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 (10am*), depart
on the Alaska
Railroad to Whittier for a glacier cruise into Prince
William Sound. Enjoy breath-taking scenery, including an
abundance of glaciers. The ship will stop in front of
a tidewater glacier, giving you the chance
to hear and see glacier calving (when the
ice breaks off into the water). Return to Anchorage at 6:45pm via the
Alaska Railroad, arriving at 9:15pm. Overnight in Anchorage.
Day
3: Anchorage to Denali
At 7am*,
depart from the Anchorage Museum on a
motorcoach** to Denali National Park. Relax
and capture the scenery from large picture
windows. A short stop will be made in
Talkeetna, before arriving in Denali at
12pm. Spend the afternoon enjoying an
optional activity such as
rafting and helicopter
sight seeing (not included).
Overnight near the Denali National Park
entrance.
**Train Option:
Travel by train from Anchorage (dept 8:15am) to
Denali (arrive 3:45pm) for an
additional $56 per adult and $28 per child for standard service or
$141 per adult and $71 per child for Gold Star service.
Day
4: Denali National Park to Fairbanks
Early this morning (between 5:30am and 7am),
depart on a bus tour of Denali National
Park. This 6 to 8 hour tour takes you
approximately 53 miles into the Park. As you
travel through the pristine wilderness, your
experienced driver / guide will provide an
overview of the land and its wildlife. Along
the way, stops will be made for viewing
wildlife, such as bears and moose, and
taking photographs. A snack box and hot
beverage are included. Upon return to the
park entrance, you will board the
Alaska Railroad
and depart to Fairbanks at 3:45pm. Upon
arrival in Fairbanks (8pm*), transfer to
your hotel by courtesy shuttle or on own. 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
Your 4 day
escorted group tour deep into Alaska's
Arctic begins today! Early this
morning,
depart on 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
The 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 Navajo); 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 15 - September 3, 2009: Every Tuesday*,
Wednesday, Thursday*, and Friday, only.
Additional departures May 31 through August 10: every Monday and Saturday*
* on Tuesday,
Thursday 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.
|
2010
Rates |
|
Season /
Room Type |
Single |
|
Triple |
Quad |
|
May 15 -
28 |
$4582 |
$3249 |
$3263 |
$2896 |
|
May 29 -
September 3 |
$4597 |
$3362 |
$3277 |
$3009 |
|
Child rates are on request. |
|
Upgrade
your Alaska Railroad Experience to
Gold Star Service!!!
(standard program only) |
|
We especially recommend adding this
tour:
|
|
Enjoy luxury rail travel aboard lavishly
appointed, double-deck dome cars, which offer
360-degree views and an outdoor viewing
platform. Your upgraded service includes a
confirmed seat in the domed upper deck,
a commemorative
GoldStar gift, and complimentary
non-alcoholic beverages. |
|
Surcharge - available Day 4 only: |
|
Adult: $85 per person |
|
Child: $42 per person |
|
Arctic /
Cultural Tours - Journey into Alaska's Arctic
