An Alaskan Odyssey
Visit Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks
with a comprehensive visit to the Arctic
Tour 200CTA
 A
fascinating eleven-day overland journey from
the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean
combining railroad, highway and air. The journey begins in Anchorage,
takes you into Prince William Sound for an
exciting glacier cruise before traveling north,
ultimately to the Eskimo community of Barrow,
the farthest north village in Alaska. In Denali, a bus tour into the
national park is included for a chance to see wildlife, such as bears, wolves, caribou,
moose, Dall-sheep and others. You will also stop
to view Mt.
McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. The Alaska
Railroad, popular with many visitors, carries you from Denali to
Fairbanks. Traveling by bus from the gold rush town of Fairbanks, you cross the Arctic Circle on the
Dalton Highway for an overnight stay in Coldfoot, near Gates of the Arctic National Park. The scenic drive
towards Prudhoe Bay traverses the spectacular Brooks Range and
crosses the tundra of the North Slope. The final leg of this adventure is
aboard a scheduled flight to the remote community of Barrow for a
night on the Arctic Ocean under the Midnight Sun. A guided cultural tour of Barrow
provides an informative insight into various aspects of Arctic life
and culture.
Travel is complete with a return flight to Anchorage.
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to hotel
via courtesy shuttle or on own. The day is free
for exploring Anchorage or
partaking in
optional sightseeing
tours (not
included), such as a city tour or
flight seeing. Overnight in Anchorage.
Day 2: Prince William Sound
Glacier Cruise
This morning at 10:00am*, travel aboard the Alaska
Railroad to Whittier for a glacier cruise into Prince
William Sound. Your ship will stop in front of tidewater glaciers,
bringing you close enough to
"hear" the glaciers move as well as see the brilliant
blues in the ice. Return to Anchorage at 6:45pm via the
Alaska Railroad, arrive 9:15pm. Overnight in Anchorage.
Day
3: Anchorage to Denali
Travel
through the Alaskan wilderness from Anchorage to Denali National Park
by scheduled motorcoach (depart 7:00am,
arrive 12:30pm). Spend the
remainder of the day enjoying
optional activities
(not included),
like rafting or a dinner theater, or by
simply looking
around on your own. Overnight at the Denali
park entrance.
Day
4: Denali National Park Tour
Today's adventure includes a
bus tour into
Denali National Park. This six- to eight-hour
tour takes you through the pristine
wilderness of Denali, providing photo and
wildlife viewing opportunities. An
experienced naturalist will provide an
overview of the land and its wildlife. A
snack lunch
is included on this tour.
Return to the park entrance this afternoon where you will board the Alaska Railroad for
Fairbanks at 3:45pm. Arrive into Fairbanks
at 8:00pm. Overnight in Fairbanks.
Participate today in an 8-hour local sightseeing tour
with a visit to a historic gold mine, depart
8:45am. After learning
about the gold rush history of Fairbanks,
pan for your own gold and keep what you
find! Enjoy a hearty miner's lunch before
embarking on the Riverboat Discovery
sternwheeler cruise.
This narrated
tour provides a background on the area's
natural history and the Athabascan Native
culture. You will see
a floatplane take off, meet sled dogs,
witness the "wedding of the rivers," and
gain insight into the ancient Athabascan
Indian culture. Overnight
in Fairbanks.
Day
6: Fairbanks to Coldfoot
Today
you will depart
on a 4-day escorted group program that takes
you deep into Alaska’s Arctic. Early this
morning,
depart for a full day
ground tour north in the personalized
comfort of the tour van (approx. 8 hours
including frequent stops). The tour takes
you along the rugged Dalton Highway and over
the Arctic Circle to Coldfoot. Stops
en route include the trading post at Joy,
the Yukon River, and a ceremonial crossing
of the Arctic Circle. An experienced
driver/guide will provide insight and
information about Alaska’s Arctic. Overnight
in Coldfoot.
Day 7:
Coldfoot to
Prudhoe Bay
Your van tour continues north on the
Dalton Highway today (approx. 8 hours
including frequent stops). Visit the historic gold mining
community of Wiseman. Traverse the majestic
Brooks Mountain Range and over the
Continental Divide at Atigun Pass. Explore
the amazing arctic tundra of the
Arctic Coastal Plain up close and feel the veins of
ice just beneath the surface.
Keep your eyes open for
grizzly bears and caribou!
