SUMMER ADVENTURE WEEK IN ALASKA

Choose from either a 7 day land tour July 7-14, 2012

Featuring Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier & Sawyer Glacier

With exciting Whale Watching, Zip lining, Salmon Bake, Brewery Tour and more.

OR

a 10 day land tour July 7-17, 2012

Including all of the above

 Plus 2 nights in Fairbanks with an amazing riverboat cruise, a visit to a native Indian village

and 2 nights at Denali National Park

for history, wildlife and more!

Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier Alaska

Join us for a great week of fun, exploration, incredible scenery and wildlife viewing.

Our annual Summer Adventure week in Alaska has been such a hit and we are pleased to offer an encore once again for our 5^th annual visit to see the beauty and history of one of the most incredible spots in our nation.

This Alaska tour is unlike any you have seen elsewhere or may have taken in the past. Unlike most Alaska vacations which show you Alaska on a 7 night cruise, on this vacation we will take you to see the beauty of Alaska in what we believe is a more exciting way to see all the brilliance of this incredible land.

You will witness up close
* Icebergs that are the size of cruise ships
* Whales frolicking in the water
* bears fishing for salmon (and in some cases feeding on them)
* Glaciers dropping huge chunks of ice, as they crash into the sea in a mesmerizing calving process.

Plus, enjoy:

The thrill of a zip line canopy tour

• The pleasure of a sumptuous Alaskan Salmon Bake
• A tram ride up Mt. Roberts and a welcome dinner party at the scenic observation deck near her peak.
• A visit to the Salmon hatchery to watch the salmon swim “up the ladder”
• A visit to the Alaska Brewery to learn about the process of brewing great local beers – AND SAMPLE SEVERAL VARIETIES in their tasting room.
• A farewell dinner on the town on our final night in Alaska

While Alaskan cruises charge some of the highest fees of any cruise destination, for sightseeing excursions, instead, on our Alaska exploration week, you will enjoy - 4 included scenic excursions, showing you all the best of Alaska, plus ample free time to see more that suits your own personal interests, all from one base, close to everything, allowing you to only unpack in Alaska once, while seeing & experiencing an Alaska vacation of a lifetime!

Escape the sizzling heat in the lower 48 and head to Alaska, where average daytime highs in August are pleasantly in the 70’s.

Plus, if you wish to see more, take our 10 day itinerary that also includes 2 nights in Fairbanks featuring an amazing 3 hour riverboat cruise with a stop to explore a fascinating native Indian village and 2 nights at incredible Denali National Park with great hotel accommodations at the doorstep of the park and opportunities to see the awesome wildlife and history of the park, plus many optional outdoor adventure opportunities in the park.

OUR TRIP ITINERARY:

Saturday July 7th
Fly on your own arrangement into Juneau Alaska.

 Upon arrival in Juneau, complimentary transfers to our centrally located hotel will be provided by the hotel for all passengers arriving on any flight into Juneau. (passengers should phone the hotel 24 hours prior to travel with their flight arrival info

Our Hotel, the Goldbelt hotel, is situated right on the scenic downtown waterfront, allowing us to walk easily to the popular downtown area attractions we will be enjoying, including our whale watching excursion, our Sawyer Glacier odyssey, the Tram up to the top of Mt. Roberts and the famed Red Dog Saloon.

Many fun restaurants, shopping opportunities and more are also walking distance from our hotel.

The Goldbelt hotel, Juneau’s finest hotel, offers outstanding full-service accommodations, including complimentary airport transportation. Located facing the waterfront in downtown Juneau, the 105-room hotel is in close proximity to most major attractions. The hotel lobby features a permanent display of museum-quality traditional Alaska Native artwork.

Hotel amenities include:

• Complimentary Airport Transportation
• Full-Service Hotel
• Room Service
• Meeting Facilities
• Cable TV
• Free wireless access
• Coffee Makers
• Hair Dryers
• Irons/Ironing Boards
• Voice Mail/Data Ports
• Non-Smoking Rooms
• Free Parking

Our group will all be treated to rooms with scenic mountain views.

Sunday July 8th –

This morning is at leisure to relax.

