Highlights Anchorage, Denali National Park, Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park

Alaska Wildlife Adventure Map

Alaska Wildlife Adventure


Alaska Wildlife Adventure - NUAWD

Last Updated: August 23, 2010
10 days: United States
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What's Included

All National Park entrance fees - Guided hike in Carlo Creek - Tour of Denali Park and wildlife viewing - Tour of Denali parks kennel and dog sled team - Alaska Rail scenic train ride - Walking tour of Seward fishing marina - Resurrection Bay wildlife boat cruise - Wildlife viewing at Kenai Fjords - Hike to Exit Glacier - Cultural tour of Kenaitze American Indian Village - Guided hike of Grewingk Glacier Lake

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and Gap Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Validity: Valid for all trips departing May 1st 2010 - Oct 1st 2010


Trip style

Discovery Adventures: Inspired by Discovery Channel’s award-winning programming, Discovery Adventures are designed to engage your curiosity, expand your horizons and push the boundaries of active and intellectual exploration like nothing you’ve ever experienced.

Follow in the footsteps of history and uncover the secrets of long-lost civilizations. Span the chasms of distant cultures and come face to face with the exotic and extraordinary. Head deep into the heart of the wild and witness the awesome majesty of a world you’ve only imagined.


Service level

Comfort: Feed your curiosity for culture and authentic experience while still maintaining the comforts you are used to at home. Relax, your arrival transfer is always included. Expect air conditioned rooms, complete with en suite bathrooms, television, phone services, cafe/bar and internet. 24 hr electricity and hot water are the norm and continental breakfast is always included. For the most part, you will be travelling around in air-conditioned fixed route tourist buses, private touring vehicles or planes.

Physical grading

2: Light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels.

Please note: Many Discovery Adventures trips include more than one 'Physical Grading' element that may increase the overall rating of a trip to a higher level. You can choose not to participate in these activities. For specific trip information, refer to the Trip Details document, or contact our sales department.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Anchorage

Arrive in to Anchorage at any time, and transfer to the hotel. There are no planned activities, so check in (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon, meet the tour leader and fellow group members to go over the details of the trip.

Anchorage was established in 1914 as a railroad construction port for the Alaska Railroad, which was built between 1915 and 1923. Ship Creek Landing, where the railroad headquarters was located, quickly became a tent city. Anchorage was incorporated on November 23, 1920, and throughout the 1920s the city's economy centered around the railroad. Between the 1930s and the 1950s, the city experienced massive growth as air transportation and the military became increasingly important. Today, Anchorage is a major port, receiving over 95% of all freight entering Alaska, as well as a hub of the Alaska Railroad. Major industries include government and military, petroleum and tourism. There are two U.S. military bases bordering Anchorage on the north: Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson.

Day 2 Denali National Park (B)

After breakfast we depart to Denali National Park. We check into the hotel located just outside the park and will have time (with the long daylight hours) this afternoon to visit the park information center and take a short hike around beautiful Carlo Creek to absorb the surroundings. We also may want to book an optional flight over glaciers to Mount McKinley.

Denali is the Athabascan name for Mt. McKinley, meaning “the high one”, appropriately named as it is North America's highest mountain at 20,320 ft (6,195 mt). The Alaska Range also includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. Denali's more than 6 million acres also encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system with spectacular bird life and large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.

Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
Approximate Distance: 250 miles (400 km)

Day 3 Denali National Park (B,L)

We take a morning shuttle bus into Denali National Park, for a park tour and wildlife viewing with an expert park guide, we also have the option of stopping to take short hikes along the way.

Shuttle bus service and locally guided tours into the park’s wilderness are mandatory, as private vehicles are not permitted within the National Park, to ensure it's protection. A 91 mile (147 km) road traverses the park, offering views of Wonder Lake, Savage River, Polychrome Pass, the Outer Range, Sanctuary River, Muldrow Glacier and the Kantishna mining district. We'll keep our eyes peeled for caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep, lynx, marmots, fox and snowshoe hares. Many of the park’s birds only visit during the summer months, but year-round residents include ravens, great horned owls and three species of ptarmigan.

Day 4 Denali National Park / Anchorage (B)

This morning we visit and tour the Denali National Park kennel and dog sled team for an insiders look at this historic and still relied upon form of transportation in the North. Visitors can walk around the kennels themselves and pet some of the dogs after our interpreter-led program explains how the kennels work, what the dogs eat, how dogs hook up to the sled, and where the dogs go when they retire. A winter camp is set up, including wall tent and small wood stove, so we can get a sense of life on the winter trail. In the early afternoon we depart for Anchorage on the Alaska railway in Goldstar class. The train travels south through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, making short stops in the frontier towns of Talkeetna and Wasilla. Breathtaking views and interesting facts will accompany our journey in the upper-level dome car or on the outdoor viewing deck. We arrive into Anchorage in the evening.

