Explore Tours and USTravel are proud to offer tour and airfare assistance for the Wine & Spirits Guild Spring 2008 Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Below is a listing of our suggested tour activities, but please contact our tour consultants for additional options and local advice based on your specific interests!

Suggested Tour Activities

DAY CRUISES

Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife and Glacier Cruise
Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay are abundant in marine wildlife and ice-blue tidewater glaciers. See harbor seals, otters, sea lions, and various species of whale. There are over 100 species of birds flourishing in the area, from the majestic Bald eagle to the beloved puffin, and a spectacular Steller sea lion colony. This 110-mile journey (177 km) features the ultimate wildlife viewing experience. A deli-style lunch is also included in your tour.

Cruise Validity Dates: May 3, 2008– October 6, 2008
Price: $142.00 USD per person, including taxes and port fees
Note: Transfers may be offered on a more limited schedule and are additional.

26 Glacier Cruise
Travel over 135 miles into Prince William Sound aboard the Klondike Express, a high-speed catamaran, to see 26 "named glaciers" and many more unnamed. Approach within 500 feet from the face of these towering walls of ice and "hear" the glaciers move, watch for calving and see the brilliant blues in the ice. Three types of glaciers are seen on each trip including Alpine or Hanging, Piedmont and Tidewater glaciers. You may also have the opportunity to view sea otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions, eagles and whales while you enjoy relaxing in a comfortable heated cabin. Enjoy countless opportunities for spectacular photography. Roundtrip rail transportation and lunch included.

Peak Summer Conference Rate Valid: May 1, 2008– August 31, 2008
Cruise Only Price: $136.50 (Special for Meeting Attendees Only)
With Roundtrip Bus Transfers from Anchorage: $186.50

Portage Glacier Cruise & Tour
Head out the scenic Seward Highway to Portage Glacier. Board the m/v Ptarmigan for your one hour cruise across Portage Lake. Stop at the Alyeska Ski Resort on your return trip back to Anchorage.

Valid: May 16, 2008– September 16, 2008
Price: $69.00

FLIGHTSEEING

Mt. McKinley Flightseeing Tour
This spectacular 3-hour flightseeing tour departs Anchorage and takes you within six miles of McKinley's 20,320 ft. summit. View the Ruth Glacier, the Great Gorge and the massive south face of Mt. McKinley. Courtesy van transfers included from major Anchorage hotels.

Valid: Year Round
Price: $345.00

Prince William Sound Flightseeing Tour
Prince William Sound is a magnificent region with over 15,000 square miles of fjords and inlets, dozens of tidewater glaciers and rugged mountain peaks. The sound's clear sea waters produce a rich marine life. Spot for whales, seal, eagles, otters and black bear. Make a photo-stop landing at a secluded cove. See Columbia Glacier, Prince William Sound's largest tidewater glacier. Then fly to Glacier Island for a chance to view sea lions sunning themselves. Courtesy van transfers included from major Anchorage hotels.

Valid: Year Round
Price:$310.00 (Standard 2.5 Hour Tour)
Price:  $340.00 (3 Hours, Extended Tour)

Knik Glacier Flightseeing Tour
Your flight will take you over the expansive Knik Glacier rimmed with spectacular hanging glaciers.Sense the motion of the ice and see how it has shaped the land, then fly over the winding Knik Glacier Gorge. Courtesy van transfers included from major Anchorage hotels.

Valid: Year Round
Price:$210 (Standard 1.5 Hour Tour)
Price:  $260 (2.25 Hours, Including Lakeside Stop)

FISHING

Homer Halibut Fishing Charter - Full Day Fishing Tour
Experience the thrill of a lifetime halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska. Cook Inlet halibut fishing is notorious for producing some of the largest and tastiest halibut in the world. Along with the great fishing you have an opportunity to view outstanding wildlife, playful otters, colorful puffins, porpoises and whales. Your full day fishing charter aboard a comfortable and fully equipped fishing vessel will take you to all the secret fishing spots.

Valid: May 15, 2008 – September 15, 2008
Price: $269.00 per person  
Please note: The drive from Anchorage to Homer is approximately 5 hours. Overnight accommodations will be necessary to meet up with full day fishing trips as these depart early morning. Please inquire with an Explore Tours reservationist for car rental and lodging options to combine with your fishing charter.