At 10:30am, all passengers are invited to a welcome orientation where all can meet their fellow passengers with whom they will enjoy our week of Alaskan exploration, as well as meeting your trip leader, David Catrett.

 
David led our 2009 Alaskan Adventure week and is one of our most popular trip leaders.

At 11:30am we will depart for an annual favorite, our incredible Whale Watching Tour.

We will enjoy a 3 hour professionally narrated cruise tour of Auke Bay to enjoy whale watching on our comfortable 42 foot jet boat the Awesome Orca and leave the crowds behind.

Captain Larry, an internationally renowned whale watching captain, accompanied by a professional tour guide/naturalist, brings years of knowledge and experience to your personalized excursion. Come with us for the whale watching and wildlife adventure of a lifetime.

Our personalized whale watching tour style and high-speed boat allows us to stop, observe and photograph whales, orca, and other marine mammals in their natural environment, while safely and comfortably enjoying the rugged Alaskan scenery.

Our tour includes complimentary snacks, featuring smoked salmon, cheese, crackers, juices, coffee and water.

Click the link below to view photos taken on from the Odysea during its Whale watching tours.
http://www.crittershots.com

After our tour returns to the Juneau harbor, we will have the option to be dropped off back at our hotel or continue onto the famed Mendenhall glacier, less than 30 minutes away by the comfort of our transport coach.

Those choosing to take the visit to the Mendenhall Glacier, will be dropped off at the visitor’s center and given an hour at leisure to explore. Your free time here does not need to end at the visitor’s center as you can also take the easy walk to the edge of the mighty glacier for fabulous up close views of the glacier and of a cascading waterfall..

Also, from the visitor’s center, passengers can take the short stroll along a pathway to an observation deck where bears are often seen fishing for salmon in the stream.

For those wishing to take the optional visit to the Mendenhall Glacier at the conclusion of the whale watching tour, a $19 fee payable at the conclusion of the whale watching tour will be collected by the whale watch personnel at the pier. This fee includes the round trip transportation from the Whale Watch pier to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor’s center, the admission to the visitor’s center and the observation deck, as well as the adjacent walking trails.

Scenes of Mendenhall Glacier

We will return to our hotel with the balance of the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the shops and restaurants that are just walking distance from our hotel.

This evening, if you wish, join us as we gather at the famed Red Dog Saloon, in Juneau, just a short 5 minute walk from our hotel. The Red Dog Saloon is the most famous pub in Alaska, filled with local charm and bubbling with local entertainment that will keep you having fun as long as you wish with their local entertainers playing popular tunes of both local heritage and more familiar tunes

Monday July 9th

This morning is at leisure to relax.

We will gather in the lobby at 11:30am for a short walk to the Mount Roberts tram in the center of town.

Here, we will enjoy an exhilarating ride above the Southeast Alaska rainforest to the 1800 foot level of Mount Roberts. Experience one of the most expansive and beautiful views offered in all Alaska, from the Chilkat Mountains to the north, down the Gastineau Channel to the lands and waterways of the south, west to Douglas Island, and east into Silver Bow Basin where gold was discovered near the head of Gold Creek in 1880.

The views as the tram climbs are stunning and the views from the observation deck at the top of the tram are astounding. At the top are a restaurant, gift shop, observation deck and hiking trails.

Also at the top, enjoy the amenities of our multi-million dollar mountain complex. The Mountain House (Shaa Hit) is nestled among towering Sitka Spruce trees on the edge of the grasses and wildflowers of the sub-alpine. The complex houses the Chilkat Theater, Raven Eagle Gifts, the Timberline Bar & Grill (with optional outside dining) and offers access to The Nature Center, an eagle exhibit and the extensive Mount Roberts improved trail system. Visitors are introduced to the Tlingit culture through the award winning film Seeing Daylight, shown every half hour in the Chilkat Theater. There are also frequent theater performances by a local Tlingit actor sharing the story of his clan's origin. Native artists are often featured in the complex working on wood, fossilized ivory or silver carvings, making dolls, sewing garments, beading or creating large totem poles out of cedar logs

Those wishing to hike may wish to skip the tram ride and instead take the hiking trail to the top of the tram. The trail takes you up the back side of the mountain, thus offering very unique and picturesque views not seen on the tram ride. The hike takes approx. 60 to 90 minutes and is well worth the journey if you enjoy hiking and wish to see vistas only viewable from the trail.

