Experience the true Alaska by traveling through the pristine countryside by rail, driving through Denali National Park, and exploring intriguing inland cities, often on your own so you’re free to see whatever you wish. This program features Denali National Park, antique automobiles, sled dog champions, and up- close wildlife viewing opportunities.
*This program ends in Fairbanks, Alaska therefore all flights must depart from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
DAY 1
Upon disembarking the ship in Whittier, the Tour Director will join you for the journey through Alaska’s interior during the next five days. Driving toward Anchorage, you will pass through a landscape so spectacular it holds three scenic designations: USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All-American Road. Make a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see indigenous animals to Alaska in their natural habitat.
In Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, you will enjoy a brief orientation tour that will present some of the highlights and suggestions for lunch on your own in the downtown.
Following lunch, you will depart for Talkeetna, the quaint Alaskan town that provided the inspiration for the 1990s TV program “Northern Exposure.” It nestles at the confluence of three rivers: the Talkeetna, Chulitna, and Susitna.
After checking in at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, you will attend an exclusive reception so you can get to know your travel companions. The evening is open for dinner on your own and to explore Talkeetna.
Although known for its restaurants, brewery and fine shopping, Talkeenta also offers extraordinary views of Mt. McKinley, weather permitting. The highest peak in North America, Mt. Denali can usually be photographed from several locales around town, including the back deck of the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or similar, where you will spend the evening. Dinner is on your own.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the lodge, board your Deluxe Dome Railcar for the journey to Denali National Park. Seating is upstairs in the dome, which offers incredible views of Alaska’s stunning natural beauty from all sides of the railcar. Lunch is included today onboard the train. The remainder of your day is open for optional activities, such as helicopter flightseeing over Mt. Denali, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting on the Nenana River. The prices for each activity vary. These programs can only be booked at the lodge and are independently operated with no affiliation to the cruise line.
After dinner on your own, you will spend the evening at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar.
DAY 3
The day starts with an early breakfast at the lodge and then the phenomenal Denali Natural History Tour. Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, this program includes several interpretive stops and an hour off-bus experience. Begin with a stop to learn about the creation of the Denali Park Road with the film “Across Time and Tundra.” Next visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s cabin, provides a living history into how the cabin was once used and how it continues to be used today. Finally, you will make a stop at Primrose Ridge to experience a memorable Alaska Native presentation that will enlighten you with how the land has been used for nearly 10,000 years. All along the way your naturalist driver-guide will provide a great introduction to the landscape, geology, and history of Denali National Park and Preserve. Tours are conducted in school busses.
NOTE: due to a massive landslide and subsequent damage to certain roadways in the park, there may not be an opportunity to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour depending on how far along the Park is with reconstruction on the roadways. Your Tour Director will be able to provide more information while you are on the tour.
This afternoon, board a deluxe motor coach and depart for Fairbanks.
Upon arriving in Fairbanks, you will transfer to the Pikes Waterfront Hotel or similar, your hotel for the next two nights. Dinner is on your own.
DAY 4
After breakfast at the lodge, you will begin touring Fairbanks, where you will learn of its rich Gold Rush history. A stop will be made at Trail Breaker Kennels to meet the canine athletes that run some of the biggest dog sled races in the world. Located along the Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska, Trail Breaker Kennel was established in 1980 by the husband and wife team of David Monson (Yukon Quest champion) and Susan Butcher (four-time Iditarod champion). Both were avid mushers and longed to fulfill their dream of mushing full-time and raising a family. In 1993, David and Susan decided to share their love of sled dogs with the public.
Trail Breaker Kennel is now one of the longest operating kennels in Fairbanks where visitors experience and enjoy an Alaskan mushing lifestyle. During the winter months, the Alaskan huskies train for and participate in sled dog races around Alaska. In the summer, the dogs take a break from racing and enjoy short training runs around the lake, swimming in the river, and interacting with visitors from around the world.
Following an included lunch at a restaurant in Fairbanks, you will get to spend time this afternoon at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Collection. This hidden gem rivals most collections found around the world and displays American-made antique automobiles and vintage clothing from Alaska’s post-Gold Rush era. Highlights include early steam, electric and hybrid cars, America’s first V16-powered automobile, and midget racecars. All automobiles in this collection are operational.
The remainder of the day is free for dinner on your own and other optional activities.
DAY 5
Following breakfast at the lodge, you will transfer to the Fairbanks International Airport for your flight home.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
• Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
9:00am Depart Whittier for Anchorage
10:00am Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
12:00pm Arrive in Anchorage for a brief city tour
2:00pm Depart for Talkeenta
5:00pm Arrive in Talkeenta
5:30pm Opening reception at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
PM Open for dinner on own and optional activities
Overnight at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or similar hotel
DAY 2
6:00am Breakfast at the lodge
11:15am Dome Rail from Talkeetna to Denali with lunch included on board
3:45pm Arrive Denali National Park; Transfer to Hotel
PM Open for meals on own and optional activities
Overnight at Grand Denali Lodge or similar hotel
DAY 3
5:00am Buffet breakfast begins at the lodge
7:00am (Approximate) Depart on the Denali natural history tour
12:00pm (Approximate) Return from the Denali natural history tour
Open afternoon for optional activities
4:00pm Travel by motorcoach from Denali to Fairbanks
Dinner on own
Overnight Pikes Waterfront or similar hotel
DAY 4
6:00am Buffet breakfast at the lodge
9:00am Fairbanks city tour with Visit to Trail Breaker Kennels
12:00pm Lunch at a Fairbanks restaurant
2:00pm Visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Collection
PM Open for dinner on own and optional activities
Overnight at the Pikes Waterfront or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the lodge
11:00am Check out of the lodge
Transfers to the Fairbanks International Airport will be arranged approximately 2 hours prior to your flight. For guests with later flights, luggage storage will be available at the lodge.
Extra Nights:
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
• When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 5 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
The average temperature is 55° to 65° Fahrenheit. However, summer temperatures can rise into the 70s. Weather conditions are unpredictable.
What to Bring:
Warm clothing, rain jacket, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, camera, chargers, hat, sunscreen
Currency:
US dollar
Electricity:
The electric current in the United States is 110 volts. You may need to use a converter for 220-volt devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required for ship embarkation.
Hotel addresses:
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge – 23601 Talkeetna Spurr Road, Talkeetna, AK 99676
Grande Denali Lodge - George Parks Hwy, AK 99755
Pikes Waterfront Hotel – 1850 Hoselton Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program
HOTELS AND LODGES
The best available hotels and lodges in Alaska are used throughout the land program. They are comfortable and rustic. Guests accustomed to the level of services at an international five-star hotel will find that the same services are not available in Alaska. Due to peak season in Alaska from May through September, it may be difficult to change rooms during the hotel stay as all hotels have very high occupancy. Hotels are subject to change.
Program includes:
• One night at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (standard double room)
• One night at Grande Denali Lodge (standard double room)
• Two nights at the Pikes Waterfront Hotel (standard double room)
• Visit to Trailbreaker Kennel
• Viewing of Fountainhead Antique Auto Collection
• Denali Natural History Tour
• Two lunches
• One opening reception
• Deluxe dome rail tour
• Tours and sightseeing as per program
• Full breakfast daily
• Fully escorted
• Luggage handling
• Airport transfers as applicable
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program excludes:
• Gratuities for Tour Director and motor coach driver
• Any meals or activities not specified above
• Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
ADDITIONAL TOURING
While you are in the Denali area at the beginning of the tour program, your guide will present additional touring programs for sale. These tour options vary from week to week and therefore can’t be pre-purchased. However, your guide will do everything possible to help you secure space. Additional tours cannot be pre-reserved in advance through RSSC.
BAGGAGE
As your baggage will travel on many different modes of transportation, please choose sturdy cases that have been properly tagged with personal identifications, both inside and out. It is important to keep all valuables and documents on your person. As amenities such as elevators and baggage handling are limited at some locations, we suggest you only carry one bag per person while on the land tour. Alternately, your tour director will collect any pieces that you do not want to take on and off the bus each day and it will be stored on the motor coach in a locked bay. Please pack accordingly and bring any medications and documents with you.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact Luggage Forward to make your own luggage transfer arrangements (at own cost) from the ship to your home -www.luggageforward.com
Phone: 877-231-5131
CLOTHING AND CLIMATE
With a broad variety of weather possibilities, we encourage you to bring clothes that are suited to layering. Daytime attire in Alaska is strictly casual. Comfortable, supportive walking shoes are a must. The following items should be included: water-repellant coat or jacket, collapsible umbrella, rain hat, lightweight windbreaker, and sweaters. It could be warmer inland with summer temperatures in Denali reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
ALTITUDE
Travel in Alaska is generally at lower elevations. The maximum altitude is 2,800 feet in Denali National Park.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather conditions are unpredictable. While the cruise line and its appointed ground operators will do everything possible to assist with alternative arrangements, we cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred if a land program, tour or private arrangement made through the cruise line is disrupted due to adverse weather.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The published itinerary is based on component suppliers expected to be operating for the land program. Changes to the availability of flights, flight and tour schedules or other itinerary components out of the cruise line’s control may require an adjustment to the final itinerary. The local ground operator will handle meal vouchers, train tickets, or tour tickets included in the program. The cruise line reserves the right to substitute hotels, if necessary.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
