Alaska Motorcoach Tour
(Motorcoach / Inside Passage / Motorcoach)
June 23-July 14, 2010 ~ 22 Days
$3699-Double; $3679-Triple; $3659-Quad; $4689-Single Occupancy

akjn23-mc   Deposit Amt-$300 per person    Final Due by-April 30, 2010

A Passport is required for this tour.

PRICE INCLUDES
Motorcoach Transportation ~ Hotel Accommodations ~ Fully Escorted ~ Baggage Handling ~ Winnipeg, MB ~ Get-Acquainted Meal ~ Saskatoon, SK ~ Edmonton, AB ~ West Edmonton Mega Mall ~ Dawson Creek, BC ~ Milepost 0 ~ Alaska Highway ~ Fort Nelson, BC ~ Muncho Lake ~ Liard Hot Springs ~ Picnic Lunch ~ Watson Lake, YK ~ Watson Lake Sign Forest ~ Whitehorse, YK ~ Frantic Follies ~ Beaver Creek, YK ~ Rika’s Roadhouse ~ Big Delta State Park ~ View Alaska Pipeline Suspension Bridge ~ Fairbanks, AK (2 nights) ~ Salmon Bake ~ El Dorado Gold Mine - Pan for Gold ~ Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler Cruise - Chena & Tanana Rivers ~ Mt. McKinley ~ Denali National Park - Wildlife Tour w/Box Lunch ~ Wasilla, AK ~ Iditarod Trail Headquarters ~ Anchorage, AK (2 nights) ~ Prince William Sound Full-Day Cruise w/Lunch ~ Palmer, AK ~ Matanuska Valley ~ Glenallen, AK ~ Tok, AK ~ Beaver Creek, YK ~ Whitehorse, YK ~ Skagway, AK ~ Inside Passage Ferry on Alaska Marine Highway - Southbound - Skagway to Prince Rupert, BC (routing through Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, & Ketchikan) ~ Prince George, BC ~ Three Valley Gap - Guided Tour of Ghost Town and Gardens ~ Meal ~ Banff, AB ~ Calgary, AB ~ Medicine Hat, AB ~ Moose Jaw, SK ~ Minot, ND ~ Farewell Meal ~ 15 Continental Breakfasts ~ 3 Lunches ~ 4 Dinners

~ TOUR OPTIONS ~ Southbound Tour 7/1-14 ~ Round Trip Air Option 7/1-6 (or stay to fish in Anchorage)

Wed., June 23: Winnipeg, MB (D)
Utopia Tours will take you to Alaska to experience the spectacular scenery and wonderful attractions of Alaska and the Yukon. As we start out on this adventurous tour we will make our necessary meal stops on our way to Winnipeg, MB, for the night. We have an included Get-Acquainted Meal this evening.

Thurs., June 24: Saskatoon, SK
We will continue through Canada today enjoying the scenery of vast farmlands in Saskatchewan. Our overnight stay will be the very picturesque city of Saskatoon, SK. Bring your swimsuits for the pool and indoor waterslide at our hotel.

Fri., June 25: Edmonton, AB
As we head for Edmonton, AB, today we will drive through oil and cattle country, and stop at Lloydminster for dinner. In Edmonton we will spend some time at the huge West Edmonton Mega Mall, with over 800 stores and services, over 110 eating establishments, and 7 World Class Attractions.

Sat., June 26: Dawson Creek, BC
We will stop at Valleyview for dinner today, then on to Dawson Creek, BC, the starting point of the Alaska Highway. The Highway was built in the early 1940’s as a military route and was opened to the public in 1949. We will be traveling the entire length of the Highway in the days ahead of us, about 1400 miles from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction. We will spend the night in Dawson Creek, BC.

Sun., June 27: Fort Nelson, BC
Today will be exciting as we start out at Milepost 0 and begin our Alaska Highway journey. We will be stopping at Pink Mountain for an early dinner and then go on to Fort Nelson, BC. Fort Nelson was once known as a fur trading center, it is a town that has much to offer with its surrounding lakes, rivers, streams, forests, footlands and glacier covered mountains.

