Daily Itinerary
Saturday, August 11, 2012 - Arrive Anchorage, Alaska
Arrive Anchorage, Alaska. Explore Anchorage on your own as time allows. Overnight at the Quality Suites near downtown Anchorage Museums and convention center. All two-room suites are elegantly furnished. The hotel offers a wide arrange 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. **Unguided. (Meals and activities for this day are at your own expense. The hotel room and tax is included in the tour rate).
Sunday, August 12, 2012 - Travel to Talkeetna / Optional Flightsee/ Continue travel to Denali
Pickup and greeted by Alaskan Tour Guides at 8:30 and begin traveling north towards Denali National Park.
In route, stop in Talkeetna to visit the rustic frontier town, known for it's amazing views of MT. McKinley. Tour the quaint town shops featuring local artists, visit it's quirky museums or one of the several delicious diners.
It is OPTIONAL and additional cost to take a flight seeing tour of MT. McKinley. The Southface McKinley is a 1 hour tour that fly into the heart of the Alaska range, over Ruth Gorge and to the south face of the mountain. Additional costs: $200 per person.
Continuing the journey north to Denali, stops en route are made for scenic and wildlife viewing and rest room breaks.
Visit the Parks’ newest Visitor Center for a better understanding of park habitat and wildlife. View a short film and interactive interpretive displays.
The nearby bookstore is a quality gift shop idea.
Dinner and check in to overnight lodging at Denali Lakeview Inn. The Inn provides clean comfortable rooms with numerous amenities. Each room has it's own breakfast corner with continental breakfast choices, a table and chairs, a private deck that overlooks the lake. Be sure to look for wildlife across the peaceful lake.(L,D)
Monday, August 13, 2012 - Denali National Park & Preserve
A full day excursion into the park allows plenty of time to explore. Denali exemplifies interior Alaska’s character as one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Today’s highlights are the amazing scenic and wildlife viewing.
Enjoy a night of fun, frivolity and food! Get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Night, the popular dinner theater performed in authentic, log-panneled roadhouse. A true-to-life Gold Rush tale of adventure in the early 1900s Alaska. The all-you-can-eat meal is served family style and includes:*Alaska Salmon *Barbecue Ribs *Fork Mashed Potatoes *Corn on the Cob *Old-Fashioned Baked Beans *Drop Biscuits *Blueberry Cobbler. Return to Denali Lakeview Inn for second night stay. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - Sled dog Kennel Tour/ Mat-Su Valley
Returning south, stop in the town of Willow, the heart of mushing country to tour a sled dog kennel. An informative and fun presentation will help you to learn about this favorite sport of Alaskans and the amazing 1150 mile sled dog race to Nome. Visit with the dog team and love some puppies. Take a short ride behind a real team in a 4-wheel rig over bridges, through the woods and narrated by a veteran Iditarod runner.
Continue 30 minutes south to the Mat-Su Valley - a borough the size of W. Virginia. This region has over 3,000 lakes river and streams, it’s rich with wildlife, beautiful sights and great activities.
Dinner and check in to overnight lodging at Lake Lucille Inn in Wasilla, Alaska. At this hotel guest enjoy beautiful mountain and lake views along with comfortable accommodations. A fully-equipped health and fitness club with weight rooms, sauna and jacuzzi, and wireless internet available. An extended continental breakfast is provided each morning. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - Hatcher Pass / Knik Glacier Tour
Start the day exploring Hatcher Pass, a beautiful scenic mountain pass with the historic Independence Gold Mine, where walking trails with interpretive signs provide a glimpse into gold mining’s past. After the morning exploration lunch is enjoyed in the town of Palmer. It's charm reflects the colonist and agriculture heritage. Your guide will give you a brief tour along with the history of the colonists settling the area in 1935.
In the afternoon take an exciting tour to the face of Knik Glacier! Travel seven miles up the Knik River passing the occasional stray iceberg, waterfalls and some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Keep your camera ready as wildlife sighting are fairly 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 Glacier camp, look for wildlife while you enjoy light snacks and beverage.
Dinner and return to overnight at Lake Lucille Inn in Wasilla.
(B,L,D)
Thursday, August 16, 2012 - Turnagain Arm / Alaska Wildlife Center / Exit Glacier
Enjoy another awe-inspiring scenic drive as we travel south along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm on the way to the coastal town of Seward. There are several wildlife viewing possibilities en route - and we take ample time to stop and observe.
Visit the Alaska Wildlife Center, an organization dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of Alaska’s orphaned or injured wildlife. See bear, moose, bison, musk ox and many other rescued wildlife.
In Seward, visit Exit Glacier, another gem in the Chugach National Forest. A short nature walk leads right up to the face. Your guide will provide narration about the glacier time line and local vegetation.
Dinner and check into overnight lodging at the Seward Windsong Lodge. Guest rooms are spread out in a wooded setting, surrounded by spruce trees and wildflowers. Furnished and well-appointed with comfortable, Alaskan-Style decor. From your rooms, wander the trails ad mist the spruce and cottonwood forest. (B,L,D)
Friday, August 17, 2012 - Kenai Fjords Wildlife and Glacier Cruise
After breakfast stroll along the harbor, visit nearby shops and take in this colorful Alaskan town before departing on the glacier cruise. Cruise Kenai Fjord National Park to see abundant marine animal and bird life along with
tidewater glaciers and Seward's scenic coastal line. See otters, sea lions, eagles and other marine bird life. Watch for whales and calving glaciers and beautiful coastline scenery. A deli style lunch is served onboard.
OPTIONAL: Passengers can opt out of the wildlife cruise and take a 6 hr. ocean salmon fishing charter for an additional $50 per person, plus fishing license.
Dinner and return to Seward Windsong Lodge. (B,L,D)
Saturday, August 18, 2012 - Alyeska Tram and lunch / Depart Anchorage, Alaska
Return to Anchorage in the morning.
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, the film "Voices from the Ices," and information services are available. Short hiking trails nearby.
En route visit the resort town of Girdwood with a tram ride to the top of MT. Alyeska. Enjoy lunch at the top. Continue to Anchorage and as time allows, last minute souvenir shopping and downtown Anchorage sights depending on individual flight times. (B,L)
Suggest flight departures of 5:00 p.m. or later. |
