Alaska Tour - Southbound (Air / Inside Passage Ferry / Bus)
July 1-14, 2010 ~ 14 Days
$3249-Double; $3229-Triple; $3209-Quad; $3949-Single Occupancy

Tour Code-akjy01-sb  Deposit Amt Per Person-$300  Final Due by-April 30, 2010

TOUR OPTION ~ Motorcoach Tour 6/23-7/14 ~ 22 Days ~ Round Trip Air Option 7/1-6 (or stay to fish in Anchorage)

A valid Passport is required for this tour.

PRICE INCLUDES
Motorcoach Transportation ~ Hotel Accommodations ~ Fully Escorted ~ Baggage Handling ~ 1-Way Flight from Minneapolis to Fairbanks, AK ~ 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 ~ 8 Continental Breakfasts ~ 2 Lunches ~ 3 Dinners

Thurs., July 1: Fairbanks, AK (D)
We board our 1-way flight from Minneapolis to Fairbanks, AK. Tonight at Pioneer Park you will be treated to a delicious Salmon Bake (serving salmon, halibut & cod). Experience two nights here in Fairbanks, AK.

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.