Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Fairbanks, Alaska
Arrive Fairbanks Airport. Collect baggage from baggage claim, transfer via hotel shuttle to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

Fairbanks was founded by miners consumed with the gold fever that swept Alaska at the turn of the century. As gateway to Alaska's rugged Interior, this is where the real Alaska begins -- the Alaska of the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun. Here, at the edge of Alaska's vast wilderness frontier, is a haven of warm service and exceptional comfort: the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge.

Fairbanks' most refined hotel is also its best situated. Ideally located just minutes from the Fairbanks International Airport, we're also convenient to the downtown area and the University of Alaska Fairbanks as well as popular attractions such as the El Dorado Gold Mine, the Riverboat Discovery and Alaskaland.
Princess Riverside Lodge or similar

Day 2: Fairbanks- Denali National Park
This morning transfer by courtesy hotel shuttle from hotel to train station in Fairbanks. Depart by Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Denali.

You will board an awaiting bus and transfer to Denali National Park (luggage restrictions - 1 bag with max 35 pound per person). Watch for wildlife such as moose, caribou, bear and maybe even a glimpse of Mt. McKinley en route to your lodge.

Arrival at the lodge (inside Denali National Park) is around 7:30PM. Dinner will be served at the lodge tonight. The lodge offers thirty comfortably appointed cedar cabins. Each cabin is heated and enjoys its own private bath -- unexpected luxuries for such a remote location. Dining and lounge areas are found in our spacious two-story lodge.
Dinner
Denali Backcountry Lodge or similar

Day 3: Denali National Park
Enjoy a full day to explore the backcountry of Denali National Park. Daily programs with naturalist guides are available such as nature walks, mountain biking, and evening programs.

All outdoor activities (except flight seeing) are included.

It's more than a mountain. Denali National Park and Preserve features North America's highest mountain, 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley. The Alaska Range also includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. Denali's more than 6 million acres also encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system with large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Denali Backcountry Lodge or similar

Day 4: Denali National Park- Anchorage
Return to the park entrance by shuttle bus. Arrive Denali Train Station and board the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage (meals available for purchase on board.)

Anchorage, nearly the size of Delaware, lies between the Chugach Mountains on the east and Knik Arm of Cook Inlet on the west. The surrounding mountain ranges encompass the city in a setting of scenic splendor.

Upon arrival into Anchorage, you are met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

With the unveiling of its fresh look in 2008, the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa now boasts the finest lodging in Anchorage. Located with the city’s attractions – businesses, restaurants, and shopping – within walking distance, this prominent landmark is an ideal base for exploring the city. With room to spread out in, the 370 guest rooms have everything for a great night in: room service, 42” flat screen TV, refrigerator, and High Speed Internet Access.
Sheraton Anchorage or similar

Day 5: Anchorage- Glacier Bay National Park
Transfer by private vehicle to the Anchorage airport for your scheduled flight to Juneau with connecting flight to Gustavus.

Arrive Gustavus and transfer to the Gustavus Inn. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure exploring your surroundings. Glacier Bay National Park, with snow-capped mountain ranges rising to over 15,000 feet, coastal beaches with protected coves, deep fjords, tidewater glaciers, coastal and estuarine waters, and freshwater lakes.

These diverse land and seascapes host a mosaic of plant communities ranging from pioneer species in areas recently exposed by receding glaciers, to climax communities in older coastal and alpine ecosystems. Diverse habitats support a variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife, with opportunities for viewing and research that allow us to learn more about the natural world.
Dinner
Gustavus Inn

Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park
Enjoy an 8-hour cruise into Glacier Bay (transfers included.)

The marine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve provides opportunities for adventure, a living laboratory for observing the ebb and flow of glaciers, and a chance to study life as it returns in the wake of retreating ice. Amidst majestic scenery, Glacier Bay offers us now, and for all time, a connection to a powerful and wild landscape.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gustavus Inn

Day 7: Glacier Bay National Park- Juneau
Transfer from the lodge to the Gustavus dock where you will board a small boat for an intimate 3.5 hour Whale watch experience. This area is the summer feeding grounds for the massive humpback whales.

After your cruise, you will return to the dock and transfer to the Gustavus airport for your scheduled flight to Juneau.

Arrive Juneau, transfer by taxi (not included) to your hotel for check-in. Built to rival the most lavish hotels of its day, the historic Baranof serves as a second home for legislators and corporate travelers doing business in Juneau. Located downtown within walking distance of the capital, cruise ship docks, shops and state offices, the nine-story "Jewel of Juneau" offers guests elegant, art-deco public areas and comfortable accommodations.

Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure in Juneau.

Alaska's capital city, Juneau is located in Southeast Alaska. The Tongass Rainforest climate provides Juneau with lush terrain and vibrant wildflowers. Early settlers included miners during Alaska's gold rush and Russian fur traders. The Tlingit and Haida Indians were the first settlers to our area. Native Alaska influence is prominent today in Juneau.
Breakfast, Lunch
Westmark Inn Baranof Hotel

Day 8: Depart Juneau
Enjoy the day at leisure until your departing flight.

Juneau offers unparalleled glacier viewing from Tracy Arm Fjord, Mendenhall Glacier, the Juneau Icefield and Glacier Bay National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts will love Juneau's extraordinary kayaking, dogsledding, rafting, biking, hiking and glacier hiking. Winter enthusiasts will enjoy snowboarding and downhill, cross-country and heli-skiing. Time permitting, you may wish to visit Mendenhall Glacier, walk downtown Juneau, the Governors Mansion and State Capitol area.

Transfer by taxi (not included) to the Juneau airport.

Departure Dates

Daily departures from June 2nd to August 28th. Please call for details.

Prices

2010
$4,295 per person, double occupancy
$5,495 solo traveler
$2,805 child (2-11 years) sharing with 2 adults

Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of September, 2009. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.

Inclusions:
7 nights accommodations. Note: All hotels are subject to change
Alaska Rail (Gold Star Dome Seating) Fairbanks- Denali National Park- Anchorage
Roundtrip coach transfers Denali National Park entrance to lodge inside the park
All meals and guided activities during stay at lodge inside Denali National Park
Private transfers in Anchorage as outlined in the itinerary
Scheduled, economy class flights Anchorage- Juneau-Gustavus
Transfers in Gustavus as outlined on share basis (not private)
Full day Glacier Bay National Park cruise with lunch
3 hour (approximate) whale watching cruise from Gustavus
Scheduled, economy class flight Gustavus to Juneau
Documentation and information package
All taxes

Exclusions
Flights to/from Alaska
Taxi transfers in Juneau
Optional return scenic flight from Kantishna to the park entrance with fly by of Mt. Mc Kinley (weather permitting). Prices available upon request
Pre/post tour accommodations
Items of a personal nature
Meals, unless indicated
Alcoholic beverages
Travel Insurance
Holiday Surcharges
Gratuities

These trips are priced assuming two travelers. Surcharges for solo travelers and discounts for groups, if any, will be applied. Prices assume itinerary is purchased "as is". Minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge. Any customization requiring us to start with a new base itinerary will require a non-refundable upfront planning fee of $250 that is creditable towards the final trip price.

Group Discounts

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