Post-Cruise Northbound Alaska 3-Day - Post Bear Viewing Tour
Available Post Cruise Vancouver to Anchorage June 17th and July 11th
The Bear Necessities
Watching bears in their natural habitat is one of the most memorable experiences in Alaska, and this tour provides that rare opportunity. Bears prefer to be deep in the interior, far from civilization, and the ideal way to reach them is by float plane. Enjoy an exhilarating flight over some of Alaska’s most pristine forests and majestic mountains, finally landing on a remote lake before continuing on in a small boat to an area known for its bears. This time of the year, they’ll be snacking on fish and fattening up for the winter, thus making it quite the spectacle.
Alaska's Charms are Many
So many unforgettable sights await you. The route along Turnagain Arm to Alyeska Resort is one of America’s most beautiful drives, passing through dramatic mountain scenery. Watch for Dall Sheep on the rock outcroppings. The resort itself provides a relaxing setting, or venture into the town of Girdwood, hike along a rain forest trail or go airborne on a helicopter flightseeing excursion. Few views are as panoramic, except perhaps from atop Mt. Alyeska, which you can reach by tram. To see wildlife up-close, stop in the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to a variety of injured or orphaned animals.
Day 1
After disembarking your cruise ship you will meet your driver outside the customs hall to begin your transfer to the Alyeska Resort where you will be spending the evening. After checking in at the hotel, you begin you tour with a visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center whose mission is to provide care for injured and orphaned wildlife and to provide continued wildlife awareness and education to the public. Surrounded by mountains and hanging glaciers, the 140-acre Portage Valley preserve is a nonprofit operation that works to rehabilitate injured or sick animals. Next, enjoy a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska and take in a snack lunch. Afterwards, you will be transferred Alyeska Resort where you can enjoy some leisure time and dinner at either one of the hotel's fine restaurants or around the Girdwood community. Take an evening hike on the great rain forest trail, an evening swim at the hotel's pool, a helicopter flight seeing excursion or just relax and enjoy the peaceful Alaskan evening - the choice is yours. Just a reminder that you will only be allowed one carry-on per person on your float plane ride the next morning, so you may want to spend some time in the evening re-packing. Overnight at the Hotel Alyeska. (Snack lunch included)
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Anchorage's Lake Hood where you will board a float plane for the scenic flight over rural Alaska. Land on a lake in the Alaskan wilderness where a guide will take you on a small boat ride to the area where you have a chance of seeing bears feeding on the fish. After hibernating all winter, bears awaken in the spring with an extreme hunger and a yearning for salmon. Starting in June and extending through October, masses of bears travel to river and lake systems in search of food. This could be one of the closest bear viewing experiences of your life time. Brown bears have an especially good sense of smell, and under the right conditions, may be able to detect odors more than a mile away. When a bear stands upright, it is not to charge, but to test the wind and see better. Mating takes place from May through June with the peak activity in early June. The hairless young, weighing less than a pound are born the following January or February. All brown bears should be treated with respect. This is especially true for a sow and her young, as mothers are very protective of their offspring. Enjoy lunch at the remote lodge located on this lake. In the afternoon, return in the floatplane to Lake Hood where your Tour Director will greet you and take you on a sightseeing tour by water of Turnagain Arm. Return to Anchorage and overnight at Sheraton Hotel. (Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 3
After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to Anchorage airport for your flight home. (Breakfast included)
$1,699 Per Guest
