Itinerary

Day 1:
Sat. ANCHORAGE. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2:
Sun. ANCHORAGE. Journey down the beautiful Turnagain Arm where the mountains rise out of the sea. Keep an eye out for Dall sheep, bald eagles, and beluga whales. Travel into the Chugach National Forest and board your boat for a CRUISE to the face of Portage Glacier. A National Forest Service interpreter will be on board to explain the wonder of the glaciers. This afternoon and evening are free in Anchorage for independent activities, such as walking on the Coastal Trail, shopping downtown, visiting the art museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or taking a float plane ride over a glacier.

Day 3:
Mon. ANCHORAGE–FAIRBANKS. Travel northeast through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, a lush farming region where cabbages can grow to weigh more than 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight. Up over scenic Tahnita Pass with spectacular vistas of Matanuska Glacier. Travel along Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest park in the United States, and the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, which runs 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The area boasts glaciers larger than the island of Manhattan and is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America. Along the way, see spectacular scenery, visit a rustic Alaska roadhouse, and hear tales of Alaska from long ago. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 4:
Tue. FAIRBANKS. This morning, take the included cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard the STERNWHEELER RIVERBOAT Discovery III. Stop at a recreated Athabascan Indian village and learn about their historical way of life in Alaska. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Fairbanks.

Arctic Circle Adventure: optional excursion from Fairbanks - guided tour (fly to and from the Arctic Circle); a wilderness community; Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate; salmon bake. Fly north through the rugged Brooks Mountain range, crossing the Arctic Circle, to the amazing arctic tundra. Here, visit a wilderness community and learn about the way of life in this rural area. Return to Fairbanks by air where you will be awarded an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. You will also experience a traditional salmon bake at Pioneer Park during your Arctic Adventure. Additional cost and in order to ensure availability, reservations for this option should be made at the time you book your vacation.


Day 5:
Wed. FAIRBANKS–DENALI NATIONAL PARK. Ride on the rails from Fairbanks to DENALI NATIONAL PARK. The afternoon and evening are free in Denali for independent activities such as a walk in the park, attending one of the free national park programs, whitewater rafting, Mount McKinley flightseeing, helicopter landing on the glacier, or the Denali Dinner Theatre.

Day 6:
Thu. DENALI NATIONAL PARK. A free day in Denali National Park. Your Tour Director will recommend an array of optional activities, including river rafting, helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing, and hiking.

Day 7:
Fri. DENALI–ANCHORAGE. Journey south this morning and stop at the IDITAROD DOGSLED VISITOR CENTER to learn more about this epic race. Continue on into Anchorage where the tour ends at the Anchorage airport. Please schedule homebound flights after 3:30 p.m.

Dates & Prices

In Vancouver and Victoria; orientation tour of Prince Rupert.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Wed. ANCHORAGE. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or do some independent exploring. Your Cosmos Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2:
Thu. ANCHORAGE. Journey to Whittier and board your deluxe catamaran for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. CRUISE to College and Harriman Fjords in Prince William Sound and view as many as 26 tidewater and hanging glaciers. There is a good chance you’ll spot whales, seals, and eagles during the cruise. Return to Anchorage in the evening. (L)

Day 3:
Fri. ANCHORAGE–TOK. Travel northeast through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, a lush farming region where cabbages can grow to weigh more than 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight. Up over scenic Tahnita Pass with spectacular vistas of Matanuska Glacier. Travel along Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest park in the United States. The area boasts glaciers larger than the island of Manhattan and is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America. Overnight in Tok, the “Dog Sled Capital of the World.”

Day 4:
Sat. TOK–WHITEHORSE. Join the Alaska Highway and follow along the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. Skirt the shores of Kluane Lake, once a meeting place for crews constructing the Alaska Highway. Behold the spectacular vistas of the rugged mountains of Kluane National Park, home to 19,625-foot Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak. The next two nights are in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon and the territorial headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Day 5:
Sun. WHITEHORSE. VISIT TO SKAGWAY. Follow the Trail of ‘98 over the same mountains that thousands of determined gold seekers scaled on foot in the dead of winter while heading for the Klondike. From Carcross, your Tour Director will suggest an optional train trip on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway to Skagway. Otherwise, continue through the mountains by motorcoach to Skagway. Stroll the wooden sidewalks past charming falsefront buildings and colorful saloons. Return to Whitehorse in the late afternoon.