Denali sled dogs
Sled dogs have been used to protect Denali National Park and its wildlife since the park was established. The very first ranger ever hired, Harry Karstens, founded the kennels around 1921 and used dog patrols to stem poaching, which was devastating wildlife populations in the newly-created park. Today, these sled dogs serve the same purpose. In the winter, they patrol some two million acres of park. Sometimes they haul supplies where mechanized vehicles are prohibited and occasionally, they transport wildlife researchers.

The dogs and the kennels where they live play an important part in American history: cultural and native significance, the pioneer experience in the far north and the history of Alaska’s first national park. These are the only sled dogs in the United States that help protect a national park and the wildlife, scenery, and wilderness therein, and it has been this way since the park’s beginning.

Alaska Railroad History
Another important player in transportation history, it was President Woodrow Wilson who got the ball rolling for this system back in 1915. Just 8 years later, the 5,000 men who helped lay the tracks had opened up a whole new era for Alaska, connecting its southern harbor to the state’s deep interior. The Alaska Railroad has been operating ever since, making the company one of the oldest tour operators in Alaska.

Over the years, of course, some of the towns along the way have grown and changed, but the awe-inspiring scenery between these destinations hasn’t. Today, a trip on the Alaska Railroad still takes us past glacier-sculpted valleys, deep gorges, lush landscapes, and of course, Alaska’s unique wildlife.

Estimated Travel Time by train: 8 hours

Day 5 Seward (B)

After breakfast we travel to Seward to explore the stunning Kenai Fjords National park. After settling in, we visit Seward by foot heading down to the marina to see the fishing boats and their catches of the day. Afterwards, we take a scenic boat tour of the harbor and bay searching for puffins, cormorants and Stellar sea lions as we cruise along the spectacular shores of Resurrection Bay. After, we stop on Fox Island around dinner time, where we can choose to enjoy wild Alaska salmon and prime rib (dinner not included).

Laying between the Kenai mountains and the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, which offers a bustling harbor, quaint shops and galleries, and is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Mt. Marathon rises steeply behind town and every 4th of July, the population of 4,000 swells to 25,000, and runners hit the trail to be first to the summit in America's second-oldest footrace. The town's population also balloons during the August Silver Salmon derby, the state's largest.

Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Approximate Distance: 130 miles (205 km)

Day 6 Seward (B,L)

Today we visit Kenai Fjords National Park where we take a morning hike through cottonwood forests to Glacier View, a panoramic vista of the Exit Glacier spilling down from the Harding Icefield. Return to Seward for free time in the afternoon for optional activities including: hiking, sea kayaking or cruise along the shores of Kenai Fjords and glaciers.

Kenai is a landscape continuously shaped by glaciers, earthquakes, and storms. orcas, otters, puffins, bear, moose and mountain goats make their home in this ever-changing place where mountains, ice and ocean meet. The Park offers a range of opportunities for visitors to explore, study and enjoy this special piece of North America’s natural and cultural heritage.

Day 7 Homer (B)

Today we visit the Kenaitze North American Indian tribe at Cooper Landing, where we stop in at the local museum and meet the people of the town. The Kenaitze American Indian tribe and the Seward Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest, work together to preserve, protect, and interpret important cultural and natural resources in the Cooper Landing area. A cultural interpreter leads us on a walk in the footprints of time, along the turquoise blue river along a boardwalk that wraps around a site known as Sqilantnu by the Dena'ina ancestors. Our afternoon drive continues along the Sterling highway offering a terrific view of Skilak lake. Hike and discover this charming part of Kenai. In the afternoon we arrive in Homer the "Halibut fishing Capital of Alaska", a quaint town nestled on the shore of Kachemak Bay offering breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains and wildlife.

Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Approximate Distance: 170 miles (272 km)

Day 8 Homer (B,L)

An early morning boat ride takes us 8 miles (12 km) away from Homer, to the opposite side of Kachemak bay. Here we enjoy a hike along a portion of the Grewingk Glacier trail or we can take part in various optional activities such as volcano flight-seeing or fly-in bear watching. We return back to Homer at the end of the day.

Day 9 Anchorage (B)

Transfer to Anchorage and enjoy the afternoon at our leisure exploring town.

Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
Approximate Distance: 225 miles (360 km)

Day 10 Depart Anchorage (B)


Dossier Disclaimer

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at the time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travelers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your trip details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The trip details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Important Notes

1. Discovery Adventures is operated in conjunction with Gap Adventures, the world leader in sustainable adventure travel. An award winning company with over 800 employees and 17 operational offices worldwide, Gap Adventures has 20 years experience in creating culturally interactive travel experiences. Gap Adventures advocates a triple bottom line business philosophy where equal attention is given to the environmental, social and economic impact of tourism to achieve long-term environmentally responsible growth whilst protecting destinations & cultural heritage for future generations.

