Compare Alaska Explorer by Audley Travel vs Jewels of Alaska, Classic Group, 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 19 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 8,182 | $ 3,530 |
| Price Per Day | $ 431 | $ 504 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
The USA’s largest state, Alaska is also its wildest corner. As you explore its vast national parks, you’re more likely to see grizzly bears than other visitors. Mountains rise like giant meringues over dense evergreen forests laced with hiking trails. And, along the island-strewn coastline, you can watch as humpback whales twist and twirl their huge bodies out of the water, blowing plumes of spray before disappearing again beneath the waves. Planning a trip to somewhere so untouched can seem daunting, but our specialists, having visited the region, can help tailor an Alaska holiday to your interests. Alongside the state’s natural world are towns and cities with a rich gold-mining past. Skagway could have been plucked from a history book with its brightly painted wooden buildings. From here, you can hop on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, following in the footsteps of gold prospectors caught in the fever of the Klondike Gold Rush. |
Explore the wild and wonderful Alaskan wilderness during this 1-week guided tour. Begin your adventure in Anchorage with a sweet treat: Taste agutak — Inuit Ice Cream — after an exclusive demonstration by Alaska's Indigenous people at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Board a jet boat for a tour along the Chulitna River to a trapper’s cabin, where you will learn about the lifestyle of hunting and trapping in the state. Ride along the world-famous, glass-domed Alaskan Railroad toward Denali National Park, where the country’s tallest peak, Mount McKinley, will greet you. Meet the champion dog team of a four-time Iditarod winner and allow him to regale you with tales of the 1,049-mile dogsled race over lunch at his home. From Whittier, take a 100-mile boat tour of Prince William Sound and the see the glaciers of College Fjord. |
Day 1 : Anchorage
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Anchorage. On arrival in Anchorage make your way to your downtown accommodation. The remainder of the day is free to relax.
Day 2 : Anchorage
Enjoy a day at leisure in Anchorage, relaxing after your flight. You may wish to visit the museums and shops and admire the nearby Chugach Mountains.
Day 3 : Denali Park Entrance
Collect your hire car from the airport depot and drive to Denali National Park. The remainder of the day is free to go white water rafting or explore the vicinity of the park.
Day 4 : Denali Park Entrance
Enjoy a full day trip, by bus, into Denali National Park. This long journey is where most visitors to the park see the vast majority of wildlife. After lunch, return back to the Park Entrance in the afternoon.
Day 5 : Denali Park Entrance
Today you have a full day to explore Denali Park Entrance region. You may wish to take part in some of the many available activities or, alternatively, explore the magnificent scenery of the region.
Day 6 : Fairbanks
Drive north to Fairbanks where you will spend the night. This afternoon you may wish to take a paddle wheeler cruise on the Chena and Tanana rivers.
Day 7 : Fairbanks
Travel by mini coach and light aircraft on a spectacular journey beyond the Arctic Circle. You will see vast stretches of lake-strewn tundra, the Alaska oil pipeline and there will be time to walk on the spongy tundra and learn all about this northern wilderness.
Day 8 : Kennicott & McCarthy
Set off early and drive to Chitina where you board a light aircraft and fly into the mining ghost town of Kennicot on the edge of Wrangell St Elias National Park.
Day 9 : Kennicott & McCarthy
Spend the day exploring Kennicot, McCarthy and Wrangell St Elias National Park. There are some magnificent walks amongst the mountains here and wildlife is prolific.
Day 10 : Kennicott & McCarthy
Enjoy another full day exploring this spectacular national park. Don't miss a visit to the nearby Kennicott copper mine which splendidly evokes the history and industry of the area.
Day 11 : Valdez
After a spectacular early flight back to Chitina re-join your car and drive south to Valdez. The afternoon is free to explore upon arrival.
Day 12 : Seward
Today, board the ferry that will take you across the remarkable Prince William Sound to Whittier. Upon arrival, drive south to Seward.
Day 13 : Seward
Embark on a full day cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. Here you will be able to appreciate the stunning beauty of the coastal scenery, including icebergs and glaciers, whilst looking out for the abundant wildlife. A delicious salmon and prime rib lunch on Fox Island is included.