All passengers (whether you reached the top by tram or foot) can enjoy the observation deck at the top of the tram and, if you wish, take an easy and very scenic stroll just ½ a mile to the statue of Father Brown’s cross or, for those interested in a more rigorous hike, continue a further 2 miles to the summit of Mt. Roberts. (1400 foot elevation gain but worth every ounce of sweat, with views of Gastineau Channel, Douglas island and the surrounding mountains.)
Passengers are free to explore this afternoon as much as they wish on the trail or at the nature center, returning at their leisure back to the tram terminal and then back to the base where an easy walk back to our hotel can be made at any time as desired.

This evening, if you wish, you may return to the tram and use your all day tram ticket to return to the top of the tram for dinner at the fabulous restaurant at the top. (just hold on to your tram ticket if you wish to return to the top this evening)

At the tram top restaurant, enjoy many great seafood choices, great salads, burgers and more, at reasonable prices.

The restaurant also offers a fabulous ALL YOU CAN EAT ALAKSAN KING CRAB LEGS DINNER THAT IS TRULY THE BEST CRAB LEGS YOU WILL EAT!

The tram pass each person will be given for our initial ride to the top today is valid for unlimited riding today. (If you do wish to return for dinner this evening, just hold onto your ticket, so you can use it to return to enjoy the ride to the top this evening.  Your trip leader will also make dinner reservations for any passengers that notify him at the orientation this morning so you can dine at the top together.)

Visit www.mountrobertstramway.com for more info and details.

Tuesday July 10th

This morning, we will enjoy a unique tour. The Alaska ZIPLINE TOUR
Imagine yourself suspended above the ground, gliding from one uniquely themed platform to the next on a series of zip lines through the Alaskan rainforest. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure includes an ascending drive through the scenic Tongass National Forest. Once you are on the tour, you will be able to see the alpine forest and unique flora and fauna from an aerial perspective. You can also enjoy the views from an aerial suspension bridge, along the tour route!

The tour is a thrilling, yet always safe adventure and a great opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Alaska

Visit www.alaskazip.com for more info and photos of this tour.

Wednesday July 11th Today we will enjoy 2 popular attractions. We will enjoy a mid morning departure approx. 10am from our hotel for a 30 minute ride to the Mcauley Salmon Hatchery

Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is truly a sight to be seen by all Juneau's visitors and locals alike. Designed with the visitor in mind, the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery provides amazing views of spectacular salmon sights and allows visitors to the facility to learn first-hand about Alaska's wild salmon. From the elevated entrance, visitors get a birds-eye view of outside operations as they listen to a 5 to 10 minute informative commentary.

A knowledgeable tour guide explains the fascinating life of the Pacific salmon and the workings of the hatchery.

Visitors can watch the salmon as the swim “up the ladder” (a process your local hatchery guide will explain to you in an informative commentary

Inside the facility visitors will find museum-like interpretive displays, beautiful saltwater aquariums, and a mini-market place featuring local salmon products and novelties (salmon is vacuum packed so passengers can take them home on airplanes at the end of our week’s trip.).

After our fascinating tour of the salmon hatchery, we will next visit another favorite of locals and tourists alike – The Alaska Brewery

ALASKAN BREWING COMPANY Soon after gold was discovered in 1881, breweries in the new town of Juneau began quenching the thirst of hardy Alaskan miners. By 1903 at least four breweries had begun operation in the twin cities of Juneau and Douglas. Between 1899 and 1907, local residents enjoyed a particularly fine brew created by the Douglas City Brewing Company. Almost 100 years later, Alaskan Amber Beer, based on that same historic recipe, has started a small gold rush of its own. The brewery products have brought home more than 25 major medals and awards, including "Best Beer in the Nation" in the 1988 Great American Beer Festival Consumer Preference Poll.

We will enjoy a tour of this outstanding facility and will learn about their manufacturing process and enjoy sampling several beers from our tasting room.