2) This tour focuses on the wildlife and great outdoors of Alaska, so be prepared for a fair bit of walking and some hiking. While the hikes are not difficult, you can choose not to participate if you are so inclined. The pace of the hikes must be based on the fitness level of the entire group, however, if you are looking for more challenging hikes, this can be arranged on an optional basis with your tour leader locally.

Accommodation

Comfort hotels / motels (9 nts)

About Accommodation

Some areas traveled to on this tour are somewhat remote and while accommodation is in clean and comfortable hotels or motels, they may not have all of the amenities you would be used to, in larger cities. When visiting National and State parks, accommodations are located just outside or close to park entrances.

The accommodation level for most Discovery Adventure tours are comfortable, in mid-range hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses, etc. You'll often enjoy air-conditioned rooms, complete with en suite bathrooms and some amenities. Accommodation and amenities can vary by Country and region and please remember that standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel. Some trips may include camping, permanent tented camps or more rustic lodges, depending on the remoteness of where you are visiting. Please see your trip details for more information, specific to your tour. Porterage is not included, but can be arranged directly at most hotels.

My Own Room

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops on tour.

Single Travelers

We believe single travelers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. If you prefer to have your own room, The My Own Room option is available on most tours, but some exceptions can apply). Our Independent trips are designed differently and single travelers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Transport

Van, Mini-bus, Shuttle, Train, Boat, Walking

Group Size Notes

Max 12, Avg 8

About our Transportation

The vans used can hold up to 15 passengers and in most cases, the tour leader does the driving. We recommend that travelers rotate seats every driving day to get the maximum of scenery and comfort.

Local Flights

There are no local flights on this tour.

Meals Included

9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches

Meals

Travelling with Discovery Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful foods and flavors that are available in the world. Some meals are included in the trip price in more remote regions or as a highlight where we can share a local specialty or cultural experience. In many places where there is a choice of eating options, we like to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each others company, but there is no obligation to do this. Your group leader will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Group Leader Description

Please note that the tour leader will, in most cases, be driving the touring vehicle on this tour.

All Discovery Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our expert tour leaders. The aim of the tour leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. Group leaders are experts in their region with a broad, general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local expert guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Your Fellow Travelers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of traveling in a group. Your fellow travelers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group. Patience with your fellow travelers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Joining Hotel

Ramada Downtown
115 East 3rd Ave Anchorage,
AK 99501-2501
907-272-7561

http://www.alaskaramada.com

Joining Instructions

An arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour and our driver will be waiting for you with a Discovery Adventures Sign with your name on it.

Arrival Complications

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Finishing Point Hotel

America's Best Value Inn Executive Suites Hotel
4360 Spenard Rd
Anchorage, AK 99517-2909, United States
Phone: (907) 243-6366

Finishing Point Instructions

From the hotel you can get to the airport via taxi (please ask the front desk to call). The Tour leader will be leaving the group in the evening of Day 9, so be sure to discuss your departure or request any assistance prior to that time.

What to Take

We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 5-10 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Medium size soft suitcases, rolling bag or backpack are recommended (no XXL ones please!). You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. While it can be warm in the summer, nights can still be cool, so layering is suggested. We also recommend a raincoat or water resistant jacket and a comfortable pair of hiking shoes.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. Gap Adventures/Windigo Local Office – Montreal, Canada: Emergency Mobile: 514-948-4145.

You may also get a voice mail with another number to contact - have a pen ready.

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, we have a toll-free line within North America (or our regular direct line), which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from UK: 0844 410 1030
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Outside North America, Australia and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
Mobile: + 1 647 504 6467

Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• USD cash and travelers cheques
• Credit or debit cards (see personal spending money)
• Discovery Adventures vouchers and trip details
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Camera and memory cards/film and rechargeable batteries
• Reading/writing material
• Binoculars
• Cover for backpacks/bags
• Fleece top
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Small towel and swim wear
• 4 shirts/t-shirts
• Sun hat
• hand sanitizers/ antibacterial wipes
• 1 pair of shorts
• 2 pairs of long trousers
• 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
• Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes
• Sport sandals
• Sunblock
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (biodegradable)
• Watch or alarm clock
• Water bottle
• Flashlight
• First-aid kit(should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

Laundry

Laundry services may be available at some hotels. In some towns/Cities, there may be facilities to do your own laundry, the Guide will direct you to any local laundry facilities.

