SUMMER ADVENTURE WEEK IN ALASKA
August 9-16, 2009

            Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier Alaska

Join us for a great week of fun, exploration, incredible scenery and wildlife viewing. 
 
Our 2008 Summer Adventure week in Alaska was such a hit that we had to offer an encore in 2009.
This Alaska tour is unlike any you have seen elsewhere or may have taken in the past.  Unlike most Alaska vacations which show you Alaska on a 7 night cruise, on this vacation we will take you to see the beauty of Alaska in what we believe is a more exciting way to see all the brilliance of this incredible land.

You will witness up close
* Icebergs that are the size of cruise ships
* Whales frolicking in the water
* bears fishing for salmon (and in some cases feeding on them)
* Glaciers dropping huge chunks of ice, as they crash into the sea in a mesmerizing calving process. 

Plus, enjoy:

The thrill of a zip line canopy tour
The beauty of a rainforest exploration nature walk & tour
The pleasure of a sumptuous Alaskan Salmon Bake
A tram ride up Mt. Roberts and a welcome dinner party at the scenic observation deck near her peak.
A farewell dinner on the town on our final night in Alaska                                                                                   

While Alaskan cruises charge some of the highest fees of any cruise destination, for sightseeing excursions, instead, on our Alaska exploration week, you will enjoy - 4 included scenic excursions, showing you all the best of Alaska, plus ample free time to see more that suits your own personal interests, all from one base, close to everything, allowing you to only unpack in Alaska once, while seeing & experiencing an Alaska vacation of a lifetime ! 

Escape the sizzling heat in the lower 48 and head to Alaska, where average daytime highs in August are pleasantly in the low 70’s.

OUR TRIP ITINERARY:

Sunday August 9th
Fly on your own arrangement into either Juneau Alaska or into Seattle, to be combined with our optional group air space from Seattle to Juneau.  Upon arrival in Juneau, transfers to our centrally located hotel will be arranged for our passengers arriving on our group’s flight and for those arriving on their own arranged flights.

 Our Hotel, the Goldbelt hotel, is situated right on the scenic downtown waterfront, allowing us to walk easily to the popular downtown area attractions we will be enjoying, including our whale watching excursion, our Sawyer Glacier odyssey, the Tram up to the top of Mt. Roberts and the famed Red Dog Saloon. 
Many fun restaurants, shopping opportunities and more are also walking distance from our hotel.
The Goldbelt hotel, Juneau’s finest hotel, offers outstanding full-service accommodations, including complimentary airport transportation. Located facing the waterfront in downtown Juneau, the 105-room hotel is in close proximity to most major attractions. The hotel lobby features a permanent display of museum-quality traditional Alaska Native artwork.
Hotel amenities include:

• Complimentary Airport Transportation                             
• Full-Service Hotel
• Room Service
• Meeting Facilities
• Cable TV
• Free wireless access
• Coffee Makers
• Hair Dryers
• Irons/Ironing Boards
• Voice Mail/Data Ports
• Non-Smoking Rooms
• Free Parking

Our group will all be treated to rooms with scenic mountain views. 

Monday August 10th  - This morning is at leisure to relax.  In the late morning, all passengers are invited to a welcome orientation where all can meet their fellow passengers that they will enjoy our week of Alaskan exploration with.    At our group orientation, all passengers will be given passes to the Mount Roberts Tramway, which is located less than 5 minutes walk from our hotel.   The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Juneau’s quaint streets, shop, or walk to the Tramway for a scenic ride, using your tram passes handed out at this morning’s trip orientation.
We will enjoy an exhilarating ride above the Southeast Alaska rainforest to the 1800 foot level of Mount Roberts.  Experience one of the most expansive and beautiful views offered in all Alaska, from the Chilkat Mountains to the north, down the Gastineau Channel to the lands and waterways of the south, west to Douglas Island, and east into Silver Bow Basin where gold was discovered near the head of Gold Creek in 1880.
The views as the tram climbs are stunning and the views from the observation deck at the top of the tram are astounding.  At the top are a restaurant, gift shop, observation deck and hiking trails.

