Wild Alaska

9 night tour - Starting in Anchorage, Alaska - ending in Vancouver, Canada.

2016 Early Booking Offer - Book before the 28th February 2016 and enjoy a free pre or post nights stay on us, making this an 10 night tour.

A Tauck BBC Earth Journey.

Created by Tauck with BBC Earth

Celebrating 90 years in the travel touring business, Tauck offer the ultimate in luxury touring. Throughout the years, ingenuity and innovation, plus a focus on customer servce and authentic experiences, have grown Tauck into one of the world's leading travel touring companies. On your tour you can expect an itinerary carefully designed to create an unforgetable experience, ensuring the finest hotels, luxury motorcoaches and highly experienced tour directors.

explore the wild heart of Alaska! Our ten-day tour to the wild heart of Alaska takes you away from the well-traveled routes of the Inside Passage to less-visited places of spectacular beauty and one-of-a-kind experiences... flightseeing the vast glacier-clad landscapes and peaks of Denali (America’s highest mountain)... cruising the Kenai Fjord, known for its resident sea lions, dolphins, whales, bald eagles and dramatic vistas... bear-watching on Crescent Lake in salmon season, where the brown bears are close and numerous... making canine friendships at a kennel that raises champion sled dogs... wilderness hikes with an expert naturalist guide who offers invaluable knowledge and insights... meeting wildlife (like bison, elk, bears, and caribou) up close at a refuge for displaced and orphaned animals... use of professional photography equipment, including thermal imaging, camera traps (for photographing wild visitors after hours), shotgun mikes for birdlife, and hydrophones for sounding deep waters (where dolphins and whales roam)... exploring a simulated ice cave at the Portage Glacier Visitors Center ... and multiple-night stays at outstanding wilderness lodges (with all the comforts of home), including Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (where the dining room offers panoramic views of Denali and the Alaskan Range); Seward Windsong Lodge, set in a wooded glacier valley beside the rushing Resurrection River; and Knik River Lodge, a colony of deluxe cabins (and a gourmet restaurant) surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of the Chugach Mountains.

2016 Guaranteed departure dates:
August 23rd & 30th
September 08th
 
Small Group Departures – Select small group departures averaging just 26 guests
 
TO BOOK THIS TOUR: CALL US ON FREEPHONE 0800 0336 335 OR EMAIL US RESERVATIONS@PURELYTRAVELGROUP.CO.UK   
View Itinerary Details

Day 1: Your Alaska adventure begins in Anchorage

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Hotel Captain Cook. A transfer is included from Anchorage International Airport to the Hotel Captain Cook in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of museums, shops, and restaurants. Only minutes away from unspoiled wilderness, Anchorage nestles beside Cook Inlet with the spectacular backdrop of the Chugach Mountains. Join us at the hotel for a welcome reception and dinner.

Lodging: Hotel Captain Cook

Dinner

Day 2: Happy trails to Talkeetna

Wind your way from Anchorage to glacier-carved Matanuska Valley, a region of scenic mountain vistas, spruce forests and thousands of lakes. Rustic lodges, farmsteads, and small towns unwind along wilderness highways until you arrive at Big Lake, a popular area for camping, fishing and water sports; in winter, the passion here is dog sledding, and the big annual event is the Iditarod race from Anchorage to Nome. Visit Happy Trails Kennel, where four-time Iditarod winner Martin Buser breeds and trains sled dogs for the world-famous 1,000-mile marathon; you’ll have a chance to get acquainted with some of these up-and-coming champions, who are bred for speed and athleticism (and love to be petted). You’ll also learn about the special dynamics of the sport: the bond between dogs and musher, the dogs’ ability to conquer long distances in harsh weather and extreme temperatures, and the indelible role of dog sledding in Alaskan history and culture. Following lunch, drive on to the historic town of Talkeetna. With a population of less than 500 and one paved road, its rustic character offers a taste of small-town Alaska, from the general store to the roadhouse, as well as a staging area for climbing expeditions to Mt. McKinley. Arrive at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, set high on a bluff overlooking the town and distant peaks of the Alaskan Range, where you’ll attend a naturalist lecture on the feats, and challenges, of climbing America’s highest mountain.