We will return to our hotel at approx. 1:30pm with the afternoon at leisure to explore the quaint shops and eateries of Juneau, all walking distance from our hotel. (suggestion – If you like seafood, walk to Tracy’s Crab Shack for a casual lunch you will remember including crab bisque, crab cakes or crab legs at reasonable lunch time prices)

Tonight, we will enjoy an included dinner party at the Gold Creek Alaskan Salmon bake.

This festive evening is set on a beautiful creek in the forest with scenic waterfalls. Enjoy an all inclusive dinner featuring fresh Alaskan Salmon, BBQ chicken and ribs, with all the side trimmings to make your dinner a feast.

The evening includes live entertainment and after dinner there is an included marshmallow roast around a campfire for those wishing to enjoy this traditional fun.

Thursday July 12th – Today, we will enjoy a most incredible Alaskan tour experience. We will enjoy a Full day tour of Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier

We will see glaciers from the mountains to the sea, Alaska's largest icebergs. Waterfalls that drop thousands of feet. Incredible mountains and emerald green water. Watch for whales, bear, eagles and mountain goats. See hundreds of seals.

Board the 65 foot Captain Cook for an unforgettable glacier cruise to the best of Alaska. Tracy Arm, a classic fjord, has it all - snow capped peaks, shear rock palisades, waterfalls, rainbows and tidewater glaciers. Drift among the icebergs for the most close-up view of Sawyer Glacier.

The Captain Cook has a stable, smooth riding, ocean going hull for the best cruise to Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier. A full walk-around deck and large cabin windows assure unobstructed views and great photo opportunities. She is the sister ship of the Adventure Bound. Personal attention is unsurpassed on the Adventure Bound glacial exploration ships.

Visit www.adventureboundalaska.com for more info and photos of their glacial exploration cruises

This tour is truly a highlight of any visit to Alaska. The Sawyer Glacier offers more incredible calving activity than famed Glacier Bay, the site most cruise ships visit to witness calving action.

Calving action at South Sawyer Glacier.

Alaska's largest icebergs are found in Tracy Arm & at Sawyer Glacier. Calving activity is frequent at Sawyer Glacier


With just a short walk from our hotel, we will sail at 9am aboard the Captain Cook, a vessel that is limited to just 48 persons, meaning that we will get the best opportunity to see the amazing glacier activity up close. Our vessel’s size means we will get into places where the cruise ships could never dare attempt. Our boat has all indoor seating with large windows for optimal viewing. A wraparound outdoor deck is also available for those wishing to get outside for even greater photo opportunities. Restroom facilities are also available inside the vessel.

On our 3 hour sailing to the Sawyer Glacier, we will witness many phenomenons of nature, including witnessing huge icebergs, often as big as houses, or even as big as the cruise ships themselves. These icebergs float past us as we cruise along, with expert naturalist commentary.

We may also witness Black Bear on the water’s edges, as they spawn for salmon. Plus, 3 out of every 4 sailings witness whales frolicking in the water as well.

Majestic waterfalls and more are all part of the spectacular scenery that will unfold in front of us as we journey to Sawyer Glacier.

Lunch is available for purchase onboard the boat with a variety of sandwiches, snacks and refreshments to choose from.

Upon arrival, we will witness the natural power of glacial calving activity better than anywhere else. The size of our vessel enables us to get closer than any cruise ship and thus to witness the sheer an awesome sight and sound of huge chunks of glacial ice, breaking off of Sawyer and crashing into the water

Ice walls at Sawyer Glacier

This waterfall tumbles from 2000 feet to the fjord's surface.
Tstt Waterfall tumbles 2000

We will spend approx. one hour at both the North and South Sawyer Glacier ice fields. The surrounding Mountains are 7,000 feet in this area. The sides of Tracy Arm rise steeply with many waterfalls visible along the route. The water is glacial blue due to the microscopic sediment or glacial flour it contains. Sea lions, eagles, terns, kittiwakes, mew gulls and mergansers are often spotted.

Our return sailing will again take us past areas where bears are frequently sighted, as well as territory where whales, orcas and seals are often sighted.

We will return to Juneau harbor at 6:30pm

Tonight, we will enjoy a farewell dinner party in traditional local style at the Twisted Fish restaurant, just a short walk from our hotel.  The restaurant features a variety of great seafood, steak, pasta and other favorites and after dinner, all are free to explore the local pubs, also a short walk away.

