Daily Itinerary
Friday, June 15, 2012 - Anchorage, Alaska
Arrive Anchorage, Alaska. Overnight in Quality Suites near the Convention Center. This downtown Anchorage hotel features clean and comfortable, two-room suites and includes free 24 hr. airport shuttle service, and complimentary hot breakfast . The hotel is walking distance to downtown shops, dining, and a block from the Anchorage Museum for those who arrive early to explore on your own as time allows. This arrival day is unguided and includes hotel room and tax only. Meals and attractions are at own expense. Hotel upgrades available for additional cost.
Saturday, June 16, 2012 - Turnagain Arm / Portage Glacier / Alaska Wildlife Center / Seward, Alaska
9:00 am Meet and greet your Alaskan Tour Guide in the hotel lobby, ready to begin your journey. Travel exclusively in a luxury shuttle van with easy stand up access, comfortable captain chairs and large viewing windows. Your guide is a longtime Alaska resident who will share stories and information for an entertaining and enlightening tour. We want you to see Alaska up close and personal.
Travel begins 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 muddy waters of Turnagain Arm to the icy blue glaciers that hang almost to the sea. Wildflowers and waterfalls brighten every corner of the road as it glides below rough mountains that pierce thick, heavy clouds. Only Alaska's Seward Highway offers this particular mix created by climate, geography, and geology. Wildlife viewing has high potential along this highway. We'll take ample time to enjoy any sighting.
The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is built upon the terminal moraine left behind by Portage Glacier in 1914. Learn about the Chugach National Forest, America's second largest national forest. On the Portage Glacier Tour, you'll visit the sheer, awesome face of a mighty Alaska glacier. On your one hour
cruise aboard the mv Ptarmigan you'll stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age and watch for icebergs to break off the glacier and crash into the water below. You will find out why Portage Glacier is Alaska's second most visited attraction.
Continue scenic travel to the picturesque town of Seward, Alaska. Here you experience one of Alaska's coastal communities known for it's dramatic mountain against the sea views with tidewater glaciers and abundant marine wildlife. The connection to the sea is very apparent in Alaskan harbor towns, we show you some of the highlights while here.
Nestled in a spectacular glacier river valley, the Seward Windsong Lodge is exceptional lodging. Guest rooms for the Seward Windsong Lodge are spread out in a wooded setting, surrounded by spruce trees and wildflowers. Furnished and well-appointed with comfortable, Alaskan-style décor.(L,D)
Sunday, June 17, 2012 -Kenai Fjords Wildlife and Glacier Cruise / Exit Glacier
11:00 am check in for Kenai Fjords National Park tour. 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. Observe sea lions, otters, possibly whales, and tidewater glaciers that calve into the sea .
Either before or after your cruise, travel along the Resurrection River toward Exit Glacier as your guide provides narration about the topography, vegetation and natural habitats surrounding a glacial environment
Spend your second night at the Seward Windsong Lodge. (B,L,D)
Monday, June 18, 2012 - Mat-Su Valley / Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center / Knik Glacier Tour / Wasilla, Alaska
Return travel along the scenic Seward highway, stopping for any new wildlife sighting. and another short visit where you'll have the opportunity to photograph some up close.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a non profit organization that cares for rescued wildlife, injured and orphans. They promote better awareness of Alaska wildlife conservation methods through public education and they
provide a fantastic opportunity to photograph Alaska wildlife up close. Moose, brown and black bear, musk ox, wood bison and more are all cared for at this facility. Travel continues just north of Anchorage for an afternoon adventure in Alaska wilderness.
The Knik Glacier Tour begins with 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 light snacks and beverages. Hiking opportunities are excellent in this location.
Our overnight lodging is in the town of Wasilla, Alaska. "Home of the Iditarod". The Lake Lucille Inn. Surround yourself with Alaskan flavor and the most majestic views in Alaska. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012- Hatcher Pass / Independence Gold Mine / Scenic Byway /Matanuska Glacier Trek
Hatcher Pass is breathtakingly beautiful. It's granite mountain peaks jutting up from the wildflower covered tundra, and pristine mountain streams meander through the valley below. Panoramic views and short nature walks are pleasing for outdoor lovers. Excellent hiking opportunities exist for those who are
looking to fully stretch their legs. At the top of Hatcher Pass is the Independence Mine, which is protected by the Alaska State Parks, 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. An ideal experience for someone looking for the slower pace of absorbing some history.
