The 2008
Alaska Family Vacation
Tour Summary
Tour Description
Tour Pricing
Introduction:
We’ve been operating Alaska’s Family Vacations for 12
years and invite you to compare our tour with any other family oriented
fully guided tour program anywhere in the world. With more features
than ever before, now is the time to start planning your family
adventure. Our blending of the best accommodations with outdoor
activities and enjoyable adventures ensures a unique Alaska vacation,
one in which everyone can participate comfortably. We will take you
behind the scenes and you will visit places in Alaska others rarely
reach. It’s like discovering a whole new world!
Our guides:
This tour is escorted by a couple of long time Alaskans,
Carolyn and Bob. Together they will keep you entertained, informed and
ensure that everything runs smoothly from start to finish. With many
years experience escorting family groups, Carolyn is one of the top
guides in her field. Through her insight and passion for the region it’s
like exploring with your best friends while viewing Alaska through the
eyes of Alaskans. Carolyn and Bob want you to experience what they love
most – discovering the natural world, enjoying outdoor activities,
meeting new people and importantly, having fun! Bring your family to
Alaska in 2008 and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Tour
summary:
11
days / 10 nights (fully escorted)
Day 1: Arrive Anchorage to meet transfer to Girdwood and the
Alyeska Resort. Overnight Hotel Alyeska.
Day 2: Breakfast and orientation at the your hotel. Easy hike
today on the spectacular Winner Creek Trail and gold panning in a local
creek. Afternoon ferry across Prince William Sound to Cordova.
Kayaking, biking and relaxing on the shores of Prince William Sound.
Overnight Orca Adventure Lodge. B, D
Day 3: Tour to Childs Glacier with a picnic lunch. Evening
campfire. Overnight Orca Adventure Lodge. B, L, D
Day 4: Scenic flight over Wrangell-St. Elias National Park to
McCarthy. Overnight Kennicott Glacier Lodge (shared bath). B, L, D
Day 5: Glacier hike, exploring Wrangell-St. Elias National
Park. Overnight Kennicott Glacier Lodge (shared bath). B, L, D
Day 6: Scenic flight over Wrangell-St. Elias National Park to
Chitina, coach transportation across the Denali Highway to Denali
National Park. Overnight Denali. B, L, D
Day 7: Cabin Nite Dinner
Theater. Overnight Denali. B, D
Day 8: Free morning, Alaska Railroad transfer to Talkeetna.
Geocaching treasure hunt. Overnight Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. B
Day 9: Coach transportation to Anchorage, meet an Iditarod
veteran musher and take a dog sled ride. Visit the Musk Ox Farm. Overnight Anchorage. B, L
Day 10: Free time for optional bear viewing, guided fishing
and more! Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Anchorage.
B, D
Day 11: Transportation to the Anchorage airport to meet your
departing flight. B
2008 Start
dates are July 12 & August 2
Click here for 2008 pricing
Tour Description:
Saturday, Day 1: Arrival Anchorage, Alaska
Your Alaska Family Vacation starts the minute you arrive in Anchorage.
We welcome you at the airport and transportation is on hand to whisk you
quickly to your hotel in the resort community of Girdwood. The perfect
starting point for you family vacation, Girdwood has one of Alaska’s top
hotel properties, The Hotel Alyeska, which has a long list of guest
facilities which include spa, heated indoor swimming pool, aerial tram and
multiple restaurants. One, the Seven Glaciers Restaurant sits atop a
mountain ridge at 2,300 ft. above the hotel and only reached by tram. Overnight
Hotel Alyeska
Sunday, Day 2: Experience Prince William Sound
Today we have
arranged an informal day that allows flexibility and rest after your
flights. We start with an orientation breakfast where you will meet your
guides and fellow adventurers. Following breakfast, you have the option
to visit historic Crow Creek gold mine via a backwoods trail or by hotel
shuttle. Gold panning has not changed with time; today it is just what
Alaska’s early pioneers experienced a hundred years ago. And remember
any gold you find, you keep! Later this afternoon, we depart the hotel
to meet the Alaska ferry. It is just a short drive by coach along Cook
Inlet and through the longest mountain tunnel in North America to the
port town of Whittier.
One of the most scenic ways to see Alaska is aboard the Alaska Ferry.
During the crossing of Prince William Sound, views of fjords, islands
and glaciers set against a mountain panorama help create endearing
memories. Both Orca and Humpback whales are regular sightings in these
food rich waters. The National Park Service naturalist onboard provides
an informative commentary on the nature and wildlife of Prince William
Sound and lets you know immediately of any whale sightings. Without
highway access, Cordova is one of Alaska’s “hidden treasures,”
surrounded by mountains and coastal wetlands, the region is a
naturalist's dream. Brimming with wildlife, bald eagles, seals, otters
and moose can be spotted while thousands of shore birds thrive in this
habitat.
