Alaskan Explorer 2017 1
Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Anchorage Evening arrival in Anchorage, Alaska s largest city, where we meet our local leader at the airport baggage claim, and then make the short transfer to our downtown accommodation. Anchorage is one of the most scenic cities in the USA, set between the 378 mile long Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean and the Chugach Mountains, and makes an excellent starting point for our holiday. Accommodation: Inlet Tower Hotel (2 nights), Anchorage Day 2: Anchorage Let our local knowledge and expertise introduce you to one of the world s last areas of pristine wilderness. Excellent walking in the national parks of Denali, Wrangell St Elias, and the Kenai Fjords gives an insight into Alaska, the adventure playground of the true pioneer. A wealth of wildlife, magnificent Denali, wide open skies and a warm Alaskan welcome make for an unforgettable holiday experience. Following breakfast and an overview of the holiday with our local leader, we ll take a short drive to the nearby mountains in Chugach State Park for our first walk. There are lots of good outings available here, and the particular walk chosen will depend on the weather and other conditions. (Typically ~8 miles/13km, 4 to 5 hours, ~1200ft/360m elevation gain). Day 3: To Denali National Park Leaving the city, our Alaskan journey begins by following the scenic shoreline of Cook Inlet, which Captain Cook visited in 1778 in his quest for the elusive Northwest Passage. Near Palmer and Wasilla, the road begins to climb away from the Pacific coast and into sub-alpine scenery as we venture into the vast Alaskan interior. 2
En route to Denali we enjoy a scenic walk up toward Kesugi Ridge in Denali State Park (~5 miles/8km, 3-4 hours, 1,500ft/450m elevation gain) numerous places for self-guided walks and you will be briefed on the options beforehand. Accommodation: McKinley Creekside Cabins, Denali (3 nights) Day 4: Denali National Park This morning we ll make the short trip to the new Visitor Center of this massive wilderness park for an orientation and short film, and then enjoy a wonderful stroll through the aspen and spruce-studded eastern section of the park to a series of lakes, on the lookout for moose, beaver and birds (11 miles/17.5km, ~1,000ft/300m elevation gain). Near trail s end, we ll stop at the Denali Education Center for an enlightening one-hour lecture entitled Welcome to the Subarctic, which will prepare us for tomorrow s trip into the park, and our subsequent days in Alaska s fascinating, subarctic interior. Today gives us a good chance to spot some of North America s largest mammals. Moose, caribou, grizzly and black bears, Dall sheep: even the occasional wolf, fox, or coyote are often seen, as the road meanders deeper into the tundra-clad park. Overhead, bald and golden eagles ride the thermals in search of prey. Weather permitting, we will get to see majestic Denali itself, towering above the alpine landscape. Day 5: Denali National Park Today s exploration takes us deep into the heart of Denali National Park. This huge expanse of wilderness is home to a plethora of wildlife, and to Denali (formerly known as Mt McKinley), at 6,193m, the highest mountain in North America, and, top to bottom, the largest mountain in the world. We take a trip into the wilderness area of Denali on the National Park s access and wildlife-viewing shuttle bus. There are An optional flight-seeing tour can also be organised this evening or tomorrow morning (payable locally - please ask your guide). 3
Day 6: To Fairbanks & Chena Hot Springs Another interesting day, as we take a short walk through the woods to the park s working dogsled kennels (~2 hours, 5 miles/8km, 400ft/120m elevation gain) for an informative demonstration and a chance to visit the huskies and their pups. Afterward, we ll continue north along the Parks Highway, stopping in the native and historic town of Nenana, to visit the Alaska Railroad Museum, before continuing on to Fairbanks, Alaska s second city. Here we can visit the cultural centre and also stroll along the banks of the Chena River to the downtown centre, before carrying on to Chena Hot Springs, where we can take a swim or soak in the hot tubs this evening! Accommodation: Chena Hot Springs Resort (2 nights) Day 7: Chena Hot Springs & Angel Rocks A very short drive takes us to Angel Rocks trail head, for a more vigorous hike amidst the lush, boreal forest and along wide open mountain ridges with endless views, to a collection of pre- Ice Age tors: granite outcrops that dot the Alaskan interior landscape and which have survived the last several ice ages. The cracks and crevices here are home to pikas and hoary marmots. The trail takes us past several beaver dams and the residents can usually be counted on for a splashy show as they feed and build their dams and lodges. The resulting ponds attract other