Alaska Direct #2

We will gather at the Rustad Tours office by mid afternoon, then travel to Bloomington, MN, for a one-night stay where we can feel well-rested for our morning flight on Thursday.

After a short drive from our hotel, we arrive at the Humphrey Terminal where we’ll catch a direct flight to Anchorage, Alaska! Upon our arrival, we’ll stop for an included lunch, and then take in some city highlights. You’ll have free time in downtown Anchorage before checking into our hotel for a two-night stay. Your evening meal is on your own in downtown Anchorage. (B) (L)

A morning tour of the City of Anchorage will introduce you to Alaska’s largest city. After our tour, we travel south on the Scenic Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm to the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood where our group will ride to the top of a mountain in an enclosed tram. You will enjoy your noon lunch high on the mountainside with views of glaciers and the beautiful Turnagain Arm of Cook inlet as it winds its way to the ocean. Later, we continue our travels towards the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where orphaned and injured animals are cared for before they are released back into the wild. By late afternoon, we return to our downtown hotel accommodations. The evening is free for you to shop and explore the amazing city of Anchorage. (B) (L)

We begin our interior loop of Alaska traveling north of Anchorage. Our first stop takes us to the Musk Ox Farm for a very interesting and informative tour. At one time these animals were hunted to near extinction. After a herd of Musk Ox was discovered in Greenland, a few were brought to Alaska. As a result, small herds now appear across the state. Our lunch is included in Wasilla before we travel north on the Park Highway with views of the snow-topped Telkeetna and Alaska Mountain Ranges rising up in the distance. Beautiful Alaskan wildflowers and mountain rivers along the highway, make this a pleasant day of travel. Tonight, we are seated at tables for our Alaska Cabin Nite as we enjoy a meal of Alaskan Salmon and Ribs with all the trimmings. Later the waiters and waitresses tell the story of Denali through music and comedy. Our accommodations are at the Denali Park Motel, right down the road. (B) (L) (D)

Rise and shine! This will be a very early morning. We’ll have a ‘grab & go’ breakfast before making a transfer from our coach onto Denali’s Tour Bus for a Tundra Wilderness Tour at Denali National Park. Denali is six million acres of wildland bisected by a ribbon of road. It promises visitors different experiences every day and guarantees that you’ll always feel the essence of solitude, tranquility, and pure wilderness. Denali’s abundant and diverse wildlife are just as famous as its mountain. Bring your binoculars to capture these amazing animals roaming through the wilderness at their own pace according to the seasons. Snacks and a sandwich box lunch will be provided throughout the day. Then on to Fairbanks where we’ll check into our hotel in Fairbanks for a three-night stay. This evening, we have a special Alaskan Experience. We will have a personal look at an Iditarod and Yukon Quest championship kennel. Spend time with the dogs and puppies and enjoy a great Alaskan Meal. (B) (L) (D)

Our morning starts with a tour of the City of Fairbanks with a local guide. We’ll learn about its rich history, the incredible Alyeska Pipeline, and discover many secrets of the second-largest city in Alaska. Before we begin our afternoon cruise on the Chena River, we’ll have an included luncheon at Riverboat Discovery. While on this cruise, we will see a bush pilot do an aerial demonstration, an Iditarod champion dog team in action, and visit a replica of an early Athabasca Indian community. This evening, after a busy day, we’ll enjoy a great pizza party at our hotel. (B) (L) (D)

Get ready to strike it rich at Gold Dredge 8! You’ll board a vintage train that takes you to a goldfield where you’ll try your luck at panning for gold. You may put your gold flecks in a necklace or earrings to show them off when you get home. After a noon lunch on your own, we’ll take some time to explore the Morris Thompson Visitor Center. You’ll enjoy interesting exhibits and dioramas that tell fascinating stories of Alaska. This afternoon everyone has a chance to celebrate “Christmas in July” at the Santa Claus House at the North Pole. Maybe you’ll want to take your picture with the Jolly Old Elf and use it for your Christmas card. Tonight, you’ll have the choice of salmon, cod, or prime rib at the Alaska Salmon Bake. After our evening meal, we will enjoy “The Golden Heart Revue”, a musical comedy show highlighting the history of Fairbanks through stories and songs, at the Palace Theater. (B) (D)

We bid farewell to Fairbanks as we continue our exploration of the interior of Alaska! We make a mid-morning coffee (or ice cream) stop at the Knotty Shop featuring knotty burl wood products. You’ll enjoy shopping for a unique souvenir or gift here! Continuing our travels on the scenic Richardson Highway, we’ll take a photo stop of the Alaska pipeline where it crosses the Tanana River and at the historic end of the Alaska Highway in Delta Junction. Next, you’ll get to take a walk through the past at Sullivan’s Roadhouse where it was a center of activity during the early 1900s for gold stampeders, local hunters, traders, and freighters. Before leaving Delta Junction, you’ll relax and enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant. As we travel to Valdez, you’ll enjoy spectacular scenery and views of the glacial Tanana River and the snow-covered tops of the Alaska Range. By mid-afternoon, we will visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, our country’s largest National Park. A short walk at the park will take you to a viewpoint where the tallest volcanic mountains may be visible. Thompson Pass, Keystone Canyon, and Worthington Glacier will add to the scenic views before we arrive in Valdez. This area is often referred to as the Switzerland of America. Tonight, you’ll unpack your bags for a two-night stay. After you get settled into your hotel room, we’ll take a short walk to a local restaurant for an included evening meal. (B) (L) (D)

The splendor of Alaska will be revealed while we experience a full day boat tour of Prince William Sound. Sights include adorable sea otters, seals, eagles, glaciers, and possible sightings of whales and porpoises. The highlight of the day will certainly be our stop about a quarter mile from the Spectacular Meares Glacier! Of course, there will be fantastic scenery all day long as we travel through the Sound! A noon meal and an afternoon snack will be included on board. After a full day of adventure, we return to Valdez for a free evening. (B) (L)

Our travels back to Anchorage take us through stunning mountain scenery. You’ll get great views of the spectacular Matanuska Glacier as it winds its way down the mountain valley and almost reaches the roadway. We’ll stop for a delicious included lunch while taking in amazing mountain views. By late afternoon, we return to Anchorage to enjoy some free time and our last evening in Alaska. (B) (L)

Before bidding Alaska farewell, we stop at the Alaska Heritage Center. You’ll enjoy a self-guided tour that will allow you to experience the rich tapestry of Alaskan Arts and Culture and to support and learn about Alaska Natives from the many regions across Alaska. We depart Anchorage on a direct flight to Minnesota where a Rustad Tours coach will meet you. A boxed sandwich meal will be provided during your return trip back to Kerkhoven. (B) (D)