Our accommodation in Cordova is comfortable
and friendly with a
delightful rustic charm.
The owners have been part of our family tours for many years and bring
much of their personality into making this visit special. Positioned on
the shoreline, the lodge offers an ideal setting to relax. The rest of
the day and evening is free to try sea kayaking, ride a bike or walk the
scenic shoreline skipping stones and enjoy the long daylight hours.
Overnight Cordova: Breakfast & Dinner
Monday, Day 3: Orca Adventure Lodge & Childs Glacier
With an easy
schedule planned you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or explore on your
own this morning. The options of biking or kayaking are available. This
afternoon, your
trip by bus to Childs
Glacier follows a route that is slow and scenic and was once the roadbed
of the old Copper River & Northwestern Railway which operated from 1911
– 1938. Near Childs Glacier is the ‘Million Dollar Bridge’, originally
constructed by the railroad in 1908 for an astounding $1.4 million. Now
restored, the bridge is a popular attraction.
Childs Glacier is arguably the most active in Alaska; here giant ice
blocks frequently calve into the swift flowing Copper River. Positioned
close to the glacier you can, over a picnic lunch, enjoy the sounds and
views of the continuous glacial action. Overnight Cordova: Breakfast,
Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Tuesday, Day 4: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
To reach our mountain retreat we take a private air excursion from
Cordova to McCarthy. The flight route from Wrangell-St. Elias National
Park follows the mighty Copper River, known widely for producing some of
Alaska’s finest salmon. The short flight offers incredible views of
forests, glaciers and the beautiful coastal wetlands, home to thousands
of migrant birds.
With over 100 glaciers and nine of the tallest mountain peaks in North
America - all found in 13.2 million acres - you are in the largest
National Park in the United States! Our comfortable accommodation for
the next two nights is Kennicott Glacier Lodge where the décor is from
the classic copper mining era and where old photos depict Alaska’s
intriguing boom and bust history. Overnight McCarthy/Kennicott,
Kennicott Glacier Lodge: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wednesday, Day 5: Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Picture yourself
on a glacier! Today your Alaska family adventure makes this a reality
with a local mountain guide leading our glacier expedition. Surrounded
by stunning mountain views and sweeping glaciers this family activity
can be accomplished by everyone. The trip is informative and educational
plus a special thrill for younger family members to be hiking in the
shadow of 16,390 ft. Mt. Blackburn. After initial practice and briefing,
we strap on the crampons and are off and onto the glacier! With global
warming effecting glaciers in Alaska, our guide will be able to provide
a first hand view of what’s happening. Our day in the mountains is
planned so you have a free afternoon to relax in this unique setting, go
sightseeing or hike trails with new friends. Overnight
McCarthy/Kennicott: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Thursday, Day 6: Wrangell St. Elias National Park to Denali
Today begins
with a short bush plane flight from the historic town of McCarthy to
Chitina. Imagine experiencing two of the greatest National Parks in two
days! From Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve to Denali we
travel aboard our private coach over the remote and beautiful Denali
Highway. This is one of the most scenic and wild roads you will
travel anywhere. A leisurely pace with multiple stops and a picnic
lunch makes this a complete day immersed in nature. Keep an eye
out for wildlife such as moose, caribou and perhaps even a bear!
Overnight Denali National Park, Denali Bluffs Hotel: Breakfast, Lunch &
Dinner
Friday, Day 7: Denali National Park
Explore one of
the nation’s most famous National Parks with a variety of
Denali activity options
today
(not included). Choose from a tour into the park on a special tour bus with a naturalist
commentator, go helicopter flight seeing or heli-hiking, take an
exhilarating river rafting tour or just a leisurely day of hiking in the
park. Bring the camera and enjoy a picnic lunch the day is yours. This
evening you are treated to an old-time Alaska dinner theatre. With the larger-than-life characters on stage, this is good old fashioned
family fun. Set in an authentic, log-paneled roadhouse, the Gold Rush
show is a tale of adventure set in early 1900s Alaska. Overnight
Denali National Park, Denali Bluffs Hotel: Breakfast, Dinner.
Saturday, Day 8: Denali National Park to Talkeetna
Some free time
this morning before we board the famous Alaska Railroad for the next leg
of our journey. The legendary railroad stretches some 470 miles from
Seward to Fairbanks and today we travel one of the most scenic sections
of track to Talkeetna. The gateway to the Alaska Range, Talkeetna is the
jumping off point for virtually all Mt. McKinley climbing expeditions.