Lodging: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Guided hikes with a naturalist guide

Explore the scenic places surrounding Talkeetna on a morning hike with a naturalist guide. The town’s setting at the confluence of three rivers makes it an attractive area for outdoor sports, and a magnet for wildlife (beaver, moose, bears, and bald eagles) that frequent the lush forests and shorelines. Your morning hike takes you around Byers Lake, a true nature paradise inside Denali. Your guide will provide insights into both natural and human history surrounding the shimmering, clear lake – the views are amazing, and the wildflowers and plants unique. Drop in for lunch at Mary Carey’s McKinley View Lodge, where the café is bedecked with native crafts and memorabilia of the legendary pioneer woman who established the inn. Following lunch, embark on an afternoon nature hike, again accompanied by a naturalist guide – you’ll enjoy working with the gadgets that professional nature photographers and filmmakers use in the wild. Return to Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where the evening is free to spend as you please – perhaps enjoying the magnificent rock fireplace in the Great Room. 

Lodging: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Flying over Denali

Visit the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum this morning with the naturalist; the town evolved from gold mining days to its status today as the gateway to Mt. McKinley (known here as “Denali”). The museum’s main exhibit is a large three-dimensional topographical map of the mountain and surrounding glaciers which your naturalist guide will use to walk you through its unique geological features and history. The model becomes real in dramatic, titanic scale this afternoon when you board a ski plane for a flightseeing tour of the real thing. Denali (the Athabascan name, meaning “the High One”) lives up to its legend, soaring 20,000 feet above sea level, and your bird’s-eye view takes in all its breathtaking landscape, from alpine tundra and snowcapped peaks to vast rambling glaciers within Denali National Park. Weather permitting, your ski plane may touch down on a glacier for an unforgettable close-up view, before you fly on to Wasilla. Then drive on to your next destination, Knik River Lodge, featuring wilderness cabins, and the comforts of home, in a tranquil mountain setting.

Lodging: Knik River Lodge

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Wildlife and Windsong

Visit the nonprofit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where orphaned and displaced animals are cared for, rehabilitated, and sometimes re-released into the wild. Here you’ll have a chance to see (and photograph) native wildlife up close, including bison, moose, elk, musk oxen, coyotes, grizzly bears, eagles, and caribou; watch feedings; and learn about ongoing efforts to conserve and restore endangered animal populations. Drive on to your next destination, the coastal town of Seward (named for the U. S. Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867). Nestled beside Resurrection Bay on scenic Kenai Peninsula, and surrounded by mountains, the town retains the aura of its early days as a trading outpost on the edge of a spectacular wilderness. Check into the Seward Windsong Lodge outside of the town, set among fragrant spruce trees beside the rushing Resurrection River. Get a taste of fresh local cuisine tonight at Chinooks, a restaurant in Seward.

Lodging: Seward Windsong Lodge

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Cruising the Kenai Fjord

Set out on a full day’s excursion cruising the Kenai Fjord, where you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the species that live here. Dramatic scenes of the Ice Age linger in glacial landscapes – see a “tidewater” glacier as you cruise amidst carved rugged peaks, rocky shores and dense forests. You may get a chance to see puffins, whales, porpoises, sea lions and other fish that whales feed on; like this beautiful alien world, they are endlessly photogenic. Return to the lodge for dinner this evening.

