Alaska
Spring in America's finest wilderness

Saturday 2 - Wednesday 13 June 2012 (12 days)
Nome extension To Monday 18 June (5 days)

In a world where the treasures of wildlife and wild places are dwindling, Alaska remains a wilderness jewel. More than any place in North America, it retains its wild character and ecological integrity, making a visit here simply a 'must do' experience.

We visit in June when we have endless hours of daylight to explore. It is an active time for birds and wildlife feeding young in the short summer season. Our journey is designed to visit signature landscapes from seacoast to tundra, thick spruce forests, seabird islands, and Denali National Park.



A sampler of Alaska's magnificent scenery would not be complete without a boat trip into the Gulf of Alaska and Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward.

We feature three nights at renowned Camp Denali, a naturalist's paradise with views of Mt. McKinley possible on clear days from the porch.

In Fairbanks we visit the Alaska Bird Observatory. Sandhill Cranes nest here and their calls are a delight over fields and rivers. Our main journey ends in Anchorage, and we add a night here with our extension as there is much to see and experience in this beautiful city, rimmed by water and mountains.

On our extension to Nome, we explore a wild and beautiful landscape close to the Arctic Circle. Nome's unique community is locked in by ice for much of the year. Our visit is timed for the ice 'break-up', an exciting time for birds.

Price:
Main tour: £ 5,595
Extension: £ 1,495

Single supps.*:
Main tour: £ 545
Extension: £ 445
Deposit: £ 600 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London - Anchorage, accommodation, most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), park entrance and other activity fees for activities described in the itinerary, the flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks mid-way through your journey, train travel from Fairbanks to Denali and from Denali to Anchorage, the all day boat tour in Kenai Fjords National Park, and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes meals as described, airport taxis in Anchorage on arrival and departure days (allow $25 each way), travel insurance, tips to the leader(s), drinks and other personal expenses.

*Please note that single rooms may not be available throughout, and are especially hard to book at Camp Denali, so are not included there. If we can get any single rooms here we will increase the single supp.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Naturalist Journeys of the USA

Please note that we require full payment 18 weeks before departure on all USA tours.

Principal Leader: Greg Smith


Alaska map

Outline Itinerary
Day 1 We fly from London to Anchorage, Alaska, arriving later the same day. Overnight Anchorage
Please note: Anchorage is a delightful small city with easy access to some great museums, shops and restaurants. You may want to consider arriving early to spend time here at your leisure. We can certainly help with your arrangements.
Day 2 We drive south to Seward, a spectacularly situated fishing town on Resurrection Bay, at the edge of the Gulf of Alaska. Overnight Seward (B,L,D)
Day 3 Today we embark on an all-day boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park. Overnight Seward (B,L)
Day 4 We drive north to beautiful Alyeska Resort, in winter a ski resort and in summer, a lovely mountain lodge. Overnight Alyeska Resort (B, L,D)
Day 5 This morning we enjoy the scenic drive back to Anchorage. Mid-morning, we take a flight bound north to Fairbanks. Overnight Fairbanks (D)
Day 6 Today we explore Fairbanks and its surroundings in more detail, with a local birder from the Arctic Audubon Society. Tonight we share a special evening with Mary Shields, an enthusiastic dog-musher. Overnight Fairbanks (B,L,D)
Day 7 We get an early start for Denali National Park. Our Alaska Railroad train passes through boreal forest, where we see abundant Black Spruce interspersed with ponds and wetlands.

Guides from Camp Denali await us at the station. We then head to the wilds, driving to our intimate, peaceful lodge with views of Mt. McKinley. Overnight Camp Denali (D)
Days 8-9 We have two full days to enjoy the spectacular wilderness of Denali. Our lodgings offer us great comfort, delicious meals and warm hospitality. Two nights Camp Denali (B,L,D)
Day 11 We will be sad to leave the great far North, but will do so with treasured memories, flying from Anchorage and then onward to London, arriving on Day 12.
Nome extension
To Monday 18 June (5 days)
Day 11 Those staying on for the extension can enjoy time to explore Anchorage.

After lunch, we drive north of the city for a walk at beautiful Eagle Creek. Overnight Anchorage (B)
Day 12 After breakfast, we catch a morning flight from Anchorage to Nome; typically a jet-carrier flight where we share space with cargo. After dinner we enjoy a wildlife watching loop drive to search for Grizzly Bears, Muskoxen and arctic birds in the beauty of evening light. Overnight Nome (B, L, D)
Days 13-15 Three main roads lead out into the wilds of the Seward Peninsula, and we travel a combination of routes. En route, we could sight Grizzly Bears digging up arctic Ground Squirrels or we may encounter a roadblock of Reindeer, which are herded here instead of cattle. Dinners are at your leisure and not included in the cost, so you can pace yourself. Three nights Nome (B, L daily; dinners at your leisure)
Day 16 We plan on morning flights from Nome to Anchorage to connect with the return flight to London, arriving Day 17.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary