Tour Duration: 2 hours.

Tour times: 8:30am, 10:15am, 12pm, 1:45pm, 3:30pm, 5:15pm.
Daily departures: May 21 - August 31, 2010.
 

 

 

 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND - 26 GLACIER CRUISE Tour 38  
This full-day adventure begins with a transfer to Whittier from Girdwood via railroad. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you travel through the mountains and through a one-way tunnel. Upon arrival in Whittier, board a high-speed catamaran for the cruise through Prince William Sound. Watch for sea otters, whales and birds as you travel through glacier-filled College and Harrimann Fjords. During the cruise, you will see Alpine (hanging), Piedmont and Tidewater glaciers. The ship will stop a safe distance from a glacier to watch for glacier calving - when the large chunks of ice fall off the glacier. A hot lunch is included on board.

Cruise Duration: approx. 4.5 hours.

Daily departures: May 7, 8, 9 and May 14 - September 20, 2010.

• Cruise with round trip train transfers from Girdwood (depart 11:15am, return 7:35pm; available May 17 - September 12):
  $236 adult, $136 child (2-11 years)

• Cruise only from Whittier (depart 12:30pm or 1:15pm): 
  $156 adult, $96 child (2-11 years)

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RAINFOREST HIKING Tour 33 
$79 adult, $69 child (ages 7-10)
(2 person minimum required)
Explore the Historic Iditarod Trail south of Anchorage. This moderate and exciting 5 mile (roundtrip) hike consists of a very unique hand tram crossing and walk over the Winner Creek Gorge. Your naturalist guide will point out and discuss the flora and fauna of North America's northern-most temperate rainforest. You may even see a moose! When blueberry season is in full swing, the trail is blooming with scrumptious delights sure to please everyone. No experience necessary.
Important information: Ages 7 and up. This trip operates in ALL weather conditions! Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking clothing including rain gear and sturdy footwear or hiking boots. You will be asked to fill out a waiver form before departing on this tour.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Departure times: 7am, 10:30am, and 5pm.
Daily departures: May 15 - September 15, 2010.

 

 

GLACIER HIKING   Tour 31
$139 per person from Girdwood (2 person minimum required)
$195 per person with roundtrip transfer from Anchorage (3 person minimum required)
Just south of Anchorage, the Alyeska Glacier is nestled in a glacier bowl in the Chugach Mountains. Overlooking breathtaking views of the Turnagain Arm and towering alpine peaks, you will be amazed while peering into crevasses during the Alaskan Midnight Sun. Ride the Alyeska Tram up the mountain and then hike for about 40 minutes along a scenic ridgeline surrounded by the seven glaciers of the Girdwood Valley. At the glacier's edge, you will gear up with climbing harnesses, ropes and/or crampons, and over-boots to travel out onto the glacier itself. Trip includes all equipment, experienced and certified mountain guides, tram ticket and interpretive glaciology discussions. A snack and water is provided.
Important information: Ages 10 and up. While this is a moderate to strenuous activity, no previous experience is needed.  Wear warm, comfortable clothes in layers and hiking boots.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours.
Departure times: 9am, 1pm, and 4pm.
Daily departures: June 13 - September 15, 2010.
Note: From June 13 to July 13, there is also a Midnight Sun Glacier Hike which departs at 8pm.
 

 

BLUE ICE JETBOAT RIDE & LAKE KAYAKING Tour 35 
$ adult, $ child (ages 5-12)
Enjoy a jet boat ride to remote Carmen Lake for a calm water kayaking trip surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and distant glaciers. Spend time skipping rocks, gazing at waterfalls and viewing glaciers while the beachside BBQ is prepared. The return jet boat ride through twists, turns and rapids to Twentymile Glacier's massive icebergs, depending on water level, completes the day. No experience necessary. All kayaking gear, lunch and roundtrip transfers from Girdwood included.
Duration: 7 hours including transfers.
Departure time: 9:30am.
Departs: May 15 - September 15, 2009, depending on Chugach National Forest permit availability.
 

 

HISTORIC IDITAROD (CROW PASS) TRAIL DAY HIKING Tour 36 
$120 per adult from Girdwood (2 person minimum required; max. of 10 people)
$176 per person with roundtrip transfer from Anchorage (3 person minimum required)
Glaciers, waterfalls, wildflowers, and mining ruins add some spice to the hike to Crow Pass, as if it needed any; the pass is the highest point on the historic Iditarod Trail and one of the finest day hikes in Southcentral Alaska. Arctic ground squirrels, marmots, and mountain goats inhabit the high country near Crow Pass, and bears, moose, and Dall sheep are frequently spotted too, especially on the Eagle River side of the pass. The trail is relatively snow-free by late June, though the Crystal Lake basin south of the pass and some of the gullies north of the pass may hold snow well into summer.
Special features: One of the classic alpine backpacking traverses in Southcentral Alaska - an alpine pass, mountain glaciers, mining ruins and Iditarod Trail history, wildlife, and access to off-trail wilderness rambles.
Elevation gain: 2,100 feet to Crow Pass from trail head.
Mileage: 2 miles to mine site (moderate, steep) one way; 3 miles to Crystal Lake and Raven Glacier viewpoint (moderate, steep, exceptional vistas) one way.
Important information: Ages 9 and up. Previous hiking experience suggested. This trip operates in ALL weather conditions! Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking clothing including rain gear and sturdy footwear or hiking boots. You will be asked to fill out a waiver form before departing on this tour.
Duration: 5 to 6 hours.
Departure times: 8am. Approx. 1 hour earlier from Anchorage.
Daily departures: June 1 - September 15, 2010.

