Alaska family tours, packaged alaska family travel vacations featuring Jr. Ranger National Park programs for children.

Travel with your family in Alaska by land, sea and air! Join in on the Alaska family fun. Children are given a Jr. Ranger back-pack filled with Alaskan secrets. They will discover how to find ice worms, where to collect silt or capture a pice of glacier ice! They learn flora/fauna from rangers, wildlife can be recorded in thier books, and puppies will lick them to death at the dog sled rides! What do parents and grandparents enjoy? Whales breaching in icy waters, bears as they saunter across the Denali National Park landscape, trekking across the blue ice of a glacier or rafting down a wild river. Customize your family vacation with all-terrain vehicles over tundra, horse back riding across creeks, or flying to Mt. McKinley and landing on a glacier! Bring your family to Alaska by choosing from one of our pre-arranged Alaska family adventures or request a custom Alaska family tour.

This unique family tour of Alaska, with it's rugged, frontier spirit visits premier destinations. Local Alaskans know the Kenai Peninsula secret - the place to enjoy remarkable scenery, fantastic salmon and wildlife viewing. The Matanuska Valley is the "Playland of Alaska" and Denali is the cherry on the top. Join us on this Alaska glacier tour into both the heart of Alaska, Denali National Park and into the jewel of the Kenai, the Kenai Fjords. The size of this tour is 6 to 13 guests per vehicle ONLY!! But if your family or corporate group is 30 - 40 guests, we will send you on your way with a caravan of 3 vehicles!

In the northern frontier, life is different

DAY ONE - EKLUTNA:
Upon arrival in Anchorage, meet your resident guide and traveling companions. Children 12 & under receive a welcome surprise to help entertain them on thier vacation. Begin your Alaska vacation via private luxury transport service at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Here, native games, sports, song & dance are performed by native children and adults alike. Representatives share their culture and ideas. Traveling north through the Matanuska Valley, visit the village of Eklutna, featuring the Russian Orthodox influence on native culture and view native spirit houses, sharing in the local traditions. This evening, dine with new friends and overnite in Wasilla in very comfortable chalet lodging.

DAY TWO - CHICKALOON:
View the incredible Knik Glacier & Matanuska River as you travel north to Chickaloon. Children enjoy the crazy antics of "Monty Moose" on DVD that shares history, wildlife an flora/fauna of Alaska on the way to each daily activity. Step back in time to the glacial age, as you walk onto the Matanuska Glacier. Here, children can experience the uniquness of a glcial floor. Many have said it seems like walking on the moon. Enjoy the pristine beauty of the diamond-like sparkles of the deep blue ice crevasses. No experience necessary!

At lunch, a stop to view Dall sheep through both binoculars and high-powered spotting scopes offers a birds eye view of Alaska's wildlife in their natural habitat. All ages love to watch the playful jumps of the baby sheep on the salt-lick cliffs of the Mat-Su valley. The afternoon allows a choice of a scenic slow float or exhilarating Alaskan white water raft experience to enjoy a real outdoor Alaskan tour. The scenic float allows for photos and scenic viewing of the river and it's inhabitants. Families with children under 12 years old will enjoy this beautiful ride. Whitewater offers the thrill of the untamed glacial fed river. Class 3 & 4 rapids give thrills to everyone 12 yrs old and up. Overnite again at your chalet. (B)

DAY THREE - TALKEETNA:
Depart on your Alaska family adventure to Denali National Park. Your first stop is at the Iditarod Race Headquarters for interactive moments with a dog sled team and puppies! Watching a world reknowned film, learn about the trail and race conditions these athletes endure. Petting puppies and photo opportunities add smiles to young childrens faces. En route to Talkeetna, several scenic wildlife opportunities exist and we stop to observe again offering a high powered scope for close-up views. Take in the beauty of Talkeetna, Alaska featuring your choice of one of the Alaska tour adventures below:

1) Denali Flightseeing & Glacier Landing: Among the most breath taking tours you will ever experience, this flight experience features glaciers, rugged mountains and wildlife viewing. Small planes that seat 4, 6 or 10 guests soar over the Alaska mountain range offering views of ice fields, alpine glaciers and Mt. McKinley! Your flightseeing adventure includes a glacier landing subject to weather conditions. Here your family can step out of the plane, walk on snow covered glacier. Enjoy a family photo that many choose to make their Christmas photo. Some of our families even take a volleyball, or nerf ball to say they threw passes on Mt. McKinley!

2) River Jetboat Safari Adventure: Aboard this exciting river adventure, travel 10 miles of river viewing nesting bald eagles, beaver activity, and moose. Arriving at an original family trap line, step out of the boat and enjoy a nature walk to an authentic trapper's cabin. Here your children can learn about Alaskan history, the beginnings of wilderness life and trapping. Hands-on experience of furs and antique equipment is part of the fun. Combining this with a panoramic view of Denali from the boat will make for an unforgettable 2 hour adventure!

Continue on to Denali National Park late this afternoon. Stops for photography and restrooms breaks are provided. Evening dinner at your leisure. Overnight at Denali National Park. Hotel or Inn accommodations are determined based on your booking dates. (B)

DAY FOUR - DENALI:
Everything about Denali National Park is big: the scenery, the mountains, the incredible beauty, the Alaska family fun, and the animals. Early this morning, transfer to the Visitors Center where you will embark on an Alaska Wildlife Tour, an excellent way to spot the wildlife for which Alaska is so famous: moose, bear, wolves, caribou, dall sheep. Your children will have a special opportunity to join the Junior Ranger program. Ages 4 to 8 and ages 9 to 14 have two different levels of activity options. The children will learn about wildlife, wilderness and the people of Denali. They receive a backpack with booklets of activities for their visit in the park. They can enjoy a scavenger hunt while in the park and at the end of their visit, they can receive a Junior Ranger Badge!

With over 365 million acres of wilderness in Alaska, Denali National Park boosts an adventure around every corner. This tour affords the best chance to see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat. It's a fascinating 6-8 hour shuttle tour into the park that you won’t want to miss. Lunch and beverage will be supplied. So bring your camera and binoculars, you won’t want to share. This Denali tour ends around 4 PM, and participating children in the ranger program will have the opportunity to get thier Junior Ranger Badge. You and your family do have the option of catching a returning shuttle earlier in the day if you choose to not stay on the tour as long, and want more of a Visitor Center experience. Finally upon everyone’s return, relax and take in the scenery on our return to Wasilla and your chalet lodging. (B,L)

DAY FIVE - PALMER/KNIK GLACIER:
Imagine a place where wild flowers surround you, where cascading crystal waters offer perfect photos, and your Alaskan tour continues. Your driver/guide is there to make sure you don't miss a thing. In the morning, try your hand at gold panning. Children love this activity, sharing this with parents and working together to find that infamous gold nugget waiting to be discovered in the creeks of the Motherlode. Independence Mine offers a glimpse into the history of the great men of the gold rush and the lore of gold fever. A lunch stop provides spectacular views of the valley below!

The afternoon presents an unparalleled Alaska family adventure that will take you and your family aboard an airboat ride to Lake George, the base of Knik Glacier. Lake George, an ice burg dammed lake was once responsible for floods of cataclysmic proportions. Knik Glacier, 28 miles long, 6 miles wide and over 1000 feet thick, is one of Alaska's grandest natural attractions. Knik Glacier, born in the Pleistocene Glaciation period (the beginning of the Ice Age) 600,000 years ago, covered the Anchorage bowl and the entire Cook Inlet. While it remains active, this glacier is in a constant state of change. Knik Glacier always turns out to be a trip highlight. Walking on the glacier moraine, wildlife viewing and hands-on discovery is all a part of this afternoon delight. Just reach our of the boat and touch an ice berg or walk along the shore of the lake, pick up chunks of ice and look for ice worms! This evening, your Alaska adventure tour will provide transfers to your Anchorage hotel. (Moderate lodging included, deluxe upgrades available) (B)

DAY SIX - SEWARD:
Scenic rail travel between Anchorage and Seward begins today's Alaskan tour. Marvel at the towering Chugach mountains and stunning hanging glaciers. Relax in the care of the friendly staff of Alaska's first railroad. Dining car is availalbe for hungry visitors and open air sections of the rail cars offers great vieiwng. Children are mesmerized by the experience of the rail and the scenery of moose Pass. Upon arrival in Seward, you will be transferred aboard the Kenai Fjords cruise, where you will linger as whales, dolphins, sea lions, otters and every imaginable species of seabird make their way in front of your camera lens. Nothing compares to the sight of a monumental glacier calving icebergs into the sea. Your family will enjoy the flight of our famous puffins, the scurried antics of the baby steller seals, and be awed by the killer whales that glide under the boat. Complimentary lunch is provided aboard the small ship. Cruise is 6 hours in length. This evening, enjoy leisure time at the small boat harbor, shopping or watching the day's catch arrive from sea. Huge hanging halibut and ling cod get everyone's attention! Overnight in the beautiful small harbor town of Seward. (B, L)

DAY SEVEN - ANCHORAGE:
Every adventure eventually draws to a close, so this morning offers one last look at Alaska's interior countryside. With some leisure time to explore or relax, take in last minute scenery as you stroll along the small boat harbor area. Afternoon brings a choice of the following adventures on your Alaskan tour:

1) Exit Glacier Tour: Head out to Exit Glacier, a major attraction of Kenai Fjords National Park . Enjoy a short walk along the nature trail that takes you to the face of the glacial ice. Or gt active with a hike up the mountain side with your family to the peak of the glacier. Watch for mountain goats, moose or bear on the mountainside. During runs, see salmon swimming upstream to spawn. Exit Glacier flows from the 300-square-mile Harding Icefield, and visitors can approach the towering glacier face on a one-half mile easy grade footpath, accessible to all fitness levels. The glacier is one of several that branch downward from the Harding ice field - a massive field of ice spanning the peaks of several mountains. Exit Glacier flows from the ice field down through two mountains where it creates a small river from its glacial melt. The Harding Icefield Trail, is an optional 8-mile roundtrip with 3500' elevation gain to overlook the icefield which is the source of the Exit Glacier (and others). This hike starts at the foot of the glacier and follows the glacier flank upwards for those who really get into the spirit of Alaska!

2) Iditaride Dog Sled Tour: Your family adventure begins with a two-mile dog sled ride. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of our amazing sled dogs as they are harnessed to our comfortable wheeled sleds. The intrigue of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, also known as Alaska's Superbowl, comes alive as you mush through the Alaskan wilderness to the base of Resurrection Mountain and along Box Canyon Creek. Your Iditarod veteran guide will thrill and excite you with stories from the trail as you experience the raw power of 13 Iditarod sled dogs. Upon return to the kennel, tour the beautiful kennel facilities, laugh as a guest is dressed up as an Iditarod musher, and cuddle adorable husky puppies.

3) Halibut / Salmon Fishing Combo Tour: Welcome aboard! High speed, 45' sport fishing boats are powered by huge, turbocharged, Lugger marine diesel engines with over 800 horsepower. The cruising speed of 25 knots will open up large areas of seldom fished waters. Spend less time riding to the fishing grounds and much more time fishing...and catching. The spacious cabin is equipped with comfortable, high back seats and large windows throughout to allow wildlife viewing while jetting to the fishing grounds. The 4000 pound insulated fish hold will insure your catch returns to the dock in perfect condition. Equipped with the most advanced SIMRAD marine electronics, our boat features the latest "state of the art" fish finding, and navigation electronics, including a powerful 1000 watt, dual frequency fish locating sonar and 3 dimensional bathometric mapping computer. fishing gear supplied. Rods from G. Loomis, reels from Penn and the best super braid "Tuff Line XP" from Western Filament. All you need to bring is your lunch, fishing license, and rain gear. Limit of fishermen - 12. (Add $250 pp to tour cost for this day fishing adventure)

- Finally, this evening, great mountain ranges converge to provide a stunning backdrop for your last minute photos while you travel north to the thriving hub of Anchorage. For further exploration, extend your stay by contacting us and adding one of several one or two day add-on's. Here is where we wish you a safe flight home, as you transfer to the Anchorage airport. (If you want to extend your vacation, your transfer will take you to your local hotel). Your Alaskan tour closes with memories to last a lifetime.