Overview
Spectacular Alaska!
From mountains to majestic creatures, everything is bigger in Alaska. In the 20+ hours of summer sunlight a day, even the produce grows to fair-winning proportions. Of course, the 70-pound Matanuska Valley cabbage is just the beginning of the big sights this sun-soaked tour of Alaska has to offer. Just wait until you cruise along the three-mile face of the Columbia Glacier, sail by the calving tidewater glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park and ascend into Denali National Park – home of North America’s highest peak – by way of the world-famous Alaska Railroad. Other big moments include panning for gold at Fairbanks’ Gold Dredge #8, seeing a mushing demonstration at the home of an Iditarod champion, and witnessing the grandest of wildlife from Alaska’s majestic coasts to its monumental crests. While spotting a giant whale, caribou, moose, or grizzly might be “no biggie” to the locals, we think you’ll agree, this Alaska vacation is huge.
From mountains to majestic wildlife, everything is bigger in Alaska. With more than 20 hours of summer daylight, even the produce reaches legendary proportions—just ask the giant cabbages of the Matanuska Valley. But oversized vegetables are only the beginning of the remarkable sights on this journey through America's Last Frontier.Cruise Prince William Sound along the towering face of Columbia Glacier, sail among the tidewater glaciers and wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park, and travel aboard the world-famous Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park, home to North America's highest peak. Along the way, pan for gold at Gold Dredge #8 in Fairbanks, visit the home of four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser for a sled dog demonstration, and discover Alaska Native traditions at a recreated Athabascan village.From glaciers and mountains to whales, moose, caribou, and bears, this adventure showcases the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, and frontier spirit that make Alaska unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Highlights of Spectacular Alaska!
SEO Keywords
globus, globus escorted tour, globus tour, globus tours, globus travel, globus vacation, globus vacation package, globus vacation packages, globus vacations, escorted tour, escorted tours, escorted travel, escorted vacation, escorted vacations, vacation package, vacation packages, alaska escorted tour, alaska tours, alaska vacation, anchorage escorted tour, anchorage tours, anchorage travel, anchorage vacation, us escorted tour, us escorted tours, us escorted vacations, us tours, us vacation, us vacation package, us vacation packages, denali escorted tours, denali escorted travel, denali escorted vacations, tours to us, travel to us, vacation to us
Notes
• While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen year-round, May through early June and September departures offer greater opportunities for wildlife viewing. Departures after mid-August offer fall foliage. The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) are most visible in late August and September, weather permitting.• This tour visits remote regions where some facilities are not up to the first-class standards you expect from Globus. We have selected the best available hotels that satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.• Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions.
Related Tours
AJ|Spectacular Alaska!AJI|With Alaska Cruise
Vacation Type
y
Related Option Title
Spectacular Alaska!
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Product Group
Spectacular Alaska!
Travelers Notes
Special Features Included in this Tour: • Visit to Matanuska Valley and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve • Cruise along the face of Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound • Visit to the [LF] Valdez Museum for a docent-led tour.• Docent-led visit to Delta Junction Roadhouse and views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline • Gold-panning experience and ride aboard the narrow-gauge railroad at Gold Dredge #8 in Fairbanks • Cruise on the Chena River with visit to a recreated Athabascan village and mushing demonstration with Iditarod dogs • Rail journey aboard the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service from Fairbanks to Denali National Park • [LF] Naturalist presentation and Tundra Wilderness tour in Denali • Visit to Happy Trails Kennels, home of 4-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser, with mushing demonstration • Dinner with [LF] presentation by an Alaskan bush pilot sharing real-life stories • Guided cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park with views of glaciers
UNESCO Sites
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
SEO Keywords
globus, globus escorted tour, globus tour, globus tours, globus travel, globus vacation, globus vacation package, globus vacation packages, globus vacations, escorted tour, escorted tours, escorted travel, escorted vacation, escorted vacations, vacation package, vacation packages, alaska escorted tour, alaska tours, alaska vacation, anchorage escorted tour, anchorage tours, anchorage travel, anchorage vacation, us escorted tour, us escorted tours, us escorted vacations, us tours, us vacation, us vacation package, us vacation packages, denali escorted tours, denali escorted travel, denali escorted vacations, tours to us, travel to us, vacation to us
Notes
• While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen year-round, May through early June and September departures offer greater opportunities for wildlife viewing. Departures after mid-August offer fall foliage. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are most visible in late August and September, weather permitting.• This tour visits remote regions where some facilities are not up to the first-class standards you expect from Globus. We have selected the best available hotels that satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.• Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions. The order of sightseeing subject to change.
