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Discover Alaska
offered by supplier M06982 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 15
people
Destination(s):
Alaska
Specialty Categories:
Wildlife Viewing
Season: July - August
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 4400 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 4400 US Dollar (USD)
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Discover Alaska is a deluxe Alaska highlights adventure. This trip offers a rich diversity of activities and magnificent scenery and wildlife in the pristine backcountry of the Last Frontier. It is a journey loaded with creature comforts, fun adventures, and a palette of colorful opportunities to experience the best of Alaska. For information on our other great Alaska trips please see our Grand Alaska Adventure, Copper River Expedition, and Source to the Sea Expedition.
Discover Alaska begins with a flightseeing trip into the heart of the largest National Park in the U.S. We fly over glaciers, around towering mountains, above deep river gorges, and through stunning mountain passes. We arrive at a dirt landing strip in McCarthy, Alaska, a truly special "town" stuck dab in the middle of endless wilderness. After touching down we explore the ghost town mine of Kennicott, an engineering marvel from days of yore. We spend this night in a comfortable and charming lodge near this historic site, and enjoy the first of many delicious Alaska meals.
The next two days are spent walking on glaciers, hiking verdant mountain trails, exploring the hamlet of McCarthy, and just soaking in the dramatic peace and quiet of this wild place. One amazing thing after another brings great reverie for this great place. Walking with steel cleat crampons up a steep glacial ice hill, peering down, down, down into an endless crevasse, looking up at monumental ice walls and skyscraping peaks, ambling along idyllic mountain streams, listening to the cry of an eagle, sitting in a silent alpine meadow, and so much more fill these days. Each event inspires you on to the next unbelievable part of this trip.
We then head down the rivers of the Wrangells, beginning with the Kennicott which flows from the very glacier on which we walked. We raft this bouncy river and then the ribbonlike Nizina as it passes through a narrow chasm after merging with the Kennicott.. At the confluence of the Chitina river, one of North America's largest, the canyon opens wide, affording forever views of mountains that reach three miles into the sky. We drift here for two days, stopping each night at campsite beaches along the way. It is on this portion of this journey that we may see ambling bear searching the shore for a fresh Salmon dinner. With luck, we will catch a Salmon for dinner ourselves!
The river journey ends when the Chitina reaches the mighty Copper river. We next travel by van to Valdez and sparkling Prince William Sound. Here, we board our luxurious yacht for a two-day, two-night coastal cruise. On the Sound we can witness glaciers crashing into the sea, whales cruising the surface, seals resting on icebergs, bears peering back at us, and more. Our mini-ship features all the comforts of home...hot showers, big beds, gourmet meals, and great company... while plying the wildlife-rich waters of the Gulf of Alaska. We also take time each day to paddle stable kayaks in the more protected bays, allowing an even deeper immersion into pristine wilderness. On the second afternoon we reach the western edge of the Sound, toast to a great trip, and head to Anchorage. Our Discover Alaska trip offers one of the most enjoyable and rewarding trips in the world. We invite you to come see for yourself the splendor of this northern treasure. The best of Alaska awaits!
Your Itinerary
Day 1: After meeting your pilot and flightseeing guide in Valdez or Chitina, you will be flown over and around the mountains and glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Upon landing in McCarthy, we will head to the lodge where you will spend the first night. This afternoon we explore the expansive and amazing Kennicott mine. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 2: On this day we explore dramatic Root Glacier, where we hike with crampon ice cleats on this frozen wonderland. We take time to explore the glacier's many incredible features including crevices, crystal clear pools, and tiny rivulets. Walking on a glacier is a fascinating experience. We eat lunch on the glacier before heading back to our overnight accommodations near the ghost mine. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Today we hike away from the Kennicott Valley and explore the McCarthy area backcountry. We hike along cascading rivers and up to scenic passes. We also take time to investigate friendly "downtown" McCarthy, which includes an interesting museum of the history of this region. We spend another night in our cozy lodge.
Day 4: This classic Alaska adventure travel trip just keeps getting better! We begin the rafting trip and head down the bouncy Kennicott river and the sinewy Nizina river. We merge with the Chitina river and camp along its majestic banks. These rivers feature mild whitewater, classic Alaska scenery, and pure solitude, as we float through the heart of Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
Day 5: We continue drifting down the peaceful Chitina river as it winds its way towards the sea. We stop to explore side river waterfalls, gigantic landslides, rich wildlife habitat, and more. We float past several rivers that are known bear habitat, and hopefully catch a glimpse of bear on the lookout for a tasty a salmon. We camp again on the banks of the Chitina and marvel at the bright midnight sky that is the backdrop to towering mountains both near and far.
Day 6: After rafting the final stretch of the Chitina we reach the confluence with the Copper River, and take-out early in the day. From here we head into the hamlet of Chitina and check out a store of local artisans and artifacts. We then drive to Valdez, where we board our glorious motor launch. Replete with spacious berths, warm showers, and exceptional comfort, we head out of Valdez harbor on this modern mini-ship and begin our cruise across dramatic Prince William Sound. After a few hours of motoring through this dramatic waterway we moor for the night in a quiet bay.
Day 7: Today we experience the wildlife-rich and glacier lined bays of the Gulf of Alaska. We take time during the day to climb into stable kayaks and paddle protected waters of Prince William Sound. We motor from one dramatic spot to another, and likely see some of the many whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises, eagle, terns, and bears that call this place home. We spend this night on board the boat again, enjoying the creature comforts of this floating lodge.
Day 8: We head towards the western edge of Prince William Sound today, marveling at the continuous Alaska beauty that unfolds before us. We reach the small town of Whittier early this afternoon, participate in a celebration toast to this great trip, and board our van for the scenic drive to Anchorage. We arrive in Anchorage later this afternoon, in time for you to check into your accommodations or catch a flight back home, filled with fresh memories of the best of Alaska adventure travel!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Youth is under 16; the minimum age is eight.
8-Day Trip (Price based on five or fewer total participants); Adult: $4400; Youth: $3900.
8-Day Trip (Price based on six or more total participants); Adult: $4100; Youth: $3600.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Wildlife Viewing
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