NORTHERN LIGHTS ITINERARY March 6-11, 2019 Pre-Tour Anchorage Extension March 3-5
Northern Lights 2019 Journey to Alaska with astronomer Bob Berman and experience first-hand the wonder of the northern lights. Day 1 March 6th Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska during its most magnificent season. Guests will arrive during the day, welcomed by fellow travelers before beginning the tour. *Please note: when booking airfare, fly into Fairbanks International Airport and try to arrive by 5:00pm on the 6th. In Fairbanks, the group will stay at the Westmark Hotel. Dinner is the first opportunity to meet fellow guests, as well as world-famous astronomy writer and lecturer, Bob Berman. Following dinner Bob Berman will deliver an astronomy lecture and introduction to the northern sky. As midnight nears we ll bundle up, climb into our coach bus, and head out of town and away from city lights in search of clear skies and our first aurora sightings.**
Day 2 & 3 March 7th & 8th After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will board our private coach and make our way to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, one of the world s leading centers in aurora studies. Here we ll have a private lecture with Dr. Neal Brown, a former professor devoted to the study of the Northern Lights. Dr. Brown is a delightful speaker who offers a comprehensive guide to the science behind the aurora. While on campus, we will also visit the Museum of the North, which offers fascinating exhibits on the nature, arts, and culture of Alaska. After the museum visit we will board our coach and travel to Chena Hot Springs for a two night stay. Sixty miles from Fairbanks and secluded in the (continued next page) mountains, Chena Hot Springs is ideal for observing the aurora and the northern skies. In your free time, you can ride a dogsled in the forest, journey to a nearby summit by Sno-Cat, or relax in the hot springs while outside temperatures reach zero degrees. All in all, this promises to be an unforgettable experience. Chena is also one of the greenest places on Earth! Scientists around the world have traveled to observe its modern green technology. You will have an opportunity to tour the remarkably progressive facilities and learn about their recycling program (everything is recycled), the self-sustaining power-generation system which uses the hot springs to heat all buildings and create electricity, and the greenhouses where much of the resort s food is grown.
Day 4 March, 9th 11th Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural feat in the harshest of climates. Late In the afternoon evening we will will bring head a brilliant to the tour Fairbanks highlight: Ice Bob Park, Berman s filled with major incredible illustrated ice sculptures presentation that Light are and especially Color in magnificent the Universe. at night when illuminated by colored lights. Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, Come we evening, will charter assuming a coach weather to transport conditions our group prove to fair, a we special will charter remote a location, coach to in transport attempt our to group experience to a special the remote impressive location, aurora in an lights! attempt to experience the aurora. Day 5 March 10th After breakfast at the hotel, we will take an easy walk to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, where we can explore world-class displays on Alaskan natural habitats and native culture. After our center excursion, we ll have the rest of the afternoon free to wander this unique and historic city. In the afternoon we will head to the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, containing a fantastically impressive collection of antique cars and dresses. After the museum will head to our final group dinner at the Pumphouse, for a memorable farewell dinner!
Day 64 March, 11th Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop Breakfast briefly will at the be Alaskan provided Pipeline, by the Westmark. a great architectural Hotel check-out feat in is the at 12 harshest noon, but of late climates. checkouts may be available upon request. Transport Late for guests afternoon returning will bring to the a brilliant airport tour will highlight: be Bob available Berman s throughout major illustrated the day. presentation Light and Color in the Universe. Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights! **Please note: Though we organize this tour around the time of year when conditions for the aurora are at their best, the appearance of the aurora is subject to nature s whim and timing. Thus, while your chances of seeing the aurora are quite likely, we cannot guarantee that the aurora will appear during the trip. While in Fairbanks, nighttime aurora excursions will run conditions permitting, and for an auroral forecast of 3 or more. Tour itineraries are subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.
Included Day in 4 Tour Price 5 Nights Hotel Ground Transportation March, from 11th March 6-11 Once 3 Dinners aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and 3 Breakfasts return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop 1 Lunch briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural Lecture by astronomer feat in the Bob harshest Berman of climates. (Outdoor) Guide to the Northern Sky with Bob Late Berman afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Northern Berman s Lights major Lecture illustrated by Dr. Neal presentation Brown Light and Visit Color to the in Museum the Universe. of the North Dogsled ride at Chena Hot Springs Come Sno-Cat evening, mountain assuming top tour weather Chena conditions Hotsprings prove fair, Visit we to will the charter Fairbanks a coach Ice Sculpture to transport Park our group to Visit a special to the Antique remote location, Auto Museum in an attempt to experience Visit to the the Fairbanks impressive Cultural aurora Center lights! Northern Lights Excursions** While in Fairbanks excursions will run for clear skies and an auroral forecast of 3 or higher. Not Included in Tour Price Round-trip airfare to Alaska Meals that are not included above Items of a personal nature Total Cost of Tour Per person, based on double occupancy: $2,730 Single supplement: $465 Per person, deposit required upon registration: $500 Final Payments Due: Jan 11th, 2019
Pre-Tour Day 4 March, 11th Anchorage Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great Extension architectural feat in the harshest of climates. March 3rd-5th Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Berman s major illustrated presentation Light and Color in the Universe. Extend your adventure in Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group Alaska with this fun and to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights! exciting experience! Day 1 March 3rd Upon your arrival in Anchorage we will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Westmark hotel. In the evening we will gather for dinner at one of Anchorage's fabulous restaurants, just feet from the hotel.
Day 24 March 4th March, 11th After breakfast we will visit the Thomas Once Planetarium aboard our for coach a special bus, we show will depart on the Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will northern skies conducted by Bob Berman. stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural The planetarium feat in is the located harshest in of the climates. wonderful, Anchorage Museum, which includes a large, hands-on exhibit area. Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Visitors Berman s of all major ages illustrated are invited presentation to play Light in it, and Color in the Universe. making volcanoes that explode, creating bubbles that completely surround you, Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, learning we will about charter the a coach dynamics to transport of moving our group to objects, a special and remote a whole location, lot in more. an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights! In the afternoon we will take a bus tour of the beautiful Turnagain Arm, and experience the impressive scenery just outside of Anchorage. Day 3 March 5th Following breakfast we depart for an allday train adventure to Fairbanks through Denali National Park. Throughout the day you will see magnificent scenery and, weather permitting, there will be numerous sightings of Mt. McKinley. Upon arrival in Fairbanks, and after some time to rest and change at the hotel, weather permitting, we will board our coach and head to a dark location out of town for our first chance at seeing the Northern Lights.
Included in Cost of Day 4 Tour Extension March, 11th 3-Nights Hotel Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will 1 Dinner, 3 Breakfasts stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural feat in the harshest of climates. Aurora Viewing Excursion (Weather Permitting) Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Berman s major illustrated presentation Light Private and Color Planetarium in the Universe. show with astronomer Bob Berman Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we Anchorage-Fairbanks will charter a coach to Train transport Ticket our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience Entrance the into impressive the Anchorage aurora lights! Museum Scenic Anchorage Tour Airport transfers Total Cost of Tour Extension Per person, based on double occupancy: $1200 Single supplement: $175 Final Payment Due: Jan 11th, 2019 **A minimum of 6 guests is needed to run the Anchorage Extension
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