Visas

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

Spending Money

Every traveler is different, therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travelers may drink more than others while some may like to purchase more souvenirs. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Money Exchange

Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances and Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in specific banks. Check with your bank. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money, a combination of US dollar cash, travellers cheques and cards is best. Euros and Pounds are relatively easy to exchange only in larger city centers. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

The currency in the United States is the USD, while banks and currency exchange are available in Anchorage and larger towns, they may not be available in more remote locations. We suggest you bring USD with you or exchange while in the city of Anchorage.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Tipping

It is customary in the USA to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 15%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $2-$4 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your Discovery Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.

Optional Activities

Please note that at the time printing we made every effort to insure these prices were accurate. However, prices can and do change. Please use the following prices as guidelines only.

Scenic flight in Denali:
Mt. McKinley Glacier landing from $449 USD
20,000 ft summit tour of Mt. McKinley from $349 USD

Seward
Sea kayaking in Seward from $75 USD
Deep see fishing charter in Seward from $160 USD
Alaska Sealife Center from $20 USD

Homer/Kachemak Bay State Park
Volcano flight seeing from $500 USD
Hallo Bay Bear watching (by flight) from $550 USD

All prices are per person in US dollar amounts (unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

Health

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes, as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In North America pharmacies are found in every village / town and City. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travelers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. Discovery Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our tour leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Safety and Security

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When traveling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our tour leaders to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. For ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling, please click here.

Trip Specific Safety

Alaska is quite safe. This doesn't mean you should trust everybody and avoid non-normal methods of travel. Always keep your passport in safe location and don't count your money out in the open.

Detailed Trip Notes

History
On March 30, 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward signed an agreement with Baron Edouard Stoeckl, the Russian Minister to the United States. The agreement, widely referred to as "Seward's Folly" (and "Seward's Icebox") ceded possession of the vast territory of Alaska to the United States for the sum of $7.2 million.
Many settlers came to Alaska with the expectation that the territory would follow the path of the Western states to official state status. The First Organic Act did not provide for eventual representative government, and Alaska was consigned to a territorial status much like that of Canada's Newfoundland fisheries of the 17th-century British Empire. The U.S. government asserted imperial administrative control over the noncontiguous territory, but due to the overriding late-19th century concerns of Reconstruction and rapid incorporation of the contiguous states demonstrated little interest in Alaska. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98 was the first event to garner significant exposure for the Great White North. During the decade of 1890-1900, more than 30,000 people surged into the Yukon Territory and Alaska when gold was discovered in places like Dawson, Fairbanks, and Ester. The Second Organic Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in April 1912, conferred official territory status upon Alaska and provided for an elected legislature of eight senators and sixteen house members. On January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official declaration which made Alaska the 49th state. The new American flag featured seven rows of seven stars each.

Geography
Alaska's geography can be categorized into four main areas including: 2 mountain ranges, a central plateau, and the Arctic slope or coastal plain. At 586,400 square miles, Alaska is the U.S.'s largest state, over twice the size of Texas. The 3.5 million acres of the Alaska State Park System constitutes the largest park system in the United States. The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States. It covers almost the whole of Southeast Alaska.

17 of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S. are located in Alaska. Called Denali by the natives and later named Mt. McKinley, located in Alaska's interior, is the highest point in North America, at 20,320 feet (6,195 mt) above sea level.

Climate
Alaska's climate is variable, due to the state's large size. The southeastern and south-central coasts are wet and mild, the interior is cool and dry, and the northern region experiences very cold, dry weather. The record high temperature in Alaska was 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38c) at Fort Yukon in 1915. The record low temperature was -80 degrees Fahrenheit (-63c) at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971.

This tour operates in the summer season in Alaska, when we can expect clear sunny days but cooler nights. Daylight will last virtually 24hrs.

Time
Alaska time is one hour earlier than Pacific Standard time. When it’s noon in Anchorage, it is 4pm in New York, 9pm in London and 7am the following day in Melbourne, Australia.

Language
English spoken and written. This is the United States!

Medical Form

Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travelers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage, as a minimum requirement. Travelers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travelers are catered to equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

Download the the medical questionnaire.

A Couple of Rules

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the law of the land, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world, but it is not acceptable for our travelers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When traveling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been shown to your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Keeping in Touch

If you need to be contacted while traveling, we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travelers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our emergency contact information in this document. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.

Planeterra - The Gap Adventures Foundation

Planeterra is a non-profit organization with a long history of supporting sustainable community development through travel and voluntourism. By getting to know local people in the communities, Planeterra is able to help identify individual needs and act quickly to meet them. 

A range of over 30 projects worldwide, from providing water tanks to families in Kenya to a women's weaving co-operative in Peru, Planeterra offers travelers with a few hours, a few days, or a few dollars to spare, a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people and communities around the world. Discovery Adventures supports the work of Planeterra and includes community project visits in many of our tours.