SIGHTSEEING

Anchorage Highlights City Tour
A sprawling city of over 260,000 full-time residents, Anchorage is the regional center for trade, banking, communication, transportation and the arts. Explore Ship Creek, where Anchorage began as the headquarters of the famous Alaska Railroad. Understand the financial impact and growth of Anchorage during World War II, the establishment of Elmendorf Air Force Base, and the recent boom of entrepreneurs in Anchorage. Sightseeing includes the 25-acre Alaska Native Heritage Center, a new foundation developed by Alaskan native corporations in recognition and tribute to the distance culture of the Alaskan people. Highlights include cultural sights in natural settings and a gallery of native arts. 3-Hour

Tour. Valid: May 16, 2008 – September 16, 2008
Price: $48.00

Alaska ATV Adventure
See the real Alaska on a guided 4-wheeler tour. Your guide will choose a scenic area with the best conditions for your fun-filled three-hour ride in Alaska's backcountry. Safety and Rain Gear provided (if you have forgotten yours).  Only top quality equipment is used.  Be sure to bring your camera and lots of film.  No prior experience necessary to operate our new Honda 4 heelers.  Single or double rider machines available.  Refreshments and snacks provided. Roundtrip transportation from Anchorage included.  

Valid: April 15, 2008 – November 1, 2008
Price: $205.00

NATIVE CULTURE

Barrow Adventure Day Tour
This one day guided journey by air will take you to the shores of the Arctic Ocean and the northernmost point in North America. Fly across the Arctic Circle to this ancient Inupiat Eskimo village where you will get a firsthand glimpse of Alaska's Arctic lifestyle. Receive an official Arctic Circle certificate. Enjoy an orientation and time to explore on your own. Return to Anchorage (or Fairbanks) by air this evening.

Valid: May 15, 2008– September 15, 2008.
Price: $719.00 (Roundtrip from Anchorage)
Price: $609.00 (Departing Anchorage, Returning to Fairbanks)
Price: $499.00 (Roundtrip from Fairbanks)

A Day in Nome
Upon arrival in Nome, your guide will give a brief orientation and explain how the gold rush shaped this frontier town. Visit a dog musher's camp, where you'll see a sled dog team in action and learn about the training and care of dog teams. The city tour will continue with free time in Nome for shopping. Visit Little Creek Mining Station, where you can pan for your own gold and receive a souvenir gift. Return to Anchorage with Alaska Airlines.

Valid: May 25, 2008– September 5, 2008
Price: $499.00 (Roundtrip from Anchorage)
Price: $609.00 (Departing Anchorage, Returning to Fairbanks - Or Reverse)
Price: $719.00 (Roundtrip from Fairbanks)

Alaska Native Heritage Center
The Alaska Native Heritage Center brings together Alaska's many distinct Native cultures: Athabascans from the interior, Yup'ik from the west coast, Inupiaq of the north, Aleuts of the north Pacific, and Eyak, Tlingit, Haida & Tsimshian from the southeast. The Center is located only 12 minutes from downtown Anchorage. Complimentary shuttle transportation from five downtown locations.

Valid May 11, 2008 – September 15, 2008
Price: $24.00

PRE OR POST CONFERENCE MULTI-DAY OPTIONS
Pricing Available Upon Request

Large and Small Ship Cruises
Experience Alaska’s famed Inside Passage aboard a full service cruise ship. Most itineraries are seven days in length and a variety of routings and sailing dates are available to meet your needs. Or embark on a smaller vessel for a more intimate experience. Itineraries start at four days in duration and routes highlight the diverse regions of Alaska. Contact Explore Tours for more information on sailing dates and availability specific to your interests.

Talkeetna Adventure
Don't miss your chance to experience this quaint town that serves as the base camp for climbers attempting to scale Mt. McKinley. Stay in a deluxe lodge and enjoy your choice of optional activities - Mt. McKinley flightseeing, river rafting, jetboat safari tour, or dog sledding adventure. Or just relax and enjoy the comfortable surroundings.

