Tour Details
Bellingham to SkagwayOur Alaskan Tour begins in Bellingham Washington just north of Seattle, on the Alaska Marine Highway. The Alaska state ferries are the perfect way to cruise through the islands of the Inside Passage. The scenery as we cruise through the Queen Charlotte Islands, and the Alaska Coast line, is unsurpassed with wildlife such as whales, seals, sea otters, and a variety of sea birds. Our on-board naturalists run a variety of programs as we pass through interesting coast line pointing out Glaciers and a brief history of Alaska throughout the area.
This 2-1/2 hour train climbs from tidewater to the summit of the White Pass- 2,865 feet in elevation.
Fully Narrated Departs at 4:30pm Returns at 7:00pm
Cost $98.00 per person
The M/V Columbia cruising out of Bellingham is one of our premier ships, offering full dining room, cafeteria, and lounge. The cabins are outfitted with comfortable twin bunks, the rooms are spacious and all have full facilities. Meals on board our vessels are reasonably priced and very good.
Ports of Call:
- Bellingham WA - Check IN by 2:PM - Depart 6:PM
- Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines & Skagway: Time in port will vary between 1-3 hours, you are welcome to disembark and explore these unique Alaskan communities.
98.6 miles of dramatic and beautiful terrain from Skagway climbing up over the White Pass, this 2-lane paved road has been recently improved is fairly wide and open year round. Prepare for a long a steep climb over the pass.
Loding - Klondike Inn
100 miles north of Whitehorse an important stop on the Alaska Highway for services, located on the eastern boundary of the Kluane National Park and Reserve.
Lodging will be provided by the Alcan Motor Inn, where you will find fresh baked bread, home made soup and daily special in the restaurant - be sure to fill your tank and your tummy. Start your day early and be sure to ask along the way where the next service will be.
Beaver Creek180 miles north of Haines Junction - Customs
You will find a post office, bank, and ATM (limited hours) in Beaver Creek.
Lodging - Westmark Inn
Guest laundry, dining room and lounge, grocery store, gas, & wildlife display.
111 miles North of Haines Jct. Tok is the overland point of entry into Alaska for summer travelers, with 13 churches, a public library, and elementary school, named after a husky pup in 1942 when the US Army Corp began breaking trail on what is now the Tok cutoff.
Lodging - Westmark Tok
130 miles from Tok with mountain peaks to the north and south, the Mentasta Mountains rise to about 6,000 feet on either side of the highway. Dall sheep are often seen on the mountain sides. Prepare for a steep climb over Mentasta Pass, narrow in places but the road is generally good with a few pull over areas.
Lodging - The Caribou Inn & Hotel
Only 70 miles from Glennallen, population 43 (give or take) Paxson was established in 1906 the lodge was built at mile 191. Long time Alaskans and antique car enthusiast, Chet and Karen Eldridge will host our group with a barbecue dinner on the patio, as well as a hearty breakfast in the morning. Simple accommodations, good food, beautiful surroundings, and many stories of the "good old days" have been shared in the cocktail lounge of the Paxson Lodge.
170 miles- Paxson to Fairbanks.The highway is wide, in good condition, and offers magnificent views of the Chugach Mountains and the Alaska Range. It was the first road in Alaska, a popular trail for gold seekers between 1898 and 1902, upgraded to a wagon road in 1910, and upgraded to automobile standards in the 1920's. We will follow the route of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline passing through some of the best glacier viewing in Alaska. Starting from Paxson Lake, around Summit Lake, through Isabelle Pass, - Vast, remote and beautiful is the only way to describe this section of highway, lots of places to stop along the way.
FairbanksNo other place in Alaska blends the richness of history with present day than Fairbanks. The midnight sun, warm temperatures, farmers market, botanical gardens, stern wheelers, bush plans, railroads, and hot springs. The drive from Denali Park to Fairbanks represents what Alaska is truly about, wondrous landscapes, rugged topography, mighty rivers and lakes, and some of the friendliest people around.
Alaska Salmon Bake Dinner at Pioneer Park
Our group will meet at Pioneer Park to enjoy King Salmon grilled over a wood fire, deep fried halibut and cod, salad bar, and desert.
Riverboat Discovery Cruise
We will join the Binkley family aboard the stern wheeler Riverboat Discovery, for a morning cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. The tour includes a guided walking tour of an Athabascan Indian village, and we will get to see Susan Butcher's champion iditarod sled dogs in action.
Lodging - Westmark Fairbanks, Sophie Station & Wedgewood Resorts
Denali National Park125 miles south of Fairbanks, the road is wide the driving is easy, with several places to stop along the way for lunch or a beverage. Six million acres of incredible beauty surrounding Mount McKinley, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears and wolves, roam the park freely. A great place to take a break from several days of driving, share experiences, and enjoy the wonders Denali has to offer.
Lodging - Denali Cabins & McKinley Village Resort
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Optional Add On: Tundra Wilderness Tour A fascinating and informative 6-8 hour bus adventure into the heart of Denali Park. The tour gives you the opportunity to see the wildlife that live deep in the wilderness of the park. Caribou, bears, fox, and sheep, are commonly seem on this tour, a box lunch is included. Busses depart between 6-8AM and return late afternoon. |
Optional Add On: Raft the Nenana River You can choose a scenic mild water trip or an exhilarating ride through class IV rapids. All trips include experienced river guides, professional grade dry suites and promises spectacular scenery and wonderful memories. |
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Optional Add On: Denali Backcountry Adventure
"The most complete Wildlife Tour into the park". 95 miles to Kantishna - Buffet lunch at the Backcountry Lodge. Depart 6:15am Returns 7:30pm. |
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Our group will unite on Wednesday July 25, at the McKinley Chalet Resort for "Cabin Nite" theatre and dinner, a gold rush tale of adventure in the early 1900s by Fannie Quigley.
Talkeetna153 Miles south of Denali on the Parks Highway
10 Miles on the Susitna River, it's fun, it's fast and give you a whole different view of wildlife on the river.
Talkeetna, small and quaint, filled with Alaskan history and local charm, is a staging area for Mt. McKinley climbers. We will overnight at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, first class lodging, with unsurpassed views of the south side of Mt. McKinley.
Anchorage112 miles south of Talkeetna
The largest city in Alaska, with a frontier spirit and an eclectic metropolis, Anchorage is vibrant with color, friendly, and located in the heart of the wilderness.
Lodging downtown - Inlet Towers & Suites
The Kenai PeninsulaSoldotna, Homer, Cooper Landing & Seward
Leaving Anchorage we will head southwest towards Homer, known as the "End of the Road". You will have many places along the highway to stop and relax, take in the beauty of the Kenai Mountains, and the many rivers and lakes, where fishing is known as "the best in the world". You will be amazed watching the anglers on the Kenai River "Combat Fish" shoulder-to-shoulder pulling out record size kings, sockeye, and silver salmon.
145 miles from Anchorage on the banks of the Kenai River
Lodging - The Aspen Soldotna
This adventure begins with a float plane ride across Cook Inlet, land between two active volcano's, transfer to 18' boats (4 people per boat), and your fishing and bear viewing begins. Your guide provides all fishing gear and tack. We will be fishing for Sockeye or Coho salmon. Brown & Black bear are typically seen in this area also fishing with their cubs as the salmon are trying to make it up stream. You will be as close as 30 feet from these magnificent animals, truly one the best tours on the Kenai.
80 miles South of Soldotna where the road ends.
Homer sits on the shores of Kachemak Bay, offering breathtaking views, glaciers, volcanoes, and the Kenai Mountain Range. Homer offers many activities; deep sea halibut fishing, birding, kayaking, and glacier hiking are excellent in this area. Lodging -Lands End Resort.
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Optional Add On: Glacier Lake & Saddle Trail Guided Hike
This popular 2.2 mile loop route, begins at the Glacier Spit in Halibut Cove, a fairly easy hike across the dry out-wash plain of the Grewingk Glacier to the foot of the Glacier lake, in Kachemak Bay State Park. An excellent trail for a day hike. Departs 10:AM - Returns 5:PM includes lunch at Glacier Lake. |
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Optional Add On: Homer Halibut Fishing Charter
"Best Deep Sea Fishing in Alaska! Full Day - All gear included. Departs 6:00am Returns when halibut catch limit met - (6-pack boat) |
120 Miles north of Homer on the emerald green waters of the Kenai River.
Red Salmon Fishing or Rainbow Trout
1/2 Day starts at 6:00am - Top of the line gear and guides
Lodging - Kenai Princess Lodge
Bungalow-style rooms designed for the utmost in comfort, relaxation and romance. Vaulted ceilings made of naturally finished wood, cozy sitting areas with wood-burning stoves and private porches help make any occasion memorable. Indulge in a soothing soak in an indoor or outdoor hot tub.
Seward94 miles from Cooper Landing
We will turn south at the Seward highway intersection, through the pristine Kenai Mountains above and below tree line.
This six hour cruise sits at the face of a tidewater glacier, abundant wildlife is commonly seen throughout Resurrection Bay, and lunch is provided.
Lodging- The Breeze Inn
You may want to spend part of the afternoon on a self-guided tour through the Alaska Sea Life Center. Educational exhibits bring you close to seabirds and to marine mammals such as sea lions, seals, and otters.
Back aboard the M/V Kennicott departing Whittier at 10:00 PM across the Gulf of Alaska back to Juneau, where we will have a couple of hours before transferring over to the M/V Malaspina for the journey back to Bellingham.