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Adventure Driving Tour - Tour 1551CTA
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Take an in depth Alaskan adventure! Explore glaciers, go sea kayaking, drive through amazing scenery, ride the Alaska Railroad into the backcountry for a hike with a U.S. Forest Service ranger, and trek on the ancient ice of a glacier. This itinerary is planned especially for active outdoor enthusiasts and is the perfect way to truly experience what Alaska has to offer.
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1
 
Anchorage Arrival
Anchorage Arrival Pick up your rental car at the Anchorage airport upon your arrival. Depending on your arrival, you may have time to take part in an optional tour, such as a guided hike or horseback trail ride (not included). Overnight in Anchorage.


2
 
Anchorage to Denali National Park
Anchorage to Denali National ParkDistance/driving time: 237 miles / plan 5 hours driving time, not including stops.

Depart Anchorage and follow the Glenn Highway northbound. A few interesting stops along this highway are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. Continuing on the Parks Highway towards Denali National Park, you drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. You can take a side trip to the small gold mining community Talkeetna for an optional ski-plane flight land on to Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest mountain (not included). Continue on to Denali National Park for an afternoon of optional rafting or a Jeep safari (not included). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.


3
 
Denali National Park Bus Tour
Denali National Park Bus Tour This morning (between 6:00am and 8:00am), depart on a shuttle bus into Denali National Park. This 8-hour roundtrip journey takes you approx. 66 miles
into the park to the Eielson Visitor Center. At the Eielson Visitor Center, National Park Service rangers and interactive displays provide insight and information about the park and its myriad of resources.
If you like to experience the park longer, you may stay at the Eielson Visitor Center for a while and then take a later bus back to the park entrance (only possible as long as space is available and bus is designated "Eielson" shuttle bus). (Please note that the bus condition might be basic and the bus journey is not narrated.)

In the afternoon there may be free time for optional tours, such as a flightseeing or rafting tour (not included).
Overnight near the Denali park entrance.


4
 
Denali to Knik River Lodge
Denali to Knik River LodgeDistance/driving time: 230 miles / plan 4.5 hours driving time, not including stops.

This scenic drive takes you back south towards Anchorage. Along the way, you may wish to stop in Talkeetna, visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters, or hike in Denali State Park. Overnight at the Knik River Lodge.


5
 
Knik / Palmer area
Knik / Palmer area Today enjoy a 4-hour glacier tour. You will travel seven miles up the Knik River (approximately 1/2 hour) in a fully enclosed Airboat. As you pass waterfalls and some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery, you will safely navigate around icebergs before you get up close to Knik Glacier. This 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. You will pull ashore for a two hour visit to Knik Glacier Camp, with a panoramic view of the glacier. Your Alaskan guide knows where to look for wildlife; black bear, moose, Dall sheep, and eagles are common. Hot drinks are served from the camp kitchen. Take a hike or kayak around the beautiful icebergs (kayaking at additional cost). Afterwards, jump in the Airboat for the 1/2 hour ride back downriver. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Explore Hatcher Pass with Independent Mine and/or visit the Musk Ox Farm. Overnight at the Knik River Lodge.


6
 
Knik / Palmer area to Sheep Mountain
Knik / Palmer area to Sheep MountainDistance/driving time: 92 miles / plan 2 hours driving time, not including stops.

Drive the Glenn Highway northbound toward Glennallen. Before you reach Sheep Mountain Lodge you will see the majestic Matanuska Glacier. Turn into the viewing area for great pictures. You can even take an optional whitewater rafting trip down the Matanuska River (not included)! Sheep Mountain Lodge is located on the Glenn Highway just west of Glennallen, in a true wilderness setting. Overnight in Sheep Mountain.


7
 
Sheep Mountain to Valdez
Sheep Mountain to ValdezDistance/driving time: 194 miles / plan 4 hours driving time, not including stops.

Continue along the Glenn Highway to Glennallen and then take a scenic drive south on the Richardson Highway. Part of the Richardson Highway follows the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. 
Other highlights of today's driving route include the Worthington Glacier and Keystone Canyon with its many cascading waterfalls. In the afternoon you will enjoy a guided Worthington Glacier hike. You will meet your guide and the rest of the group at Worthington Glacier to be fitted with crampons for your 2 hour hiking adventure. After a break for lunch, you hike back to the base of the glacier. You will then continue your drive to Valdez. Overnight in Valdez.


8
 
Valdez
Valdez A full day kayaking adventure to Shoup Glacier awaits you today! After you are geared up and received instructions, the tour starts with a comfortable motorboat ride to Shoup Bay where the guides will lead you and the rest of the group up to the face of Shoup Glacier. Over the course of the day you will paddle past floating ice, past a nesting colony of Black-Legged Kittiwakes, and up to the face of the glacier. Enjoy a short walk on the beach and a lunch spot with a colorful glacier view. Please make sure to bring your own lunch, hot drinks and snacks are provided. At the end of the paddle you and the rest of the group will be picked up by the motorboat for the ride back to Valdez. (The total length of today's tour is approx. 8 hours which include 4 hours paddling and 1 hour lunch break).


9
 
Valdez to Girdwood
Valdez to GirdwoodDistance/driving time: Ferry from Valdez to Whittier (3 or 6 hours). Drive Whittier to Girdwood 30 miles / plan 40 minutes driving time, not including tunnel waiting period or stops.