Friday July 13th

Passengers who signed up for only our 7 day tour will enjoy a full free day at leisure.

If you wish to enjoy an optional day trip on this day at leisure, there are many which you can sign up for at our hotel or in town during the week (ask your front desk clerks at the hotel for suggestions on day tours.)

Those interested in flight seeing may choose to book a helicopter or flight seeing tour taking you for a bird’s eye view of many glaciers, or for an actual walk or trek on the glaciers. You also may wish to take a flight see to the scenic Taku nature lodge.

You may wish to take a tour to Admiralty island where the largest concentration of brown bears in world lives.

Rafting and kayaking are other popular pastimes in the area and afford scenic views of glaciers as well.
If you enjoy fishing, we recommend Toni at Hi Time Charters and Mike Bethers. They are both in the book in Juneau. Toni has been conducting sport fishing trips for quite a few years and she books up fast. Mike Bethers was the head of the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game. He has a very good reputation also.

Passengers that are signed up for our 10 day program will be taken this morning from our hotel to the airport for our group’s flight to Fairbanks Alaska (via a connection in Anchorage).  Your trip leader, David Catrett, will continue to accompany you on the next 4 days as you enjoy an exploration of the scenic riverfront sites of Fairbanks and the history and wildlife of Denali National Park.

Upon arrival, passengers will be taken via chartered van to our hotel, the 4 star Pikes Waterfront Lodge.

Pike's Waterfront Lodge offers comfortable rooms, many with scenic views, a steam room & sauna, riverside deck, restaurant, a comfortable lounge, and wireless Internet in the public areas and most sleeping rooms. We offer Aveda aromatherapy room amenities. Our hotel is minutes from the Fairbanks Alaska airport, next door to famous Pike's Landing restaurant.

The following amenities are standard:

• Private bathroom
• Aveda® aromatherapy bath products
• Large flat-screen televisions with free cable
• Free wireless Internet
• In-room coffee/tea service
• Microwave and refrigerator
• Hairdryers and make-up mirrors
• Iron and ironing board
• Telephone
• Clock with alarm
• Individual controls for heating and air conditioning

http://www.pikeslodge.com

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Saturday July 14th
Passengers on the 7 day tour will be transferred to the airport by the Goldbelt Hotel’s free airport shuttle (please give your flight time to the hotel front desk the night before to schedule your shuttle time)

Passengers on our 10 day tour will be taken via chartered van from Fairbanks to Denali National Park (approx. 3 hours drive). 

Passengers may leave their heavy suitcases in the luggage storage room at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge and take smaller baggage for our 2 day visit to Denali, as we will be returning to Pike’s for the final night of our tour, following our 2 days in Denali.

Upon arrival we will tour the park’s visitor center to explore many exhibits on the natural history, wildlife and beauty of the park.

Next we will enjoy lunch at leisure at the visitor center before we check into our hotel, the Princess Denali Wilderness Lodge.

Owned by the renowned Princess Cruise Line, our hotel is the largest in all of Alaska.  It boasts multiple restaurants for dining choices and multiple Jacuzzis for guests to relax after a day of activity.  The hotel also offers a dinner show theater for a glimpse of native Alaskan entertainment.

You haven't fully experienced Alaska unless you've been to Denali National Park. Its boundaries encompass an amazing six million acres — the size of the state of Massachusetts. Home to Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak towering an unbelievable 20,320 feet in the sky, the Park hosts an array of wildlife — from moose, caribou, Dall sheep and grizzly bears to gray wolves and red foxes. Located only one mile from the Park's entrance, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is the premium riverside accommodation in the area. An expansive deck overlooks Denali National Park and the Nenana River — the ideal spot to relax, visit with friends and savor the exquisite landscape.

Denali's Finest Lodging

Each of our hotel guest rooms is comfortably appointed with two double beds, two queen beds or one king bed, television and telephone -- just in case you want to catch up with the outside world. Outdoor hot tubs afford commanding views of the Park and Nenana River while you relax and indulge in a soothing soak.

A Variety Of Dining Choices

Dining is always a treat at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy spirits, appetizers and casual fare on the river view deck or inside at the Base Camp Bistro. Try King Salmon Restaurant for delicious, Alaskan cuisine and panoramic views. Or, hang with the locals at Lynx Creek Pizza and Pub and indulge in a huge pizza and pint of our very own Denali Red micro brew.

