1266 66th Street, Suite 4
Emeryville, California
94608-1117
T: +1 510 594 6000
1 888 MTSOBEK (687 6235)
F: +1 510 594 6001
info@mtsobek.com
www.mtsobek.com
Alaskan Classic Adventure: Best of Denali and Prince William Sound with Alaska Discovery
Our signature tour of Alaska, plus your own private cabin in Denali National Park
8 days ~ Alaska
Easy to strenuous day hikes, easy sea kayaking and whitewater rafting (Class III/IV rapids), optional canoeing & fishing
DATES Jun 26, 2012 - Jul 3, 2012 Aug 21 - 28, 2012
HIGHLIGHTS
- Spend three nights inside Denali National Park (most companies don't overnight here)! Hike and explore while you enjoy a relaxing stay at world-renowned Camp Denali!
- Explore the beautiful tidewater glaciers of Prince William Sound by boat and sea kayak
- Spectacular "flightseeing" over the Alaska Range, raft the Nenana River, trek on a glacier, and more!
Alaskan Classic Adventure: Best of Denali and Prince William Sound with Alaska Discovery Our signature tour of Alaska, plus your own private cabin in Denali National Park
Overview
This lodge-based, multisport adventure is the ultimate way to experience south central and interior Alaska! Take a tram to the lofty heights of Mount Alyeska and then trek on a glacier, sea kayak past tidewater glaciers in Prince William Sound, go whitewater rafting through the heart of the Alaska Range, take a phenomenally beautiful “flightseeing” trip over the Alaska Range, and enjoy fabulous wildlife viewing in Denali National Park. There’s an adventure here for every appetite, including a dramatic bush plane trip past North America’s highest peak—Denali herself!
After an active day of fun, you’ll relax in a comfortable hotel or lodge, including three nights at Camp Denali. This renowned rustic wilderness lodge is located deep inside Denali National Park, where wonderful views of Denali (officially named Mt. McKinley, which at 20,320 feet is the highest peak in North America) are possible right from your private cabin’s doorstep. With time to explore Anchorage—including a ride on the famed Alaska Railroad—this trip is the ultimate adventure in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Day 1: Anchorage – Girdwood
Note: You will need to arrive in Anchorage prior to Day 1.
On DAY ONE, meet the other members of the group and your guide at the Copper Whale Inn, at 9:30 a.m. There will be a mandatory pre-trip meeting with breakfast. After breakfast, we will check out of our hotels and depart Anchorage.
We load into our vehicles for a glorious drive along the Turnagain Arm to the mountain community of Girdwood. A bustling ski destination in the winter, Girdwood in the summer boasts great hiking and gorgeous scenic vistas. After lunch, the afternoon is full of activity. After settling into our rooms at the 5-diamond Alyeska Resort Hotel, we hop on a tram to the mountaintop, gear up with crampons and ice axes, and take a walk on the glacier. We'll round out this day with a delicious meal in Girdwood.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Alyeska Resort Hotel - Girdwood
Day 2: Prince William Sound
With more coastline than the contiguous 48 states, no trip to Alaska is complete without getting out on the water, and there’s no place better to do this than Prince William Sound. After breakfast, we drive north to the end of Turnagain Arm and Portage Glacier. Then, with apparently nowhere to go, we drive around a corner and dive into a tunnel one lane wide and 2.5 miles long. This is an amazing trip, as we disappear into the heart of the mountain and emerge on the other side in Whittier, Alaska.
From Whittier, a motor vessel whisks us deep into the stunning fjords of Prince William Sound. After a 45-minute boat ride, we transfer to sea kayaks and begin paddling along the breathtaking shoreline past three tidewater glaciers. A cool breeze on our faces, the smell of the salty sea in our noses, and the creaks, groans, and booms of moving ice all around us complete this magical experience.
We end this day of scenic and sensory overload with another night at the Alyeska Hotel in Girdwood. Dinner is on your own tonight. Those who wish may sneak away by tram to a mountaintop restaurant for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining while gazing out at seven glaciers.
Breakfast, Lunch / Alyeska Resort Hotel - Girdwood
Day 3: Fly to Denali – whitewater rafting on the Nenana River
Alaska has more pilots and planes per capita than any other state in the country, as huge expanses of the state are inaccessible by road. Today we journey back to Anchorage and fly to the entrance of Denali National Park by bush plane. Weather permitting, our flight will take a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring detour to circle the “big three”—Mounts Foraker, Hunter, and of course, McKinley (Denali). We land in Denali, Alaska, gateway to Denali National Park. Upon arrival at the park entrance, we jump into dry suits for a Class III/IV whitewater rafting trip down the Nenana River. This exciting ride takes us through a dramatic canyon from the Denali National Park entrance to the coal seams near Healy. We relax this evening in cabins a few miles from the park entrance.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Denali Grizzly Bear Cabins - Denali
Day 4: Denali National Park
Today we enter Denali National Park. After a leisurely morning, we drive into the park on a restricted access road with Camp Denali staff. Along the way we’ll search for wildlife (moose, caribou, bear, and wolves), stop for a picnic dinner, and begin to see a new side of Mount McKinley if the weather is good. When we arrive, Camp Denali staff will welcome us with a dessert reception and help us settle into our individual cabins.
