Alaska's Untamed Wilderness
Journey to America’s “Last Frontier,” the heart of Alaska’s beautiful and wild country, as well as to its engaging cities. Travel by deluxe railcar to Denali National Park for a three-night stay. Revel in mountain views, hike through the tundra, and visit an Iditarod sled dog kennel. A breathtaking prop plane flight brings us deep into remote Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, America’s largest national park. Explore Anchorage’s historic downtown, then visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to bears, moose, elk, lynx, and more. In picturesque Seward, take a boat ride through rugged Kenai Fjords National Park.
Itinerary
We depart today for Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Upon arrival, we check in to our centrally located hotel then have time to explore on our own. As guests’ arrival times may vary, we have no group activities or meals planned. Anchorage Marriott Downtown
This morning we meet our Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome briefing about the journey ahead. Then we depart by motorcoach for Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska’s – and America’s – true Last Frontier. We first travel to Talkeetna, where we board a deluxe domed railcar that provides us with panoramic views on the four-hour journey. Upon arrival in Denali late this afternoon, we enjoy a special interpretive presentation. Denali Park Village Lodge (B,D)
It’s a day of extreme beauty as we encounter Denali National Park up close. This six-million-acre preserve comprises forests, alpine tundra, and snow-covered mountains. We begin our full day of touring as we board a Denali bus for the drive along the lone road deep into the park. Weather permitting, we may see one of the most dramatic views of grand Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), North America’s tallest peak standing at more than 20,000 feet. Throughout our journey, a local naturalist and our driver-guide will share stories about the park and the historic characters who found their way to this remote wilderness. At several times during our adventure, we disembark for brief walks or rest stops. We keep our eyes peeled for grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and the iconic Dall sheep known for their white coat and massive curled horns.
Denali Park Village Lodge (B,L)
After a free morning at our lodge, perhaps to enjoy an optional rafting, hiking, or fly-fishing excursion, we set out this afternoon for an authentic Alaska experience as we visit a local Iditarod sled dog kennel. Covering 1,000 miles of some of the roughest terrain in the world, the grueling Iditarod draws nearly 100 mushers and their dog teams annually. Here we learn about the history of the race and meet the kennel’s Husky puppies. We return to the lodge in time for dinner together tonight. Denali Park Village Lodge (B,D)
We depart Denali by motorcoach this morning for the daylong journey to remote Chitina (pop. 126!). Here we board a prop plane for the scenic flight deep into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, at 8.3 million acres the largest national park in the United States. Our destination: the historic copper mining towns of Kennicott/McCarthy. During our 30-minute flight, we get our first views of the park’s rugged wilderness, including pristine glaciers, volcanoes, and mountains. Upon landing, we transfer to our lodge in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias, surrounded by 14 of the highest mountain peaks in North America. We dine tonight at our lodge, the only one in Kennicott. Kennicott Glacier Lodge (B,L,D)
Home to more than 150 glaciers, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park contains the largest collection of these ice masses in North America. We see one of these glaciers up close today on our singular half-day hike to Root Glacier. After being fitted with crampons, we begin our three-mile excursion to the glacier and behold the natural beauty before us: unspoiled icefields, blue pools, cascading waterfalls, deep canyons. We eat a sack lunch in the wild then return to our lodge for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at our lodge. Kennicott Glacier Lodge (B,L,D)
This morning, we explore Kennicott, a National Historic Landmark District. Established in 1903, Kennicott was once a bustling mining camp until the ore was depleted in 1938. Our tour takes in the 14-story concentration mill and other historic mining buildings. This afternoon we board a prop plane for the return flight to Chitina, drive to the agricultural community of the Mat-Su Valley and our hotel located on the banks of Lake Lucille. Tonight, we reach our hotel, where we dine together. Best Western Lake Lucille (B,L,D)
Late this morning we journey by coach to the coastal town of Seward. En route, we stop for a city tour of Anchorage, beginning at Lake Hood, the largest and busiest seaplane base in the world. We also explore the city’s historic downtown, including Old City Hall and the Wendler Building, a popular women’sonly bar from the 1940s and ’50s. After time for lunch on our own in this city known for its fresh local seafood, we continue on to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. With 200 acres of spacious enclosures, the center offers an opportunity to see injured or orphaned bears, moose, elk, lynx, caribou, and more display their natural behavior. We then continue on to Seward and our hotel nestled in the Exit Glacier Valley. Seward Windsong Lodge (B,D)
One of Alaska’s most scenic communities, Seward features a bustling harbor, inviting shops, and plenty of outdoor activities. The city also serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, a 600,000-acre preserve comprising long fjords, primeval glaciers, and tranquil bays and coves. We explore this rugged park today on a glacier and wildlife cruise. On board, we get up close to one of Kenai’s many glaciers and keep an eye out for some of the park’s diverse array of mammals and marine life. We enjoy lunch onboard before returning to Seward, where the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration and dinner on our own. Seward Windsong Lodge (B,L)
Today we return to Anchorage, where we visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center representing 11 of Alaska’s major native cultural groups. Here we watch a dynamic Native Games demonstration. Then we have lunch on our own and the afternoon at leisure to explore the city. Tonight, we celebrate our journey through Alaska at a farewell dinner. Anchorage Marriott Downtown (B,D)
We transfer this morning to the Anchorage airport for our flights home. (B)
Cost and Details
Departing from:
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland (OR) $8,797
Seattle $8,497
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $202, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Depending on flight schedules, certain cities may require an overnight flight on the return, with the arrival home on the following day.
