Valdez is a picturesque community located on Prince William Valdez is located on scenic Prince William Sound Sound. The surrounding coastal mountains have been compared to views of the Swiss Alps.

On March 27, 1964 an earthquake that measured 9.2 on the Richter Scale struck Alaska. The quake lasted over four minutes and was centered a mere 45 miles from Valdez. Since its gold rush days, Valdez has evolved into an important shipping center See wildlife on cruises and kayaking tours because it is the most northerly year-round, ice-free port in the western hemisphere.

Construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was completed in 1977 and Valdez was chosen as the terminus for the 800 mile pipeline out of Prudhoe Bay. During the construction phase of the pipeline, Valdez’s population surged to 10,000. When it was completed and the oil started flowing, the population settled to its current level of about 4,000 year-round residents.

Prices listed include all taxes and fees.

Valdez Vacation Package

2 days / 1 night - Tour 396

Day 1: Anchorage to Valdez

This morning your Era Aviation flight departs from Anchorage airport. On arrival, a transfer provided to your hotel. At noon, board your comfortable ship to begin a cruise into Prince William Sound. Experience Columbia Bay with the spectacular icebergs from Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South-central Alaska. View cascading waterfalls and the Sound's amazing wildlife, such as seals and whales. Cruise through the glacier-carved fjords and passageways of Prince William Sound. Listen to the boisterous sea lions at Bull's Head. Enjoy a light meal on board as you cruise the protected waters. Complete your cruise with a marine tour of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal. Overnight Valdez.

Day 2: Valdez to Anchorage

Today explore Valdez on your own. Valdez is a picture-perfect town ringed by tall mountains. It is also the northernmost ice-free harbor in the United States, making it an ideal location for the southern terminus of the 800-mile oil pipeline. This evening transfer to the airport for the return flight to Anchorage on Era Aviation.

Extend your stay! Valdez offers many choices for glacier viewing tours, sea kayaking, and world class sport fishing.

Tour Note: If you prefer a longer stay in Valdez, please contact us and we will be happy to customize this tour for you.

Round trip flights from Anchorage to Valdez on Era Aviation, 1 night accommodation, 6.5-hour Columbia Glacier cruise (including a light meal), and all taxes.

May 15 - September 15, 2010: Daily departures

2010 Rates - On Request

Single

Double

Triple

Child**

$ $ $ $

** Children 11 years & under staying with 2 full paying adults in room with existing bedding.

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SHOUP GLACIER KAYAKING Tour 393
$188 adult, $175 child (6-13 years)
Perfect for children, beginners and more experienced kayakers. This tour offers an intimate experience at one of Prince William Sounds' many calving tide water glaciers. Climb aboard a motor boat for a taxi ride to Shoup Bay where your scenic journey begins. 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. Wildlife abounds in the area - marine mammals, birds, ducks, sea otters and harbor seals are common. Enjoy a short walk on the beach and a lunch spot with a colorful glacier view (lunch not included). At the end of the paddle you will be returned to Valdez by motorboat.
Duration: 8 hours, including 40 minute transfer each way.
Departure Time: anytime between 8am and 12pm, depending on tides.
Daily Departures: May 20 - September 12, 2010.

DUCK FLATS KAYAKING Tour 392
$59 adult, $54 child (6-13 years)
Enjoy an exciting and educational paddle over the calm waters of duck flats in a double or triple person sea kayak. From the small boat harbor in Valdez, you and your group will paddle into the calm protected waters of Duck Flats. The path of the tour will follow a chain of small Islands recognized for their nesting birds and sun bathing seals. Paddling into the depths of Duck Flats brings you to the nesting sites of Bald Eagles and ravens. Your guide will relate information about the town's unique past, from its early Gold Rush days to the destruction of the original town site by the 1964 earthquake. This is a wonderful paddle for first time paddlers and those with limited time. Tour includes instruction and guided sea kayaking.
Duration: 3 hours.
Departure time: various. Daily Departures: May 20 - September 12, 2009
*** we are happy to sell this excursion in conjunction with one of our tour packages or at least 3 other excursions