Today you depart Valdez on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry and travel across beautiful Prince William Sound. Upon arrival in Whittier, drive through the Whittier-Portage Tunnel (one-lane tunnel, open to traffic during certain hours only) with a possible stop at the Portage Glacier and Visitor Center. Continue along the Seward Highway to Girdwood. Overnight in a B&B in Girdwood.


10
 
Excursion to Spencer Glacier by train from Portage
Excursion to Spencer Glacier by train from Portage Enjoy another unique Alaskan adventure. In the morning, drive to Portage. Park your car and board the Alaska Railroad. From here you travel into another incredible backcountry area in Alaska. Get off the train at the Spencer Whistle Stop for a narrated 2.6 mile hike with a U.S. Forest Service ranger. The trail leads to Spencer Lake for spectacular glacier viewing. In the afternoon you travel back by rail to Portage. We recommend a visit the Wildlife Conservation Center as you drive back to Girdwood. Overnight in a B&B in Girdwood.


11
 
Girdwood to Anchorage
Girdwood to AnchorageDistance/driving time: 42 miles / plan 50 minutes driving time, not including stops.

The scenic drive along the Turnagain Arm takes you back to Anchorage. Stop at Beluga Point to see if you can spot any endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, which sometimes can be seen in this area. Also, watch for Dall sheep on the other side of the highway. Depending on your flight departure time, you may have time for optional excursions in Anchorage or Girdwood or some souvenir shopping before returning your rental car. Depart or start an additional program.


Below you will find descriptions of optional tours. When you book this tour package, you will see prices and be able to select which optional tours you would like to reserve.
Additional tours are available under our Day Tours section.

Price per Person – USD
Click a Date to Book Online
Tour 1551CTA Adventure Driving Tour
Operation DatesSingleDoubleTripleQuadChild*
May 30, 12 - May 31, 12
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$3519$2109$N/A$N/A$N/A
Jun 01, 12 - Aug 11, 12
Book Now!
$4049$2369$N/A$N/A$N/A
Aug 14, 12 - Aug 30, 12
Book Now!
$4049$2369$N/A$N/A$N/A

Tour starts daily from May 30 to Aug 11. Tour departs on selected dates only from Aug 14 to 30.***

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • *** Dates of Operation: Due to the ferry schedule, this tour does not operate daily. When you make your reservation, you will only be able to select certain departure dates. However, the ferry schedule is subject to change without notice, and therefore we reserve the right to modify the itinerary.

  • Minimum age: Children have to be at least 6 years old in order to participate in the activities that are included in this program! Children rates are on request.

  • Triple/Quad: Rates for 3 and 4 people traveling together and families are on request.

  • Booking requirements: we require following information for each traveler at time of reservation:
    Full name including middle name(s), citizenship, gender and date of birth.

    Please also provide us with your flight arrival information (arrival time, flight number and name of airline) when you make your reservation. That way we can book the rental car accordingly.

TRAVEL TO ALASKA:

Please make sure you have your proper documents (US Drivers License or passport) with you, your credit card and camera/video recorder.

If you booked a rental car with us that you will pick up upon arrival in Alaska, please make sure you provide us with your flight arrival information so that your car is ready for you when you arrive!

Also remember that Alaska has its own time zone. Alaska is 1 hour behind Pacific Standard Time / 2 hours behind Mountain Standard Time / 3 hours behind Central Standard Time / 4 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

 

WHAT TO PACK:

Temperatures from June through August range between 60°F / 16° C to 80°F / 27°. May and September are typically cooler, with temperatures ranging between 45°F / 7° C to 55°F / 13° C. Temperatures in the winter can range from -40 degrees to 40 degrees.

If summer or winter the general rule for Alaska is casual, comfortable clothing that can be worn in layers. The first layer should be something thin and next to the skin (try to avoid cotton). The second layer adds warmth and allows you the option of removing if it gets warmer (mostly fleece or similar). The third layer should protect you against rain and wind if necessary.

For day cruises into Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park, for example, we recommend an extra layer including a scarf, hat and gloves, as it can be chilly on the boats - even in the summer!

Comfortable walking shoes or water repellent hiking boots are also important. 

If you visit in the winter, your outer layer should protect you against the cold and wind. Even so jeans are comfortable, they are not ideal when it is really cold. Ski pants are protecting better against the cold weather. Do not forget to bring a warm scarf, hat, gloves, and boots.

 

 

 
Tour Highlights:
  • Planned for those seeking to be a bit more on the adventuresome side.
  • Guided kayaking, hiking and glacier tours included.
  • Expereince some of Alaska's backcountry up-close.
Tour Includes:
  • 10 nights accommodation
  • 10 days midsize rental vehicle with unlimited mileage
  • approx. 8 hour shuttle bus to Eielson Visitor Center in Denali National Park 
  • 3-4 hour Knik Glacier Tour
  • 2 hour Worthington Glacier hiking tour
  • 8 hour Shoup Glacier kayaking tour from Valdez
  • Ferry passage for passengers and vehicle
  • Alaska Railroad from/to Portage to Spencer Whistle Stop with 1.5 hour narrated hike
  • All taxes and fees


Not included: Any insurances for rental car, additional driver fees, gas. Airfare, meals, optional excursions, park/admission fees other than mentioned, gratuity.
 
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