St. Paul and the Pribilof Islands
For bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers looking for a truly unique destination, this tour will not disappoint. St. Paul Island is part of the Pribilof archipelago, one of the most remote island groups in the world, located off the West coast of Alaska in the Bering Sea. From breathtaking heights atop the cliffs way above the ocean waves, see a diverse array of birds soaring in the updrafts and nesting among the jagged cliffs. Colorful puffins, Red-legged Kittiwakes and Red-faced Cormorants are a few of the many species seen on the islands. Step back in time with a visit to the Russian Orthodox Church, a structure that still stands as a reminder of past influences and which binds the community together today. Extended packages are available upon request.

Discover Denali
Travel north of Anchorage to explore one of North America’s most famous national parks, Denali. Venture into the six million acres of pristine wilderness for potential wildlife sightings or a glimpse of North America’s tallest peak, Mt. McKinley. Park activities also include river rafting, flightseeing, dinner theaters, dog kennel tours, and horseback riding.

Cordova
Nestled peacefully at the head of Orca Inlet in Prince William Sound, Cordova has a mystique all her own. She dazzles you with glacier-carved mountains, wildlife-rich wetlands, lush forests, and countless waterways. A great destination for hiking, wildlife photography, boating, sport fishing, flightseeing, and more.

Cooper Landing
The Kenai Peninsula is a favorite playground for Alaska residents and visitors alike. Known for its world-class salmon fishing on the Kenai and Russian Rivers, this is the destination for those looking to reel in the “big one”! Not fond of fishing? Take a river float, go horseback riding or relax at a wilderness lodge.

Valdez
Come see the spectacular views that give this small Alaskan town the nickname of “Little Switzerland”. Discover breathtaking Prince William Sound and the Columbia Glacier, or learn more about Valdez’s unique history as the terminus of the 800-mile Alyeska Pipeline.

Homer
Known as “the end of the road,” Homer is often recognized as a fishing village with a strong arts and culture presence. Many flock to Homer to try catching barn door sized halibut, travel to quaint communities across the bay that are not accessible by roads, and for bear viewing excursions.

Seward
Begin your journey south to the Kenai Peninsula, one of the most scenic drives in America. Enjoy free time in the “Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.” Tour the Alaska SeaLife Center, the northern hemisphere’s only coldwater research facility and home of magnificent marine mammals and seabirds. Travel by cruise in search of these animals in their natural habitat in Kenai Fjords National Park. Learn about the Iditarod sled dog race with a visit to a racing kennel.

Kodiak
Kodiak Island is Alaska’s largest island and the second largest island in the United States. Known as the “Emerald Isle,” lush vegetation covers the island providing a beautiful backdrop for outdoor adventures. Perhaps best known for the Kodiak brown bear, Kodiak offers some of the best bear viewing and fishing opportunities in Alaska. Kodiak also provides cultural opportunities including the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository and the Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church.

Alyeska Escape
Just a short scenic drive from Anchorage lies Alyeska Resort, the state's largest and most luxurious ski resort. Relax mountainside in the indoor Jacuzzi or pool, explore the surrounding nature trails, enjoy fine dining, or take a ride on the tramway for sweeping views of Turnagain Arm.

Wilderness Lodge Getaway
Get away from the crowds and relax in a true wilderness setting. Try your hand at fly-fishing, canoeing, or rafting at the Riversong Lodge or enjoy hiking and cooking classes at Winterlake Lodge. Both lodges offer natural beauty, exquisite cuisine, and an experience that is uniquely Alaskan. Escape for the day or overnight.

Please Note:
Above tours are suggested options and just a small sampling of the many tours that Explore Tours can offer attendees. Tours may be subject to change based on availability, weather conditions, and required passenger minimums. Advance reservations are required for most options and can be made by contacting Explore Tours at 800-523-7405 or by emailing info@exploretours.com.

Airfare Assistance
In addition to our pre and post tour programs, Explore Tours can offer airline travel arrangements through USTravel. Explore Tours is a division of USTravel and conveniently housed in the same location. With cutting-edge technology and air agents well versed with travel arrangements within Alaska, the Lower 48 and internationally, USTravel can quickly search and compare web-based airfares and advise of the best pricing and routing for a particular itinerary.