Also at the top, enjoy the amenities of our multi-million dollar mountain complex. The Mountain House (Shaa Hit) is nestled among towering Sitka Spruce trees on the edge of the grasses and wildflowers of the sub-alpine. The complex houses the Chilkat Theater, Raven Eagle Gifts, the Timberline Bar & Grill (with optional outside dining) and offers access to The Nature Center, an eagle exhibit and the extensive Mount Roberts improved trail system. Visitors are introduced to the Tlingit culture through the award winning film Seeing Daylight, shown every half hour in the Chilkat Theater. There are also frequent theater performances by a local Tlingit actor sharing the story of his clan's origin. Native artists are often featured in the complex working on wood, fossilized ivory or silver carvings, making dolls, sewing garments, beading or creating large totem poles out of cedar logs

Those wishing to hike may wish to skip the tram ride and instead take the hiking trail to the top of the tram.  The trail takes you up the back side of the mountain, thus offering very unique and picturesque views not seen on the tram ride.  The hike takes approx. 60 to 90 minutes and is well worth the journey if you enjoy hiking and wish to see vistas only viewable from the trail
All passengers (whether you reached the top by tram or foot) can enjoy the observation deck at the top of the tram and, if you wish, take an easy and very scenic stroll just ½ a mile to the statue of Father Brown’s cross or, for those interested in a more rigorous hike, continue a further 2 miles to the summit of Mt. Roberts. (1400 foot elevation gain but worth every ounce of sweat, with views of Gastineau Channel, Douglas island and the surrounding mountains.)
Tonight, all passengers in our group will enjoy an included welcome dinner at the restaurant adjacent to the observation deck at the top of the tram.

After our dinner, we will then enjoy the tram ride together back down the mountain followed by the short walk back to our hotel.  The tram ride, both from the base to the top and from the top to the base is included with the passes you will receive at the orientation this morning. (hint to hikers: if you take the trail to the top of the tram and then take the tram back down to the base after our group welcome dinner, you will get to see the mountain from both the back and the front, offering 2 very unique and both very scenic vistas)
Visit   www.mountrobertstramway.com for more info and details.

Tuesday August 11th
This morning is again at leisure to relax.  
At 11:30am we will be picked up at our hotel for our Whale Watching Tour.  We will enjoy a 3 hour professionally narrated cruise tour of Auke Bay to enjoy whale watching on our comfortable 42 foot jet boat the Awesome Orca and leave the crowds behind.  
Captain Larry, an internationally renowned whale watching captain, accompanied by a professional tour guide/naturalist, brings years of knowledge and experience to your personalized excursion. Come with us for the whale watching and wildlife adventure of a lifetime.
 Our personalized whale watching tour style and high-speed boat allows us to stop, observe and photograph whales, orca, and other marine mammals in their natural environment, while safely and comfortably enjoying the rugged Alaskan scenery.
       
Our tour includes complimentary snacks, featuring smoked salmon, cheese, crackers, juices, coffee and water.

Click the following link to read reviews of this whale watching tour.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31020-d660845-r8184080-Orca_Enterprises-Juneau_Alaska.html
Click the link below to view photos taken on from the Odysea during its Whale watching tours.
http://www.crittershots.com

After our tour returns to the Juneau harbor, we will have the option to be dropped off back at our hotel or continue onto the famed Mendenhall glacier, less than 30 minutes away by the comfort of our transport coach.
Those choosing to take the visit to the Mendenhall Glacier, will be dropped off at the visitor’s center and given an hour at leisure to explore.  Your free time here does not need to end at the visitor’s center as you can also walk to the observation deck, an easy walk to the edge of the mighty glacier for fabulous up close views.
Often, visitors here can see bears fishing for salmon in the stream from the observation deck.

         Scenes of Mendenhall Glacier
       
We will return to our hotel with the balance of the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the shops and restaurants that are just walking distance from our hotel. (The visit to the Mendenhall glacier is available for purchase on the day of the whale watching tour for just $19 including the round trip transportation and admission to the visitor’s center and observation deck)
Avid hikers may wish to stay longer at Mendenhall on your own, as there are a number of hiking trails available starting from the visitor’s center and rangers there can help you choose the length and level of difficulty you desire, all on well maintained, well marked forest service trails, with trail maps available at the visitor’s center, or you may take a ranger guided hike of the area.  A city shuttle bus continues to run every half hour until the visitor’s center closes at 7pm and your return transportation pass from the whale watch company’s tour to Mendenhall includes these city shuttles picking up at Mendenhall  
This evening, if you wish, join us as we gather at the famed Red Dog Saloon, in Juneau, just a short 5 minute walk from our hotel.  The Red Dog Saloon is the most famous pub in Alaska, filled with local charm and bubbling with local entertainment that will keep you having fun as long as you wish with their local entertainers playing popular tunes of both local heritage and more familiar tunes.

