This
special winter safari is for adventurous
travelers who prefer to take on the
challenges and rewards of an SUV self-drive
safari in the winter. In winter, the land is
a realm of its own: outstanding scenery,
challenging conditions, warm hospitality and
virtually no traffic! With a reliable
four-wheel drive SUV, pre-booked
accommodations and a detailed travel kit,
you are set to explore!
Activities abound in
the winter, such as flight seeing to Mt.
McKinley, relaxing in an outdoor hot spring,
skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, crossing
the Arctic Circle and viewing the amazing
Aurora Borealis. During the winter, the main
highways are open and well-maintained and
driving conditions are reasonably good.
8
Days / 7 Nights
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Upon
arrival in Anchorage, pick up your
SUV
and drive to your hotel. Overnight in
downtown
Anchorage.
Day 2: Anchorage to Healy / 280 miles
Plan 5 hours driving time, not including
stops.
Begin your driving adventure today heading
north on the Parks Highway to Talkeetna.
This small but unique gold mining community
is famous for its special charm and as the
expedition base for mountaineers seeking to
summit Mt. McKinley. You'll have time this
afternoon for an
optional flight seeing tour to Denali
National park and Mt. McKinley
(not included in tour price).
Afterwards, continue driving north, through
Denali State Park and past Denali National
Park. The
national park is closed to traffic but is staffed by
rangers in the winter. You can drive about 5
miles into the park and visit the ranger
station. Just a short distance past the
park, you will reach Healy. This town of
approx. 900 people is home to Alaska’s only
commercial coal mine. Overnight in Healy.
Optional 2 night extension to Caribou
Lodge:
Enjoy one of the most unique and
unforgettable experiences – living with a
family in the Alaska bush!
See below
for more information.
Day 3: Healy to Chena Hot Springs Resort
/ 173 miles
Plan 3.5 hours driving time,
not including stops.
Your journey continues northward today
through Fairbanks to the Chena Hot Springs
Resort. This
comfortable resort is famous for its mineral
hot springs and as an excellent location for
viewing the Northern Lights / Aurora
Borealis. This afternoon,
enjoy the outdoor hot mineral
springs and
tour the Aurora Ice Museum,
where everything from the
chandeliers to the martini glasses are made
of ice (included). Or you can add an
optional tour, such as a
dog sled ride, snow coach tour, cross-country skiing, or massage (not included).
Winter gear can be rented at the resort for
an additional fee.
Overnight at the Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Day
4: Chena Hot Spring Resort
Today is free to enjoy the amenities of
the resort. This evening, you may want to
add a Snow Coach Aurora Viewing tour (not
included). Overnight at the Chena Hot
Springs Resort.
Day 5: Chena Hot Spring Resort to
Fairbanks / 61 miles
Plan 1 hour driving time, not including
stops.
Today is at your leisure to drive to
Fairbanks. On your way back, you may want to
explore the Chena River State Recreation
Area. Overnight in downtown Fairbanks.
Day 6: Fairbanks
The day is at your leisure to explore the
city of Fairbanks. Take a drive to North
Pole, located just outside Fairbanks, and
visit the Santa Claus House. One local
highlight is the Museum of the North, where
you can see ice age animals, learn about the
Aurora, and explore cultural artifacts. Or enjoy an
optional activity, such as
dog sledding, a guided city tour, or
Northern Lights viewing tour
(not included). Overnight in downtown
Fairbanks.
Day 7: Fairbanks to Anchorage
Today, drive to the Fairbanks airport where
you will return your rental car and depart
on a scheduled flight back to Anchorage*.
Upon arrival in Anchorage, transfer to your
hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight
in downtown Anchorage.
*If Day 7 is a
Sunday, you may take the train to Anchorage
in place of the flight. The train departs at
8:15am and arrives in Anchorage at approx.
7:45pm. If you would like this option,
please make a note of it on your
reservation.
Day 8: Anchorage departure
Transfer via hotel courtesy shuttle to
the airport. Depart or start an additional
program.
Please note: Driving
times during the winter may take longer due
to weather and road conditions.
234CTA-CL with optional
excursion to Caribou Lodge -
Available February
28, 2010 to April 25, 2010
10
Days / 9 Nights
Day 2: Anchorage to
Talkeetna and Caribou Lodge / 113 miles
Plan 2.5 hours driving time, not
including stops.
This morning, drive the
Glenn and Parks Highways north to the small town of
Talkeetna. From here, you will depart on a
scenic ski-plane flight to Caribou Lodge (approx. 30
minutes in duration). Upon arrival, you will be met
by your hosts, Mike and Pam, and be shown around the
lodge. This evening enjoy a home-cooked meal, relax
in the lodge, and watch for the Northern Lights.
Overnight at Caribou Lodge in a private cabin.
Day 3: Caribou Lodge
After a hearty breakfast, explore the area
on snow-shoes, cross country skis, and/or
dog sled; all activities and guiding is
included in your package. This evening relax
next to the fire after dinner. Again,
be on the look-out for
the Northern Lights tonight. Overnight
at Caribou Lodge in a private cabin.
Day 4: Caribou Lodge
to Healy
Enjoy breakfast at the
lodge before departing on your ski-plane flight back
to Talkeetna. Upon arrival in Talkeetna, Drive 2.5
hours north to Healy. Tour
continues as
scheduled above
from Day 2.
Standard
program: 7 days / 1 week
SUV rental
with unlimited mileage and one-way drop fee
from Anchorage to Fairbanks; 7 nights
moderate level accommodations; Aurora Ice
Museum
tour and pool passes at Chena Hot Springs
Resort; scheduled flight or rail travel from
Fairbanks to Anchorage; All taxes and fees.
With extension to
Caribou Lodge: standard program
inclusions PLUS 1 additional day of SUV
rental; roundtrip flights between Talkeetna
and Caribou Lodge; 2 nights accommodation at
Caribou Lodge; all meals and guide
service while at Caribou Lodge; all taxes.
Click here
for more information, including activities,
at Caribou Lodge.
Optional insurance for rental vehicle, additional
driver fees, or gasoline.
Meals, excursions, or admission fees other
than mentioned.
October 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010:
Daily Departures
|
2009
/ 2010 Winter Rates
based on best available moderate accommodation and
SUV rental vehicle |
|
Program
/ Room
Type |
Single |
Double /
Twin |
Triple |
Quad* |
4 share
car/ 2 rooms |
Child** |
|
234CTA
-
8 day tour |
|
Oct 1, 2009 -
April 30, 2010 |
$2242 |
$1224 |
$913 |
$763 |
$1010 |
$190 |
|
234CTA-CL
with Caribou Lodge * - 10 day tour |
|
February 28 - April
25, 2010 |
on request |
$2229 |
$1816 |
$1655 |
$1985 |
$912 |
|
* Maximum
occupancy at Caribou Lodge is 3
persons per room. Quad rate for
Caribou Lodge extension includes 2
double occupancy cabins.
**Valid
for children 11 years and younger,
sharing 1 room with 2 full paying
adults. |
Am Alaska Winter Driving Adventure