For those who are on the go, we have Rapids Morning Express and River Run Espresso offering espresso and coffee, cinnamon rolls and a variety of grab and go items. And be sure to experience the Music of Denali -- a dinner theatre featuring a hearty Alaskan meal and a rollicking musical comedy that recounts the first ascent of Mt. McKinley. No Alaska lodge experience is complete without some authentic cuisine and entertainment.

Wildlife, Adventure, And Much More

Part of the allure of Denali National Park is that you never know what you might see. Princess professionals at the Tour Desk are available to arrange a tour into the Park for a glimpse of its impressive ecosystem -- ask for the Tundra Wilderness Tour or Natural History Tour. Or perhaps you'd like to go river rafting, learn about the sport of sled dog racing from Iditarod® musher Jeff King or take a flight via airplane or helicopter for a unique perspective of this immense wilderness preserve. We also provide shuttle service hourly from 7 am to 7 pm between the lodge and the Denali National Park Visitors Center, the Wilderness Access Center and Horseshoe Lake for $5 roundtrip per person. After a day of adventure, return to your cozy wilderness lodge for some peaceful Alaska sleep

http://www.princesslodges.com/denali-lodge.cfm

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax at the hotel, or if you prefer, take an optional excursion in the park: JEEEP SAFARI

Cost: $139.00
Departure:  5:45pm

http://www.alaskadenalitours.com/denali_national_park/denali-jeep-backcountry-safari.html

OR FLIGHTSEEING OVER MT. MCKINLEY $235  http://www.alaskadenalitours.com/denali_national_park/denali_flightseeing_grand_ascent.html

Or  Denali Wilderness Adventure ATV tour

http://www.alaskadenalitours.com/denali_national_park/denali_wilderness_adventure.html
$95 Driver / $65 Passenger ( so $80 if sharing the ATV or $160 for your own)
Departs:  3pm, 5pm, 7pm & 9pm

Denali Wilderness Adventure

Single and double units available. Unique guided tour options, fun adventures for all ages with live narration thru your helmet. Bring your camera, binoculars, Jacket, close-toed shoes and a taste for adventure! Traveling along old coal mine and ATV trails, your adventure begins with two breathtaking 360° overlooks that provide views of the northern flanks of the Alaska Range, Mt. Healy, Otto Lake and the surrounding Healy Valley. Wildlife are often sighted along the way. Then ride down to the creek bed, where you spend time splashing through the water (weather dependent). Tours depart daily.

Sunday July 15th

Today choose from our included the 5 hour Natural History tour of the park or upgrade to the 8 hr. Tundra Wilderness tour for only $43

The 5 hour history tour spends more time off the bus learning the history of Denali National park but less wildlife viewing)

o    The morning tour departs between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM

o    The afternoon tour departs between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM,

The 8 hr. Tundra Wilderness Tour – Choose between Morning or afternoon departures from area hotels. The morning tour departs between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The afternoon tour departs between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM

The tour spends more time on the bus, but also more wildlife viewing opportunities.

DESCRIPTIONS OF BOTH OF TODAY’S TOURS:

Tundra Wilderness Tour

Traveling 53 miles into the park to the Toklat River rest area, the Tundra Wilderness Tour offers a wonderful diversity for visitors. Incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants await you on this tour.

The Tundra Wilderness Tour will guide you along a spectacular road corridor, promising different experiences every day, as Denali’s wildlife moves at its own pace and according to the seasons. A full view of Mt. McKinley is a rare treat in Denali National Park and Preserve, and when visible, your tour will continue beyond the Toklat rest area to Stony Hill Overlook to provide truly awe-inspiring views of North America’s highest peak. Please note that the Stony Hill Overlook option is not available prior to June 1st due to Denali National Park and Preserve Road conditions.

The Tundra Wilderness Tour (PDF) offers the opportunity to bring the wildlife and scenery right inside your tour bus through drop-down video screens. This video footage is added to our award winning DVD "Windows Into Wilderness" and can be purchased on your tour or after returning home so you can relive your tour again and again! For more information about this DVD, please send questions to denalidvd@aramark.com.