Related Tours
AJ|Spectacular Alaska!AJI|With Alaska Cruise
Vacation Type
y
Related Option Title
Spectacular Alaska!
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Product Group
Spectacular Alaska!
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour: • Visit to Matanuska Valley and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, the largest national park in the United States• Cruise through Prince William Sount to the face of Columbia Glacier, one of Alaska's most impressive tidewater glaciers• Visit to the [LF] Valdez Museum for a docent-led tour, exploring the region's Native heritage, gold rush history, and resilience following the 1964 earthquake• Docent-led visit to Delta Junction Roadhouse and views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. an engineering marvel stretching across the state • Gold-panning experience and ride aboard the narrow-gauge railroad at Gold Dredge #8, offering insight into Alaska’s gold rush era• Cruise on the Chena River with a visit to a recreated Athabascan village and mushing demonstration featuring Iditarod sled dogs • Rail journey aboard the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service from Fairbanks to Denali National Park, showcasing panoramic views of Alaska’s wilderness • [LF] Naturalist presentation and Tundra Wilderness tour in Denali National Park, with opportunities to spot wildlife in one of North America’s great wilderness areas• Visit to Happy Trails Kennels, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser, for a mushing demonstration and insight into Alaska’s sled dog traditions• Dinner featuring a [LF] presentation by an Alaskan bush pilot sharing stories of life and aviation in the remote wilderness • Guided cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park with views of glaciers and opportunities to spot whales, sea otters, seabirds, and other marine wildlife
UNESCO Sites
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Welcome to Anchorage! Meet your Tour Director between 3-7 pm in the hotel reception area.ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Anchorage with a dinner out in this iconic Alaskan city. Your Tour Director can point you in the right direction. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for the best bites, brews, and things to do!
Day 2
ANCHORAGE–VALDEZ Sights & Sounds Meet your fellow travel companions at this morning’s welcome orientation. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, where cabbages can grow to an amazing 70 pounds (32 kg) in the 24-hour daylight. Venture over Tahneta Pass for wonderful vistas of Matanuska and Worthington Glaciers. Continue to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Visitor Center, the largest National Park in the United States and visit the Ahtna Cultural Center, a place to connect to the Alaska Native culture with exhibits on Ahtna Athabascan history. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the seaside port of Valdez. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Located near the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is a mix of tidewater glaciers, rainforests, majestic mountains, and wildlife on land and sea. Orcas, humpback whales, otters, sea lions, and birds are among the many animals you might spy from this spectacular seaport.
Day 3
VALDEZ. CRUISE ON PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND True Fish Stories This morning, [LF] enjoy a walking tour of Old Town Valdez with a local guide. Then board your boat for a cruise on Prince William Sound. Cruise along the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier with a watchful eye out for wildlife, including seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales! Before returning to Valdez, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, where supertankers are loaded with crude oil from Prudhoe Bay. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITIONS Get an inside look at the rich traditions of the Native Alaskan culture and events that shaped the lives of early explorers on a walking tour of Old Town Valdez with a local guide from the Valdez Museum. Discover the history of the Gold Rush and Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the impact earthquakes and oil spills had on the area.
Day 4
VALDEZ–DELTA JUNCTION–FAIRBANKS Arctic Adventure Enjoy great scenery all the way as you travel along Richardson Highway. Stop at Delta Junction Roadhouse, a living history homestead and museum, original roadhouse, and farm animals. See the longest elevated stretch of the trans-Alaska pipeline, the Tanana Pipeline River Bridge, a 1200-foot span with a unique suspension design. Then, head west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, the state’s second-largest city. Enjoy a free evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS Discover a world of the Northern Lights, the midnight sun, and sunsets and sunrises that seem to never end. Basecamp to Denali National Park, where it’s no wonder Fairbanks is called the Golden Heart of Alaska.
Day 5
FAIRBANKS Gold Rush & Mushers Visit Gold Dredge #8 and ride the narrow-gauge railroad. Then, try your luck as you pan for gold. Later today, board the Sternwheeler Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River, with a stop at the Chena Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS Experience frontier living in an Athabascan village on the Chena River. Here in the Alaskan forests, cabins are made of spruce logs, and the old ways of living with the land are beautifully preserved in the heritage of the Athabascan Native culture. Learn about traditions and survival in an unforgiving yet beautiful environment, where generations of Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years, ultimately adapting to village life and Western culture in the past century.