Land Only: $7,795 (transfers not included)
Single Room Supplement: $1,695
Included in Tour Price
Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary; 10 nights’ accommodations in First Class hotels; 22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners; Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director; Commonwealth Club representative at 15 guests; Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip; Luggage handling for one bag per person; Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers.
Not Included in Tour Price
Airfare when purchasing a Land Only package; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; airport transfers when purchasing a Land Only package; communication charges; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities: $10-$15 per traveler, per day); optional sightseeing; and travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline(s) prior to departure.
This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
Educational Highlights
Hear from our expert local guide and tour director. Learn from guest speakers along the way.
Terms and Conditions
Reservations
To confirm your place, a deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of reservation and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or check.
To make a reservation please email travel@commonwealthclub.org or call (415) 597-6720 to sign up.
Final Payment
Due no later than 95 days prior to departure.
Cancellations, Refunds and Changes
If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges:
- Cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 fee
- Cancel 94-65 days before departure: 25% of tour price
- Cancel 64-45 days before departure: 50% of tour price
Cancel 11-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price - Cancel 29-0 days before departure: No refund
If a guest makes any changes to their reservation within 94 and 30 days prior to departure, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will apply a $100 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure. Upon reservation you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport as well as your date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue.
Eligibility
We require membership to the Commonwealth Club World Affairs to travel with us. People who live outside of the Bay Area may purchase a worldwide membership. To learn about membership types and to purchase a membership, visit our membership page or call (415)597-6720.
Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event you must cancel your participation in the travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. A brochure describing coverage will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation and can be viewed on the Travel Insurance Services website.
Responsibility
The liability of the Commonwealth Club World Affairs, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or representatives. The Commonwealth Club and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise line and other independent suppliers. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality.
Health and Medical Issues
We request that you be in good health to participate in this tour. There is a considerable amount of walking on this tour, and you must be able to get on and off motorcoaches and boats on your own. We regret that we cannot offer individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that many of our itineraries, for reasons beyond our control, cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Please call or e-mail us to inquire and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We reserve the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. In that event, Odysseys Unlimited and the Commonwealth Club World Affairs assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour.
Air Transportation – Important Information
Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. includes in its tour price round-trip economy air from designated gateway cities as shown and contracts with those airlines the company feels provide the level of service, routings, and value necessary for your entire trip. While another airline may offer a more direct connection, it may be at a price unavailable at the lower group rates. You will receive your preliminary air schedule approximately 2½ months prior to departure. Please note that seat assignments on your international flight are usually done at airport check-in. Odysseys Unlimited is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, other restrictions apply, including, but not limited to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline taxes and fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, Land Only is available on most tours. Since international and domestic air schedules are subject to change at any time, we recommend that if you choose to make your own airline reservations, you do not purchase non-refundable tickets or those with high penalties for changes. If you choose to make your own flight arrangements and not use those provided by the tour company, we recommend that you do not do so until making your final payment to the tour company confirming details of your trip’s scheduled departure. However, if you choose to make your own flight arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from tour cancellations or changes to this tour.
Registration
Commonwealth Club World Affairs-CST# 2096889-40
Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. CST #2077973-40