·         A boxed lunch and hot beverage are offered on this tour.

·         Morning or afternoon departures from area hotels. The morning tour departs between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The afternoon tour departs between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, allowing you to arrive on the train from Fairbanks or coach and take a tour the same day. Please note: Exact departure times are not guaranteed and are based on availability - it is possible to be ticketed for any time during the departure windows.

·         7-8 hour tour; 53 miles one-way into the park.

·         Tour is on an upgraded bus similar in style to a coach.

·         Tour stops approximately every 90 minutes for a restroom break.

·         Wheelchair accessible buses are available on request when you make your reservation, and all stops are wheelchair accessible.

·         Suggested items to bring: warm clothes, raingear, camera and film or memory card, binoculars and personal medication as necessary.

·         Smoking or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on tour buses

Denali Natural History Tour

The Denali Natural History Tour (PDF) focuses on presenting the rich cultural and natural history of Denali National Park and Preserve. Throughout the tour, your driver/naturalist will provide a great introduction to the landscape, geology and history of Denali National Park and Preserve.

Your tour will begin at the Wilderness Access Center, providing you the opportunity to view “Across Time and Tundra,” an award winning film that will take you back to the creation of Mt. McKinley National Park and the beginnings of the Park Road. You’ll have the opportunity to view sites from the film as their tour progresses throughout the day.

Twelve miles along your adventure, you’ll visit Savage Cabin, an historic cabin that’s played a valuable role in Denali National Park and Preserve for the National Park Service and visitors alike since its construction in 1924. As the original cook’s cabin for Savage Camp, the first tourist camp in Mt. McKinley National Park and as a ranger patrol cabin used by the National Park Service to this day, Savage Cabin speaks to years of intrepid travelers in Denali.

Your tour will turn around at Primrose Ridge, at mile 17, after viewing a presentation by an Athabascan Alaskan Native interpreter. Your presenter will bring you into the story of Alaskan Natives in Denali, the hardships of thousands of years of survival in this harsh wilderness and the promise kept by a land of such wealth. This is a rare opportunity for visitors to Denali National Park and Preserve to take a glimpse into a history that has shaped the land as it is today.

·         Duration is 4.5 - 5 hours; 17 miles one-way.

·         Morning or afternoon departures from area hotels

o    The morning tour departs between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM

o    The afternoon tour departs between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM, allowing you to arrive on the train from Fairbanks or coach and take a tour the same day

o    Please note: Exact departure times are not guaranteed and are based on availability - it is possible to be ticketed for any time during the departure windows

·         Tour is on an upgraded bus similar in style to a coach.

·         Light snack and hot beverage provided.

·         Tour makes several stops for breaks.

·         Bring your camera, extra film or memory cards and binoculars

Monday July 16^th – We will check out this morning and then enjoy the return trip to Fairbanks via our chartered van service (approx. 3 hours drive). Upon arrival we will check in again to the Pikes Waterfront Lodge and claim our baggage stored at the hotel prior to our visit to Denali. 

This afternoon we will enjoy the highlight of our Fairbanks stay, the 3 hour cruise along the Chena Riverboat Discovery.

  Welcome aboard! Your three hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and the heart of a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for four generations. You will see a bush floatplane taking off alongside a "bush" style runway, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher, and gain insight into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture. Alaskan Native guides who have worked and lived in Alaska will take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village.

The highlight of the cruise is a one-hour stop at the Chena Indian Village, where Alaskan Native guides will take you on a guided tour. You'll see an Athabascan Indian village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, and fur pelts. Our guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin, and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate.

Our guides will show you a spruce bark hut, which Athabascans used as primitive shelters, and an authentic birch bark canoe made without any metal fasteners. When one of our guides models an Athabascan Yukon-style women's winter parka with sunshine ruff, you will want to have your camera ready. To the side of the cabin are hides of the largest game animals in the Interior--moose, bear, and caribou. You'll learn how Athabascan Indians called animals, how they tanned the hides, and how they preserved them.

  Visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher, as we pass Trailbreaker Kennels along the Chena River. Learn first hand about kennel life and the challenges that go into making a champion dogsled team. Susan's husband Dave Monson, a champion of the Yukon Quest, or a senior handler shares stories of life in the dog yard and on the trails, as puppies play in anticipation of joining the team.

