HEART OF ALASKA TOURS are recommended for first time visitors, families and seniors who desire an overview trip. Each trip is customized to our guest's interest and energy. Daily activites vary with each group from light hiking on recreation trails to day long climbs and overnight camp outws. We travel by Custom Van, Railroad, Ocean Ferry and Bush Plane to experience a variety of Alaskan Adventures: Wildlife, Day Hikes, Fishing, Natural History and Magnificent Scenery, Native Culture and Relaxation. Accommodations are provided in our spacious and private Home in the wooded mountains above Anchorage and at our wilderness Rustic Log Cabin facilities deep in the Chugach National Forest. We travel throughout South-central Alaska including: Prince William Sound; Kenai Fjord National park; Chugach National National Forest; Denali National Park; Katmai State Park, Wrangle St. Elias National Park. Our personal experience and education will provide a wealth of natural, cultural, social and historical information. As professional educators Rick and Carolyn enjoy sharing with children, young people as well as Seniors.

Many factors influence the sequence of our daily event, such as the time of your arrival, weather, and statewide events. The following is a sample of our seven and ten day tours.

Day 1 - We will personally greet you as you step off your flight or ship. Upon you arrival we will travel to our home in the foothills above Anchorage. You can freshen up from your long flight After "settling in" we will venture into the Chugach State Park for an introduction and orientation to geography South-Central Alaska. High above town we can see Mt. McKinley-Denali to the North. To the West the snow capped mountains of the Alaska range provide the foundation of the Aleutian Chain. This mountain range extends sixteen hundred miles west of Anchorage to the shores of the Russian Far East. Of course we are on the lookout for wild game such as moose and sheep that frequent the area. They browse this alpine country during the early and mid summer. It is always our delight to introduce guests to the Alaska moose within hours of your arrival. For a spectacular (Midnight-Sun) vista, we can climb Flat Top mountain.

Day 2 After Carolyn's scrumptious breakfast we will pack up for our three to five day trip South. Turnagain Arm, Alyeska, Girdwood, Crow Pass and Portage Glacier are unknown names to you now. This summer they will become places of adventure and beauty. These historical, geographical sites provide many trail heads into the wilderness. We will take as much time as you need to enjoy and photograph them. Depending upon your energy we can cinch on our hiking shoes and venture into the luscious forests and onto the hanging Glaciers. Our evening accommodations will be at our forest cabins deep in the heart of the Chugach Mountains, near the historical gold mining town of Hope, Alaska. We have several log cabins for guests. Our large group cabin can sleep six while we reserve our "honeymoon" cabins located across the creek for our special couples. Meals are served in our cozy dinning room attached to our personal "A" frame cabin. Hot showers and modern restroom facilities make this a great wilderness headquarters.

Our cabins are only a few hundred yards away from the famous "Resurrection trail." There are many hiking and climbing opportunities for both day and overnight treks. Moose, Caribou, Brown and Black Bear, Sheep, Goats and Wolves inhabit the rich coast forest of the Chugach.

Day 3 Every visitor to South-Central Alaska must visit the Kenai Fjord National Park. Carolyn and I would not want you to miss this great tour. We will guide you to the port town of Seward and aboard the Kenai Coastal Tour Cruise ship for the day of Orca Whales, Otters, Sea Lions, and cascading glaciers.

Option: For those who choose to visit Homer, Alaska and Kachimack bay, or desire to take a day chasing 200 # salt water Halibut, this is the opportunity. We rent house apartments so that our group stays together in Homer. Main meals are enjoyed at local restaurants and lodges. We will provide continental breakfasts. Many of our clients remember their day excursion across Kachimak Bay to the artisan boardwalk community of Halibut Cove as one of the most memorable.

Day 4 After returning to Anchorage for fresh clothes we quickly travel North to the interior of Alaska. As we leave Anchorage, Mt. McKinley (newly named Mt. Denali) is the dominating feature on the Horizon. It is the tallest mountain in north America. Mt. Denali stands alone, five miles above the tundra floor. As a solitary mountain its individual masses make it one of the world's largest mountains.

Option: We utilize bush plane charters for local fly out fishing and sightseeing. Five different species of wild Pacific salmon run up the rivers of South-Central Alaska. Bush planes are specially equipped to land on the small beaches and gravel bars where the fishing is spectacular. We select our fishing locations by the time of season and type of salmon run during your stay.

Option: Bush plane charters will get you to the most remote areas. These glacier moraines and high mountain tundra plains are only accessible by plane. We use these landing areas to launch our best day hikes and mountain treks. Our established wilderness tent sites are selected to provide the best wildlife and wilderness experience. The best brown bear viewing is the salt water flats of Redoubt Bay and Chatachatna Flats. While flying along the western shore of Cook Inlet we will search out Eagles, Beluga Whales and Moose, Brown and Black Bears. When they are sighted we will attempt to find a suitable landing site within walking distance.

Option: The small community of Talkeetna is a regular stop. It is here that all the famous world mountaineers come each spring to climb Denali. Famous bush pilots still drop off climbers high on Ruth and Kahiltna Glacier. You to can fly with these bush pilots onto the mountain or sight seeing around the mountain. (costs not included in P.A.A. tour)

Day 5,6 The Denali National Park Service provide a daily shuttle service into the park. Prior booking for the shuttle service is limited to early clients. Other concessionaires provide wilderness bus tours through the park. Our accommodations will be at the park entrance. Numerous activities are available including the entertaining "Cabin Nights Dinner Show" as well as dog mushing exhibitions and white river rafting down the Nenana. We will provide one packaged tour into the park for those who wish to use the bus shuttle service or our following option.

Option: The Alaska mountain range sweeps both South and East of Mt. Denali. To the East the Denali highway winds through the high alpine country of the caribou, brown bear and wolves. This area is outside the National Park and therefore more accessible to the general public who wish to hike and climb the wondrous country. We guide our clients into the Denali wilderness.

Day 7 The return home is via the Alaska railroad that provides a Dome liner so travelers can bask in the Sun as they race above the trees and over the rivers back to Anchorage. This eight hour ride brings you home in just enough time to get ready for next day departure.

It will come so quickly. The day we say "good-bye" is always difficult. We will have shared so many new and thrilling experiences. Carolyn says it well when she tells our new friends "Once you come to Alaska, you never go quite all the way Home."

Prices are all inclusive from $350 per day.

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