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ICE CLIMBING Tour 30 
$220 per person from Girdwood (2 person minimum required)
$276 per person with roundtrip transfer from Anchorage (3 person minimum required)
Learn to ice climb or hone your skills south of Anchorage. After arriving at the climbing area in the Portage Valley, you will hike 5 miles roundtrip on rugged terrain ranging from trails to off-trail talus walking, boulder hopping and cramponing on ice to get to the Byron Glacier where you will climb. Your guide will set up a top-rope on the ice route. The experienced, certified mountain guides will teach you everything from the basics to advanced ice climbing techniques. You will be fitted with crampons, a harness, mountaineering boots, and ice tools. After learning the basics, "climb on" as your guide belays you! The towering Chugach Mountains and glaciers will fill our views during the 6-hour trip in Portage. No previous climbing experience necessary.
Important information: Ages 14 and up. Wear comfortable warm winter ski clothes dressing in layers (long john top & bottom, fleece jacket, waterproof shoes, backpack, lunch and a camera. Do not wear cotton!  You will be asked to fill out a waiver form before departing on this tour. Meals are not included.
Duration: 5 to 6 hours.
Departure time: 8:30am from Girdwood, approx. 7:30am from Anchorage.
Daily departures: May 25 - September 30, 2010, though tour operates year round. Please contact us for departure times and availability for tours after September 30.
Private climbing instruction available for an additional charge.

 

SOURDOUGH CIRCUIT RAFTING, HIKING AND GOLD PANNING   
Half Day Tour 25  $ adult, $ child (ages 8-12)
Full Day Tour 26  $ adult, $ child (ages 8-12)
Explore Girdwood Valley's gold mining history on historic trails and waterways. Visit Crow Creek Mine where you will have a guided tour and search for gold using shovels and pans. Hike the famous Iditarod Trail through the dense forest to the cable hand tram crossing Glacier Creek. Then board the raft for a whitewater adventure through Glacier Creek Gorge (class 2+ rapids). Paddle past waterfalls, view distant glaciers and take advantage of photo opportunities. In addition, the Full Day Tour also includes more intensive gold sluicing, a hike to Winner Creek Gorge and a picnic lunch. Roundtrip transfers from Girdwood included.
Half Day Tour - Duration: 4.5 hours including transfers.
Departure times: 9:30am and 3pm.
Full Day Tour - Duration: 7 hours including transfers.
Departure time: 9:30am.
Daily Departures: May 15 - September 15, 2009.

 

ROCK CLIMBING Tour 32   
$129 per adult from Girdwood (2 person minimum required)

$89 per child (ages 2-10)
$185 per adult with roundtrip transfer from Anchorage (3 person minimum required)

$145 per child with roundtrip transfer from Anchorage
An exhilarating and memorable experience for all! Technically experienced guides teach everyone from novices to advanced climbers at Tram Rock or on the Seward Highway. Climbing takes place at either Tram Rock (at Alyeska Resort) or along the Seward Highway, depending on weather. Tour includes snack, climbing gear, helmet, harness, chalk-bag and rental rock shoes.
Important information: Ages 2 and up. While this is a moderate to strenuous activity, no prior experience is necessary.  Wear comfortable warm clothes in layers and hiking boots. You will be asked to fill out a waiver form before departing on this tour.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours.
Departure times: 10am and 3pm. Approx. 1 hour earlier from Anchorage.
Daily departures: May 15 - September 15, 2010.

 

 

BIRD CREEK ATV TOUR  Tour 34 
3-hour tour from trailhead: $165 per person (ages 16 and up)**
2nd rider (sharing an ATV): $120 per person (ages 8 and up)
** minimum of 2 adults required!
Access Alaska's backcountry! Drive a few minutes to Bird Creek, an area with a maze of trails winding through temperate rainforest. With your guide, ride trails hidden even to locals. You'll also take a short hike to a clear water pool with spawning salmon and a spectacular waterfall.  Bear, moose and eagles can also be seen in this area depending on the time of year (not guaranteed). Safety gear, raingear, water are provided. Please bring your own boots for this tour.
Minimum 16 years old to operate an ATV.
Tour duration: 3 hours.
Departure times: 10am and 2pm (subject to change).
Daily departures: May 1 - September 30, 2010.

 

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