Jewels of Alaska

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival, transfer independently to the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa. The rest of the day is yours to explore Anchorage as you please, before starting your Insight Vacation escorted tour tomorrow evening.

Accommodation

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Marriott Anchorage Downtown, Anchorage

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Marriott Anchorage Downtown, Anchorage

Accommodations at the Marriott are fresh and stylish, in hues of blue and white, complemented by natural wood embelishments. Picturesque city and mountain views greet you, as you rise from comfortable beds adorned with cool linens. Flat screen television, coffee maker, air conditioning and Bath & Body Works bathroom products come as standard. Concierge Level rooms offer all the same great amenities, plus access to the Concierge Lounge, offering light food presentations throughout the day and a relaxing ambiance.

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This morning you will have some more free time to explore Anchorage. Set amid the coastal Chugach Mountains, Anchorage defies popular visions of polar ice caps and frozen tundra. It’s also warmer than you think (averaging 65 degrees in summer), making conditions ideal for sightseeing or taking on uniquely Alaskan opportunities like arctic biking or touring the fjords of Prince William Sound.  In the evening you will join your Travel Director for a welcome dinner with wine, the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow guests on your tour.

Accommodation

Included

Marriott Anchorage Downtown, Anchorage

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Marriott Anchorage Downtown, Anchorage

Accommodations at the Marriott are fresh and stylish, in hues of blue and white, complemented by natural wood embelishments. Picturesque city and mountain views greet you, as you rise from comfortable beds adorned with cool linens. Flat screen television, coffee maker, air conditioning and Bath & Body Works bathroom products come as standard. Concierge Level rooms offer all the same great amenities, plus access to the Concierge Lounge, offering light food presentations throughout the day and a relaxing ambiance.

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Get acquainted with Anchorage 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 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.

Accommodation

Included

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna

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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.

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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.

Accommodation

Included

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna

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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.

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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 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. 

Accommodation

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Grande Denali Lodge, Denali National Park

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Grande Denali Lodge, Denali National Park

Grande Denali Lodge offers spacious guestrooms with canyon or hillside views and a selection of Alaskan-style cabins with a range of creature comforts.

Guestrooms – You’ll be staying in either the Kodiak Lodge or the Denali Lodge. Guests choose rooms with either one king bed or two queen beds.  Amenities in each room include a television, tea/coffee maker, mini refrigerator, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom.

Cabins – The most private and secluded accommodations in the area are the six guest cabins. Each cabin comfortably sleeps four and features separate living areas, sleeping areas, and a wilderness viewing deck. Cabin amenities include a television, coffee maker, microwave, mini refrigerator, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom.

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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. 

Accommodation

Included

Grande Denali Lodge, Denali National Park

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Grande Denali Lodge, Denali National Park

Grande Denali Lodge offers spacious guestrooms with canyon or hillside views and a selection of Alaskan-style cabins with a range of creature comforts.

Guestrooms – You’ll be staying in either the Kodiak Lodge or the Denali Lodge. Guests choose rooms with either one king bed or two queen beds.  Amenities in each room include a television, tea/coffee maker, mini refrigerator, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom.

Cabins – The most private and secluded accommodations in the area are the six guest cabins. Each cabin comfortably sleeps four and features separate living areas, sleeping areas, and a wilderness viewing deck. Cabin amenities include a television, coffee maker, microwave, mini refrigerator, air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom.

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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.

Accommodation

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Alyeska Resort, Girdwood

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Alyeska Resort, Girdwood

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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-kilometer) 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 sits 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 8 pm. Depending on your flight time, you may need to extend your stay in Anchorage or perhaps choose to add a few days for some extra sightseeing.