wildlife including moose, waterfowl, and birds of prey. (~6 hours, 8 miles/13km, ~1,900ft/570m elevation gain). Day 8: To McCarthy/Kennicott, deep in the heart of Wrangell St. Elias National Park Today s drive is the longest, but there are plenty of highlights. We stop at the historic Sullivan Roadhouse Museum in Delta Junction, which predates the construction of the Alaska Highway there. There is often a crafts and farmer s market operating during our visit. Our route then climbs toward Isabel Pass (914m), where the inky Gulkana River spills out of the Alaska Range peaks. Near the pass we stretch our legs and have a picnic lunch in the wonderful alpine area at Fielding Lake. After lunch we ll continue our scenic drive south to the Copper River valley village of Chitina, where we ll board a couple of small planes for the scenic flight over the huge volcanoes and glaciers of this superb national park, larger, more mountainous, and more glaciated than Switzerland! Our ultimate destination is the Copper Rush ghost towns of McCarthy and Kennicott, once home to the world s most productive copper mine and now thriving, authentically Alaskan communities in the midst of North America s largest national park, filled with charm and spectacular natural 4
beauty. The population here is only about 200 in the summer and 25 in the winter, but the atmosphere is pure Alaska and we ll be greeted by a warm welcome throughout our stay. The lodge and National Park Service rangers provide interesting programmes most evenings. and now restored Kennicott mine mill building. Trails can take us to the alpine regions just above the glacier, or even all the way up to the historic and dilapidated Bonanza Mine for stunning views overlooking the glacial valley and the 4,000 and 5,000m peaks. Accommodation: Kennicott Glacier Lodge (3 nights) Day 9 & 10: McCarthy/Kennicott (Wrangell St. Elias National Park) Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and part of the world s largest internationally protected area, is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America, and the world s largest non-polar ice cap. Wrangell St. Elias National Park is a vast, untouched wilderness of exquisite beauty, the adventure playground of the true pioneer. We ll spend the next two days exploring this beautiful area. The 26- mile long Kennicott Glacier flows down from 4,996m Mount Blackburn, and literally ends at the edge of the town, which still features the historic For anyone feeling adventurous, an introductory ice climbing course can be organised, as can guided glacier treks (both payable locally). An optional guided tour of the mill building and town is also available. There is a variety of walks here and our guide will choose the best selection for us, depending on the weather, fitness levels, and the various interests of our group. An example of some of the selection can be found below: Old Wagon Road/Glacier Toe Trail: 7 miles/10 km, negligible ascent. This is an easy walk from Kennicott to the foot of the Kennicott Glacier and the charming and historic town of McCarthy. Including an exploration of Kennicott Mine, this can become a whole day trip. Bonanza Mine Trail: 9 miles/14.5 km with 3,800ft/1,150 m ascent/descent. This is a continuous climb from the start but the views from the ridge are 5
stunning. The walk takes 6-8 hrs. Day 11: To Valdez Today we travel south to Valdez, at the head of a beautiful fjord on Prince William Sound. We ll do one of two walks today, either this morning in the McCarthy area (~4 miles/6.5km, 3 hours, negligible elevation gain), or en route at Liberty Falls (~3 miles/5km, 2 hours, 800ft/240m elevation gain). Before reaching Valdez our road climbs to Thompson Pass, in the Chugach range. At 2,805ft, the pass offers some of Alaska s most expansive views. At the Worthington Glacier we ll take an exploratory walk, checking out the ice caves, before descending back into the lush Chugach National Forest, and on to town. The steepsided mountains that surround Thompson Pass have seen several world extreme skiing records, but in summer they are green and verdant. Braided waterfalls cascade down the steep-sided peaks and end with a spray at the roadsides. So beautiful are the surrounding mountains that Valdez is sometimes referred to as Little Switzerland. Accommodation: Mountain Sky Hotel, Valdez(1 night) Days 12 & 13: To Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park Today we will enjoy a ferry journey across stunning Prince William Sound (or on some departures, a scenic overflight). The route takes us past (or over) numerous hanging and tidewater glaciers. The largest of these glaciers, Columbia, sends tonnes of ice throughout the sound, providing a convenient platform for harbour seals to haul out and sun themselves. Pods of orcas also patrol the sound, and are occasionally seen from the decks of the ferry. Overhead, bald eagles keep a watchful eye for a meal. On arrival in Whittier, we continue in our vehicle through a 4km tunnel to Turnagain Arm (named by a disappointed Captain Cook in 1778, who, having thought he d finally discovered the Northwest Passage, had to turn again ), before continuing on to Seward, at the head of Resurrection Bay and the Gulf of Alaska. This evening, we ll enjoy a walk through the rain forest to a pretty beach at Tonsina Creek. We will have the whole of the following day for the trip s climax walk: the beautiful Harding Ice Field trail. Here we ll walk up and alongside Exit Glacier to the massive Pleistocene ice field that is its source (~8 miles/13km, 3,000ft/900m ascent/descent). This is a spectacular, ~ 6 hour trek, one of the most beautiful in Alaska. 6