Travel in the afternoon takes us along a Scenic Byway that offers panoramic mountain views, magnificent blue ice glaciers and wildlife viewing opportunities. Travel follows the Matanuska River as it carves it's way down from higher country through mountains and valleys and up to it's headwaters at the face of the majestic Matanuska Glacier, a 27 mile long, 4 mile wide blue-ice glacier.
The Ice Fall Trek is a popular glacier hike, featuring close-up views of crevasses, seracs and unique ice formations as well as getting up to a high point on the glacier which overlooks the ice fall. The alternative activity is to join a short Nature walk with views of the glacier, a short stop where we
occasionally sight mountain goats and a piece of pie and beverage at a local diner overlooking the glacier.
Dinner before retiring to the Lake Lucille Inn. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - Sled Dog Kennel Tour / Talkeetna / Denali
Today we head north, stopping in route to enjoy our favorite sights, attractions and activities. Tour Dream a Dream kennels. Vern Halter, a veteran Iditarod musher who 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!
Continuing north and taking a slight detour to visit the frontier town of Talkeetna. This rustic little town is big on Alaska flavor. Some of the best views of north America's tallest peak can be seen from here. Enjoy the delicious diners, quirky museums and quaint artist shops as you stroll along the main street.
Optional: For anyone who wishes that once in a lifetime adventure - you can add a flight seeing tour. See MT. McKinley and the Ruth Gorge, the deepest in North America and filled with a 4,000 foot thick river of ice. Experience the Don Sheldon amphitheater surrounded by Granite peaks and cascading ice falls. Even land on a Glacier! A one hour flight with Glacier landing is $240 per person additional. If the flight is canceled due to weather, the flight is fully
refunded.
Continue the drive north to arrive in the Denali park area in time for dinner
Denali Lakeview Inn provides clean and comfortable rooms with numerous amenities. Each room has it's own breakfast corner with continental breakfast choices, a table and chairs, a private deck the overlooks the lake. Watch for wildlife across the peaceful lake.(B,L,D)
Thursday, June 21, 2012 - Denali
Today is an "Optional" day in Denali. This day is to allow you to set the pace of your trip and pick what you'd like to do. Your guide will take care of transfers and arrangements as needed. Advance reservations are required for activities chosen.
No additional cost options include - short hikes, Denali park shuttle to Savage river for hike, shopping, relaxing at your lodge. Visit the Denali Visitor Center for displays and information including a variety of films.
Added cost options - ATV rides , Whitewater rafting, Scenic float trips. Rates and more information provided as interested.
(Included in tour rate) Enjoy a night of fun, frivolity and food! Get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Nite, the popular dinner theater performed in an authentic, log-paneled roadhouse. A true-to-life Gold Rush tale of adventure in early 1900s Alaska is a great mix of storytelling, music and humor The all-you-can-eat meal is served family-style and includes: * Alaskan Salmon * Barbecue Ribs * Fork Mashed Potatoes * Corn on the Cob * Old-Fashioned Baked Beans * Drop Biscuits * Blueberry Cobbler
Spend your second night at the Denali Lakeview Inn. (B, L, D)
Friday, June 22, 2012- Denali National Park & Preserve
Today is a full day in the park experience. 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 8-hour shuttle bus trip into the park affords outstanding views of MT. McKinley and the Alaska Range when visible. 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, 8 hours round trip. We suggest anyone desiring more time in the park to hike at the Eielson visitor center and return by a later bus.
Spend your 3rd night at the Denali Lakeview Inn. B,L,D
Saturday, June 23, 2012 - Alaska Railroad Goldstar - Denali to Talkeetna / Anchorage, Alaska
11:00 am check in to 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. If the weather allows the views of MT. McKinley are breathtaking. 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 Alaskan tour guide will meet you with your baggage in Talkeetna to continue the travel into Anchorage by luxury shuttle.
Returning to the Quality Suite hotel, located downtown for your final night.
All two-room suites are elegantly furnished and feature refrigerators, microwaves, sofa sleepers and coffee makers
This hotel offers a wide range of amenities, including: * Free hot breakfast buffet * Free Wi-Fi Internet access * Free 24-hour airport shuttle service * Free Alaska Railroad shuttle service * Exercise room. Be sure to take a dip in the indoor heated pool or relax in the accompanying hot tub. (B)
Sunday, June 24, 2012 - Depart Anchorage. Alaska
Unguided day. Hotel shuttle or taxi to airport. |