Each guest cabin is beautifully appointed and affirms Camp Denali’s rustic style. Colorful, hand-crafted patchwork quilts and fine Alaskan artwork display an attention to detail. There is a small wood-burning stove for heat and a gas hotplate for heating water. There is running water (a spigot is outside) and wash basins in each cabin, and each has a convenient “house out back,” hand-built and uncompromisingly sanitary. Denali is even framed by a small heart in the door. A bathroom/shower facility with private hot showers and changing rooms, sinks, and flush toilets is located near the lodge and dining room.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Camp Denali - Denali National Park
Days 5-6: Denali National Park
Overlooking Wonder Lake and Mount McKinley, the traditions of excellence, community, and place of Camp Denali go back 50 years. Each day here is filled with laughter and camaraderie, exploration, and relaxation. Options each day are diverse, including photographing, hiking, paddling a canoe, biking, fishing, or reading and relaxing. After a delicious dinner at the lodge, evening programs round out the day.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Camp Denali - Denali National Park
Day 7: Alaska Railroad – Anchorage
Our senses overwhelmed and nerves relaxed, we journey out of the park, watching for wildlife. We’ll board the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic trip to Anchorage. Leisure time on the train can be spent gazing out large windows or catching up on journals and correspondence. On the train, we enjoy our last dinner together.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Copper Whale Inn - Anchorage
Day 8: Depart Anchorage
We’ll enjoy breakfast together at the hotel and say our final good-byes as we head our separate ways for the journey home. You can schedule your departure from Anchorage any time today.
Breakfast
Alaskan Classic Adventure: Best of Denali and Prince William Sound with Alaska Discovery
Departures & Land Costs
Departures
Jun 26, 2012 - Jul 3, 2012 SOLD OUT
Aug 21 - 28, 2012 Fall Colors in Denali! Possible Northern Lights!!
2012 Prices
$4,995 (5-10 members)
$350 internal airfare
3-4 guests possible with small group surcharge
First single supplement $1200
All other single supplements $2200
Minimum age is 10.
Rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations.
If you prefer single accommodations, you must pay a Single Supplement Fee. If you’re traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we’ll try our best to find you a roommate. If that’s not possible, we will only charge you half of the single supplement.
Payment & Cancellation Policy
Payment
| At time of reservation | $400 |
| 120 days prior to departure | $800 |
| 60 days prior to departure | Balance |
Cancellation
| If written cancellation is received: | Cancellation fee will be: |
| 90 days prior to departure | $150 |
| 89 to 60 days prior to departure | $400 |
| 59 to 30 days prior to departure | 50% of Land Cost |
| 29 days or fewer prior to departure | 100% of Land Cost |
Tier Pricing
Adventure travel works best with a small group of people. In order to operate these small groups, our trips are priced according to the number of full-price passengers on the trip. (Mountain Travel Sobek staff, trip doctors, and other discounted travelers are excluded from the count for this purpose.) We initially invoice you at the highest tier level price (the smallest group size we can operate). If the price drops due to an increase in group size, you will be refunded the difference.
What’s Included
- expert leadership
- accommodations as noted in itinerary (or similar)
- meals as noted in the itinerary
- sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
- additional guides and porters where necessary
- tips for lodge, hotel, or camp staff
- entrance fees and permits, unless noted separately in costs (note some permits and fees are non-refundable and due at time of booking)
- basic medical and evacuation insurance
What’s Not
Airfare; meals not noted on itinerary; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (international—varies by location); cost of medical immunizations; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).
Air Travel
Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their “frequent flyer” miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets. We need to verify your arrival and departure schedule and ensure we have enough participants to operate the trip.
What you can expect
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
Clint Fries
Clint Fries, Alaska Discovery Guide: Calm, conscious and curious... Clint is an explorer. Guiding for 20 years from the Arctic to Latin America, he is always up for an adventure, and seldom at a loss for words. Clint entertains in front of some of the finest backdrops known. He likes to combine exquisite wilderness meals and an eye for the unseen. Join him for a trip and you will likely find the group positive, cohesive, and at ease in the wilds.
Mike Speaks
Mike Speaks has a list of international guiding experiences that reads like the archives of the old Explorer's Club in London. He was recently the expedition leader for a 590-mile National Geographic trip down the Blue Nile in Ethiopia. He has rafted first descents in Malawi, Ethiopia, Borneo, Madagascar, and Pakistan. He has been a river guide for two decades on the greatest rivers of the world, including the Zambezi, the Bio-Bio, the Tatshenshini, and the Alsek. He has assisted in film documentaries of Egypt, Burma, India, and Bhutan. He has explored all the rivers of northern Pakistan. This Alabama boy will have you speaking with a drawl within minutes, yet he makes his home on the flanks of Mount Denali in Alaska. He's a naturalist, a ski mountaineer, a whitewater expert, an experienced sea kayaker, and a humorist through it all. Michael is a favorite for his quick wit, take-charge style, and outstanding leadership.
The Next Step
Ready to go? Signing up is easy!
Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) and reserve your spot! If you prefer to use a travel agent, he or she can book your trip at no extra cost and provide other helpful assistance.
Then Leave the Rest to Us
Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, up-to-date health advice prepared by our consulting physician (an expert in wilderness medicine), and other details.
Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure
Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.
References
Don’t take our word for how great our trips are. We’ll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers.
Questions?
Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help you. You can also check out our website at www.mtsobek.com.
Note on Itinerary
Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website at www.mtsobek.com/faq and the form itself at www.mtsobek.com/pdf/participant_info.pdf.
Terms & Conditions
Once you have made a deposit for a trip, you agree to be bound by all our terms and conditions including the Limitation of Liability Clause. The full Terms and Conditions can be found at www.mtsobek.com/faq/#liability or call 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) for a copy. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form (www.mtsobek.com/pdf/participant_info.pdf). Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to the Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law (but not procedural law) without regard to the California Arbitration Act.