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Jewels of Alaska
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Jewels of Alaska
Operated by: Insight Vacations
7 Days from $3,530 per person
Locations Visited
Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Girdwood, Alyeska, Whittier (AK) ...more Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Girdwood, Alyeska, Whittier (AK)BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
✓ Lock in this trip with $250 deposit
✓ Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking
✓ Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs
✓ Lock in this trip with $250 deposit
✓ Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking
✓ Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Day 4
Journey Along the Alaskan Railroad Relaxed Start
Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning before boarding the world-famous Alaska Railroad train for a spectacular journey over swift-rushing streams, toward Denali National Park and Preserve. View the majestic surroundings from the comfort of your glass-domed rail car. Later, meet a local climber who will share stories about what it's like to a climb up one of the most daunting and tallest land-based mountains in the world, Denali. A trek that begins deep in the heart of the Alaskan Range and where conditions only get tougher further into the journey, forcing climbers to build snow walls for protection from the harsh elements. The climb which takes approximately 17-18 days round trip, takes incredible physical and mental fortitude. For tonight's dinner with wine, the choice is yours between a charming local brewery or the lodge's rustic restaurant during your Dine-Around evening.
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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 activities. With Denali, the highest peak in North America at the center of it all, the park consists of 6 million acres of tundra, boreal forest and ice-capped mountains. This magnificent land is nature at its most pure yet has something to offer all. From a blissful stroll through one of the meadows, to a rewarding hike, this Park is for everyone. You will also find that to be true with the exciting optional experiences which include a 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 under the star filled night.
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Day 6
Girdwood and Mount Alyeska
Enjoy a scenic journey along the George Parks Highway. Stop in Big Lake, AK and visit four-time Iditarod winner Martin Buser at his own home. Arriving at the kennel, you will be greeted by between thirty and sixty excited sled dogs. Spend time with Martin and learn about the many challenges faced on the 1,049-mile dogsled race. Take a virtual trip along the Iditarod trail alongside Martin's narration including countless stories from his thirty-five years of racing, as well as a great deal of Iditarod history. A true insider experience into the world of the Iditarod, that very few get to experience. 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.
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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.
Price Includes
Additional Included Highlights
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Choice Highlights
Well-being
- : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
- : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
Summary
- Anchorage: Begin your vacation in culinary style at MUSE, a bespoke restaurant and atrium café located within the Anchorage Museum.
Authentic Dining
- Anchorage: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner.
- Denali National Park: 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.
- Girdwood: In the evening, join your Travel Director for a wonderful Celebration Dinner, complete with wine and good cheer.
- Dining Summary: 3 Dinner with Wine (DW), 6 Breakfast (B), and 2 Lunch (L)
Top Rated Highlights
- Anchorage: Get acquainted with Alaska's largest city on an immersive city tour. Discover how this urban landscape enriched with culture came to be as you explore the historic downtown.
- Talkeetna: Enjoy a jet Boat Tour up the Chulitna River and visit a Trappers Cabin. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of hunting and trapping in Interior Alaska.
- Alaska Railroad: Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning before boarding the world-famous Alaska Railroad train for a spectacular journey over swift-rushing streams, toward Denali National Park and Preserve. View the majestic surroundings from the comfort of your glass-domed railcar.
- Denali National Park: Meet a local climber at a private reception and hear first-hand about their experience climbing the tallest land-based mountain in the world. A Denali climb begins deep in the heart of the Alaska Range and takes around 17-18 days round trip from the base – to hear the tales about such a trek from someone who has experienced it firsthand is truly captivating.
- Whittier (AK): Travel to Whittier to board the 26 Glacier Cruise for a 100-mile boat tour of Prince William Sound and into the College Fjord where you will come up close and personal to the glaciers. Visit with the Captain in the wheelhouse and enjoy an included lunch.
Insight Experiences
- Anchorage: Enjoy an exclusive Agutak (Inuit ice cream) making demonstration during a visit to the renowned Alaska Native Heritage Center. Learn how this culinary treat establishes a link to the past, inspires a sense of pride and spurs a dialogue about an ancient people’s remarkable ability to survive.
- : This afternoon, depart Anchorage and travel through the fertile Matanuska Valley making a stop at a local farm to see how the long summer days and glacial silt create the perfect environment for growing GIANT award- winning vegetables and flowers. Even through the growing season is months shorter than the rest of the country, Alaska’s farmers grow some of the largest vegetables in the world. The photosynthetic boost also makes the produce sweeter – a fascinating and insightful experience that shows a different side of Alaska.
- Denali National Park: Meet four-time Iditarod winner, Martin Buser and learn about the challenges of competing in the 1,049-mile (1,688 kilometer) while enjoying lunch at his home. Martin’s stories give an in depth look at his incredible thirty-five years of racing, as well as a great deal of enthralling Iditarod history.