Accommodation: Breeze Inn, Seward (2 nights), Day 14: Kenai Fjords National Park, and back to Anchorage Kenai Fjords National Park protects a pristine marine and glacier environment surrounding Seward and the eastern half of the Kenai Peninsula. A highly recommended option today is to take the 6 hour glacier, whale, and wildlife-viewing cruise through the fjords and islands of this majestic national park. Kenai Fjords is the home of a fantastic array of wildlife and sea birds, including orca and humpback whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbour seals and Dall s porpoises. The cruise also approaches an active tidewater glacier, where you can observe the 100m high ancient body of ice calve huge chunks of prehistoric ice directly into the sea, truly a sight to behold. Alternatively, a ~4 hour walk along a stream and through the thick forest to a lake is also available (but the above mentioned cruise is really not to be missed!). (8 miles/13km, 500ft/150m elevation gain) Traveling back to Anchorage this afternoon, we ll stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for some close-up views of several varieties of Alaskan wildlife, and learn about the centre s conservation mission. The drive parallels Turnagain Arm, whose shallow waters experience some of the highest tide differentials in the world, and are home to resident beluga whales who hunt for spawning salmon riding the tidal currents. Accommodation: Inlet Tower Hotel, Anchorage (1 night) Day 15: Departure day Transfer to Anchorage International Airport for our return flight home this afternoon. (arrive UK next day) (Meals included: breakfast) 7
Accommodation In Anchorage we spend our first two nights, and our final night, at the Inlet Tower Hotel. The hotel is close to the airport, making it a quick transfer on our arrival and departure days. Rooms are comfortable, en-suite, with tea/coffee making facilities, TV and hairdryer. www.inlettower.com The Kennicott Glacier Lodge (3 nights) is a replica of one of the historic mining buildings from the copper mining days, located near the centre of the ghost town of Kennicott, a company town built circa 1910. McKinley Creekside Cabins (3 nights), an intimate lodge and restaurant situated on beautiful Carlo Creek beneath the breathtaking mountains of the Alaska Range. The Main Lodge has a front porch with a panoramic view of the mountains. Each bedroom is decorated with old mining artefacts and photos, has a cold water sink, one or two beds, a nightstand and chair. All rooms in the Main Lodge have shared facilities. www.kennicottlodge.com The Creekside Café has fantastic food, mountain views, and a great atmosphere. www.mckinleycabins.com Chena Hot Springs Resort (2 nights). Our two nights here mean we can relax in the hot springs or hot tubs each evening after our walk. The accommodation here is basic, and rooms are simply furnished. www.chenahotsprings.com Located in the centre of town, the Mountain Sky Hotel (1 night) is a short walk to the harbour and other Valdez attractions. This modern hotel has comfortable ensuite rooms, all with TV and hairdryer. Fresh, local seafood is a specialty in the restaurant. www.mountainskyhotel.com 8
In Seward we stay at the Breeze Inn (2 nights). This is motel-style accommodation, but centrally located by the Resurrection Bay harbour with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Rooms are clean and comfortable with flat-screen TV, and a coffee maker. There is a restaurant on site which is popular with locals and tourists alike, with many Alaskan influenced dishes. www.breezeinn.com 9
Before your holiday We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. All details correct at time of writing (Feb 2017). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check www.fco.gov.uk In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel +44 (0)345 470 7558 or +44(0)20 8732 1250 ( from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0)7918 737777 Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at www.holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Suggested Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking socks Lightweight fleece Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Warm fleece, hat and gloves Sun hat Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets 10
Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars. In Alaska, things are very informal, and it is advised that you travel as light as possible. Please take a soft-sided duffel bag or luggage, as these go on the roof of the vehicle. You do not need to dress up for dinner. Please see the what to pack tab on our website. Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 23kg). Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Passports must be valid for the duration of stay. For those travelling to, or through, the USA, you will need a visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). No visa is required by citizens with full right of residence in visa waiver programme (VWP) countries. This includes UK, Australia, New Zealand please see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ for details of other countries included in the VWP. Citizens of VWP countries are required to obtain travel authorisation prior to travel. Other countries should consult the embassy for advice. You can register for authorisation online through the website above. From January 2016 all passengers entering the US under the VWP will need a passport with an integrated chip. From April 2016 most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria since March 2011, or are dual nationals of these countries, will no longer qualify for entry under the VWP and existing ESTAs could be revoked. You will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Since the inauguration of President Trump in January 2017, exact visa and other entry requirements could change at very short notice. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. All walks and accommodations are under 2000m on this tour. Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit 11
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Tetanus vaccinations are recommended. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/ consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport. They will assess the damage and in some cases the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a 12
reference to quote to your insurance company if settlement cannot be reached. In many cases baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Your leader or local leader will assemble the group in the arrivals hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271. They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, the leader will retrace their steps to find you Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on 911. Please then call our emergency number (see page 10) and let us know there is a problem. Tipping Tips have been included in your holiday price for key services such as local guides/ driver/restaurants. Any additional tips are at your own discretion. Climate Although everyone associates Alaska with ice and snow, the summers are quite warm. Anchorage has a temperate maritime climate. Temperatures in Interior Alaska usually get higher than in Anchorage or in other coastal areas. Fairbanks' average high is 21ºC in June and 22ºC in July. 13
Local currency & money matters US Dollars (US$). Credit cards widely accepted. ATMs are widely available across the country. Traveller s cheques are not advised. Suggested reading and maps Lonely Planet Alaska 2015 John Muir Travels in Alaska 1915 Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 120V, 2 or 3 pin plugs itinerary are part of a pre-arranged holiday, booked and paid for in the UK, this waiver form has no legal weight whatsoever. Your holiday contract is with HF Holidays and as stated in our Booking Conditions, is therefore governed by UK law. We must ask you to sign the waiver forms presented to you by our agents, as not doing so could effectively invalidate other key aspects of the insurance cover they hold. But please be reassured that in the unlikely event that you had cause to make a claim for negligence arising from your holiday, your signing of these waiver forms would in no way undermine or alter your legal rights. Group size Maximum group size will be 12, plus local guide/s Time difference GMT/UTC -8 hours Liability waivers Companies operating outdoor or adventure activities in the USA now commonly require their clients to sign a liability waiver form before participating in the activity. These forms have been introduced by American insurance companies as a means of offering protection against frivolous or opportunistic legal claims. During the course of your holiday you may be asked to complete a liability form with your name, address and signature. This form indicates that by signing it you are waiving your rights to pursue legal action against our agents, in the event of personal injury or loss. However, as all of the activities included in your HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 14