ALASKA & CANADA’S YUKON BY MOTOR COACH (AREA 6)

1 SHENANDOAH VALLEY / BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

We leave today and make our way through the Shenandoah Valley and into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where we stay in Wytheville.

2 NORTH TO ALASKA

After picking up all of our Passengers, we head North to Alaska going through the Beautiful Horse Country of Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky. Then on to Lafayette, Indiana to spend our first night on the Road.

3 CHICAGO / WILLIS TOWER / WISCONSIN

We leave Indiana this morning on our way into Illinois and to Downtown Chicago. After a Scenic Ride up Lake Shore Drive and seeing some of the Sights of this Huge City, we stop in the Heart of Downtown Chicago and take you up in one of the World’s Tallest Buildings – The Willis Tower – for a Bird’s Eye View of the “Windy City”. Then it’s on to the Heart of the “Dairy Country” to spend the night in Madison, Wisconsin.

4 WISCONSIN DELLS CRUISE / MINNESOTA / MALL OF AMERICA

This morning we take an enjoyable cruise of the Wisconsin Dells with its many unusual rock formations along the Wisconsin River. Then we make our way into Minnesota by way of the “Twin Cities” – Minneapolis/St. Paul – which have grown up opposite sides of the Mississippi River. We visit the Largest Shopping and Entertainment Complex in the United States – The Mall of America with over 400 Shops and more than 30 Restaurants. We spend the night in Bloomington, Minnesota.

5 NORTH DAKOTA / CANADA / WINNIPEG

This morning as we travel through Minnesota we will stop at the Sauk Centre to see an interpretive film on the area. After having lunch in Fargo, North Dakota, we follow the Red River to the Canadian Border and enter the Province of Manitoba. We spend the night in the Provincial Capital – Winnipeg.

6 MANITOBA / SASKATCHEWAN / SASKATOON

This morning we visit the Provincial Capitol in downtown Winnipeg for a picture stop before making our way across the Province. We head West across the Prairie through the Beautiful farming region of Manitoba into the Province of Saskatchewan. We spend the night in Saskatoon. Saskatoon gets its name from the Indian name for the wild berries that grow in the Area.

7 ALBERTA / EDMONTON / WEST EDMONTON MALL

We leave Saskatoon this morning and make our way into the Province of Alberta. We arrive in Edmonton this afternoon and then visit West Edmonton Mall – the largest Mall in North America. Among this Mall’s many attractions are Fantasy Land with submarine rides, a miniature train, five acre water park and an Olympic size ice skating rink in addition to the almost 800 stores. We spend the night in the Edmonton area.

8 “FLAG ROUTE TO ALASKA” / BRITISH COLUMBIA / MILEPOST “0”

Today we follow Highway 43 from Edmonton, known as the “Flag Route to Alaska”. Traveling through the beautiful countryside we make our way across Alberta and into British Columbia for a picture stop in Dawson Creek at Milepost “0”, the official start of this Alaska Highway. We spend the night in Dawson Creek.

9 ALASKA HIGHWAY / FORT NELSON

This morning we start our incredible journey across the Alaska Highway. This Highway is considered one of the engineering feats of the 20th Century, as it was practically cut through the wilderness in less than 9 months in 1942. It was built as a supply route during World War II to Military Bases in Alaska. We will watch the daylight hours get longer as we continue on our journey North. We leave Dawson Creek and go by Fort St. John, Charlie Lake, Pink Mountain, then by Prophet River and on to Fort Nelson for the night.

10 LIARD RIVER HOT SPRINGS / YUKON

We leave Fort Nelson going by Stone Mountain Park and then on through Toad River and by scenic Muncho Lake with its beautiful bluish-green waters. We also visit Liard River Hot Springs with its tropical oasis and 1090F waters just off the Alaska Highway. Watch for Bear! We then continue on into Canada’s Yukon to spend the night in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory.

