Elena & Victor

Day 1 (Arrival Seattle, WA, Olympic National Park):
Upon arrival at SEATAC airport, meet your Tour Director. This afternoon, FERRY across Puget Sound to the Olympic Peninsula. Arrive at OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK. At almost a million acres, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a wonderland of scenic beauty.

Day 2 (Olympic National Park, Seattle):
Spend the morning exploring OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK. This temperate rainforest receives 140 inches or more of rain a year, creating a green environment of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce. Keep an eye out for some the park’s resident elk, blacktail deer, bald eagles, and more. largest lavender event in North America! This afternoon the group will visit the Annual LAVENDER FESTIVAL in Sequim. Enjoy the fantastic street fair with more than 150 crafts and lavender booths, food, music and more in downtown Sequim. Late afternoon departure for downtown Seattle.

Day 3 (Seattle):
Start the day with an orientation tour of Seattle, and a visit to the SPACE NEEDLE for a bird’s eye view of the city as well as the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. This afternoon you’ll travel north of the visit for your visit to the Future of FLIGHT AVIATION CENTER. You’ll have an opportunity to explore the various exhibits and learn about innovations in airplane designs, and then get up close with airplane production during the BOEING TOUR. The group will return late afternoon to Seattle, and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 4 (Seattle – Anchorage, AK):
Enjoy a full day exploring downtown Seattle at leisure. Plan to visit the famous Pike Place Market, take a ride on the new waterfront Ferris Wheel, explore the variety of shops and restaurants along the Pier, and take time visit the Chihuly Gardens or the Experience Music Project Museum. Your Tour Director will have a variety of ideas as well as optional excursions.
Late afternoon the group will transfer by coach to the Seattle International Airport for your flight to Alaska.

Day 5 (Anchorage):
After breakfast you will depart for a scenic tour north to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Here you will visit the community of Eklutna where you will visit the ST. NICOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH. You will then enjoy a visit to a local REINDEER FARM where you will have an up close encounter with upwards of 150 reindeer. Later you will make a visit to the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS located in Wasilla where you will have an opportunity to learn the mushing way of life as well as to see memorabilia from Alaska’s Last Great Race. You will then head back to Anchorage where you will enjoy a visit at the ANCHORAGE MUSEUM to learn about the history of Alaska. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 6 (Anchorage – Denali):
After breakfast you will transfer to the Anchorage Railroad. Here you will board a deluxe dome rail car for a SCENIC TRAIN RIDE north to Denali. Upon arrival into Denali there will be time for optional tours such as guided hikes, scenic helicopter rides, visit a local dog kennel with an Iditarod Champion, and so much more.

Day 7 (Denali):
Today you will travel deep into Denali National Park on the TUNDRA WILDERNESS TOUR and search the pristine wilderness for Denali’s “big 5” bear, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. This six to eight hour journey is narrated allowing for insight into the animals, flora and fauna of this spectacular region.

Day 8 (Denali – Fairbanks):
Today you will enjoy a RAFTING EXCURSION on the Nenana River. This watercourse descends through miles of spectacular scenery and geology along Denali National Park. Afterwards you will board your coach for a scenic tour north to Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City. You will travel even further north eventually arrive at the CHENA HOT SPRINGS where you can enjoy the healing mineral waters of the natural outdoor hot springs. You may also opt to stop in at the Aurora Ice Museum and enjoy a signature Appletini! Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 9 (Fairbanks):
After breakfast you will be transferred over to the Chena River for a SCENIC RIVERBOAT CRUISE. Enjoy this three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life. You will see a floatplane takeoff alongside the boat, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher, and see her champion sled dogs in action. After the riverboat cruise you will take the GOLD DREDGE #8 TOUR where you will ride the Tanana Valley Railroad through the gold fields of the Interior. Meet Alaskan miners who explain mining history and even get the chance to pan for gold. Later you will be transferred to the UAF MUSEUM OF THE NORTH. Here you will see all sorts of artifacts and Specimens representing millions of years of biological diversity and thousands of years of cultural traditions in the North. After a busy day in Fairbanks, enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 10 (Fairbanks -Valdez):
After breakfast you will tour south down the Richardson Highway to Valdez. Along the way you will visit the WORTHINGTON GLACIER RECREATION SITE for a great photo opportunity of the Worthington Glacier.

Day 11 (Valdez):
Today you will have a chance to take one of the many optional tours that Valdez has to offer. Optional tours include kayaking, guided hikes, glacier day cruises, as well as many more.

Day 12 (Valdez – Whittier – Girdwood):
Transfer to the Valdez Harbor where you will board your marine vessel to cross through Prince William Sound to Whittier.** Upon arrival into Whittier you will board your coach, and be transferred to Girdwood. Here you will have time for optional tours such as scenic helicopter tours, glacier dog sledding trips, guided hikes, as well as many more.

Day 13 (Girdwood – Anchorage):
After breakfast you will board your deluxe motor coach for a scenic tour north along the Seward Highway to Anchorage. Upon arrival into Anchorage you will have time for optional tours such as a half day trip to Redoubt Bay Lodge for bear viewing, flightseeing north to Mt. McKinley, as well as many more.

Day 14 (Anchorage – Depart for home):
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. A group transfer will be available to the airport for your homebound flight.