Daily Itinerary
Saturday, August 4, 2012- Arrive Anchorage, Alaska
This is arrival day and is unguided. The tour includes a stay at an Anchorage hotel in the downtown area with airport shuttle and deluxe continental breakfast. For early arrivals, we can assist with information to explore Anchorage easily on your own.
This tour does not include the cost of meals unless provided by activity or lodging. Ample choices and opportunities are available for purchasing meals throughout the trip. Your guide will make appropriate suggestions based on tastes buds and budget.
The Quality Suites Inn downtown Anchorage is walking distance to the Anchorage Museum, shops, dining and other points of interest. The hotel features two room suites tastefully decorated, complimentary airport shuttle, complimentary hot breakfast bar, and many in-room amenities - Free Wi-Fi, Cable TV, Fridge, Microwave, Coffee service, valet laundry service, 24 hr. staff. Friendly staff will accommodate you.
Sunday, August 5, 2012- Guided Tour begins / Seward Hwy Scenic Travel / Portage Glacier - Visitor Center / Seward, Alaska
9 am - Meet and greet your Alaskan Tour Guide and other tour members in the hotel lobby, ready to begin your journey. Our driver-guides are longtime or lifelong Alaska residents who share their experience, knowledge and stories to educate and entertain throughout your adventure. You will travel in one of our luxury shuttles with 13 captain chairs, easy access down a center aisle, large viewing windows and many other amenities for 1st class travel. We begin driving south on the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway which passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The landscape varies from the silty waters of Turnagain Arm to the icy blue glaciers that hang from the top of the Chugach Mountains. Wildflowers and waterfalls brighten every corner of the road as it glides below rough mountains that pierce thick, heavy clouds. We take ample time to enjoy the sights and any wildlife sighted. A side trip to Portage Valley is a convenient and informative stop. The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is built upon the terminal moraine left behind by Portage Glacier in 1914. The visitor center offers an unique opportunity to learn about the Chugach National Forest, America's second largest national forest. Award-winning exhibits, educational presentations, and a short film "Voices from the Ice," can be enjoyed. Travel continues on to our first destination. Seward is a picturesque coastal community with plenty of exceptional sights and activities.
Nestled in a spectacular glacier river valley, the Seward Windsong Lodge is exceptional Seward Alaska lodging. Guest rooms for the Seward Windsong Lodge are spread out in a wooded setting, surrounded by spruce trees and wildflowers. Furnished guest rooms of Seward Alaska lodge are well-appointed with comfortable, Alaskan-style décor. From your rooms, wander the trails amidst the spruce and cottonwood.
Monday, August 6, 2012 - Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife and Glacier cruise
Today allows a leisure morning and chance to explore the harbor area, whether for breakfast or to visit the wharf-side shops featuring Alaska mementos. The highlight of course is from 11:30 am to 5:00 p.m. - Experience Alaska's most popular wildlife and glacier cruise! Kenai Fjords National Park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers. This 6 hour tours depart from Seward, Alaska, and provide in-depth experience within pristine Kenai Fjords National Park. Tours are fully narrated by an accredited wildlife interpreter and include a visit to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge - home to a large variety of whales, sea lions, sea otters and more. A deli style lunch in included.
Spend your second night at the Seward Windsong Lodge.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 - Alaska Wildlife Center / Hatcher Pass / Independence Gold Mine
Return drive north, stopping for any new wildlife sighting and another of our favorite Alaska attractions. The Alaska Wildlife Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of Alaska's rescued wildlife. This stop promotes public awareness to their programs which benefit the animals and is a great photo opportunity. See moose, bear, bison, elk, deer, coyote and more. Afterwards we continue travel north of Anchorage, stopping for meals and rest room breaks as needed. Our nest destination is the city of Wasilla, which is in the heart of the Matanuska Susitna Valleys. This borough is the size of W. VA and one of Alaskan’s favorite playgrounds. We enjoy some truly special ones, away from the large bus crowds. Hatcher Pass is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s granite mountain peaks jut up from the wildflower covered tundra, and pristine mountain streams meander down through the valley below. Panoramic views and short nature walks are pleasing for outdoor lovers. Easy walking trails exist for all capabilities. Also at the top of the pass you'll enjoy Independence Mine, which is protected by the Alaska State Parks. This special place offers a preserved experience of what life was like back in the Gold Rush. Paved interpretive trails, historic buildings and exhibits can all be explored. You can even pan for gold!