Wed. August 12thth –This morning, we will enjoy a unique tour.   The Alaska  ZIPLINE TOUR
Imagine yourself suspended above the ground, gliding from one uniquely themed platform to the next on a series of zip lines through the Alaskan rainforest.  This once-in-a-lifetime adventure includes an ascending drive through the scenic Tongass National Forest.  Once you are on the tour, you will be able to see the alpine forest and unique flora and fauna from an aerial perspective.  You can also enjoy the views from an aerial suspension bridge, along the tour route!

 The tour is a thrilling, yet always safe adventure and a great opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Alaska  
Visit www.alaskazip.com   for more info and photos of this tour.

Following our zip line adventure, choose between a return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure, or continue your day by joining us on our optional guided hike over the East Glacier Trail, offering views of the glaciers, waterfalls and old growth forest.  We will see spawning salmon going upstream and we may even see a black bear or two fishing for salmon in the stream.
The hike is approximately 4 to 6 miles and is designed for those looking for an active afternoon hike across some of the most scenic Alaskan landscapes.
                                               

Thursday August 13    This morning is at leisure to relax, stroll the shops of Juneau or sign up for an optional morning excursion. 

This afternoon, we will enjoy a guided rainforest tour.
Welcome to Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure. We invite you to tour our fifty acres of Southeast Alaska's lush rainforest offering landscaping, floral design, and scenic vistas. Easy accessible pathways lead you to ponds, bubbling waterfalls, and exquisitely designed gardens with spectacular views of the Mendenhall Valley and its pristine surroundings. You will enjoy this guided tour from the comfort of our deluxe covered golf carts and along a leisurely walking path.

The Rainforest
The temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska is distinguished by it's many canopy layers and the presence of lichen, mosses and ferns living on the surface of other plants and its dense, shrubby undergrowth. 
You will experience this lush rainforest as you are guided to the 580 foot level of Thunder Mountain. 
Blueberry, huckleberry and false Azaleas border the pathways in their natural setting. Fern, mosses, and dogwood cover the fertile soil enjoying the protection of the towering trees above.
This is just a sampling of the many plants you will see during your adventure.

Tour Viewpoints
At the 580 foot level of Thunder Mountain you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mendenhall Valley, Chilkat Mountains, Gastineau Channel, and downtown Juneau.
The ground cover changes to an array of alpine plants and trees giving the surroundings the look of a bonsai garden.
Pathways lead you through this natural garden to a view that will take your breath away. Watch the eagles soar and "remember your camera."

Tonight, we will enjoy an included dinner party at the Gold Creek Alaskan Salmon bake.  This festive evening is set on a beautiful creek in the forest with scenic waterfalls. Enjoy an all inclusive dinner featuring fresh Alaskan Salmon, BBQ chicken and ribs, with all the side trimmings to make your dinner a feast.   
The evening includes live entertainment and after dinner there is an included marshmallow roast around a campfire for those wishing to enjoy this traditional fun.

Friday August 14th – Today, we will enjoy a most incredible Alaskan tour experience.  We will enjoy a Full day tour of Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier 
We will see glaciers from the mountains to the sea, Alaska's largest icebergs. Waterfalls that drop thousands of feet. Incredible mountains and emerald green water. Watch for whales, bear, eagles and mountain goats. See hundreds of seals.

 Board the 65 foot Captain Cook for an unforgettable glacier cruise to the best of Alaska. Tracy Arm, a classic fjord, has it all - snow capped peaks, shear rock palisades, waterfalls, rainbows and tidewater glaciers. Drift among the icebergs for the most close-up view of Sawyer Glacier.
 The Captain Cook has a stable, smooth riding, ocean going hull for the best cruise to Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier. A full walk-around deck and large cabin windows assure unobstructed views and great photo opportunities. She is the sister ship of the Adventure Bound.  Personal attention is unsurpassed on the Adventure Bound glacial exploration ships.

Visit www.adventureboundalaska.com   for more info and photos of their glacial exploration cruises

This tour is truly a highlight of any visit to Alaska.  The Sawyer Glacier offers more incredible calving activity than famed Glacier Bay, the site most cruise ships visit to witness calving action. 
 
Calving action at South Sawyer Glacier.     
Alaska's largest icebergs are found in Tracy Arm & at Sawyer Glacier.  Calving activity is frequent at Sawyer Glacier
                                   

With just a short walk from our hotel, we will sail at 9am aboard the Captain Cook, a vessel that is limited to just 48 persons, meaning that we will get the best opportunity to see the amazing glacier activity up close.  Our vessel’s size means we will get into places where the cruise ships could never dare attempt.  Our boat has all indoor seating with large windows for optimal viewing.  A wraparound outdoor deck is also available for those wishing to get outside for even greater photo opportunities.  Restroom facilities are also available inside the vessel.
On our 3 hour sailing to the Sawyer Glacier, we will witness many phenomenons of nature, including witnessing huge icebergs, often as big as houses, or even as big as the cruise ships themselves.  These icebergs float past us as we cruise along, with expert naturalist commentary. 
We will also witness Black Bear on the water’s edges, as they spawn for salmon.  Plus, 3 out of every 4 sailings witness whales frolicking in the water as well.
Majestic waterfalls and more are all part of the spectacular scenery that will unfold in front of us as we journey to Sawyer Glacier.
Just before our arrival at the glacier, we will enjoy an included lunch onboard.
Upon arrival, we will witness the natural power of glacial calving activity better than anywhere else.  The size of our vessel enables us to get closer than any cruise ship and thus to witness the sheer an awesome sight and sound of huge chunks of glacial ice, breaking off of Sawyer and crashing into the water                                                                

                   
                                Ice walls at Sawyer Glacier
    Thi
 This waterfall tumbles from 2000 feet to the fjord's surface.
Tstt Waterfall tumbles 2000
 
                                                                                                                                                                       

We will spend approx. one hour at both the North and South Sawyer Glacier ice fields. 
The surrounding Mountains are 7,000 feet in this area. The sides of Tracy Arm rise steeply with many waterfalls visible along the route. The water is glacial blue due to the microscopic sediment or glacial flour it contains. Sea lions, eagles, terns, kittiwakes, mew gulls and mergansers are often spotted.

Our return sailing will again take us past areas where bears are frequently sighted, as well as territory where whales, orcas and seals are often sighted.
We will return to Juneau harbor located across from our hotel at 6:30pm for the quick hop back to our hotel.

Saturday Aug. 15th

Our final day in Alaska is a full day at leisure.  If you wish to enjoy another excursion, there are many which you can sign up for at our hotel or in town during the week.
Those interested in flight seeing may choose to book a helicopter or flight seeing tour taking you for a bird’s eye view of many glaciers, or for a walk or trek on the glaciers.  You also may wish to take a flight see to the scenic Taku nature lodge.
 You may wish to take a tour to Admiralty island where the largest concentration of brown bears in world lives
Rafting and kayaking are other popular pastimes in the area and afford scenic views of glaciers as well.
If you enjoy fishing, we recommend Toni at Hi Time Charters and Mike Bethers.  They are both in the book in Juneau.  Toni has been conducting sport fishing trips for quite a few years and she books up fast.  Mike Bethers was the head of the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game.  He has a very good reputation also.