Mon., June 28: Watson Lake, YK (L)
As we continue our journey today, we will enjoy beautiful scenery traveling up the highest summit on the Alaska Highway at 4,250 feet and a beautiful area of rocky bare peaks. Beautiful lakes, rivers, and mountains are still in view as we head for Muncho Lake, known for its deep green and blue waters. We will soon catch our first glimpse of the mighty Liard River which offered engineers during routing and construction a natural line to follow. Have your swimsuits and towels ready as we have time to relax in the warms waters of the Liard Hot Springs. While here we will enjoy an included picnic lunch. Watch for moose in this area! Our lodging tonight is at Watson Lake, YK, named after Bob Watson, who opened a trading post here in 1936. Right by our hotel is the Alaska Highway Interpretive Center where you can learn more about the Highway construction. The famous Watson Lake Sign Forest is also here, which was started by a soldier working on the Highway.

Tues., June 29: Whitehorse, YK
The Alaska Highway will take us along Teslin Lake and on to Whitehorse, YK, the capitol of the Yukon since 1953. Here we will see the S.S. Klondike, an old river steamer. Also here is the Yukon River, which was very important to the gold rush seekers. Tonight you will be treated to the “Frantic Follies,” a turn of the century vaudeville revue which depicts the entertainment seen by the pioneers of the Great Klondike Gold Rush of 1898.

Wed., June 30: Beaver Creek, YK
Staying in the Yukon Territory today we drive along more of the Alaska Highway, and past beautiful Kluane Lake, to Beaver Creek, where we will spend the night.

Thurs., July 1: Fairbanks, AK (D)
From Beaver Creek we follow the Tanana River to Fairbanks. Along the way we will pass through Tok, AK, make a stop at Rika’s Roadhouse in Big Delta State Park and see the Alaska Pipeline Suspension Bridge. Experience two nights here in Fairbanks, AK. Tonight at Pioneer Park you will be treated to a delicious Salmon Bake (serving salmon, halibut & cod).

Fri., July 2: Fairbanks, AK
Start your day panning for gold at the El Dorado Gold Mine. Then board the Riverboat Discovery for an unforgettable cruise aboard an authentic sternwheeler. We join Captain Binkley during this narrated cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers to view the “wedding of the rivers,” step ashore at the Old Chena Indian Village, experience an Athabascan fish camp, and more. Our second night is spent here Fairbanks, AK.

Sat., July 3: Denali National Park (L)
We will head out of Fairbanks for Denali Park. Denali means “the Great One” and is the second largest of our national parks. Mount McKinley, which sits here in the horizon, is the highest point in North America. Here we will take a wildlife tour deep into the wilderness with a box meal included. Denali Park area is our stay for the night.

Sun., July 4: Anchorage, AK
Departing Denali this morning, we enjoy the scenic drive to Wasilla, AK, where we will visit the Iditarod Trail Headquarters and learn of the annual Anchorage to Nome Dog Sled Race. Our destination is Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, where we will stay for two nights. Located on the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is the center for trade, finance, and culture in Alaska. Learn about the devastating earthquake of 1964, see Lake Hood, the World’s largest Sea-Plane Base, and learn the history of Captain James Cook in 1778, as we tour the city.

Mon., July 5: Anchorage, AK / PWS Cruise (L)
We travel from Anchorage along the Seward Highway to Milepost 48 and through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier, AK. From Whittier we start a full-day cruise along the Prince William Sound. Lunch is included as we relax and marvel in our surroundings full of history, wildlife, and beauty. Marine animals and birds flourish in these areas. We’ll return to Anchorage this evening.

Tues., July 6: Beaver Creek, YK
Leaving Anchorage, we will stop at Palmer, AK, a farming community in the Matanuska Valley. We will make a stop in Glenallen, AK, and then view the Wrangell Mountains on our way to Tok, AK, and Beaver Creek, YK, for the night.

Wed., July 7: Skagway, AK
Today we will drive along beautiful Kluane Lake, make a stop at Whitehorse, YK, the Yukon’s capital city, then travel along the White Pass Trail to Skagway, AK. Skagway is Alaska’s oldest city which retains its 1890’s look and atmosphere. Here you will have time to explore the town, do some shopping, and visit museums.

Thurs.-Fri., July 8-9: Inside Passage-Ferry
This morning we board our ferry in Skagway taking us southbound along the Alaska Marine Highway, with cabins included for the next two nights. We suggest a duffle bag to bring on the ferry. Our ferry will take us along the Lynn Canal to Juneau, Alaska’s capitol city. As we travel the Inside Passage we will see many glaciers, eagles, whales, and other marine life. While cruising a Park Ranger is on board to share information about the marine animals, birds, plants and other wildlife we will see. We continue on our ferry ride routing through Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan. You’ll enjoy this relaxing and scenic ride as we travel through the night. There is a cafeteria on board, as well as a movie theatre and indoor and outdoor lounging areas.