Day 6:
Mon. WHITEHORSE–DAWSON CITY. Head northwest through the town of Carmacks, once an important supply station for gold seekers on their way to the Klondike. A stop at the fiery Five Finger Rapids, a major obstacle to the hordes of fortune seekers that passed this way. Reach Dawson City, the main center of excitement after the first gold strike in the Klondike in 1896, which led to the world’s largest gold rush. By the summer of 1898, Dawson had a population of more than 30,000 people, making it the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Winnipeg. Tonight, you have reservations for the high-flying entertainment of DIAMOND TOOTH GERTIE’S SALOON, featuring ragtime music, can-can girls, and an old-fashioned casino.

Day 7:
Tue. DAWSON CITY. A full day to soak up the exciting history of this gold rush town. Highlights on your morning tour include Bonanza Creek, site of Claim #1 where the first gold strike was made; Robert Service’s cabin; and a photo stop at the SS Keno, the last sternwheeler to run between Dawson and Whitehorse. Suggestion for the evening: attend the Gaslight Follies, a variety show and melodrama typical of the entertainment enjoyed by the turn-of-thecentury miners.

Day 8:
Wed. DAWSON CITY–FAIRBANKS. A long day and well worth it, as the scenery is magnificent. Motor over the Top of the World Highway and re-enter the state of Alaska. Travel through the village of Chicken and west along the Alaska Highway. Make a stop at an authentic Alaskan roadhouse before your early evening arrival in Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city.

Day 9:
Thu. FAIRBANKS. Morning sightseeing features the highlights of this historic Alaskan city and includes an up-close visit to the Trans-Alaskan pipeline. Board the STERNWHEELER RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY III for a leisurely cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Listen as the ship’s guides discuss the wildlife, history, geology, and customs of the region. This evening, take the optional outing to Alaskaland, a pioneer theme park featuring early 20th-century buildings. Afternoon and evening are at leisure in Fairbanks.

Arctic Circle Adventure: optional excursion from Fairbanks - guided tour (fly to and from the Arctic Circle); a wilderness community; Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate; salmon bake. Fly north through the rugged Brooks Mountain range, crossing the Arctic Circle, to the amazing arctic tundra. Here, visit a wilderness community and learn about the way of life in this rural area. Return to Fairbanks by air where you will be awarded an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. You will also experience a traditional salmon bake at Pioneer Park during your Arctic Adventure. Additional cost and in order to ensure availability, reservations for this option should be made at the time you book your vacation.


Day 10:
Fri. FAIRBANKS–DENALI NATIONAL PARK. Board the world-famous ALASKA RAILROAD for a memorable journey through untamed wilderness. Sit back in comfort and enjoy spectacular scenery through wide windows. Be sure to take advantage of the domed roof car. Today’s ride ends in DENALI NATIONAL PARK. North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley, dominates the park’s 6-million acres of glacial streams, river valleys, and expanses of multicolored tundra. The afternoon is free for exploring on your own. Tonight, join our optional “Wilderness Banquet” at an Alaskan cabin, where colorful characters tell tales of Alaska’s past.

Day 11:
Sat. DENALI NATIONAL PARK. A free day for independent activities. A hike along the many wilderness trails might be good fun. Also take advantage of several optional outings, including a wildlife tour to seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep; a raft trip down the Nenana River; or a helicopter ride over the park. Your Tour Director will have plenty of other suggestions.

Day 12:
Sun. DENALI NATIONAL PARK–ANCHORAGE. Continue your exploration of Denali National Park as you head south toward Anchorage. A stop along the way at the IDITAROD VISITOR CENTER, home of the great dogsled race. The motorcoach continues to Anchorage and the Ramada Downtown for guests extending their stay in Alaska. The trip ends at Anchorage International Airport for those guests with homebound flights. Please schedule flights after 3:30 p.m.

Dates & Prices

In Halifax, Charlottetown, and Saint John; orientation tour in Fredericton.