In addition, you will visit the fenced dog yard where the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher's Trailbreaker Kennel keeps some of her dogs. You'll get to see them up close and hear stories about how these champions helped Susan win four Iditarod races. At the end of your tour, you'll have 15 minutes to wander around camp, revisit stops, and take any pictures you may have missed. Your friendly Alaskan Native guides will also be happy to answer any of your questions.

See an Alaskan bush pilot display a short field take-off and landing along the banks of the Chena River. Bush pilots and planes played a vital role in the pioneering of Alaska, succeeding the riverboats in Alaskan transportation history. Because of Alaska's vast remote areas, service by airplane was (and remains) essential to the timely delivery of supplies. When bush planes first entered the country, sternwheelers ruled the transportation business. It didn't take long for the bush plane to prove its utility and send the riverboats into retirement

Our cruise runs from 2-5pm and we will be transferred from the cruise back to our hotel for the final night at leisure.

Tuesday July 17^th – We will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (Passengers should book their return flight from Fairbanks back to your home city departing any time you wish.

OUR ALASKAN ADVENTURE WEEK INCLUDES:

7 day tour: JULY 7-14, 2012

• 7 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN JUNEAU ALASKA at the Goldbelt Hotel
• Complimentary transfers from the airport to hotel and from hotel to airport are provided by the Goldbelt for all passengers to meet their flight times 24 hours a day.
• 2 DINNERS IN JUNEAU INCLUDING ALASKAN SALMON BAKE and FAREWELL DINNER
• ALASKA WHALE WATCHING EXCURSION WITH OPTIONAL VISIT TO MENDENHALL GLACIER FOLLOWING OUR WHALE WATCHING CRUISE
• TRACY ARM FJORD AND SAWYER GLACIER CRUISE FULL DAY EXCURSION
• ZIP LINE CANOPY TOUR EXCURSION
• SALMON HATCHERY TOUR
• ALASKA BREWING COMPANY TOUR AND BEER TASTING
• MOUNT ROBERTS TRAM RIDE
• ALLSINGLESTRAVEL.COM TRIP ESCORT
• FREE ROOMMATE MATCHING
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TOTAL TRIP COST INCLUDING ALL OF THE ABOVE: JUST $1699 + taxes of $145

OPTIONAL SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $599

MENDENHALL GLACIER VISIT FOLLOWING OUR INCLUDED WHALE WATCHING CRUISE: JUST $19 INCLUDING ROUND TRIP TRANSPORTATION from the whale watching pier to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor’s center and from the visitor’s center back to the Goldbelt Hotel.

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10 DAY TOUR JULY 7-17, 2012 INCLUDES

ALL OF THE ITEMS IN THE 7 DAY TOUR AND ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

 AIR ONE WAY FROM JUNEAU TO FAIRBANKS JULY 13TH

TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL IN FAIRBANKS

1 NIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT PIKE’S WATERFRONT HOTEL IN FAIRBANKS JULY 13TH

CHARTERED VAN TRANSPORT FROM FAIRBANKS TO DENALI NATIONAL PARK ON JULY 14TH

2 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS AT PRINCESS WILDERNESS LODGE IN DENALI JULY 14 AND 15

5 HOUR NATURAL HISTORY TOUR OF DENALI ON JULY 15^TH (WITH OPTION TO UPGRADE TO 8 HOUR TUNDRA WILDERNESS WILDIFE SAFARI TOUR FOR ONLY $43)

CHARTERED VAN TRANSPORT FROM DENALI TO FAIRBANKS JULY 16TH

1 NIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT PIKE’S WATERFRONT HOTEL IN FAIRBANKS JULY 16TH

TRANSFER TO THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT JULY 17^TH

10 DAY TRIP COST: ONLY $2598 + $145 TAXES

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• A $200 DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED 7 DAYS AFTER MAKING A RESERVATION FOR EITHER TOUR.  DEPOSITS ARE REFUNDABLE IF CANCELLED BY MARCH 1ST .

• BALANCE PAYMENTS ARE DUE APRIL 25TH and are non refundable at that time.