Sat., July 10: Prince George, BC
We will arrive in Prince Rupert, BC, this morning to go through customs, and reboard our motorcoach. Then we venture out for a scenic drive on the Yellowhead Highway, routing through Burns Lake to Prince George, BC.

Sun., July 11: Three Valley Gap (D)
From Prince George we keep moving on to Three Valley Gap near Revelstoke, BC. Here, we are nestled between the mountains and ready to enjoy a guided tour of the ghost town and gardens, and then conclude our day with a delicious meal here.

Mon., July 12: Medicine Hat, AB
We will travel through Yoho and Banff National Parks to Lake Louise for a picture stop in the beautifully nestled resort area. We will make a lunch stop in Banff, AB, and then go on to Calgary and Medicine Hat, AB.

Tues., July 13: Minot, ND (D)
We continue on Canada’s Highway 1 today to Swift Current and Moose Jaw, SK. From there we go to Minot, ND, where we will stay for the night, and enjoy an included Farewell meal.

Wed., July 14: Home
Homeward bound today, making our necessary meal stops on our way home after a great Alaska adventure.


~Deposit is due within 5 days of sign-up to hold reservation. Coupons / discounts are to be taken off of the final or full payment, not the deposit.
~FINAL INFORMATION: Will be sent approx. 10 days prior including hotel list, time/place of departure.
~Optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance is available. Brochures available for more information.
TOUR INCLUDES: See Price Includes Section. All sightseeing admissions, transportation, transfers, guide fees, tour director services, events included in tour itinerary, lodging, baggage handling (for one piece of luggage per person), taxes, tips for services included in tour, meals mentioned in "Price Includes" section of itinerary. NOT INCLUDED: Tips for meals or services not included in tour price; also, gratuities to Tour Director and Driver are customary.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF locations follow the route of the tour to maintain a flowing schedule. On tours 6 days or longer, shuttling may be available from various locations, with minimum number of passengers. Some shuttles may require an overnight stay. Fees may apply for shuttle service /hotel accommodations.

General Tour Information
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: Receive a 100% refund when canceling, for any reason, up to final payment due date. After final payment due date (listed on individual brochure) and up to 7 business days prior to departure receive 75%, less non-recoverable fees; this is for medical reasons only, need note from doctor. (Travel companions are also covered) Tour cost is non-refundable 7 business days prior to departure. There are no refunds on the air or cruise portion of the tour after 61 days prior to departure. No refund to no shows and for non-covered cancellations. If client cancels reservation, any refund processed by credit card will be less a 3% processing fee. Call us for information on Optional Insurance. The purchase of optional trip cancellation or interruption insurance is highly recommended. Optional insurance can be purchased up to 72 hours prior to departure. Certain deadlines apply for waiving pre-existing medical exclusion. Optional Insurance premium is non-refundable. See Coverage Policy Sheet for more details. FUEL SURCHARGE: Utopia Tours reserves the right to add a fuel surcharge to the cost of the tour. Notice will be given prior to departure. AIRFARE INCLUDED: The availability of airline seats may be limited from each departure city. Utopia Tours reserves the right to provide ground transportation to or from a larger or alternate airport. PERSONALLY ESCORTED: A congenial and trained tour director will handle every detail, attend to the comfort and pleasure of each individual and provide expert guidance throughout the tour.  LUGGAGE: Provision is made for handling one piece of luggage per person. You may also take another travel bag to be handled by yourself.  SEATING ARRANGEMENTS: No seats are reserved on our motorcoach tour except the seat behind the driver which is reserved for the Tour Director. A seat rotation procedure will be followed.  IDENTIFICATION: For tour members entering Canada or foreign ports, passports are required starting 6/1/09. UTOPIA TOURS reserves the right to make changes or alterations in the printed itinerary, dates, routings, or included features prior to or during the tour as may be necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the tour without prior notice and assumes no responsibility for delays and/or expenses due to such modification. SMOKING: No smoking is allowed on the motorcoach. RESPONSIBILITY: Utopia Tours is not responsible for any loss or damage of personal property or for injuries, expenses or damages whatsoever incurred or claimed by any tour member.