Alaska: Call of the Wild

Wilderness Safari Denali Nat'l Park Big Game Alaska Kenai Peninsula Alaska Railroad

Discover Tauck Alaska, family-style. Meet Alaskan sled dogs. Take a wilderness safari with a nature guide. Spot whales, sea lions and otters on a fjord cruise. Raft in glacier-fed waters. Explore rugged gorges and mountain peaks accessible only on a rail journey. Experience the real Alaska on land and water with Tauck Bridges.

		Hike into "Bush" Alaska
		Flightsee over the foothils of Denali Nat'l Park
		Visit Big Game Alaska
		Cruise through the Kanai Fjords
		Ride a train to a glacier
		Pan for gold

Day 1: Arrive Anchorage, Gateway to Alaska
Day 2: Jetboat Ride / Denali National Park
Day 3: Meet Alaskan Huskies
Day 4: Flightsee Big Game Alaska
Day 5: The Alaskan Wilderness, Your Way
Day 6: Cruise through Kenai Fjords
Day 7: Glacier Rail Journey / Pan for Gold
Day 8: Journey Home
 

Day 1: Arrive Anchorage, Gateway to Alaska
Tour begins: Millennium Hotel Anchorage at 6:00 PM. Your Alaskan adventure begins in Anchorage, gateway to the great outdoors. Join us for a welcome dinner tonight as you become acquainted with the 49th state. Meals D

Day 2: Jetboat Ride / Denali National Park
Venture north today to Denali National Park, home to Dali sheep, moose, grizzly bears and the ever-elusive Mount McKinley; with over six million acres, it is larger than the state of Massachusetts! En route, take a jetboat ride into this great last frontier with a local naturalist guide who points out any nesting bald eagles, beavers, moose and even bear along the river; then hike into back woods of “Bush” Alaska for a first-hand glimpse of an authentic trapper’s cabin from the turn of the century. Continue on to your wilderness lodge for a two-night stay; weather permitting, enjoy incredible views of mighty Mt. McKinley, standing at 20,320 feet above sea level. It is the tallest mountain on the continent and the centerpiece of Denali National Park. Meals BL

Day 3: Meet Alaskan Huskies
Dog sledding is popular as both a sport and form of transportation in interior Alaska. Learn about the amazing dogs who drive these sleds in frigid weather and meet puppies who will be trained as sled dogs during a morning visit to a dog sled facility. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy all the amenities of the lodge, including outdoor hot tubs, a playground and nature trails that stretch for miles. Fishing tours, horseback riding and more are available at an additional cost. Meals BD

Day 4: Flightseeing / Big Game Alaska
Pack your bags for a memorable excursion into the Alaskan wilderness. Take off for a breathtaking flightseeing journey over the foothills of Denali en route to the Kenai Peninsula; view Mt. McKinley’s ice-clad summit from the air and see if you can spot any intrepid climbers on the mountain’s massive south face. You will have time to explore the town of Anchorage today before continuing on your journey. Drive to Kenai, fondly called “Alaska’s playground,” stopping at Big Game Alaska Center on the shores of Turnagain Arm; meet orphaned animals being rehabilitated for a return to the wild and experience close encounters with moose, bison, elk, Sitka Black-Tailed deer and caribou, as well as birds of prey. Your accommodations for the next two days are at a wilderness lodge; surrounded by mountains and hanging glaciers, it is the perfect place to learn about Alaska wildlife. Meals BD

Day 5: The Alaskan Wilderness, Your Way
Spend the day experiencing the natural splendors of the Kenai River region as you wish. The Kenai River is home to 28 different species of fish and boasts the world’s record for chinook salmon, making it a popular fishing destination, as well as an ideal place to view Alaska’s animals. Choose from several optional activities today, including rafting, horseback riding and hiking. Relax in an outdoor hot tub tonight.Meals BL

Day 6: Cruise through Kenai Fjords
Drive to Seward this morning where you will visit the Alaska Sealife Center for a behind-the-scenes look at the unique marine life of Alaska, before embarking on a cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park. One of Alaska’s most impressive and diverse destinations, its astounding landscape includes an icefield wilderness, canyons, waterfalls, tidewater glaciers and a rocky coastline; it is also one of the best

places in North America to see a wide variety of wildlife including playful sea otters, humpback whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, puffins, bearded mountain goats and even bear. Your on-board naturalist will point out fascinating sights during your cruise. Your final destination today is the Alyeska Prince Hotel at the Alyeska Resort, Alaska’s finest ski resort, where you will spend the next two nights. This alpine wonderland is transformed into a colorful flower-filled village in the summer. Meals BLD

Day 7: Glacier Rail Journey / Pan for Gold
Explore rugged gorges, spectacular peaks and a glacier-carved valley this afternoon on a rail journey into a pristine alpine wonderland accessible only by train; a rafting adventure awaits to take you within feet of massive Spencer Glacier! Try your luck panning for gold tonight during a farewell dinner at the historic Crow Creek Mine; at its height in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the mine produced an average of 700 ounces of gold per month. Legend has it that there is still lots of gold to be found here! You can keep all the gold you can pan! Meals BD

Day 8: Journey Home
Tour ends: Anchorage Airport in Girdwood. All transfers to the airport are included. Fly home anytime; allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in. Meals B