Friday, June 20

Juneau, Alaska

We arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s state capital, and known as “a little San Francisco”, this afternoon. After we check into our hotel in downtown Juneau, the evening is at leisure.

We have a full day of sightseeing today. We begin at the Mendenhall Glacier where we can walk from the parking area to the edge of the lake. Then we visit the Visitor Center, with its hands-on exhibit hall, a theater and an observatory. Later we visit the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, a fantastic garden featuring hundreds of plants. We travel by motorized golf carts through the rainforest of Thunder Mountain before returning to our hotel.
Breakfast is included.
 

Sunday, June 22
Skagway, Alaska
This morning we board the M/V Fairweather, a fast vehicle ferry for our trip on the Lynn Canal/Inside Passage to Skagway. Upon arrival we will have a city tour by the Skagway Street Car Company and then entertainment at the Skagway Theater before checking into our hotel. The balance of the afternoon is yours to explore Skagway on your own.
Breakfast is included.

Monday, June 23
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Don’t forget your cameras this morning, as we’ll board the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad for an incredibly scenic ride over the “Trail of 98.” This is a two-hour, twenty-mile trip that climbs from the tidewater at Skagway to the 2,865-foot summit of the White Pass. We continue by motor coach to Whitehorse and this evening we’ll be entertained by the hilarious vaudeville revue of “Frantic Follies.”
Lunch is included.

Tuesday, June 24
Tok, Alaska
Today we enter the vast and rugged Yukon Territory, with its wildlife, wildflowers, mountain peaks and vast valleys. We pass through Burwash Landing, Destruction Bay and the Kluane National Park. This afternoon we arrive at Tok, the “Dog Sled Capital of the World.”
Lunch is included.

Wednesday, June 25
Valdez, Alaska
Spectacular scenery awaits us this morning as we travel south, viewing the Alaska Range of mountains along the way. We travel through the Copper River Basin and Keystone Canyon into Valdez, the "Little Switzerland" of Alaska. We’re surrounded by cascading waterfalls, lush green valleys, and spectacular mountain scenery, in our opinion, one of the most scenic journeys in Alaska. This evening you may want to go down to the docks to see the fishing boats and their catch for the day.
Lunch is included.

Thursday, June 26
Valdez, Alaska
A full day of adventure begins as we board our charter boat where they take time to “show you all of Prince William Sound” and cruise to the Columbia and Meares glaciers, both tidewater caving glaciers. The amazing wildlife possibilities are limitless: whales, sea lions, puffins, seals, sea otters, eagles, bears and more! The cruise is narrated, so we’ll hear stories about the history of the area, plus we’ll have lunch on board. We return early this evening back to our hotel.
Continental breakfast and lunch are included.


Friday, June 27
Fairbanks, Alaska
The scenic Richardson Highway takes us to Fairbanks. We stop at the 1900’s historical Rika’s Roadhouse in Big Delta State Park and also have a spectacular view of the pipeline suspended across the Tanana River. We’ll enjoy many other viewings of the pipeline as it meanders up mountains, under rivers and parallel to the highway. We’ll stop at North Pole so you can mail your postcards before arriving at our hotel.
Continental breakfast and lunch are included.

Saturday, June 28
Fairbanks, Alaska
Our day begins with a city tour of Fairbanks. Sights include the original town site, a close-up viewing of the Trans Alaska Pipeline, the University of Alaska Farm and Gardens, and will conclude at the University of Alaska Museum. We enjoy a noon luncheon and prepare for a wonderful afternoon cruise on the Riverboat Discovery on the Chena and Tanana rivers. We’ll experience Alaskan Native cultural traditions, take a guided walking tour of the Chena Indian Village and view a bush pilot demonstration. Also, ladies, visit the Discovery Trading Post, one of Fairbanks’s finest gift stores.
Breakfast is included.

Sunday, June 29
Denali, Alaska
After breakfast this morning we continue south and stop in Nenana, located at the confluence of the Tanana and Nenana rivers. We continue to Denali National Park and this evening we’ll enjoy an outstanding Cabin Night dinner and entertainment in Denali Park.
Breakfast and dinner are included.

Monday, June 30
Denali, Alaska
Early this morning we will be on our way for the Tundra Wildlife Tour in Denali National Park. Be sure to bring your cameras and plenty of film for the photo opportunities that may lie ahead. In addition to the magnificent scenery, we’ll be on the lookout for Alaska’s big five: moose, grizzly bear, Dall sheep, caribou and wolf. We return to our hotel late this afternoon.
Lunch is included.

Tuesday, July 1
Anchorage, Alaska
As we continue toward Anchorage we’ll visit the Veterans War Memorial. We continue to the Iditarod Racing Headquarters in Wasilla where we’ll learn about the history of Dog Sled Racing in Alaska. Then it’s on through the Matanuska Valley farm country where we’ll stop for a guided tour of a Reindeer Farm. We’ll stop to view the Spirit Houses at Eklutna before arriving at our hotel.

Wednesday, July 2
Anchorage, Alaska
All of the beauty of Alaska surrounds Anchorage with the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet providing it with natural borders. After a morning city tour and visit to the Anchorage Museum of History, we’ll enjoy our farewell luncheon. This afternoon is free for last minute shopping.
Lunch is included.

Thursday, July 3
Home
This morning we board our flight home to Minnesota. We’ve graduated from Cheechakos (Alaska tenderfoots) to Sourdoughs (seasoned Alaskans) with lots of New Ulm Travel Fun memories and we’ve made new friends on our Spectacular Alaska and Yukon Territory vacation!