Itinerary Details:
June 29, 2010- Arrive Anchorage, Alaska
This is arrival day and is unguided. The tour includes a 2.5star 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 Ramada Inn downtown Anchorage is walking distance to the Saturday Market, Anchorage Museum and other points of interest. The hotel features complimentary airport shuttle, complimentary extended breakfast bar, and many in-room amenities - Free WiFi, Cable TV, Fridge, Microwave, Coffee service, valet laundry service, 24 hr staff. Friendly staff will accommodate you.
June 30, 2010 - Guided Tour begins / Seward Hwy Scenic Travel / Portage Glacier - Visitor Center / Alaska Sealife 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. The Alaska SeaLife Center offers an unrivaled, up-close and personal experience with Gulf of Alaska marine wildlife. Witness a 2000+ pound Steller sea lion gliding past underwater viewing windows, puffins diving in a naturalistic habitat, and harbor seals resting on rocky beaches. Alaskan king crab, sea stars, the Giant Pacific octopus and other varied creatures of the sea also await you.
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.
July 1, 2010 - 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 momentos. The highlight of course is from 11 am to 5 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.
July 2, 2010 - Alaska Wildlife Center / Hatcher Pass / Independence Gold Mine
Return drive north, stopping for any new wildlife sightings 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 restroom 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.
July 3, 2010 - 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 sightings 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.
July 4, 2010 - Travel North / Dream a Dream sled dog / Denali Park Visitor Center / Denali, Alaska / Nenana Whitewater Rafting
Today we travel north to Denali Park. Your guide will be sure to stop for any wildlife sightings and special views, as well as meals and restrooms. 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 .
OPTIONAL EVENING ACTIVITY - AT ADDITIONAL COST Rafting - whitewater or scenic float - $82 per person / ATV rides - 2.5 hours $75 for adult, $45 for child to ride
Stay at Denali Grizzly Bear’s new cedar hotel. The room interiors are furbished in cedar. All four hotel units are located on the Nenana River and every room has a private deck overlooking the river, with large glass sliding doors for access. Rooms are furnished with in-room coffee, cable TV, hair dryers, two double beds, full bathroom, alarm clocks and more.
July 5, 2010 - Denali Park - Eielson Visitor
10 am to 7 pm Denali National Park and Preserve provides visitors with the experience of a lifetime. Wildlife, birdlife, 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 restrooms, 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.
Spend your second night at the Denali Grizzly Bear Cedar Hotel
July 6, 2010 - Alaska Railroad - Denali to Talkeetna / Shuttle to Anchorage / Anchorage hotel
A leisure morning in Denali before a 10:15 am check in time. From 11:15 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 doubledeck 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 p.m.. 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 Ramada Inn downtown Anchorage is walking distance to the Saturday Market, Anchorage Museum and other points of interest. The hotel features complimentary airport shuttle, complimentary extended breakfast bar, and many in-room amenities - Free WiFi, Cable TV, Fridge, Microwave, Coffee service, valet laundry service, 24 hr staff. Friendly staff and clean, nonsmoking rooms.
Depart on July 7, 2010