COLUMBIA GLACIER CRUISE Tour 390
$115 adult, $57 child (3-12 years)
Columbia Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound This journey through Prince William Sound features a visit to Columbia Glacier. On board you will have a chance to view the Sound's wildlife, including sea lions and whales. You will learn about the mining, oil shipping, earthquake, and fishing history, and you will hear stories about the first people to explore and live in the area. Included in this tour is a description of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal. Columbia Glacier welcomes you with huge blue icebergs. A light meal is served on-board (included). 80-miles round-trip.
Duration: 6.5 hours.
Departure time: 12pm. Daily departures: May 15 - September 15, 2010.

COLUMBIA AND MEARES GLACIER CRUISE Tour 391
$150 adult, $75 child (3-12 years)
Enjoy a cruise in majestic waters of Prince William Sound to both Meares and Columbia Glaciers. On board you will have a chance to view the Sounds' wildlife including a Bull Head Sea Lion sunning area. You will learn the mining, oil, earthquake, and fishing history of Valdez, hear stories about the first people to explore and live in the Sound, and pass by the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. A stop Columbia Glacier presents an excellent opportunity to come close to giant icebergs. Your stop at Meares Glacier gives you the rare opportunity to see an advancing glacier, as well as the chance to witness glacial ice calving into the ocean. A hot lunch and afternoon snack will be served on-board. 110 miles round-trip.
Duration: 9 hours.
Departure time: 10am. Daily departures: June 1 - August 31, 2010.

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WORTHINGTON GLACIER HIKE & CANYON RAFT Tour 394
$154 Adult, $140 child (6-13yrs)
A great multi-sport trip! After getting fitted into crampons, you will be driven up to Worthington Glacier via Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass. Worthington Glacier is more strenuous than Valdez Glacier and quickly increases in elevation. Begin with a 2 hour hike, then take a lunch break, and hike back to the base of the glacier. End the day with some extra excitement and raft Keystone Canyon on the way back to Valdez, which is a one hour rafting trip. Participants may arrange to meet at Worthington glacier with advance notice. Rated moderate to strenuous.
Duration: 5.5 - 6 hours.
Departure time: various. Daily departures: June 10 - September 6, 2010.

WORTHINGTON GLACIER ICE CLIMB Tour 395
$129 adult, $116 child (6-13 years)
For the more adventurous soul! Get fitted into crampons before taking the van shuttle through keystone Canyon and over Thompson Pass. A short hike brings you out to the climbable sections of the glacier. Your guide will teach basic climbing techniques and set up top ropes for safety. Each person will have several tries climbing the glacier ice wall. You will also venture off on a short hike further onto the glacier before taking a second round of ice climbing on a different wall. Participants may arrange to meet at Worthington glacier with advance notice. Rated moderate.
Duration: 7 to 8 hours, including about 3 hours climbing and 2 hours hiking.
Departure time: various. Daily departures: June 10 - September 12, 2010.

KEYSTONE CANYON RAFT TRIP Tour 398
$65 Adult, $55 child (7-12yrs)
The Lowe River, through Keystone Canyon, is one of the most spectacular and exciting river runs in Alaska! Transfer from Valdez by van to the river. From here, you will raft about 4.5 miles downstream through class III and IV rapids. Float past Bridal Veil Falls and get a close-up look at the water cascading off the rock wall from 900 feet above.
Tour includes: roundtrip transfers from Valdez, rain gear, life jacket and rubber boots.
Duration: 2 hrs, with 1.5 hrs of rafting.
Departure time: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm. Daily departures: May 22 - September 6, 2010
*** we are happy to sell this excursion in conjunction with one of our tour packages or at least 3 other excursions.

Valdez Alaska's Little Switzerland on Prince William Sound

Valdez Vacation Package

Valdez
Alaska's Little Switzerland on Prince William Sound