8 Days - Best of Alaska

Day One

ANCHORAGE - Today starts the first day of your Alaska adventure, with you exploring the history of our state! Your guide will meet you out front of your hotel lobby at 11 AM. You'll recognize our executive mini-coaches by the unique gold and black Alaska Adventure Unlimited branding. **Travel across town to the spectacular Native Heritage Center, a renowned cultural museum, where guests can learn about Alaska's first people. In the Welcome House at the Native Heritage Center, you'll see a celebration of contemporary Alaska native cultures, while the outdoor facilities and sites allow the exploration of ancient tradition and the presentation of stories from the past. Upon leaving the Anchorage area, you will travel north to the Matanuska Valley, the farming belt of Alaska. Along the way, we will visit the native village of Eklutna. Enjoy the Russian Orthodox influenced church and native-influenced "spirit houses," while shoring in native cultural traditions.
**This activity may be switched to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center depending on your tour dates.

Day Two

GLACIERVIEW - Get ready for one of the most scenic drives in the state! As you head north to Glacier View, the Matanuska River winds its way north beside you. Several overlook stops reveal views of mountains, valleys, and glaciers.
TWO FLOAT OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
*Matanuska Float Trip - 2.5 hours • Relaxed guided sightseeing and photo opportunities; • Easily navigable waters
*Lion's Head Raft Trip - 3.5 hours• Most popular trip for over 28 years; • Excellent white-water trip for both first timers and experienced enthusiasts; • Class Ill & IV rapids offer you a hands-on adventure.
After lunch, discover the true beauty of glaciers up close. Ice crampons and walking sticks are provided for your glacier trek adventure. You will follow your guide as you explore the ice & rock formations of the Matanuska Glacier as you're walking on it. No experience is necessary to join in the fun. Intermittently placed picnic benches allow guests to choose their own participation level. Great photo ops from all picnic benches.
**HELICOPTER GLACIER LANDING UPGRADE AVAILABLE/ $249 person

Day Three

TALKEETNA - Next, it's off to visit the home of Mt. Denali! Today will be a highlight of your Alaskan adventures. In Talkeetno, a local gem where three Alaskan rivers meet, one of the most photographed vistas in our state can be seen: the towering peaks of Mt. Foraker, Mt Hunter, and Mt. Denali, part of the Alaska Range. On this day, you'll be able to choose ONE of the following adventures to enjoy in Talkeetna:
*Denali Flightseeing
1- hour flight time, plus travel
• This magnificent flight takes you within six miles of Denali's summit- the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet!
• Includes window seats for each passenger, and an experienced pilot-guide who will highlight points of interest in the area.
**GLACIER LANDING UPGRADE AVAILABLE/ $100 person
OR
*Riverboat
2- hour riverboat ride, plus travel
• This exciting adventure takes you on an enclosed jetboat.
• Guests can see unique views of the Alaska Range and Mt. Denali from the river.
• Visit an authentic trapper's cabin and view how trappers lived in "Bush" Alaska.

Day Four

DENALI - Spotting wildlife In the beautiful and scenic Denali National Park is your adventure for today. Try to spot the Big 5: moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and wolves. Your guide will escort you to the Wilderness Access Center where you will board the Denali Park Shuttle. The shuttle takes you deep into the park for a 5-hour roundtrip tour.

Day Five

DENALI: Today Is a day of leisure. Guests may enjoy the scenery at their accommodations. There are also various hiking options in and around Denali National Park. Denali National Park Visitor Center also offers activities for guests to enjoy (exhibits, movies, dog kennel tours.
Consider adding ONE of the optional UPGRADE adventures listed below:
1) ATV 4-Wheeler Adventure (2 hours-covered vehicles): (Must be 16 yrs. & Licensed to Drive, or can be a passenger)
$150 single rider; $250 double rider; $350 triple rider
Ride on several terrain types. There are coal mining tolls, rocky creek beds, hill climbs, water, and mud crossings. Total tour covers approximately 10 miles, with 1½ hours on the trails.
2) 9-Hole Tundra Golf: $124 per person
Black Diamond is a challenging course with Alaskan hazards, such as tundra marsh or even the occasional moose hoof print. It is a relatively short course, accessible and fun for any style of play.
3) Denali Zip Line (3 hours) : $160 per person; {Must be 8 yrs & 70 lbs. Max 270 lbs.)
Your zipline adventure begins with a three-mile trail ride through the scenic Alaskan wilderness. After gearing up, certified guides will lead you along six sky bridges and seven thrilling zip lines. Over half a mile of zips including the dual racer finale!