Pioneer Ridge has some of the best views in Alaska. Enjoy a 360 degree view of the Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges, and Alaska theme decor rooms which are tasteful and comfortable. A hot and hearty breakfast is served in the morning. Private rooms and baths.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Knik Glacier Tour / Palmer, Alaska / Musk Ox Farm
After breakfast we head out for our morning adventure. An hour drive to another unparalleled experience. Travel seven miles up the Knik River (approximately 1/2 hour) passing the occasional stray iceberg, waterfalls and some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Keep your camera ready as wildlife sighting are common. The Knik Glacier is awe inspiring as it pours from the Chugach mountains greatest peaks. This 25 mile river of ice is over 5 miles wide and hundreds of feet thick. Visit to Glacier Camp, look for wildlife, Black bear, moose, Dall Sheep, and Eagles while you enjoy Hot drinks. Hiking opportunities abound. Afterwards we enjoy a late lunch stop in colonist town of Palmer. This quaint town has kept a lot of it’s colonial charm and is surrounded by mountain views that are beyond description. Later, we'll also take a tour of the Musk Ox Farm to see the descendants of the Woolly Mammoth and to learn how the native Alaskan people used the very fine fibers to make incredibly light weight and warm clothing.
Spend your second night at the Pioneer Ridge Inn.
Thursday, August 9, 2012 - Travel North / Dream a Dream sled dog / Denali Park Visitor Center / Denali, Alaska
Today we travel north to Denali Park. Your guide will be sure to stop for any wildlife sighting and special views, as well as meals and rest rooms. In addition, we'll stop mid-point so you can enjoy learning about one of Alaskan’s favorite sports. Tour Dream a Dream kennels where Vern Halter, a veteran Iditarod musher , weaves the history of the Iditarod into his informative presentation. Meet the huskies who make up the team, enjoy a short nature walk with the newest members, the pups! Then enjoy a special ride on a multi-seat All Terrain Vehicle with the option of standing positions too. These dog limos are the coolest and most realistic way to ride with a sled dog team in the summer months. It’s great training for the dogs and you’ll see how they love it! We'll continue our travel to Denali Park, with a stop for lunch en route. Once we reach the park area we'll stop in to the Visitor Information Center. The Denali National Park Visitor center offers Denali's visitors a chance to learn more about the park by interacting with rangers, viewing the award winning film "Heartbeats of Denali," and exploring the exhibit area. The building boasts a number of environmentally sustainable features .
Stay at the Denali Lakeview Inn. Every room with a lake view, balcony or deck and breakfast corner.
Friday, August 10, 2012 - Denali Park - Eielson Visitor / Nenana Whitewater Rafting
8:30am to 5:30 p.m. Denali National Park and Preserve provides visitors with the experience of a lifetime. Wildlife, bird life, wild flowers, landscapes, mountains and more. On a clear day, this 9-hour shuttle bus trip into the park affords outstanding views of MT. McKinley and the Alaska Range when visible. Frequent stops are made for rest rooms., special views or when wildlife is sighted. The turning point is the new Eielson Visitor Center. Opened in June 2008 the completely reconstructed Visitor Center was sustainable constructed and all new interpretive exhibits are well worth the visit. This trip travels 65 miles one way, 9 hours round trip.
6:30pm check in for a river rafting excursion! This river trip begins at the entrance to Denali National Park and journeys 11 river miles to Healy, Alaska. During this 2 Hour whitewater adventure expect to encounter over 10 major Class III to IV rapids in the Nenana River Canyon! The Denali National Park frontier will be the setting on your river left shore with MT. Healy rising over 3,000 feet to the summit. Exciting wave-trains and powerful hydraulics will create exciting and fun rapids.
Anyone who wishes a milder option can choose to swap for a wilderness scenic float.
Spend your second night at the Denali Lakeview Inn.
Saturday, August 11, 2012 - Alaska Railroad - Denali to Talkeetna / Shuttle to Anchorage / Anchorage hotel
A leisure morning in Denali before a 11:20 am check in time. From 12:20 am to 4:45 p.m. - Ride aboard The Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad's flagship train, from Denali to Talkeetna. View sparkling salmon streams and stands of birch and spruce come into view, while carpets of fireweed add dramatic purple to the landscape. Enjoy GoldStar Service, first-class service aboard double deck dome cars, luxury rail travel has never been better. Reserved upper-level dome car seating, upper-level outdoor viewing deck, exclusive lower-level dining room, complimentary non alcoholic beverages. Your guide will meet you in Talkeetna and transfer you to your Anchorage hotel. Estimated arrival time is 7:00 PM.. Your hotel is included and again will provide shuttle service to the airport tomorrow. This concludes the escorted portion of your tour with Alaskan Tour Guides.
The Quality Suites Inn downtown Anchorage is walking distance to the Anchorage Museum, shops, dining and other points of interest. The hotel features two room suites tastefully decorated, complimentary airport shuttle, complimentary hot breakfast bar, and many in-room amenities - Free Wi-Fi, Cable TV, Fridge, Microwave, Coffee service, valet laundry service, 24 hr. staff. Friendly staff will accommodate you.
Depart on Sunday, August 12, 2012 |
