Alaska, Denali & Northern Lights
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 8 days | PNADN |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 13 people | |
| Minimum Age | |
| 18 | |
Countries Visited |
|
| United States | |
Start City |
End City |
| Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Fairbanks, Alaska, USA |
Few places in the world can match Alaska's breathtakingly rugged beauty. From the daunting heights of Mt McKinley to tracking grizzly bears in Denali National Park, this is a grand journey that will leave you planning a hasty return!
Why we love it:
- The modern city of Anchorage
- The beauty of the Kenai Peninsula
- City tours of Anchorage, Seward and Fairbanks
- Evening opportunities to view the incredible northern lights
- Denali National Park Tundra Wilderness Tour
- Try your hand at dog sledding
- Overnights in remote locations perfect aurora viewing
- Overnights in remote locations perfect aurora viewing
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Anchorage
Accommodation: Ramada Anchorage Downtown or similar, Anchorage
Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Ramada Anchorage Downtown. We recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. Bordered by the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage stands as an enchanting metropolis surrounded by rugged wilderness. The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is home to nearly half of the state's population. It is also one of the only places in Alaska with all the modern fixtures of city life: a performing arts centre, gourmet restaurants and numerous shopping malls. We begin today's sightseeing tour of Anchorage with a trip down to the historic downtown area before heading off to see the Ship Creek fish ladder and Lake Hood, which has the largest float plane base in North America.
Day 2: Seward - Kenai Peninsula
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Breeze Inn or similar, Seward
Travel south along the scenic Turnagain Arm on the Seward highway, designated an 'All-American Road'. The Kenai Peninsula is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, and combines amazing scenery with a variety of activities for people of all ages and abilities. Seward lies at the head of Resurrection Bay and is a year-round port defined by its surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Day 3: Talkeetna
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Swiss Alaskan Inn or similar, Talkeetna
Head north on the Seward highway and along scenic Turnagain Arm, passing incredible jagged peaks, alpine meadows, breathtaking fjords and crystal lakes. Now take the Parks Highway through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley which is considered one of the most important agricultural areas in Alaska. Upon arrival in Talkeetna you have the remainder of the day free to explore this wonderful area on your own. Why not head up to one of the mountain lodges for breath-taking views of Denali National Park, before settling down to watch nature's paintbox - the northern lights.
Day 4-5: Denali National Park
Meals included: 2 breakfasts
Accommodation: Denali Bluff Hotel or similar, Denali
The drive today displays a valley rimmed by three major mountain ranges, as well as working and abandoned gold mines along the way. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world's last great frontiers for wilderness adventure, encompassing the heart of the 600-mile long Alaska Range. The crown jewel of these mountains is Mount McKinley, popularly known as Denali, meaning 'The High One' in the Athabascan language. At 6196 metres (20,327 feet), it is the highest peak in North America. Getting off the beaten track is encouraged here and those who venture out may be rewarded with sights of Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves and grizzly bears. Included on Day 5 is a Tundra Wilderness Tour that takes us deep into the park. This offers a sub-arctic experience like no other. Incredible scenery, a narrated history of Denali National Park, as well as some of the best opportunities to view and photograph wildlife. When Mount McKinley is visible, it may be possible to travel to Stony Hill Overlook and view the entire mountain from base to summit. Choose to go whitewater rafting (not included) for a pure adrenaline rush. This evening, rest or explore the vast park on your own or simply sit back with a warm drink and admire nature's finest views as aurora borealis dances above the mountains.
Day 6: Fairbanks
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Springhill Suites or similar, Fairbanks
Situated at the heart of the Tanana River Valley, Fairbanks is a city that combines modern amenities with a quintessentially Alaskan frontier spirit. Commonly known as the Gateway to the Arctic, the second largest city in Alaska has a colourful history dating back to the late 1800s and the discovery of gold in the area. An included tour takes you to Golden Heart Park at the centre of the city, and this evening you head out away from the town's artificial lights to maximize aurora sightings. Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the northern lights and features views of the Alaska Range Mountains, Mount McKinley and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Day 7: Fairbanks
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Springhill Suites or similar, Fairbanks
This day is free to explore Fairbanks on your own. Today is the perfect day to try optional winter activities which makes this area at this time of the year so amazing. Why not try a dog sledding tour or venture out to the Chena Hot Springs to soak your weary muscles? If you are interested and to avoid missing out, ask your tour leader to help you book this when you start this tour.
Day 8: Fairbanks
Meals included: 1 breakfast
This morning is free to explore Fairbanks. Your tour finishes at noon; however, why not stay longer to enjoy continued northern lights viewing. Additional nights in Fairbanks can be booked when booking this tour.
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of a professional tour leader.
• Sightseeing and entrance fees to national parks.
• 7 breaksfasts included.
• City tours of Anchorage, Seward and Fairbanks.
• Denali National Park tundra wilderness tour.
• Overnights in remote locations away from artificial light for perfect aurora viewing.
• Transport in a customised vehicle.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Accommodation
- 7 nights Hotel
Meals
- 7 breakfasts
Meals
On accommodated tours, meals are scheduled to be taken in local restaurants where passengers pay individually for each of their meals. Average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6-US$12, lunches from US$8-US$15 and dinners from US$13-US$30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per bottle. Please be aware that a tip of approximately 15%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Group leaders will often offer their tour members the choice to operate a ‘lunch only’ food kitty that has proven to be a popular alternative to three daily restaurant meals. Leaders will more fully explain this option while on tour, and the whole group will have to agree to implement this system. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
United States
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met. Under the VWP, time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands counts towards the maximum of 90 days stay allowed under the program. You will be required to complete an online visa waiver prior to travelling (at a cost of US$14). This can be done at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
United StatesThe Air-Conditioned Nightmare (1945) - Henry Miller
Coast to Coast (1956) - Jan Morris
On the Road (1957) - Jack Kerouac
Travels with Charley (1962) - John Steinbeck
Blue Highways (1982) - William Least Heat-Moon
On the Rez (2000) - Ian Frazer
The Great Gatsby (1925) - F.Scott Fitzgerald
The Grapes of Wrath (1939) - John Steinbeck
The Catcher in the Rye (1951) - J.D.Salinger
The Call of the Wild (1903) - Jack London
Important Information
Peregrine Adventures and Grand American Adventures.
This trip is operated by our partners, Grand American Adventures, a US based company with nearly 40 years experience in adventure travel. They also share our ethos for offering unique holiday adventures. As this is a code-shared departure you can expect there to be both Grand American Adventures and Peregrine travellers on your trip.
In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call Grand American Adventures' toll free* 24-hour emergency contact number.
Toll-Free (*in the US): 1 (800) 345 - 8777
International: 001 (310) 719 - 9877
Possible Itinerary Amendments
Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, our stated itinerary should be used as a guideline.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
8 February 2013
General Contact Details
Phone: +44 0845 863 9667E-mail: sales@peregrineadventures.com
Web: Visit Peregrine