Other popular tours include:
HATCHERY VIP TOUR Located just 2.5 miles from downtown, the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is truly a sight to be seen by all Juneau's visitors and locals alike. Designed with the visitor in mind, the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery provides amazing views of spectacular salmon sights and allows visitors to the facility to learn first-hand about Alaska's wild salmon. From the elevated entrance, visitors get a birds-eye view of outside operations as they listen to a 5 to 10 minute informative commentary. A knowledgeable tour guide explains the fascinating life of the Pacific salmon and the workings of the hatchery. Inside the facility visitors will find museum-like interpretive displays, beautiful saltwater aquariums, and a mini-market place featuring local salmon products and novelties.
ALASKAN BREWING COMPANY Soon after gold was discovered in 1881, breweries in the new town of Juneau began quenching the thirst of hardy Alaskan miners. By 1903 at least four breweries had begun operation in the twin cities of Juneau and Douglas. Between 1899 and 1907, local residents enjoyed a particularly fine brew created by the Douglas City Brewing Company. Almost 100 years later, Alaskan Amber Beer, based on that same historic recipe, has started a small gold rush of its own. The breweries products have brought home more than 25 major medals and awards, including "Best Beer in the Nation" in the 1988 Great American Beer Festival Consumer Preference Poll. Come visit this outstanding facility and learn about their manufacturing process and sample a beer from the bar as you talk with a local about what it means to be

Those of you that are avid hikers may wish to take the short ride on the city shuttle back to the famous Mendenhall Glacier.  The shuttle pick up is less than 5 mins. walk from our hotel and the ride is less than 30 minutes with shuttles departing every half hour at a cost of only $6. 
At the visitor’s center you can again ask about the many hiking trails available for your own exploration or for exploring on a ranger guided hike, alongside the glacier.

Tonight, we will enjoy a farewell dinner party in traditional local style at the Hanger on the Wharf restaurant for an Alaskan tradition – King Crab Legs.  Everything is a short walk from our hotel, so all are free to explore the local pubs at their leisure after dinner.

Sunday August 16th
Our Adventure week in Alaska concludes and we must return home today.  If you arranged your own flight to Alaska, you can enjoy our hotel’s free hourly shuttle service to the airport.  If you booked our round trip air from Seattle to Juneau and from Juneau to Seattle, transfer from our hotel to the airport is included for our flight this morning leaving at 7:40am, arriving in Seattle at 11am, where you can transfer to your own arranged flight from Seattle to your home towns.

OUR ALASKAN ADVENTURE WEEK INCLUDES

• 7 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN JUNEAU ALASKA at the Goldbelt Hotel
• Complimentary transfers from the airport to hotel and from hotel to airport are provided by the Goldbelt for those arriving on their own flight arrangements and are included in our air pricing if taking our group air RT between Seattle and Juneau. 
• 3 DINNERS IN JUNEAU INCLUDING WELCOME TO ALASKA DINNER, FAREWELL DINNER AND ALASKAN SALMON BAKE
• ALASKA WHALE WATCHING EXCURSION WITH OPTIONAL VISIT TO MENDENHALL GLACIER FOLLOWING OUR WHALE WATCHING CRUISE
• TRACY ARM FJORD AND SAWYER GLACIER CRUISE FULL DAY EXCURSION
• ZIP LINE CANOPY TOUR EXCURSION
• RAINFOREST EXPLORATION TOUR
• MOUNT ROBERTS TRAM RIDE
• ALLSINGLESTRAVEL.COM TRIP ESCORT
• FREE ROOMMATE MATCHING

TOTAL TRIP COST INCLUDING ALL OF THE ABOVE: JUST $1499
OPTIONAL SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $469

OPTIONAL AIR FROM SEATTLE TO JUNEAU ROUND TRIP: INCLUDING GROUP TRANSFERS FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL AND FROM HOTEL TO AIRPORT:
 $465 + TAXES (TAXES ARE $60 BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Our optional group air departs from Seattle on Sunday Aug. 9th at 8:05pm , arriving Juneau at 9:39pm.  This allows passengers from anywhere in the US to connect with our group’s flight to Juneau.

Our optional group flight from Juneau to Seattle on Sunday August 16th departs Juneau at 7:45am, arriving Seattle at 11:08am.

___________________________________________________________________
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS DURING OUR TOUR:

• MENDENHALL GLACIER VISIT FOLLOWING OUR INCLUDED WHALE WATCHING CRUISE:   JUST $19 INCLUDING ROUND TRIP TRANSPORTATION
  
  
• ½ DAY GUIDED HIKE FOLLOWING OUR INCLUDED ZIP LINE CANOPY TOUR: $79

• A $200 DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED 7 DAYS AFTER MAKING A RESERVATION.  DEPOSITS ARE REFUNDABLE IF CANCELLED BY APRIL 15TH.

•  BALANCE PAYMENTS ARE DUE Friday May 29th and are non refundable at that time.