Day 14 : Seward
Spend a day exploring the little town of Seward and neighbouring Kenai Fjords National Park. Many activities are available such as walking and canoeing.
Day 15 : Homer
Today, drive to Homer at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula. Homer is well known for halibut fishing so you may wish to try your hand at hooking one of these large fish.
Day 16 : Homer
Take a thrilling light aircraft flight to Katmai National Park, where you land on a deserted beach. From here you will walk in a small group, with your experienced guide, looking for grizzly bears that are seen in significant numbers in the green meadows here. After the bear viewing enjoy the views from the aircraft on your flight back to Homer.
Day 17 : Cooper Landing
Drive to Cooper Landing, a convenient stopping place on the road back to Anchorage.
Day 18 : International return flight
Depart after breakfast to Anchorage Airport where you drop off your hire car before boarding your onward flight.
Day 19 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: Anchorage, the City of Lights and Flowers
Welcome to Alaska, an adventurous land of wildlife, mountains, national parks and glaciers. Upon arrival at Anchorage International Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel.Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Anchorage Sightseeing and the Matanuska Valley
Get acquainted with Anchorage with on an immersive city tour. During a visit to the renowned Alaska Native Heritage Center, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy an exclusive presentation on Agutak (Eskimo ice cream) while learning how it's made by Alaska's first people. Learn how this culinary treat establishes a link to the past, inspires a sense of pride and spurs a dialogue on a culture's remarkable ability to survive. This afternoon, travel through the fertile Matanuska Valley and stop at a local farm to see how the long summer days and glacial silt create the perfect environment for growing vegetables and flowers. Depart Anchorage for the quaint community of Talkeetna, nestled at the base of Mount Denali, North America's tallest peak. The evening is yours at leisure, feel free to ask your Travel Director for suggestions on the best spots to grab a bite.
Day 3: Talkeetna Sightseeing
This morning, enjoy an immersive jet boat tour up the Chulitna River and make a visit to a trapper's cabin. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of hunting and trapping in Interior Alaska.The rest of the day is yours to explore, perhaps discovering more of Talkeetna or joining an optional experience such as a flightseeing tour of the Alaska Range, or a dryland dog sledding ride.
Day 4: Journey Along the Alaskan Railroad Relaxed Start
Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad train after a morning at leisure and embark on a spectacular journey over swift-rushing streams, toward Denali National Park and Preserve.Later, meet a local climber who will share stories about what it's like to brave a climb up the tallest land-based mountain in the world.For tonight's dinner with wine, the choice is yours between a charming local brewery or your lodge's rustic restaurant during your Dine-Around evening.
Day 5: Denali National Park, the Crown Jewel of the Alaskan Wilderness Relaxed Start
With the Denali National Park and Preserve just a short drive away from your hotel, you'll find a number of ways to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness on your own, or spend the day partaking in one of our optional experiences. From an exciting rafting trip down the Nenana River(waiver required) to a helicopter flightseeing tour or a Denali Wilderness walking tour, the choice is yours – just don't forget your camera! End the day back at your lodge where you'll enjoy panoramic views of your surroundings at night.
Day 6: Girdwood and Mount Alyeska
Depart Denali and enjoy a scenic journey on the George Parks Highway.Stop in Big Lake and meet four-time Iditarod winner, Martin Buser and learn about the challenges of competing in the 1,049-mile (1,688 kilometre) dogsled race while enjoying lunch at his home.Journey on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm with its dramatic views, before arriving in the town of Girdwood, home of the Alyeska Resort.In the evening, join your Travel Director for a wonderful Celebration Dinner, complete with wine and good cheer.
Day 7: Prince William Sound Cruise and depart Anchorage Relaxed Start
Take this morning to enjoy the surroundings and amenities at the beautiful Alyeska resort. Travel to Whittier to board the 26 Glacier Cruise for a 100-mile (160-kilometre) boat tour of Prince William Sound and into the College Fjord with the chance to see the glaciers up close. Visit with the Captain in the wheelhouse to learn how he expertly navigates the icy waterways and sit down to a sumptuous lunch against an incredible backdrop.For those saying farewell today, travel back to Anchorage where you will arrive at the Anchorage Airport at approximately 20:00.
