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10
DAYS • 9 MEALS
Welcome
to the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” where mighty
blue-ice glaciers sprawl alongside miles of pine forest, and
rugged mountains touch endless skies!
Northward,
Ho! – An Alaskan Adventure
If you’ve got a big appetite for adventure, then our tour
into Alaska’s spectacular wilderness is the perfect vacation
for you! Covering nearly 600,000 square miles, Alaska is the
biggest state in the union – and its scenic beauty is
just as awe-inspiring as its size. With deep crystal-clear lakes,
towering mountains, mammoth glaciers and dense forests, America’s
49th state is a nature-lover’s dream-come-true. Our nine-day
excursion brings the glories of Alaska to you, with convenient
and comfortable touring by train, motorcoach and boat. Don’t
miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the marvels
of America’s rugged wilderness!
Big
City Alaska
Our outdoor adventure starts and ends in Anchorage, Alaska’s
largest city. Nestled between the Talkeetna and Chugach mountain
ranges, Anchorage blends outdoor life with breathtaking scenic
beauty. The city’s fantastic ambiance offers the perfect
stepping-off point for our Alaskan adventure.
We also visit the delightful town of Fairbanks, the second largest
city in the state. During our tour, we explore the city’s
rollicking past as a bustling mining town and enjoy its first-class
cultural amenities, including galleries, upscale stores, specialty
boutiques, historic sites and museums.
Experience
Mother Nature in All Her Glory!
Alaska is world-famous for its thrilling natural wonders, and
we will witness more than a few during our exciting tour of
this state’s unspoiled splendors.
We
survey panoramic vistas of majestic forests and grassy tundra
from the comfortable confines of the Alaska Railroad. You will
glimpse the towering, 20,000-foot peak of Mount McKinley and
visit the Iditarod Headquarters in the nearby town of Wasilla.
While
in Denali, you will sit back, relax and enjoy an evening of
tall tales, fun songs, foot stompin’ music and an all-you-can-eat
dinner at Alaska Cabin Nite.
At
the heart of our excursion is a guided tour of the gem of Alaska’s
glorious wilderness, Denali National Park where we spend two
nights. Covering more than six million acres, Denali is a natural
wonderland, teeming with sub-arctic wildlife and more than 650
species of flowering plants. Before departing for Fairbanks,
you will have the option of getting a bird’s-eye view
of this spectacular wilderness with a special “flightseeing”
tour by helicopter.
We
also explore the signature natural feature of Alaska’s
spectacular landscape; an arctic glacier. Our tour includes
a close-up look at Worthington Glacier, a massive floe of blue
ice that covers nearly five square miles!
Adventures
on Alaska’s Waterways
Dive into the beautiful sights offered by Alaska’s many
pristine lakes, wild rivers and placid channels.
Cruise
through the glacier-carved fjords and passageways of Prince
William Sound aboard the Glacier Spirit and catch a glimpse
of sea lions lolling on the majestic shoreline. With its many
twisting tributaries and sharply carved mountain peaks, it’s
clear why the Sound and the surrounding area is called the “Switzerland
of Alaska!”
You
may also enjoy a peaceful float on the park’s Nenana River.
This blue, crystalline river issues from the Nenana Glacier
far to the north, and is one of the most popular destinations
for whitewater rafting in Alaska.
A
Celebration of History and Culture
Alaskan waterways will also be our entry into the cultural heritage
of this great state. Aboard the Riverboat Discovery, the only
authentic sternwheeler in Alaska, enjoy a narrated cruise into
Native American culture. This fascinating river tour includes
a stop at the Chena Indian Village to get an intriguing glimpse
into the culture and lifestyle of native Alaskans. There is
a foray into the state’s prospecting past with a visit
to Rika’s Roadhouse, a renowned gathering place for the
traders, gold-miners and trappers of Alaska’s frontier.
For
a closer look at the life and times of the gold miner, take
an optional tour of El Dorado Gold Camp. Experience the thrill
of the prospector’s life as you ride a narrow-gauge rail
into an authentic permafrost mining tunnel, and try your hand
at gold panning with modern-day miners.
Bask
in the ambiance of the hearty boomtown music hall as we enjoy
live musical shows that capture the spirit of frontier Alaska,
including the Golden Heart Revue, a rollicking showcase of Fairbanks’
prospecting past.
Strike
Gold with an Alaskan Adventure!
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the last great
American frontier! Discover the thrills that await you in the
expansive wilderness of Alaska’s glacier country!
Hotel
Accommodations
Days
One and Eight – Clarion Suites or Inlet Tower Hotel, Anchorage,
Alaska
Days Two and Three – Denali Park Resorts, Denali, Alaska
Days Four and Five – Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks, Alaska
Days Six and Seven – Best Western Harbor Inn, Valdez,
Alaska
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