Spectacular peaks and panoramic vistas make
this journey a highlight. Overnight in Prudhoe
Bay.
Day
8:
Prudhoe Bay to Barrow
Visit the Prudhoe Bay oil fields, and
complete your stay in Prudhoe Bay by dipping
your toe in the frigid waters of the Arctic
Ocean.
Transfer to the airport for
your one-hour charter flight to the Inupiaq Eskimo
village of Barrow. This flight provides a
view over the Arctic Ocean and northern
horizon. Transfer to your hotel is provided
and then enjoy
some free time at the "Top of the World" in
Alaska's northernmost village. Stay up to
witness the Midnight Sun!
Overnight in Barrow.
Day
9: Barrow to Fairbanks
Get a firsthand glimpse at the lifestyle of
Alaska's Arctic Coastal people with a tour
of the village. Meet the Inupiaq Eskimo
people while enjoying a cultural program
featuring ceremonial song and dance,
traditional games, and demonstrations of
local native crafts. Walk the shores of the
Arctic Ocean near the northernmost point in
North America.
Fly back to Fairbanks in the evening. Overnight
in Fairbanks.
Day 10: Fairbanks to Anchorage
This morning is free for
sightseeing in Fairbanks. We recommend
a visit to the recently expanded University
of Alaska Museum. In the afternoon, fly back to Anchorage. Overnight
in Anchorage.
Day 11: Anchorage Departure
Today transfer to the airport by
courtesy hotel shuttle or on your own. Depart or start
an additional program.
*All times are approximate and subject to
change.
8 nights accommodation in moderate
hotels with private bath and 2 nights in
very basic hotels***. Prince William Sound
glacier cruise with roundtrip rail transfers and
lunch; Scheduled bus transfer from Anchorage to
Denali, Alaska Railroad Denali to
Fairbanks; 6- to 8-hour bus tour into Denali
National Park with snack; sightseeing tour of
Fairbanks with gold panning, lunch, and riverboat tour;
escorted land
tour with driver/guide from Fairbanks to Prudhoe
Bay including local guides for Prudhoe Bay and
Barrow sightseeing tours. Flight from Prudhoe
Bay to Barrow to Fairbanks (smaller plane such
as Navaho); Alaska Airlines flight Fairbanks to
Anchorage. All taxes and national
park fees.
Optional tours, meals other than those noted, gratuities.
·
Arctic Ocean Access requirements:
for the guided oil field tour on Day 8 guests
are required to provide passport number and
issuing country or driver's license
number and state of issue at time of booking.
·
Luggage restriction:
For the guided program from Day 6-9 guests are
limited to one bag per person with maximum
weight of 10-15 pounds. Additional
luggage can be stored in Fairbanks. Passenger weights
are required to be provided at time of
reservation! This is important for the flight
portion on Days 8 & 9 as the total weight of the
aircraft, including passenger weight and luggage
weight, is limited due to safety restrictions.
·
*** Accommodations:
overnight accommodations for the guided program
from Day 6-7 consist of very basic, clean rooms
that are extremely rustic by urban standards. Rooms do NOT have private bathrooms. Toilets and
shower stall facilities are located down the
hall.
May 14 - September 2, 2008: Every Tuesday,
Wednesday*, Saturday and Sunday* only.
Additional departures May 31 through August 9,
2008: every Friday and Saturday*
* on Wednesday,
Sunday and Saturday departures the guided program days 6 - 9
will operate in reverse
direction, meaning you first will fly from
Fairbanks to Barrow, then to Prudhoe Bay and
then travel the
Dalton Highway southbound by mini coach.
|
2008
Rates |
|
Season /
Room Type |
Single |
|
Triple |
Quad |
|
May 15 -
29 |
$4167 |
$3081 |
$2973 |
$2860 |
|
May 30 -
Sept. 2 |
$4345 |
$3189 |
$2973 |
$2860 |
|
Child rates are on request only. |
UPGRADE YOUR
RAIL TRAVEL TO
!!!
Enjoy
luxury rail travel aboard lavishly
appointed double-deck dome cars offering
360-degree views. This upgraded service
includes a confirmed seat in the new
luxury cars, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages,
and access to a private
outdoor viewing platform.
Available
on this tour from Denali to Fairbanks
on Day 4 for an additional cost of $85 per adult
/ $42 per child.
|