Make Travel Matter
- Anchorage: Guests will have a guided visit of the Alaska Native Heritage Center - A renowned cultural center and museum where people come to expand their understanding of Alaska's indigenous people. They promotes active observance of Alaska Native culture and traditions. It is the only statewide cultural and education center dedicated to celebrating all cultures and heritages. Through permanent collections, life-sized village sites, and immersive educational programs, ANHC works to provide tourists and non-Natives a framework in which to engage with Alaska Native culture. While here, guests will enjoy an exclusive Agutak (Inuit ice cream) making demonstration. Learn how this culinary treat establishes a link to the past, inspires a sense of pride and spurs a dialogue about an ancient people’s remarkable ability to survive. This MTM allows guests to walk away with knowledge about indigenous communities and traditions. private guided with museum docent.
Dates & Prices
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Online Booking Process
Financing from $/month
Optional Add-Ons
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Talkeetna
Available on Day 3
Flightseeing Fixed Wing - Summit Tour with Glacier Landing
Fly around the summits of Denali, Foraker and Hunter in our oxygen-equipped De Havilland turbine Otters. This tour spends more time at higher altitudes and gives a broad overview of the Alaska Range. This high-elevation expedition soars above Denali at over 20,000 ft. and is a tour for adventurous travelers. 1.5-hour flight with 20-minute landing.
Adult Price: $535
Flightseeing Fixed Wing - Denali Flyer
This intro flightseeing will have you explore the south side of North America’s largest mountain, Mt. Denali. Within minutes of departing Talkeetna, you will be surrounded by rugged high mountain peaks and wide glacier-filled valleys and natural wonders of Denali National Park. 1.25-hour flight. Additional option to extend with a 15-minute landing.
Adult Price: $320
Flightseeing Fixed Wing - Denali Flyer with Glacier Landing
This magnificent flightseeing tour will have you explore the south side of North America’s largest mountain, Denali. Listen as your pilot describes the natural wonders of Denali National Park. Then enjoy an added landing on a glacier and step out on an expanse of snow. This is our most popular tour! 1.25-hour flight with a 15-minute landing.
Adult Price: $429
Scenic Talkeetna River Float Trip
Enjoy a relaxing rafting adventure on the glacially-fed, flat water of the Talkeetna River. This portion of the river is swift, smooth and good for all ages. Possible views of Denali and the Talkeetna Mountains await. Learn about the wildlife, spawning salmon, giant ferns, and freshwater streams at stops along the way from local raft guides.
Adult Price: $89
Talkeetna Lakes Hike
Take a hike! Explore Talkeetna’s best trail with a great naturalist guide. A new scene of beauty unfolds around every turn on this three-mile moderate hike. Look for loons and kingfishers on the lakes, moose and bears in the woods, and Mt. Denali on the horizon. This lush old-growth forest is alive with songbirds, wildflowers, berries, and mushrooms. This is a great trip in any weather. Includes a healthy, home-baked snack. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Adult Price: $69
Denali
Available on Day 4
Denali ATV Wilderness Adventure
Get ready for some adventure! Whether a novice or expert ATVer, this tour will be a memorable 10-mile ride in the scenic Alaskan wilderness on a Single or Side by Side ATV. Riding along trails surrounded by Denali National Park, at speeds up to 30 mph, your adventure includes breathtaking 360° overlook stops with views of lakes and valleys in the Alaska Range.
Adult Price: $190
Denali Wilderness Walking tour
"Go for a hike! Take an interpretive, guided walk in the Denali area with a naturalist guide who will point out the landmarks and talk about the amazing geology and glacial history of this part of the world. Walk through boreal forests and discover how plants and animals have adapted to the extreme sub-arctic environment. Walk in the footsteps of animals, and gain a new appreciation for this far north landscape. The active pace is usually about one mile per hour."
Adult Price: $115
Denali Zipline
"Experience life above the trees! After a short trail ride shuttle and gearing up, certified guides will lead you along 6 suspension bridges and 8 thrilling zip lines, including the dual racer finale! The built-in, hands-free braking system allows you to relax and take in the breathtaking mountain views. Participants must be relatively physically fit for this active tour."
Adult Price: $139
Fixed Wing Flightseeing Denali Glacier Landing
We offer the only flight that lands on glaciers at the base of Mt. Denali. The pilot will ensure everyone has ample opportunity for photographs, especially photos of Denali. Upon arrival at one of the glacier landing zones, passengers deplane and step into the "Ice Age." Passengers spend 20 minutes snowball throwing, snow angel making, picture taking, or just being awed by the beauty of the "otherworldly" surroundings. 100-minute flight roundtrip, 20-minute landing.
Adult Price: $649
Scenic Wilderness Whitewater Rafting
"This scenic whitewater excursion travels 11 miles through the Alaska wilderness on Class II and II+ rapids. This trip is approximately three hours with a total of two hours on the glacially-fed Nenana River. Your guide controls the boat with oars so no paddling is required as you enjoy the scenery and keep on the lookout for animals. The Scenic Wilderness run is perfect for the beginning rafter or those that simply want to enjoy Denali landscape!"
Adult Price: $140
Denali Fly Fishing
"Fly Fish in Alaska! Experienced or beginner; you will fish for Arctic Grayling on lakes in the heart of the Alaska Range. The catch and release fly fishing package offers half-day opportunities with no experience necessary. This personalized and fully outfitted trip includes gear, guide, equipment, and transportation. Fishing License additional. 4.5-hour tour with 2.5 hours on the water fishing."
Adult Price: $205
Denali Fixed Wing Flightseeing
"Travel like the Bush pilots of Alaska! Enjoy a 60-70 minute fixed wing flightseeing journey following the Alaska Range out to about one mile from Mt. Denali (Weather dependent)."
Adult Price: $400
Sled Dog Kennel Tour
"Enjoy a warm welcome and experience a true Alaskan lifestyle at a kennel with an Iditarod expert. Learn what it is like to live with the world’s greatest athletes as you visit with our puppies, witness sled dogs in action, and virtually experience running the Iditarod. Enjoy stories of the adventures of living both on and off the trail."
Adult Price: $56
Helicopter Glacier Landing Expedition - (5o minute flight and 15-minute landing)
"Step into another world most people never see. Walk upon an ancient glacier tucked away deep in the Alaska Range. Blue ice, stunning views, and towering peaks combine to make this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Fly east, away from Denali National Park. Glacier walking boots are provided."
Adult Price: $536
Helicopter Tundra Landing Expedition - (15-minute flight and 15-minute landing)
Don’t just fly over the mountains. Get out in them. Enjoy this short helicopter ride through the peaks and valleys that make up the Alaska Range. Explore the hills just outside of Denali National Park. Look down below for wildlife, keep your eyes on the horizon for a chance at viewing Mt. Denali. After a gentle landing, step out into this magical landscape. Sink your feet in the tundra, snap a flurry of photos, or just breathe in that crisp mountain air. Includes 15-20 minutes of flight, with a 15-20 minutes tundra landing.
Adult Price: $249
Denali Natural History Tour (Denali NP Bus)
Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, this 4.5- to 5-hour bus tour travels to the Primrose Ridge (mile 17). Several interpretive stops enhance the experience with an off-bus experience. Your driver/naturalist will provide a great introduction to the landscape, geology, and history of Denali National Park.
Adult Price: $121
Girdwood
Available on Day 6
Helicopter Dog Sled Tour
A helicopter is used to transport you to our alpine camp where our experienced guide will accompany you as you mush along a snow-covered glacier. Drive the sled yourself or ride if you prefer as you enjoy the dramatic scenery. Back at camp, you can bundle yourself up in actual Iditarod racing gear including an original bib number for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. You will learn about Alaskan Huskies and the legendary Alaska dog mushing Seavey family. Waiver required
Adult Price: $574
Portage River Scenic Float (Girdwood)
Take in panoramic views of cascading glaciers floating through the Portage Valley, as your guide rows down the Portage River. Get views of Middle & Explorer Glaciers from the raft, there is no better way to see Portage Valley. A perfect float for ALL Ages. Pick-up from the Hotel Alyeska followed by a 20-minute drive to Portage Valley. Learn about glaciers while your guide rigs the raft. Look for moose, bears, wolves, porcupines, eagles and at the many cascading glaciers, as your guide rows you down the scenic Portage River Valley. Rubber boots, rain gear, life jacket, and drink provided. Waiver required.
Adult Price: $125
Heli - Tidewater with Glacier Landing
Land on a glacier! Extend your flightseeing adventure by taking our most popular tour that explores the Lake George Glacier, Lake George Valley, Whiteout Glacier and Colony Glacier. As you fly through the Chugach backcountry, the panorama opens to glacial-formed valleys and magnificent fields of ancient translucent blue glaciers. Highlight your trip with a glacier landing on Colony Glacier or atop a high ridge with a 360-degree panorama of mountains and glaciers and become surrounded by the surreal landscape. In the summer, your return flight provides opportunities to see mountain goats, moose and bears. Waiver required.
Adult Price: $434
Portage Scenic Float and Salmon BBQ
Take in panoramic views of cascading glaciers rafting through the Portage River Valley, as your guide rows down the Portage River to dinner. A perfect float for ALL Ages. With the Salmon Bake, you will enjoy an authentic Alaskan meal under the midnight sun alongside the river. You won’t have a finer remote dinner experience in Alaska.
Adult Price: $225
ATV - Backcounty Adventure
Join this Alaskan ATV adventure where you will be guided along a trailhead to explore the backcountry up and down hills and near creeks and rivers. The tour includes a small hike to a spectacular waterfall where salmon sometimes can be spotted. This action-packed ride is rain or shine so gear will be provided for your epic adventure in the backcountry.
Adult Price: $220
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