11 SIGNPOST FOREST / WHITEHORSE

This morning we stop at Watson Lake’s famous Signpost Forest. It was started in 1942 by a homesick G.I. who nailed a sign up here of his hometown. It has grown to over 14,000 signs including our own Sunshine Tours Sign that we put here in 1983 for all of our groups to follow. We continue along the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse – the Capital of the Yukon. We’ll see some of the sights of this rustic Town including the S.S. Klondike Sternwheeler. We spend the night in Whitehorse.

12 KLUANE NATIONAL PARK / KLUANE LAKE / ALASKA! / TOK

Today we continue along the Alaska Highway to Haines Junction. When we arrive in Kluane National Park we stop at the Visitor’s Center for their award winning slide presentation on the Park. We continue on by Kluane Lake and the snow covered St. Elias Mountains – the highest coastal mountain range on Earth. This afternoon we make it to Alaska – “The Last Frontier”. We stop at the Alaska Welcome sign before continuing on to Tok, Alaska to spend the night. Tok is the “Sled Dog Capital of Alaska”.

13 ALASKA PIPELINE / NORTH POLE / ALASKALAND / FAIRBANKS / SALMON BAKE

On our way to Fairbanks we stop in Delta Junction for a picture stop at the “End of the Alaska Highway” marker. Then we cross the Tanana River getting our first look at the Alaska Pipeline suspended above the River. We arrive in North Pole, Alaska to spend some time at the Santa Claus House with its large collection of Christmas gifts. Tonight we visit Alaskaland, a theme Park covering the past and present of Fairbanks, Alaska’s second largest City. While we are at Alaskaland we Treat you to their famous Salmon Bake and Show. We spend the next two nights in Fairbanks.

14 RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY / FAIRBANKS / CITY TOUR / UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA

This morning we enjoy a relaxing river Journey on board the Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery. Relax as you learn about past and present life along the river on a four hour Narrated Adventure. We go ashore at the site of an Athabascan Indian Village and walk through the village as experts share their culture and traditions. This afternoon we are joined by a Local Guide for a tour of the Fairbanks Area. We also visit the University of Alaska Museum containing many exhibits of Alaskan culture and History. We also visit the Experimental Gardens at the University. The flowers all over Alaska have much more brilliance than the ones we have at home.

15 DENALI NATIONAL PARK

We leave Fairbanks this morning and travel to Denali National Park. This Park is best known for its wildlife of caribou, moose, wolves and grizzly bear as well as Denali – North America’s Highest Mountain at 20,320 feet. The Tanana Indian name for the mountain is Denali, said to mean the “high one”. We will venture into the park for a closer look before spending the night near Denali Park.

16 DENALI / ANCHORAGE CITY TOUR

This morning we leave the Denali National Park Area for Anchorage – Alaska’s Largest City. As we travel south, Denali dominates the Northwestern sky as we make our way into Anchorage. On arrival we see the sights of the area including Ship Creek Salmon Fish Ladder where Pink, King and Coho salmon jump a spillway in the dam, Earthquake Park showing effects from the major 1964 earthquake, Port of Anchorage, Lake Hood – the busiest float plane airport in the world, University of Alaska, Anchorage, and more. We spend the next two nights in Anchorage.

17 WHITTIER / 26 GLACIER CRUISE

We leave Anchorage this morning on our Motorcoach for Whittier. On arrival in Whittier we board the No. 1 Glacier Cruise – the M / V “Klondike” for an unforgettable and leisurely 6 hour Cruise of 26 Glaciers. Lunch is included on Board the “Klondike”. We see the most beautiful area of dramatic and pristine Prince William Sound. On this Tour we will see not only the World’s Most Breathtaking Glaciers, but playful whales, porpoise, seals, bald eagles, and otters. The female sea otters swimming on their backs holding their babies on their stomachs is a sight you will remember forever! This has proven to be the most unforgettable day of the Tour.

18 MATANUSKA VALLEY / WRANGELL MOUNTAINS

Just outside Anchorage this morning we stop at the Visitor’s Center and Gardens at Palmer in the heart of the rich farming area of the Matanuska Valley for another look at some record size vegetables grown in the area. As we travel thru the MatSu Valley, we make our way by Matanuska Glacier and the scenic Wrangell Mountains to Tok for the night.

