ALASKA...THE GREAT LAND

09/04/2010 - 09/17/2010

 

HIGHLIGHTS:  1 Night Seattle, 2 Nights Fairbanks, Discovery Cruise & Gold Dredge, Train Ride on the McKinley Explorer, 2 Nights in Denali National Park, Tundra Wilderness Tour, Anchorage, Motorcoach drive to Seward, 7 Night Cruise aboard the M/S Statendam, College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver, & more

SEPT 4 ... Our Excursions Unlimited group gathers for our flight to the Pacific Northwest, arriving in Seattle for one night.  We will enjoy a visit to the Seattle Center and Space Needle before our overnight.  Welcome Dinner. 

SEPT 5 ...  After breakfast a motorcoach meets us for the drive into Canada to the city of VANCOUVER in British Columbia.  Here we board our cruise ship, the M/S STATEMDAM, part of Holland America's 5 star fleet, for an amazing 7 night cruise to Alaska. 

SEPT 6 ... Your adventure is just beginning, as your ship cruises through the INSIDE PASSAGE, some areas very narrow and others where it is difficult to see land.  

SEPT 7 ... Our fun continues as we cruise into the "First City" of Alaska, KETCHIKAN.  This picturesque city is built on piles out over the water and clings to the slopes of Deer Mountain. There is plenty of native culture to enjoy here in Alaska's southeastern city, as well as great shopping.

SEPT 8 ... JUNEAU is the isolated capital of Alaska, not accessible by land, and a major destination for sea planes.  You may tour this interesting city, explore the shops in town, or even take a float trip out to the Mendenhall Glacier.  You may enjoy sitting on deck as the sea planes land on the water all around you.

SEPT 9 ...  Our port of call today is the small, but fascinating town of SKAGWAY, the gateway to the Yukon Gold Rush.  Step back in time as you walk the streets of the village where once throngs of miners landed to begin their journey to fulfill their dreams of riches and treasure. You definitely should take the optional excursion on the White Pass Railway, following the trail of fortune hunters on their way to the Yukon.

SEPT 10 ... This day should be one of the top highlights of your trip as your ship glides into spectacular GLACIER BAY, one of the great natural wonders of the world.  With towering mountains of ice meeting the frigid waters of this beautiful setting. Watch for the thunderous roar of an iceberg "calving" in these massive rivers of ice.

SEPT 11 ... Today you awaken to the wonder of glaciers and ice covered peaks as we cruise through COLLEGE FJORD, one of Prince William Sound's many glacier-carved inlets and home to a variety of marine life.

SEPT 12 ... This morning we arrive in Seward to end this wonderful cruise experience. A motorcoach will transfer the group through Chugach National Forest, with its wondrous mountains and rivers of ice. You will continue by bus to ANCHORAGE for an overnight.

SEPT 13 ... Today we board a the McKinley Explorer luxury train for the ride to DENALI.  Upon arrival, you will check into our hotel for a 2 night stay in this spectacular location.

SEPT 14 ...  A morning adventure is yours as the group will be escorted on a special wildlife tour of the National Park and a chance to view MT MCKINLEY, the tallest peak in North America.  Enjoy looking for moose, bear, mountain sheep and elk on this most interesting adventure. 

SEPT 15 ... Today we board the McKinley Explorer luxury train for the ride to FAIRBANKS.  Upon arrival, you will check into our hotel for a 2 night stay in this frontier style location in the interior of Alaska.  

SEPT 16 ... Today we begin with a city tour and a visit to a working gold mine, the El Dorado. Another highlight is a cruise aboard the sternwheeler Discovery in the afternoon, offering other sights and places to explore.  You will visit a native village, meet an Iditarod champion's sled dogs, and watch a bush-pilot demonstration.

SEPT 17 ...  This morning we fly to Anchorage and continue on our overnight flight home, arriving on the next day.

 

PRICE INCLUDES:  Roundtrip Air from Savannah, roundtrip transfers, one night Seattle with Dinner and Breakfast, Port Tax, Baggage Handling at the Airport, Government Fees, the Cruise & Land Package as listed.  We are offering each person a $25 SHIP BOARD CREDIT based on 2 per cabin & One DINNER aboard the MCKINELY EXPLORER.  ALL PRICES are based on DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.   Upgrades are available upon request, as well as Single &  Third & Fourth passengers in a room rate.

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