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Turnagain Arm’s bore tide
Gold Dredge 8
Denali National Park
Alyeska Resort and Tram
The Anchorage Museum
Riverboat Discovery III
Prince William Sound nature cruise
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Scenic drive up Keystone Canyon
Departs: July 27th, 2021 Tour Dates & Pricing
Discover spectacular Alaska in this sweeping tour of The Last Frontier. Explore the history and culture of Anchorage. Unleash your inner adventurer during a cruise on Prince William Sound to see marine wildlife and tidewater glaciers. Travel through Keystone Canyon and over Thompson Pass as we make our way to the Golden Heart City, Fairbanks. Pan for gold and learn about life in the interior before we make our way to Denali National Park. Explore the tundra of this magnificent national park, tucked into the majestic Alaska range and home to the tallest mountain in North America. Enjoy a jet boat adventure in Talkeetna and visit the Iditarod Trail headquarters to learn about dogsledding and the iconic race to Nome. Join us for an amazing adventure to the Great Land!
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Hosted By: Terry Smith
Retired WTVA Anchor
WTVA TV
View Biography
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Day 1 : Fly to Alaska
Travel to Anchorage, the metropolis in the wilderness, and check-in to our overnight accommodations.
Day 2 : Turnagain Arm
Appreciate the wilderness with intimate views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Marvel at snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers while on the lookout for eagles, moose, and Dall sheep. Learn about Turnagain Arm's fascinating bore tide and love the views at Bird Point.
Meet Alaska’s incredible and varied animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before enjoying sweeping views from the tram followed by lunch at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. Spend the rest of the day in Anchorage as you please with various museums, attractions, and the city to enjoy.
Day 3 : Prince William Sound
Witness state-of-the-art exhibits that capture Alaska's natural wonder using artful lighting and sound at Begich Boggs Visitor Center located in the scenic Portage Valley.
Our adventure continues with a Glacier & Wildlife Cruise on Prince William Sound. Our narrated cruise offers a chance to see the wildlife that makes the sound its home. See Meares Glacier, an advancing tidewater glacier, located in the Chugach National Forest. Whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoise, and sea birds are often seen while cruising the waters of Prince William Sound. Later, we arrive in Valdez for two nights.
Day 4 : Alaskan Scenery
Marvel at spectacular waterfalls and steep canyon walls as you hear the story of a fight for control of Keystone Canyon as we make our way to Thompson Pass for views of Worthington Glacier. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Optional activities today in Valdez include visits to the Whitney and Valdez Museums, the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery as well as flightseeing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing.
Day 5 : The Bold North
Spectacular mountain views abound as we travel along the Richardson Highway, Alaska’s first road. Catch glimpses of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline along the way. Later we stop at the Santa Claus House before arriving in Fairbanks for a two-night stay.
Day 6 : Gold Panning & Sternwheeler Cruise
We’ll visit historic Gold Dredge 8 to learn about old gold mining methods and pan for gold ourselves!
After lunch at Discovery Landing, we board the Riverboat Discovery III for a narrated cruise. Aboard this sternwheeler, learn about life in Alaska’s Interior along the Chena River. Witness bush plane and sled dog demonstrations. Then, we’ll go ashore to view the recreated Athabascan settlement, learning about indigenous shelter and clothes.
Day 7 : Denali National Park
We travel to Denali where our adventure begins in Denali National Park, a six million acre wilderness. During our Tundra Wilderness Tour we will cross from the boreal forest onto the tundra; our driver guide provides commentary and insights into this rare ecosystem. Watch for bears, moose, caribou and Dall sheep while we also hope to spy majestic Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.
Our accommodations for the evening are in the Denali area.
Day 8 : Jet Boat Adventure
Feel the power of the glacially fed Susitna River as our jet boat driver navigates these turbulent waters into the wilderness. We step ashore to visit a Dena’ina Native Encampment and authentic trapper’s cabin. Our guide introduces us to wildflowers and plants once used for medicinal purposes.
While back on the boat, we'll look for views of Denali as we return to Talkeetna for the night.
Day 9 : Iditarod Trail HQ
Enjoy a leisurely start to day before we head out for the day, making our way back to Anchorage.
Our lunch at Settler's Bay Lodge affords breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains.
We visit the Iditarod Trail Headquarters where we learn about the iconic dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome. We’ll view an authentic checkpoint cabin and get a chance to explore.
We return to Anchorage for our last overnight.
Day 10 : Culture & Celebrations
Take time this morning to relax and reflect on the week’s adventures before our special Holiday Vacations Farewell Lunch where you can share memories with your fellow travelers and new friends.
This afternoon, visit the Anchorage Museum with displays of history, art, ecology, science, and ethnography.
Continue with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska’s indigenous peoples including housing, lifestyles, language, song, and dance. This evening we board our overnight flight back home.
Day 11 : Arrive Home
Travel home with unforgettable memories of our Alaskan adventure.
July 27th, 2021 - August 6th, 2021
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$5599
Single
$6899
Final Payment Date: 05/28/2021
WTVA TV Pickup Locations:
Columbus, MS - Quality Inn
Tupelo, MS - Walmart
After graduating from college at MTSU in 1978, Terry worked at the ABC affiliate in Chattanooga, WTVC-TV. He worked as a reporter/photographer, and anchor for about four years and then he opened a small business doing commercials. In 1983, he returned to work in television news at WTVA-TV in Tupelo, Mississippi as anchor, reporter, and news director. After 30 years, Terry retired and now has a company called Voice56Studios that produces voice overs, and video.
Terry is a member of the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, where he has also been given the privilege to teach a Sunday morning Bible Class. He helps with the production of the very well-known television Bible Program, Dayspring.
He is married to Beth Smith. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Join Terry and WTVA-TV viewers on this fabulous vacation!
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.