After your cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park, transfer to the pier to embark on your Holland America cruise ship, the MS Statendam or MS Zaandam. (B,L,D)
10
SCENIC CRUISING: GULF OF ALASKA Only one place in Alaska surrounds you on three sides with flowing rivers of ice. This fjord is home to the largest number of tidewater glaciers in the world. Cruise past one dramatic tidewater glacier after another-an awesome assemblage of Ice Age wonders.
11
SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY. This Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in an ever-changing glacial landscape. Here, witness an amazing spectacle of thunder and flying spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and "calve" into the sea - making for lasting memories. National Park rangers accompany the ship to add expert commentary to the day's events. (B,L,D)
12
HAINES. Nestled on the shores of America's longest fjord, Haines enjoys a spectacular setting. You may choose to fill your day with a float trip through Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to the largest annual gathering of Bald Eagels, the nation's avain symbol. Or, visit the Sheldon Museum, art galleries, and local shops in town. (B,L,D)
13
JUNEAU Visit one of the most scenic and remote capital cities - Juneau. Accessible only by air and water, Juneau is located at the base of two towering mountains in the heart of Alaska's Inside Passage, and is home to a rich Gold Rush history, Native culture, wildlife, and a wealth of natural wonders. Step ashore to shop for gold nuggets; visit the stately Governor's Mansion; saunter through the swinging doors of the Red Dog Saloon, the city's famous watering hole; or visit mighty Mendenhall Glacier, an impressive river of ice that is 19.3 kilometres (12 miles) long and 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) wide. (B,L,D)
14
KETCHIKAN Experience Native Alaska firsthand. Meet the spirits of the raven, whale, and eagle as you view the largest collection of totems in the world at Saxman Totem Park or Totem Bight State Historic Park. Or, explore Creek Street, now home to contemporary art galleries and quaint boutiques. (B,L,D)
15
SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE. Sit back and relax as you cruise through the beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery of the Inside Passage. Keep your cameras ready for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife. (B,L,D)
16
VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION). The vacation ends this morning. Guests depart on individual schedules; airport transfers are provided. Please schedule flights after Noon. (B)
DELTA JUNCTION: Visit the living history homestead
FAIRBANKS: Pan for gold at El Dorado Gold Mine; cruise aboard sternwheeler riverboat "Discovery"
FAIRBANK-DENALI Journey aboard Alaska Railroad
DENALI NATIONAL PARK: Denali Dinner Theatre; guided wilderness expedition
WASILLA: Visit Happy Trails Kennels
ANCHORAGE Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park
MEALS American breakfast daily (B), 4 lunches (L), 4 threecourse dinners (D) including a special farewell dinner; Alaska Cruise 19 additional meals
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Meals Breakfast - 15 Lunch - 8 Dinner - 11
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
85
USD
Name:SEA KAYAKING Location:VALDEZ Details:Join local naturalist guides and learn the fascinating history of Port Valdez while viewing marine mammals and birds. After a short kayaking lesson and safety talk, guides will adjust boats and assist loading. The next several hours will be spent paddling the Duck Flats, a birdwatchers paradise. Paddle around islands and outcroppings in search of eagles, harbour seals, bears, and migrating salmon. On calm waters and at an easy pace. No experience necessary.
35
USD
Name:FAIRBANKS SALMON BAKE Location:FAIRBANKS Details:Enjoy an all-you-can-eat Alaskan style meal as you dine on salmon, halibut or ribs with accompaniments. Afterwards, stroll through the neighbouring Pioneer Park, an Alaskana theme park featuring historical buildings, transportation venues and shops.
469
USD
Name:ARCTIC CIRCLE AIR ADVENTURE Location:FAIRBANKS Details:Fly above the Arctic! Travel north out of Fairbanks by fixed-wing plane over the Arctic Circle. View the remarkable Trans-Alaska Pipeline, remnants of gold mining, the expansive Yukon River Valley, and the magnificent Brooks Mountain Range. Guests will land in a wilderness community and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. NOTE: Refunds are not available for missed sightseeing and applicable meals in Fairbanks while on tour.
345
USD
Name:MT. MCKINLEY BY HELICOPTER Location:DENALI NATIONAL PARK Details:Get an up close view of Mount McKinley, "the Great One!" Enjoy a helicopter thrill as you soar high above the land and view wildlife, alpine glaciers, the Alaska Range, and Mount McKinley. This tour is highly recommendable for our "once in a lifetime" adventurers. $345 for 50 minutes Denali Excursion, $445 Denali Glacier Expedition, $475 for Heli-Hiking Adventure.
375
USD
Name:FIXED WING IN DENALI Location:DENALI NATIONAL PARK Details:Enjoy a 60 to 70-minute fixed wing flightseeing journey following the Alaska Range out to about one mile from Mount McKinley (weather dependent). Flights depart on every even hour from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and transportation departs the hotel on every odd hour (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).
59
USD
Name:HUSKY HOMESTEAD Location:DENALI NATIONAL PARK Details:Step back from the crowds and join an intimate group for a personal tour of the homestead kennel of two-time Iditarod Champion Jeff King and his wife, well-known wildlife artist, Donna Gates King. Meet champion sled dogs, visit with puppies and see summer training in action. One and a half-hour narrated kennel tour.
70
USD
Name:BLACK DIAMOND GOLF Location:DENALI NATIONAL PARK Details:Golf in the midnight sun! Golf packages include green fees, club rentals, course balls and tees, a personalized certificate, logo ball, and transfer. Includes Power Cart or Pull Cart.
175
USD
Name:FLY FISH DENALI Location:DENALI NATIONAL PARK Details:Personalised and fully outfitted fly fishing excursions. Fish for Arctic Grayling and Rainbow Trout in Denali. Cost: $175 per person for a half day and $275 per person with Jet Boat.
Optional Excursions
