2014 exclusive journeys - alaska

ExclusivE JournEys

2014

o ften called america’s “Last Frontier,” Alaska is a land of incredible natural beauty, serene in some parts and rug-ged in others. And this

hand-crafted, carefully curated experience lets you explore the very best of it in a way only Exclusive Resorts members can. We’ve partnered with Abercrombie & Kent to custom-design an Alaskan adventure no one else offers—a nine-day journey that combines a few days spent exploring the highlights of Alaska by land with five days aboard an expedition yacht discovering Alaska’s stunning coastline and glaciers (and getting up close to gorgeous shorelines the full-size cruise ships never could). Two internal flights, including a scenic bush plane ride over mountains, glaciers and icebergs, will make your Alaskan adventure even more unique.

alaskaan Expedition by land & sea

an abercrombie & kent collaboration

exclusive journeys: alaska | 9

Alaska’s magnificent natural scenery is at its best when viewed from above, soaring over dramatic peaks, massive glaciers and shimmering lakes.

y our expedition starts with a private transfer from the Anchorage International Airport to the notable Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood.

But your adventure will truly begin the following day, with a morning train ride to Spencer Glacier. On the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm’s Cook Inlet coast, an area known for Beluga whale sightings. At the whistle stop, experts will make sure you’re properly outfitted for a glacier hike with trekking poles, gloves and specialized crampons to provide extra traction on the ice. Of course, if an ice hike isn’t your ideal adventure, you’ll have the option to head out on a less strenuous iceberg exploration walk along the lake's edge to the toe of Spencer Glacier instead.

Incredible members-only value on this adventure shines through on a scenic aerial tour over Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park. If the weather cooperates, we’re sure you’ll welcome a brief interruption for a quick landing on a glacier so you can explore the area surrounding Alaska’s best-known peak. But the views won’t end there—even with your feet back on the ground, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramas of the highest peak in North America in all its glory during lunch at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. And mid-way through your drive from Talkeetna to the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, you’ll stop at a working sled dog training facility to play with the puppies, tour the grounds, go for a summer “sled” ride (on a wheeled sled) and get to know Iditarod veteran Vern Halter.

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Days 1-3

10 | exclusive journeys: alaska

Days 4-6

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aflight from Anchorage will bring you to your port of embarkation—either Sitka or Juneau, depending on the dates of your journey—where you will be welcomed aboard the

Safari Explorer with a flute of champagne and array of hors d’oeuvres.

Your first two days aboard will be filled with a variety of activities and excursions in one of America’s most stunning national parks: Glacier Bay National Park. Guides and equipment will be available for nature walks, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff tours and so much more. Early risers can greet each morning with sunrise yoga, and night owls can relax beneath the starry sky in the hot tub each evening.

Go ashore one morning in Bartlett Cove, exploring the park on your own or with your fellow members on a guided nature walk. Learn about the native wildlife (and how to spot signs that they’re nearby) from the Park Service Ranger who will join you onboard. Thanks to its intimate size, the safari Explorer is able to venture where large cruise ships simply cannot go. So instead of looking at the coastline from a distance, you’ll experience the best of Glacier Bay right at your fingertips while kayaking alongside icebergs and spotting wildlife from just feet away.


y ou’ll drop anchor just off the Inian Islands in Icy Strait and head ashore, where you may find Sitka black-tail

deer hiding behind the low-hanging branches of the dense trees. After stretching your legs on a morning hike or watching for wildlife on a boat tour along the coast, you can get a sense of what life is like for Stellar sea lions in this area during an optional polar plunge. Warm back up in the onboard hot tub after-wards, then head out in a kayak or skiff to try your luck spotting a pod of humpback whales or a raft of sea otters. You can even try your hand at fishing the coastal waters from the stern of the yacht.

W ith its dense rain forests and flowing streams, Chi-chagof Island is a paradise for brown bears. In fact, the island boasts the world’s largest population of the

species per square mile. And you may even get to see one or two fishing or walking the beach (from a safe distance) as you follow your guide on a hike past some of their favorite places around the island. When you’ve had enough of tracking bears, you’ll venture along Baranof Island’s waterfall coast for an ever-so-close—and scenic—passage through Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows.

The following day, you’ll gather with your fellow members for breakfast onboard and a fond farewell before disembarking in either Sitka or Juneau, depending on the dates of your journey.

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Day 8Day 7

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Home to approximately 98% of the United States’ brown bear population and 70% of the total brown bear population in North America, Alaska offers incredible bear-sighting opportunities.


Mount McKinley’s peak, topping out at an incredible 20,320 feet, is rarely visible from the ground due to cloud cover. But aerial—or “flightseeing”—tours let visitors take in sweeping views of the summit from above.

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Two Nights

Nestled between mountains and hanging glaciers, Hotel Alyeska offers a rejuvenating spa and an award-winning restaurant. Your Summit Room is located on the top floor of the hotel and

features expansive mountain views.

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One Night

Hotel Captain Cook is one of Alaska’s premier hotels, offering an ideal location in downtown Anchorage. Your Captain’s Deck room will be located on the 16th or 17th floor of the hotel, ensuring you enjoy

sweeping views of your surroundings.

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Five Nights

You will spend five nights aboard the safari Explorer, enjoying lovely accommodations

onboard this expedition-style yacht. You can relax in the intimate wine library, lounge in the

salon or warm up in the hot tub on deck.

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e x p e r i e n c e d e ta i l s


gulf of alaska

canada

alaska

Area of detail2anchorage

1 girdwood

3glacier bay national park

4icy strait5chichagof & baranof islands

gulf of alaska

r e s e rva t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s1 Advanced Reservation8 Plan Days (per double-occupancy accommodation unit)

d a i ly f e eThe per-person daily fee for this journey varies as follows, depending on the cabin category selected for your stay aboard the safari Explorer:

• Master cabin: $850 per person• Commander cabin: $1,000 per person• Captain cabin: $1,050 per person• Admiral cabin: $1,100 per person• Commodore cabin: $1,250 per person

f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o nFor more information about this 2014 experience, including a day-by-day itinerary, detailed information about what’s included in the program cost, and more, visit the Alaska: An Expedition By Land & Sea experience overview page on ER Compass.

t r i p l e n g t h 9 days, 8 nights

2014 d a t e s o f t r a v e l June 10-18 • June 15-23 June 20-28 • June 25 - July 3

i d e a l f o rAdults and older children looking for an expedition-style outdoor adventure full of incredible wildlife sightings and stunning natural beauty. Children age 8 and older are welcome on this journey, but please note that the experience has been designed to include excursions like kayaking, some hiking, and a scenic flight over Denali National Park that may be better suited to older children.

t r a v e l w i t hUp to four people with two reservations (there are a limited number of triple-occupancy accommodation units available that can accommodate a child under 12 with two adults).

g e t t i n g t h e r eThis journey begins in Anchorage and ends in either Sitka or Juneau, depending on the dates of travel selected. Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage. Fly out of either Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT) in Sitka or Juneau International Airport (JNU) in Juneau.

w h y y o u’l l l o v e i t America’s “Last Frontier” has never been explored this way. With limited accommodation options available—and hardly any that qualify as high-end—and so much terrain to cover, it’s impossible to discover Alaska’s coastline by sea and interior by land (and air!) in one weeklong journey. Until now. As a Club member, you can spend one week in Alaska next year enjoying the perfect combination of land- and sea-based exploration, complete with a five-night stay aboard an expedition-style yacht that can access remote inlets, waterways and coastlines the larger cruise ships never could.

2014 exclusive journeys - alaska

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