19 ALASKA HIGHWAY / WHITEHORSE or SKAGWAY

We leave Tok this morning and travel down the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory or Skagway, Alaska, depending on the Alaska Marine Highway schedule.

20 SKAGWAY / INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE

Today we board the Marine Highway Ferry to travel the Inside Passage. We cruise through the beautiful Inside Passage on a smooth, gliding ride of 450 miles – so don’t worry about getting seasick, in the calm waters where we are never out of sight of land. Cabins are provided on board the Ferry for your comfort.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodations on the inside passage are very limited. Due to this fact travelers will sometimes share a cabin while on the ferry.

21 SKAGWAY / INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE (DAY 2)

We continue to cruise through the beautiful Inside Passage on a smooth, gliding ride of 450 miles – so don’t worry about getting seasick, in the calm waters where we are never out of sight of land. Cabins are provided on board the Ferry for your comfort.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodations on the inside passage are very limited. Due to this fact travelers will sometimes share a cabin while on the ferry.

22 BRITISH COLUMBIA / PRINCE RUPERT / FRASER LAKE

We go through downtown Prince Rupert and see their famous totem poles made by Local Indian Tribes. Then we continue on into British Columbia through its scenic mountain beauty of Terrace and Smithers to spend the night near Fraser Lake, British Columbia.

23 YELLOWHEAD HIGHWAY / MT. ROBSON / ALBERTA / JASPER NATIONAL PARK

We travel the Yellowhead Highway through the Canadian Rockies. We will stop to see snow covered Mt. Robson – the Highest Point in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet. We cross the British Columbia / Alberta Border and enter Jasper National Park to spend the night near Jasper, Alberta surrounded by scenic mountainous beauty and abundant wildlife.

24 COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS PARKWAY / CANADIAN ROCKIES / LAKE LOUISE / BANFF NATIONAL PARK / CALGARY

We ride today through some of the most beautiful scenery in North America as we drive South along the Icefields Parkway. We travel by the huge Columbia Icefield and take the Iconic Glacier Adventure, with snow capped mountains and Spectacular Scenery making picture stops along the way to see Lake Louise, the Top Attraction in the Canadian Rockies. We stop in the little resort town of Banff for lunch before making our way into Calgary for the night.

25 ALBERTA / SASKATCHEWAN / REGINA

Today we travel across the large farming region of Alberta where bright yellow fields of Canola line the highway on our way into Saskatchewan. Then we make our way into the Provincial Capital City of Regina to spend the night. We stop at the Beautiful Provincial Flower Gardens in front of the Capitol in downtown Regina.

26 ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE MUSEUM / USA / NORTH DAKOTA

This morning we visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Museum in Regina covering the History of Canada’s most famous police force. We then head South saying good-bye to Canada as we enter the USA at North Dakota. We make our way into the State Capital City of Bismarck to spend the night.

27 NORTH DAKOTA CAPITOL / SOUTH DAKOTA / CORN PALACE

We stop at North Dakota’s Capitol in Bismarck this morning before making our way into South Dakota, stopping at their Capitol in Pierre. Then we head east to Mitchell to see the famous Corn Palace, decorated with almost 3,000 bushels of local corn and grasses. It is a tribute to the area residents and the fertility of the surrounding soil. We continue on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the night

28 IOWA / NEBRASKA / BOYS TOWN

Today we follow the Missouri River to Omaha, Nebraska. Just outside Omaha we tour Father Flanagan’s Boys Town. On this large Campus we see what has made this place so famous. The familiar Two Brothers Symbol and the Motto, “He ain’t heavy, Father, He’s my brother”, have represented Boys Town since the 1940’s. We spend the night near Iowa City, Iowa.

29 ILLINOIS / INDIANA / KENTUCKY

This morning we travel across Iowa and cross the Mississippi River into Illinois and then on to Indiana. We spend the night in Lexington, Kentucky.

30 HOMEWARD BOUND

We’re almost home as we go through Kentucky. We have travelled more than 9,000 miles on our Incredible Journey to “The Last Frontier”. We take home enough memories to last a lifetime!