During the summer months the constant bustle of adventurers and visitors
creates a buzz in Talkeetna that makes it unique. In clear weather the
unobstructed views of Mt. McKinley from close to your hotel are
breathtaking.
After settling into our hotel, our guides will lead us on a fun and
educational Geocaching trek. The event takes place on an official world
Geo site next to your hotel. Here family teams are equipped with GPS
receivers (Global Positioning System) and given the objective of
locating hidden caches. This is a great team bonding event while being
easy for all the family members to participate in. Overnight Talkeetna
Alaskan Lodge: Breakfast
Sunday, Day 9: Iditarod Dog Sledding Experience
 The day starts with breakfast and some time at leisure. Next we
depart for an exclusive
visit to the private home of well known veteran Iditarod Sled Dog Race
musher, Vern Halter. He and his wife Susan are both acclaimed racers
with much to tell you about their experiences in both Iditarod and Yukon
Quest sled dog events. Vern and Sue will immerse you in the lore and
intrigues of the sport. A true-to-life introduction to Alaska, they will
tell you about winter survival, what to wear in -50F and the tricky
logistics of flying dog food hundreds of miles to remote trail camps for
those hungry huskies.
With a bon voyage to Vern and Susan we travel south to Anchorage by
private coach with a stop at the Musk Ox research farm, home to some of
the most ancient mammals on earth. Anchorage is a vibrant city of
approximately 280,000 residents and is set amidst spectacular mountain
ranges. This setting has to be one of the most beautiful around and helps give
Anchorage its unique reputation and position as a world city. You will
notice immediately the friendly warmth of the people and the infectious,
frontier spirit. Yet this is the north, and as you might expect,
wildlife viewing in Anchorage takes on a whole new dimension when moose
are often spotted within the city and on local, coastal trails.
The city is alive with cultural attractions, museums and fine restaurants. With many top chefs
drawn to Anchorage, finding interesting
cuisine is easy. Creative menus brim with local flavor; fresh-caught
wild Alaska salmon, king crab, halibut, shrimp, and oysters are regular
menu features. English explorer Captain James Cook visited the future
site of Anchorage during his “third voyage of discovery” in 1784. While
here the venerable explorer realized the convenience of the
location! Overnight Anchorage, Clarion Suites; Breakfast & Lunch
 Monday, Day 10: Anchorage + optional bear viewing or salmon fishing
Today is set a side to provide the opportunity
for a choice to
participate in one of the
many optional tours today such as
bear viewing &
guided salmon
fishing (not included). Your guide will assist with plans to meet your
interests.
For those choosing to explore locally, Anchorages offer easy walking to
a variety of shops, restaurants and trails systems. Your guide
will organize and lead a walking tour including a visit to the Anchorage
Museum of History and Art. Tonight we host our farewell dinner for
all group members. Always a special occasion, it is moment to reflect
with new friends on the fun, adventures and memories of your 2008 family
journey through Alaska. Overnight Anchorage, Clarion Suites; Breakfast &
Dinner
Tuesday, Day 11:
Anchorage Departure
After breakfast at your hotel, you are free to plan an optional activity
with your guide or to explore Anchorage on your own. Your hotel shuttle
will take you to the airport in time to meet your departing flight.
Breakfast
10
nights accommodation; baggage handling; experienced Alaskan guide
throughout; transportation via private coach Girdwood to Whittier;
Chitina to Denali and Talkeetna to Anchorage. Transfer on arrival in
Anchorage to Alyeska, Alaska ferry Whittier to Cordova; Alaska Railroad
service Denali to Talkeetna; Childs Glacier tour in Cordova,
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park flightseeing and glacier walk,
Talkeetna Geocaching and Iditarod musher dog sledding experience, Musk
Ox Farm admission, 10
breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), and 6 dinners (D). All taxes and fees.
Meals other than mentioned. Optional excursions
other than mentioned.
Park/admission fees other than
mentioned. Gratuities.
Accommodation at Kennecott Glacier
Lodge:
The group will stay in the main lodge building while at the Kennecott
Glacier Lodge. Each
comfortable room
has a sink with
cold running water. There are plenty of spotlessly clean
bathrooms and shower rooms located throughout the lodge for your
use. Baths are "private use", but SHARED by other guests.
|
2008 Rates - Tour AFVCTA |
|
2008 Tour Dates |
Single |
Double |
Triple |
Child* |
July 12 - 22
August 2 - 12 |
$5100 |
$3999 |
$3756 |
$2594 |
|
* children 6-11 years
staying with at least one full-paying adult in room with existing bedding. |
|
