Alaska Tour Details

“Escorted by Allen Sears” from the lush forest of southeastern Alaska, through the vast tundra of the interior, Alaska is like no other land. Thirty plus years of professional travel experience and my love for this great land, make this a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Join me on my exclusive Alaska tour, travel with friends and discover why my guests return year after year. Sail aboard the “Sapphire Princess” 13 day land & sea tour 2 prime departures 6 July - 18 July or 20 July - 1 august

DAY 1 - DEPART HOME ARRIVE SEATTLE You will be met by your escort Allen Sears and start your Alaska Dream Vacation.

DAY 2 - SEATTLE TO VANCOUVER Today we drive to the beautiful city of Vancouver where we meet our ship. But not before stopping by Seattle’s world famous Space Needle.

DAY 3 - INSIDE PASSAGE Spend your day cruising the famous inside Passage. This is a cruise day, so relax and enjoy the grandeur. Alaska’s Inside Passage contains a rich abundance of wildlife and scenery. Whales migrate along these tranquil waterways: breathtaking waterfalls and soaring rock cliffs mark your progress along this traditional sailing route first charted by Captain George Vancouver in the late 1700’s. Vast reaches of old-growth forest stretch from the coastal mountain ranges to the sea, and provide a home to a wide range of wildlife.

DAY 4 -KETCHIKAN Visitors to this beautiful city will be intrigued by its rich Native heritage, shown through the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center. The Haidas, Tlingits and Tsimshians are all a part of the city’s colorful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sport fishing paradise and, sightseers will be impressed with the scenery of both the town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords Nation Monument. Ketchikan is surrounded by rain forest and rocky hillsides. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” it is also the center of Tlingit Indian culture. Walk around the historic town center, or take a tour and see the fish hatchery, visit Saxman Totem Park and the Totem Bight Cultural Center.

DAY 5 - JUNEAU Some 30,000 people live in Juneau, Alaska’s capital and its total area makes it the biggest town, in size, in North and South America and the second largest in the world. Today Juneau is notonly famous for gold and government, but also for its breathtakingly beautiful glaciers andstunning views of both water and mountains. The state capital is a long narrow picturesque city, squeezed between the Gastineau Channel and mountains soaring just a few hundred feet from the waterfront. After sightseeing take a break at the historic Red Dog Saloon.

DAY 6 - SKAGWAY In 1896, when the first gold strike was reported,adventurers flocked here by the thousands, and a city was born. Today you see the same worn boardwalks, false-fronted buildings and old-time saloons. Skagway was known to thousands of hopeful gold rushers as the gateway to the gold fields. Although it boasted the shortest route to the Klondike, it was far from being the easiest. Today Skagway retains the flavor of the gold rush era, especially on Broadway, with its falsefront buildings, and in the Trail of ‘98 Museum, with its outstanding collection of memorabilia. Home of the renowned White Pass and Yukon Railroad, a must do shore excursion for both history and photo buffs.

DAY 7 - GLACIER BAY Discovered by John Muir in 1879, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve encompasses 3.2 million acres. While in Glacier Bay, a National Park Ranger will point out the many wonders of the region, including wildlife such as humpback whales, harbor seals, gulls and Arctic terns. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is considered by many the highlight of any Alaska Cruise. We spend today cruising through these pristine waters.

DAY 8 - COLLEGE FJORD Situated at the top of the gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound is surrounded by lofty mountains and indented with dozens of glacier-carved fjords. These fjords are home to Alaska’s greatest concentration of tidewater glaciers. Deep within Prince William Sound is College Fjord, home to 16 glaciers named for the Ivy League colleges that sponsored the Harriman Expedition in 1899.

DAY 9 - WHITTIER / ANCHORAGE / TALKEETNA The City of Whittier, Alaska, is located in Prince William Sound, a fjord at the head of Passage Canal. Established as a strategic military facility during the Second World War, Whittier’s Ice-free port remains a focal point for marine activity and freight transfer from sea train barges serving South Central Alaska. Upon arrival in Whittier we’re met by our private motor coach. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Palmer Highway, past Turnagin Arm to Anchorage, with a stop for lunch and free time to explore. We continue to the quaint town of Talkeetna, one of the most idyllic spots in all of Alaska, where Mt. McKinley looms majestically in the background.

DAY 10 - TALKEETNA / DENALI Today we board the Alaska Railroad’s “DENALI STAR” and travel from Talkeetna to Denali National Park.Narrated by Alaskans en route, your journey allows free run of all regular, dome and dining cars of the Alaska Railroad. We arrive at the park entrance in the afternoon, where you’re free to experience the various programsoffered by the park.

DAY 11 - DENALI - FAIRBANKS Covering 5.6 million acres, Denali covers the entire central portion of the Alaska Range. This morning begins with a wildlife tour deep into the park where Alaska’s large mammals roam the tundra. View moose, grizzly bears, mountain sheep, caribou and hopefully, a closeup view of Mount McKinley. Upon your return to park headquarters, our chartered motor coach leaves midafternoon for Fairbanks. This evening enjoy the Alaska Salmon Bake and the “Golden Heart Revue” at the Palace Theater and Saloon.

DAY 12 - FAIRBANKS Our full day tour includes the Trans-Alaska pipeline. and the historic downtown district. Then we explore the Tanana and Chena Rivers aboard the sternwheeler riverboat Discovery III. Your hosts are the Binkley family, representing four generations of river boaters in Alaska. Visit a replicated Indian village and see a demonstration of sled dogs in action. You are free to enjoy a relaxing evening.

DAY 13 - DEPART FAIRBANKS FOR HOME Today we bid farewell to Alaska. We hope that you take many, wonderful memories of this beautiful land. Thank you, for joining us & we hope to see you soon.