Day 6
FAIRBANKS–ALASKA RAILROAD–DENALI NATIONAL PARK Riding the Rails Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today’s ride ends at Denali National Park, where North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Denali, (also known as Mount McKinley) majestically dominates the park’s six million acres. The afternoon is free. This evening, enjoy an [LF] exclusive presentation on Denali National Park by a Naturalist and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE NATURAL WONDERS Be treated to an exclusive presentation filled with insights and information by a local Naturalist who shares stories and useful tips about your visit to the park.TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Board the Alaska Railroad train for spectacular views through its panoramic windows designed for soaking in the stunning scenery on this full-day journey that truly showcases America’s 49th state. Keep an eye out for views of Denali —as well as wildlife along the way!
Day 7
DENALI NATIONAL PARK Wilderness Wonders Enjoy free time this morning. Consider an optional photography excursion or a helicopter ride over the park. Then, prepare for an adventure of a lifetime with a Tundra Wilderness tour into the park with a Naturalist Driver Guide. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Venture deep into Denali National Park and Preserve with a Naturalist Driver Guide in search of fantastic wildlife and natural wonders. Your guide can help you to spot grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and other wildlife from a safe distance. Denali is a natural treasure of pristine and untamed wilderness at its finest.
Day 8
DENALI NATIONAL PARK–BIG LAKE–ANCHORAGE A Dog’s Life Travel south toward Anchorage stopping at Happy Trails Kennels, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his sled dogs. Continue to Anchorage for a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. As part of Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project, this historic site is one example of our commitment to supporting the people and places we share with you. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner. Over dessert, enjoy a [LF] special presentation by an Alaskan bush pilot. (B,L,D)LOCAL FAVORITE ADVENTURE STORIES After a delicious farewell dinner, you’ll be treated to dessert and a presentation by an experienced Alaskan bush pilot who shares real-life tales of adventure in the wilderness you may have only heard about in movies or books! TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES Visit Happy Trails Kennels, home of 4-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and family. Happy Trails Kennels was established in 1982 with the express purpose of raising and training happy, fast long-distance sled dogs to race and win the Iditarod. Martin's loving care and faith in his K-9 athletes is made evident by his Iditarod wins earning the 9-year record for the fastest Iditarod finish. Meet the Iditarod champions and learn about the relationship between musher and dog, how they race and care for their dogs. Watch a demonstration on mushing, complete with a mock Iditarod checkpoint, and get a chance to play with the sled dogs!
Day 9
ANCHORAGE. EXCURSION TO SEWARD & KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK Ice Sculptures Witness one of the world’s most scenic drives as you follow the south shore of lovely Turnagain Arm. Upon arrival in Seward, board your vessel for a cruise on the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park covers 600,000 acres of protected and pure wilderness, with more than half of its majestic landscapes covered in ice and snow. From the massive Harding Icefield to the countless tidewater glaciers carving deep fjords, this arctic paradise is a natural wonder to behold. A cruise on the fjords affords an unforgettable opportunity to see glaciers calving into the sea, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and many more breathtaking sights.
Day 10
ANCHORAGE Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa | The hotel is located in the heart of Anchorage and just moments from Anchorage's best restaurants, museums and attractions. The hotel has a fitness center, hot tub, business center, concierge service, gift shop, lounge, and 24 hour room service. | Anchorage | 401 East 6th Avenue | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Totem Hotel & Suites | The newest hotel in Valdez blends modern accommodation and style with Alaskan hospitality. Guests will enjoy rooms with premium linens, fluffy towels, TV, coffee maker, microwave, and mini-fridge. Hotel facilities include a lobby area market, fitness center, indoor pool, and Wi-Fi access. The hotel is within walking distance of local restaurants, shops and attractions. | Valdez | 144 East Egan Drive | Moderate First-Class |
| 3 | Pike's Waterfront Lodge | Along the banks of the impressive Chena River sits Pike's Waterfront Lodge. You'll rest easily in comfortable rooms, all with Aveda aromatherapy room amenities and many featuring scenic views, a steam room & sauna, riverside deck, restaurant, and a cozy lounge. The hotel is minutes from the Fairbanks Alaska airport and next door to famous Pike's Landing restaurant. It's a convenient and stunning spot for your time in Fairbanks. | Fairbanks | 1850 Hoselton Drive | Moderate First-Class |
| 4 | Denali Park Village | Approximately seven miles south of Denali National Park & Preserve sits the Denali Park Village Lodge. Positioned along the banks of the Nenana River, and spread over 20 acres, the lodge offers hiking trails throughout the facility from lighter trails to the more rugged. You'll be close to the action of Denali, yet enjoy the evening solitude as you relax to the sound of the river sweeping by. The new Summit Lodge is eco-friendly and features a high-timber lodge look and feel and is home to the Gold Rush Dining Room, Lucky Miss Saloon, Quigley's Coffee Station, Summit Gift Shop and 24-hour concierge desk. | Denali National Park | 231 George Parks Hwy | Moderate First-Class |