Lodging: Seward Windsong Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Sea life and living glaciers

Go behind the scenes on a visit to the Alaska Sealife Center, an aquarium, ocean wildlife rescue center and research facility. Enjoy close encounters with puffins and octopus, and view other Alaskan sea life while rubbing shoulders with the scientists who study them. Lunch on your own in Seward, then it’s on to your next eye-opening stop at Portage Glacier. The glacier itself is in retreat, but at the state-of-the-art visitors center you can experience a living glacier from the inside. Depart for Anchorage where you will arrive at your hotel, the Hotel Captain Cook, late in the afternoon. 

Lodging: Hotel Captain Cook

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Bear watching on Crescent Lake

Fly to remote Redoubt Mountain Lodge (the only way to get there) inside Lake Clark National Park, then set out for a bear-watching excursion* on Crescent Lake, surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. When the salmon are running, the brown bears come to the shore to fish, and from your small boat on the lake, you’ll have a chance to see and photograph them up close. Lunch at the lodge (there’s a good chance it will be salmon) then fly back to urban Anchorage.

Lodging: Hotel Captain Cook

Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 9: The Anchorage Museum and a farewell evening

The Anchorage Museum is world class, a treasure house of objects, artifacts, photos, maps and exhibits that document Alaska’s rich and unique history, from its early exploration and whaling industry to the Gold Rush, railroads, and more. The Smithsonian maintains an Arctic Studies Center here, and a docent will lead you through its outstanding First Nations gallery, exhibiting many Alutiq and Aleut artifacts. Late afternoon, a documentary vignette focuses on a wildlife cameraman and his relationship with the bears that he films in the wild. Join us tonight for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant that caps your unforgettable, image-filled journey to Alaska’s wild side.

Lodging: Hotel Captain Cook

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Journey home or extend your stay

Anchorage. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Captain Cook to Anchorage International Airport; allow at least 2 hours for flight check-in. 

Breakfast

 

Your Tauck Tour Highlights

Access to gadgets used by professional wildlife photographers and filmmakers such as specialized microphones, shotgun microphones and camera traps
Exclusive on-tour films deepen your experience
Small groups averaging 26 Tauck guests
Flightseeing by private charter inside dramatic, ice-capped Denali National Park
Bear watching from boats on Crescent Lake in Lake Clark National Park 
Private cruise through glacier-carved Kenai Fjord
Close-up views of Alaskan wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center 
Naturalist guided hikes and walks
Learn about the world of the sled dog and the Iditarod at a breeding and training center
Accommodation includes multiple nights at three wilderness lodges
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
20 meals, service charges, gratuities to local guides, service charges, admission fees, taxes and porterage

Your Hotels....

Nights 1, 7 & 8 - 9 : Hotel Captain Cook - Anchorage, Alaska

The Hotel Captain Cook is indisputably one of the very finest hotels in Anchorage, offering superior service and amenities. In tribute to Captain James Cook, who first sailed into Anchorage in 1778, the decor and ambiance have a nautical flavor. The comfortable guest rooms offer inspiring views of either Cook Inlet or the Chugach Mountains and feature luxury linens and bedding, full-length robes, irons and ironing boards. The Athletic Club offers an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, workout, aerobics and circuit training rooms and a racquetball court. The Whale’s Tail, a gourmet coffee and wine bar, serves over 30 different wines by the glass as well as popular cocktails and lattes, mochas and cappuccinos.

Nights 2 - 3 : Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge - Talkeetna, Alaska

From the moment you arrive at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge just outside the town of Talkeetna on the south side of Mt. McKinley, you’ll know why this hotel says “Denali is our backyard” because… there it is, right before your eyes! Awesome views of North America’s tallest mountain and other Alaska Range peaks are all around you. If you look carefully at the pillars at the lodge’s entrance, see if you can find the bunny, bear paw, sea turtle and starfish created by one of construction workers who was from Hawaii. When you see the Great Room, you can’t help but notice the 46-foot-tall rock fireplace... Comfortable guest rooms have a hair dryer, coffee maker, refrigerator and satellite TV. Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge has been honored to receive Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence," and its culinary creations have also been featured on the Food Network. Enjoy a fine dining experience and amazing views of the mountains at the Foraker Dining Room or head to the Base Camp Bistro, offering down-home favorites, a family-friendly atmosphere and, of course, great views.

