An Alaska Family Adventure (14 days/13 nights) 

With an amazing array of scenic mountain ranges, massive glaciers and great activities, this family vacation experience covers the best destinations Alaska has to offer.  Travel through the fertile Matanuska Valley and continue through mountain passes to the oil tanker port of Valdez.  Journey across Prince William Sound aboard the Alaska ferry.  Travel through Alaska's Kenai Peninsula to Seward, known as the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park.  Experience the thrill of riding behind an Iditarod dog team on a specially designed wheeled dog sled.  Other destinations include the "end of the road" in Homer, the famous Denali National Park, and the northern city of Fairbanks. 

Tour Summary

Itinerary Description 

Day 1  Arrival Anchorage;  A private coach or hotel shuttle can transfer the group to their hotel. Within walking distance of most downtown hotels are the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, numerous restaurants, and other downtown attractions.  Overnight in Anchorage.  

Day 2  Anchorage;  This morning the group may participate in a sightseeing tour of Anchorage. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city.  The city began as a tent community in 1915 during the construction of the Alaska Railroad which connected the ice-free port of Seward to Alaska’s Interior.  Sightseeing tours usually include the historic downtown area, the Ship Creek fish ladder, and Lake Hood – the busiest sea plane terminal in the world.  There are numerous optional activities that guests may choose to participate in. Overnight in Anchorage.  

Day 3  Anchorage to Sheep Mountain;  The group will enjoy a scenic drive along the Glenn Highway.  This is one of the oldest and most scenic highways in Alaska. Suggested stops include the Musk Ox farm and historic Hatcher Pass gold mine.  This route follows the Matanuska River up to its beginning at the Matanuska Glacier. Final stop is a lodge at Sheep Mountain, nestled at the base of the Talkeetna Mountains.  Dall Sheep are frequently seen in this area.  Overnight at a Sheep Mountain lodge.  

Day 4  Sheep Mountain to Valdez; The group will have time to explore the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park headquarters and ranger station before continuing into the Chugach Mountains and through Thompson Pass. Along the way there are several very special places to stop and enjoy the amazing landscapes such as Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil Falls.  Overnight in Valdez.    

Day 5  Valdez to Seward; The group will board the Alaska Marine Highway ferry for passage from Valdez to Whittier.  As they depart Valdez they will sail past the huge oil tankers which transport Alaskan oil to the "lower 48".  The group can enjoy the scenery of Prince William Sound at a relaxing pace. The ferry crossing takes approximately 5 1/2 hours.  Upon arrival at the port of Whittier,  the group will drive through a mountain tunnel which takes them to Portage Glacier Valley.  From here, it's a very beautiful 2-hour drive to Seward.  Overnight in Seward.  

Day 6  Seward Local Day; Seward is known as the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park and it is one of Alaska's most historic towns.  The group may visit the state-of-the-art marine science facility at the Alaska Sea Life Center. They may also experience an Alaska husky dog sled team at an Iditarod kennel. The group can also take a cruise into the Kenai Fjords National Park.  We  suggest a visit to the Exit Glacier, a massive ice sheet flowing out of the Harding Ice Field.  There the group can literally walk to the face of the glacier along an interpretive trail. Overnight in Seward.  

Day 7  Seward to Homer;  Traveling beside turquoise blue lakes and rivers with mountains in every view makes for a great day of touring.  On the way to Homer, the group can stop at Cooper Landing for a scenic float on the Kenai River. This is the world-famous salmon river where Alaska salmon run in huge numbers to their final spawning grounds. If the group would like. they can can take a fishing excursion instead of a rafting trip. The final destination is Homer, positioned at the tip of Kachemak Bay.  Overnight in Homer. 

Day 8  Homer; The group can cruise across Kachemak Bay aboard a comfortable water taxi to Gull Island, and then to the picturesque wilderness beach of Otter Cove.  They can enjoy a nice lunch in the hand-crafted lodge and have some time to relax before returning to Homer later in the afternoon. Overnight in Homer. 

Day 9  Homer to Girdwood;  Girdwood is the home of the only 5-star resort in Alaska. Upon arrival at the property there will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, guests can take an tram ride 2,300 feet up the side of Mt. Alyeska for a panoramic view of the valley and Turnagain Arm. There are also many hiking trails and quaint shops to explore in the area. Overnight in Girdwood. 

Day 10  Girdwood;  The group may visit Begich Boggs Visitor Center.  The center offers a 20-minute, award-winning film “Voices From the Ice.”  The glacier has receded too far to be seen from the visitor’s center, so  a 1-hour cruise aboard the mv Ptarmigan is recommended.  This is the groups opportunity to get a close-up view of Portage Glacier.  After the Portage visit, there will be an opportunity to stop at Big Game Alaska.  The rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful surroundings.  Overnight in Girdwood. 

Day 11  Girdwood to Denali National Park;  The group will spend the day touring by coach to Denali National Park.  There are plenty of interesting stops in route, including the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters and the small town of Talkeetna.  Talkeetna is known as the gateway to Mt. McKinley. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s largest great frontiers for wilderness adventure. The park is home to North America's highest peak, Mt McKinley. Most of the visitor amenities and park services are located at the park’s entrance.  The evening is free for the group to participate in optional excursions.  Overnight at Denali National Park entrance.   

Day 12  Denali National Park;  This morning the group will embark on an early morning bus tour into the park. The travel time into the park is 6-8 hours, which varies due to the spotting of wildlife within the park.  Sightings may include moose, bear, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and many small mammals.  If the weather is clear, views Mt McKinley are breathtaking.  The experienced driver will provide narration about Denali’s natural history and unique sub-arctic desert terrain.  Overnight at the Denali park entrance. 

Day 13  Denali to Fairbanks; Time is available for a hike or optional tours in the Denali area before the 2-hour journey to Fairbanks.  Spend the remainder of the day exploring this historic gold mining town, also known as Alaska's "gateway to the Arctic".   Embark on a city sightseeing tour upon arrival that can include the University of Alaska Museum.  The group can take a ride aboard a classic sternwheeler riverboat.  On the 3 1/2 hour river cruise guests visit the old Chena village site, see an Indian fish camp, view an Alaskan bush pilot demonstration, and meet a championship sled dog team.  Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 14  Departure;  A private transfer or hotel shuttle can transfer the group to the Fairbanks Airport for their departure flight home.

2008 Standard Price - $2715 USD per person                                                                       Price based on 30 passengers, double occupancy