Alaska Your way by Private Plane

This itinerary starts BEFORE the accompanying cruise itinerary.

Upon arrival at the Anchorage airport, you will be met outside security and begin a one and one-half hour scenic transfer by private car along the shoreline between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Turnagain Arm. The Seward Highway, designated a National Scenic Byway, affords a remarkable panorama. After arrival at the Alyeska Resort, enjoy a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska for the spectacular sights of hanging glaciers, rugged mountains and towering spruce trees. Your Sky trekking pilot/guide will contact you this evening to review the meet time and flight plan for tomorrow - and to customize the experience in light of your interests and the expected conditions of the day. After hearing from your pilot/guide as to what time you are to meet at the Girdwood airport in the morning, please contact the front desk to arrange for a complimentary shuttle for the five minute transfer. The rest of the day and evening are at your leisure. Overnight at the Alyeska Resort, Girdwood.

After breakfast at the hotel, catch the pre-arranged resort shuttle to the Girdwood airport to meet your pilot guide and then depart on a spectacular day of private Sky trekking in your own private bush aircraft. Choose from such destinations as Katmai National Park for bear viewing, Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park, or Prince William Sound and the Chugach Mountains. Whatever course you choose, keep your eyes open for wildlife, great fishing streams, glacial valleys, waterfalls and truly some of the most majestic scenery in all America. When possible, landings will be made to experience the grandeur up close. An included gourmet picnic is served during the tour. You'll return to Alyeska in the late afternoon for an evening at your leisure. Overnight at the Alyeska Resort, Girdwood.

After breakfast at the hotel enjoy a morning at your leisure. This afternoon, your private car will pick you up for the transfer to the ship. You'll stop at 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. Besides bears, there are bison, moose, caribou, elk, eagles, owls, musk oxen, Sitka black-tailed deer and a variety of game birds. Visitors can drive through the area and see most of the animals from their vehicles, or walk the neatly cared-for driveway for a close-up tour. It's a great way to photograph wild animals in a setting as close to authentic as you can get. Then on to Seward and your waiting cruise ship.