Day Six

HATCHER PASS GOLD PANNING: Soak in the beautiful scenery of Hatcher Pass while visiting Independence Gold Mine, which was built in the early 1900's. Try your hand at gold panning. We bring our own gold pans and have fun trying to "strike it rich!" A park naturalist is often available to share the history of the mine, as well as information on the flora and fauna of the area. Hatcher Pass is a favorite of guests; they love its beauty, wildflowers, berries, and wildlife. The best photography here is in later summer.
KNIK GLACIER BOAT TOUR: Your next adventure of the day will begin when you will climb aboard a military truck for a scenic drive to the river boot launch. Once aboard the river boat you will head to Lake George, the base of Knik Glacier (one of Alaska's grandest natural attractions). Knik Glacier, formed in the Pleistocene Glaciation Period (the beginning of the Ice Age) 600,000 years ago, originally covered the Anchorage bowl and the entire Cook Inlet. This glacier remains active, though motion is Imperceptible to the naked eye. Knik Glacier is still in a constant state of change.
ANCHORAGE: Upon arrival in Anchorage, you will say good-bye to your AAU tour guide. Your accommodations are in Anchorage this evening. Early tomorrow morning, you will begin your AAU choreographed 2-doy Kenai Peninsula adventure, featuring the Alaska Railroad and the Kenai Fjords.

Day Seven

ALASKA RAILROAD TO SEWARD: - Listed among the most spectacular rail trips in the world! Ride the famous Alaska Railroad and experience the Kenai Peninsula, a unique and scenic area of Alaska. DELUXEpackage - Breakfast INCLUDED; • First-Class Gold Star glass-domed train with access to open air viewing deck; • Seated on the second level of the double-decked domed cars; • Complimentary beverages provided. SEWARD: Kenai Fjords wildlife and glacier cruise takes you deep Into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park, a place many marine and land-based wildlife call home. • Spectacular views, from rugged coastlines to emerging rainforests and calving glaciers. • Chance ta see incredible Alaskan wildlife up close (humpback and Orea whales, seals, sea otters, puffins, eagles, etc

Day Eight

SEWARD - Your day begins with ONE included octivity, your choice of the below:
*Dog Sled Ride: The intrigue of the lditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, also known as Alaska's Superbowl, comes alive as you mush through the Alaskan wilderness to the base of Resurrection Mountain and along Box Canyon Creek. You will have a guide with you while a team of lditarod dogs pullyouin a wheeled cart on a gravel rood.
*Tandem Sea Kayaking: While you're charting the waters of beautiful Resurrection Boy, keep your eyes peeled for otters, salmon, and eagles. This adventure is great for all groups (big and small). Your three-hour guided kayaking tour will go to Tonsino Creek. Kayaking gear, water, and snack provided. Dry bogs available upon request.
**Guests can also upgrade by choosing both of the above tours, one for morning and one for afternoon ($105 per person).
YOU MAY ALSO UPGRADE BY CHOOSING INSTEAD:
1) Helicopter w/ Glacier Dog Sled Ride: $580 per person - Touchdown on the upper port of Godwin Glacier, just outside of Seward. Land on a snowy icefield and experience the magic of winter in the summertime while mushing with the dogs!
2) Zipline Adventure (3 hrs): $160 per person .Incredible panoramic views across the volley and glaciers to the southwest as you sore along on eight ziplines. Trip also includes three suspension bridges and two rappels.
3) Half or full-day salmon, halibut or combo fishing charter: (subject to fuel surcharge) Full Day- Halibut (June): $410; Combo (Jul-Aug): $435 Half Day- Salmon (Jul-Aug): $305 - Explore the Gulf of Alaska as you search for halibut, salmon, rockfish, or lingcod. Experienced captains, great vessels, and the right equipment will make your fishing experience on unforgettable one.
RETURN TO ANCHORAGE ON ALASKA RAILROAD OR MOTORCOACH (TOUR ENDS)

FB=Full Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner