On this fully-guided motorcoach tour, you’ll meet champion sled dogs, take a flightseeing tour over Denali National Park, go jet boating, wilderness hiking and kayaking, take a rail trip, spot Alaska’s magnificent wildlife and learn about native Alaskans and their rich cultural heritage. This escorted tour includes:
Round trip scheduled flights
Accommodation as specified
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners
Air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
Services of a Tauck Tour Director
Family friendly
Itinerary
Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel Captain Cook, meet your fellow travelling companions at the welcome dinner this evening.
Accommodation
Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage
The opulent guestrooms at Hotel Captain Cook are the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring Anchorage. Offering 546 rooms and suites to suit anybody and everybody’s needs, all finished with a deep jewel-tone palette and stunning views of either downtown Anchorage, Cook Inlet, or the Chugach Mountains. Complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and air-conditioning are available in all rooms and suites.
In Alaska, dog sledding is both a very popular sport and an important mode of transportation to remote places where roads still don’t go. This morning you will drive from Anchorage to Big Lake, where you’ll meet the mighty dogs that respond to the cry of ‘Mush!’ by racing off into the wild and pulling heavy sleds over the snow – Alaskan Huskies – on a visit to a facility where Alaskan huskies in training to run next year’s world-famous Iditarod Race learn how to be sled dogs, sure to be a highlight of your family’s Alaska tour. Next, you will continue to Talkeetna for a jet boat ride with a naturalist guide to look for bald eagles, beavers, moose and even bears that live along the river, and a nature walk in the Alaskan bush to see an authentic, turn-of-the-century trapper’s cabin. If the weather is good, you’ll have an incredible view of Alaska’s famous Mount Denali – the Athabascan Indians called the mountain Denali, meaning ‘the Great One’ – en route to your wilderness lodge for a two-night stay. Once there, you and your family can compete in a high-tech treasure-hunting game – known as geocaching – where you’ll use a GPS system to find hidden treasures!
Accommodation
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna
The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge features a total of 212 guestrooms. There are 3 mountain side suites, 78 main lodge mountain view rooms, 71 main lodge standard view rooms, and 60 rooms in the guest lodge building. All rooms feature a king or queen-sized bed, full private bath, hair dryer, coffee maker, refrigerator, flat-screen television, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Upgrade to one of the suites and enjoy a jacuzzi or walk-in shower, and gas fireplace with incredible views of Denali.
Nature is everywhere on a morning hike at Talkeetna Lake, with loons and kingfishers above you, and a forest brimming with wildflowers and wildlife surrounding you. As you walk, your local guide shares stories about how the first native people survived in this beautiful but wild land, life in Talkeetna today and the amazing encounters with wildlife. After lunch at your lodge, travel to Trapper Creek to visit the private homestead of Joanne Porterfield, nestled in the Alaska wilderness. Her family’s gardens and farm have flourished here in the shadow of Mount Denali for more than four decades. Later, back at your lodge in Talkeetna, enjoy an interpretive experience with storytelling, s’mores and more around an old-fashioned campfire.
Accommodation
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna
The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge features a total of 212 guestrooms. There are 3 mountain side suites, 78 main lodge mountain view rooms, 71 main lodge standard view rooms, and 60 rooms in the guest lodge building. All rooms feature a king or queen-sized bed, full private bath, hair dryer, coffee maker, refrigerator, flat-screen television, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Upgrade to one of the suites and enjoy a jacuzzi or walk-in shower, and gas fireplace with incredible views of Denali.
Depart your lodge in Talkeetna and soar over the Denali foothills in a small plane (weather permitting) for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of towering Mt. Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. After your flight, you’ll travel to Anchorage for a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a renowned cultural center and museum where you’ll come away with a greater understanding of Alaska’s Indigenous people. Following a dance performance, a tour and lunch, continue on to the wildlife-rich Kenai Peninsula and a two-night wilderness lodge stay in Cooper Landing, nestled within Chugach National Forest.
Accommodation
Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward
This comfortable Alaskan lodge offers 180 guestrooms and suites, spread among fifteen two-story buildings (please note there are no elevators). All rooms include flat screen television, private bathroom and mini fridge. Standard rooms accommodate up to four guests, offering two queen beds and feature Alaska-style log furniture. There is also the option to have an outdoor balcony or deck. Upgraded rooms include Premium Room with deck and Premium Suite with deck, the latter benefitting from a small living area.
Today, you can choose how you and your family will experience the wonders of the Kenai Peninsula, as your Alaska tour continues at your lodge in this wilderness wonderland between Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska. You can choose to go kayaking, take a scenic river-rafting trip, or embark on a hike into the wilderness with a local guide. You might also want to take advantage of optional opportunities for fishing and horse riding that may be available at an additional cost.
Accommodation
Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward
This comfortable Alaskan lodge offers 180 guestrooms and suites, spread among fifteen two-story buildings (please note there are no elevators). All rooms include flat screen television, private bathroom and mini fridge. Standard rooms accommodate up to four guests, offering two queen beds and feature Alaska-style log furniture. There is also the option to have an outdoor balcony or deck. Upgraded rooms include Premium Room with deck and Premium Suite with deck, the latter benefitting from a small living area.
Get a close-up glimpse of Alaskan wildlife on a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on Turnagain Arm, meeting moose, bison, elk and other orphaned or injured animals being rehabilitated by this non-profit organization. Then head to the Crow Creek Mine in Alaska’s historic gold rush country, where you’ll meet a “prospector,” pan for gold and dig into a barbecue lunch. Then it’s on to your resort in Girdwood. Your evening includes an entertaining mountaineering demonstration.
Hop aboard an Alaska Railroad self-propelled rail car for a trip along Turnagain Arm to Whittier, where you’ll board a boat that takes you and your family on a glacier adventure cruise on Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound. With an expert wildlife guide aboard, you’ll sail past thundering waterfalls and tidewater glaciers. Listen out for the sounds of glaciers groaning and cracking and keep an eye out for eagles, otters and harbor seals along the way. En route back to your hotel, you’ll travel through the Whittier Tunnel, the second longest highway tunnel in North America. Tonight, travel back to your hotel in Girdwood for your farewell dinner.
This classic four-island journey across Hawaii incorporates natural and historical sights as well as exclusive cultural experiences. It also includes free days to pursue your own passions whilst on Oahu, Big […]
Experience a little jazz, home-style Southern cooking, country music, and plenty of rock ’n’ roll on this inspiring American South tour, exploring the rich culture of Memphis, Nashville, Natchez, and […]
Fall in love with the Deep South during this incredible guided tour. You’ll visit Nashville, Memphis, The Mississippi Delta, New Orleans and so much more, as you trace the roots […]
Experience the vibrant musical heritage of the American South on this immersive journey, beginning in Nashville, the renowned “Music City,” and culminating in New Orleans, the legendary birthplace of jazz. […]
Explore the Canadian Rockies, staying in Whistler, Clearwater, Jasper, Banff, and Kelowna, before continuing to Vancouver Island to experience the historic charm of Victoria, the wild culture of Tofino, and […]
This incredible itinerary begins with a scenic BC Ferries crossing to Victoria, where you’ll explore the famous Butchart Gardens and have time to enjoy the city at your leisure. Next, […]
This captivating journey through Western Canada provides a postcard-worthy adventure. Stay overnight in the iconic locations of Whistler, Wells Gray Provincial Park, Jasper, Banff, and Kelowna. Immerse yourself in the […]
One to tick off the bucket list – this is a fabulous and memorable adventure. You’ll enjoy three nights in both Anchorage and Fairbanks, and traverse between the two locations […]
Explore the rich history spanning thousands of years along the West Coast of Newfoundland & Labrador. Discover ancient cultures such as the Maritime Archaic and Dorset Indians at Port au […]
Explore the highlights of “the Far East of the Western World” on this beautiful guided tour. Travel across Newfoundland, from its northernmost tip to the easternmost point in North America, […]
The Maritime Provinces are celebrated for their pristine landscapes, vibrant cities, historic lighthouses, and welcoming communities. Your journey extends through Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, ensuring […]
Discover the essence of the Maritimes on this captivating tour of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Experience the renowned features of Canada’s Maritime Provinces, including the world’s […]