Compare Jewels of Alaska, Classic Group, 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations vs NW Wine and Rail Tour by InquisiTours
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 5 days |
| Price From | $ 3,530 | $ 2,299 |
| Price Per Day | $ 504 | $ 460 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description | 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. |
Ride the rails and take a journey to the heart of Eastern Washington and Wine Country. Enjoy the rugged Mountain views and Bavarian charms of Leavenworth. Grand vistas of the Columbia River, pioneer history, and world class wines await you in Walla Walla, Washington’s friendliest town. Sun-kissed Yakima Valley offers the largest variety of fresh grown produce in the Pacific Northwest – grapes for wine, hops for beer and fresh produce for your table. Scenic stops will offer you a taste of this region before we wind our way through the heavily wooded and volcanically formed Cascadia Range and back to beautiful Seattle. |
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.
Day 1 : Seattle, WA to Leavenworth, WA
Meals : Dinner
Meet your InquisiTours Tour Director at Seattle King Street Station in the afternoon (3:30 pm) to board the Amtrak Empire Builder. As you leave Seattle, sit back and enjoy the views of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and Wenatchee National Forest before evening arrival in the Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth.
Day 2 : Leavenworth, Washington
Meals : Breakfast
Enjoy a morning walk exploring the charming Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the outlying river valley, and nearby trails. The rest of the day is yours to do what you please. With attractions such as the Nutcracker Museum, wine tasting, shopping, miniature golf or even walking more riverside trails there is plenty to keep you engaged in the village. In the evening, join us for a festive reception featuring authentic cuisine and craft ales.
Day 3 : Leavenworth, Washington to Walla Walla, Washington
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
In the morning board your van as we explore the dramatic Columbia River Basin. Orchards and vineyards complete the expansive views as we travel into the heart of the wine country. You’ll enjoy a delightful lunch at one of the Red Mountain AVA wineries. After a scenic drive to Walla Walla, our day will finish with a brief walking tour of the town and a glass of wine before checking into the hotel for the night. The evening is yours to explore the many dining options in town.
Day 4 : Walla Walla, Washington
Meals : Breakfast & Dinner
Walla Walla touring! In the morning join your guide for a walking art tour of downtown and Whitman College campus. Then, learn about the lifestyles, traditions, and crafts of the region’s residents including Native Americans, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and stand on the Oregon Trail with a visit to the Whitman Mission. The rest of the day is yours for exploration. You can choose from an optional excursion or to spend your day exploring, shopping, or visiting the numerous tasting rooms and art galleries in town. Whatever you do, you will want to be back in time for a special multi-course dinner.
Day 5 : Walla Walla, Washington to Seattle, Washington
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
After a hearty breakfast, we will make our way out of the Walla Walla Valley toward Seattle. On our journey West, we will travel through the Yakima Valley and over the Cascade Mountains making numerous scenic stops, including lunch, before dropping you back at King Street Station around 5 pm. Please let us know if you are taking an Alaska Cruise so we can time your arrival if it’s before 5 pm.