Night 4 : Knik River Lodge - Palmer, Alaska Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

Knik River Lodge was awarded with the coveted Trip Advisor Award of Excellence in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Knik River Lodge offers a unique balance between true Alaska adventures and the amenities you expect in a first-class hotel. 15 beautiful wilderness log cabins are your home away from home. All cabins are well appointed and offer most of the comforts of home. A private bathroom with full size shower and flushing toilet are standard. You will find luxurious bedding with hypo-allergic down duvets, soft sheets and comfortable amenities. Picture yourself on the deck of a comfortable cabin, pondering the serenity of the Alaskan wilderness... or keeping an eye out for the resident moose... or listening to the great horned owl in his favorite lookout tree. Dining is a unique experience... Everything is made fresh, using local, organic ingredients when possible, and the chef takes great pride in offering some of the best food in Alaska. Eating at Knik River Lodge is a little out of the ordinary. Inspired by the African safaris, Knik River Lodge wanted to create a comfortable, elegant yet distinctly outdoors atmosphere. They use a big yurt, elegantly furnished with candle lanterns and silverware. Main courses include Alaska classics like cedar plank grilled salmon and king crab, and they are famous for the filet mignon: a beautiful piece of prime certified angus beef grilled to perfection. Enjoy a selection of fine beers and wines with your meal... and watch the moose in the lower yard during summer evenings or get out the binoculars and watch Dall sheep on the hillside.

Nights 5 - 6 : Seward Windsong Lodge - Seward, Alaska Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

Just outside of the city of Seward, travel down the winding road to Exit Glacier and you'll find Seward Windsong Lodge. The towering mountains, fragrant spruce trees and the rush of the Resurrection River awaken your senses on arrival. All guest rooms are decorated with Alaskan style log furniture, and are charming and spacious. They feature a flat screen television, a full private bath, a DVD player with free DVD movies at the front desk, a hair dryer, a mini-refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a telephone. Resurrection Roadhouse offers spectacular views of the Resurrection River Valley, a relaxed Alaskan atmosphere, and cuisine that’s certain to impress featuring local, sustainable wild Alaska seafood. And at the Goliath Bar & Grill enjoy a 16-tap system featuring a wide selection of great Alaskan beers.

Tour Only Cost: All prices quoted below are per adult person, per tour in British Pounds (GBP)

Departure Dates

Single Twin/Double Triple Quad
All departures in 2016 £5023 £4239 Please call Please call
 
2016 Early Booking Offer - Tauck's most popular tours fill very quickly. Don't be disappointed, book before the 28th February 2016 and enjoy a free pre or post nights stay on us!.
 
Special Solo Traveller Savings – save up to £130 off the single room price on select departure dates – Please call us for more details. 
 
Children - may qualify for a discount when sharing a room with 2 adults - Please call us for details. 
 
Not included in your tour cost:
Flights – we can package your tour with flights at very competitive airfares using our airline partners. Please call us to discuss the best airline for your itinerary.
Pre or post accommodation - If you want to extend your stay at the start or the end of your escorted tour or add another destination to your booking please call us and we will be happy to provide a quote.
Meals, other than those listed in the itinerary.
The customary gratuities for the Tour Director and local drivers are not included.
 
FAQs:
There are many questions and considerations you might have when planning an escorted tour with Tauck Tours. For more information please click here.
 

TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

Please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 0336 335 or EMAIL us reservations@purelytravelgroup.co.uk we are open 7 days a week.

We will be happy to answer any questions, check the availability of your tour, offer a quote for flights and any pre or post nights you would like to add.

When you are ready to go ahead with the booking, a non-refundable deposit of 10% will be due at time of booking or the full balance if you are due to travel within 8 weeks.