IJCNN 2017 Pre- and Post- Conference Tours

 

To enhance your networking experience and enable IJCNN participants to enjoy the beauty of Alaska we have coordinated with local tour companies to create these customized and discounted tours for you.  Please follow the links below to view the complete tour details and make reservations.  Please note that not all tour companies are equal!  We have worked with these vendors (and have been on their tours) and can attest to the quality of the product.  Feel free to reach out to Alison Watson or Marianne Van Wagner at inns@inns.org if you have any questions. 

Please use the links below for additional information on each tour and to make reservations at the IJCNN Group Rate!  Full description with dates, times and prices are below.

Click here for ALL tours.

 

26 Glacier Cruise

The 26 Glacier Cruise travels over 140 miles into Prince William Sound, coming face to face with towering glaciers and breathtaking Alaska scenery. Keep an eye out for wildlife during the cruise. It is common to find sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and other seabirds in Prince William Sound. Throughout the summer, we may also see migratory whales, black bears, and mountain goats. The 26 Glacier Cruise departs on the M/V Klondike Express, a beautiful 137' high-speed catamaran to view 26 named glaciers and much more along the way. Prince William Sound is bordered by the Chugach National Forest. Through our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, we have a U.S. Forest Service Ranger on board to share their knowledge of the pristine wilderness areas, glaciers, geology, history and wildlife we may encounter during the cruise.  A complimentary hot lunch is served shortly after departure. Complimentary ice water, hot tea, and coffee are available at self-serve stations throughout the cruise. Our exclusive "No Seasickness Guarantee" provides every guest comfort in knowing that we cruise calm, protected waters of Prince William Sound on a very stable catamaran, built specifically for cruising in Alaska's ice-filled waters. VALID FOR TRAVEL ON THE 26 GLACIER CRUISE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: MAY 12 - MAY 22, 2017. MUST BOOK PRIOR TO APRIL 16TH MAY 22 TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT.

26 GLACIER CRUISE - SELF DRIVE ITINERARY

The journey begins as you travel down the Seward Highway and enter the Portage Valley where the glaciers begin to appear. To reach Whittier, everyone must travel through North America's longest shared rail and vehicle tunnel. As you arrive in Whittier, the western gateway to Prince William Sound, our dock is located in the Cliffside Marina, just one mile from the exit of the tunnel. Please note the one-way tunnel operates on a timed schedule to enter Whittier at 30 minutes past the hour and is open on the top of the hour to depart Whittier.

17IJCNN Adult $134.00*, Child 2-11 $99.00, plus $19.95 tax/fees

Hop in the car and make it a road trip!
10:00 AM Depart Anchorage for drive to Whittier
10:45 AM Depart Girdwood for drive to Whittier
11:30 AM Tunnel opening ($13 tunnel fee, $5-$12 parking fee).
12:30 PM 26 Glacier Cruise (please be on board 20 minutes prior)
5:30 PM Return to Dock
6:00 PM Depart Whittier
7:30 PM Arrive Anchorage
*Tunnel fee and parking is not included.

26 GLACIER CRUISE AND COACH PACKAGE

17IJCNN Adult $194.00*, Child 2-11 $129.00, plus $19.95 tax/fees

Leave the driving to us and enjoy the cruise!
9:30 AM Depart Hotel Captain Cook by coach
10:30 AM Depart Alyeska Resort (Girdwood guests)
11:45 AM Arrive Whittier
12:30 PM 26 Glacier Cruise
5:45 PM Board coach for departing Whittier
7:30 PM Return to Anchorage
17IJCNN Special Rate Terms and Conditions

*Please reference 17IJCNN in the notes section when finalizing your reservation. The 17IJCNN rate will expire on April 16th MAY 22.  May not be combined with any other promotions or discounts. This special rate is not eligible for agency bookings. Reservations must be paid in full at time of reservation. Standard terms and cancellation policies apply. VALID FOR TRAVEL ON THE 26 GLACIER CRUISE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: MAY 12 - MAY 22, 2017.  MUST BOOK ONLINE BY 5:00 PM THE DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF TRAVEL TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT.

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Scenic City Tour

A lovely city tour highlighted by stunning city views from atop the Chugach Mountains!Start with a pickup from your hotel.  Then it’s off to the historic Port of Anchorage and Ship Creek area where our city was born. Here you’ll learn about Anchorage’s colorful pioneer history, our early tent city, what life was like here before the age of modern conveniences and how Anchorage got it’s name. Next we’ll travel past Bootleggers Cove, stopping for a visit to Earthquake Park where you’ll learn about the perils of living on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire” and see places where the ground liquefied and massive landslides occurred during the biggest earthquake in US History and 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded worldwide. Then we’ll visit Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world - watch some of Alaska’s finest bush pilots splashland and then take to the sky outbound for nearby wilderness areas. The Chugach Mountains are our last and finest stop. Here you’ll experience Anchorage from the place locals go for stunning vistas and beautiful sunsets.  Flat Top Scenic Overlook is home to many Alaskan animals including our favorite, here at Salmon Berry Tours, Alces alces gigas, otherwise known as the Giant or Alaska Moose!  A short walk to the overlook provides beautiful views of the city and the Chugach Mountains, where more snow falls than anywhere else in the world. Following your tour, your guide will drop you off the Anchorage Museum with your admission ticket and to  enjoy the rest of the day on your own. By having the time on your own at the museum, it allows you to focus on either the history, art, the Smithsonian Arctic Studies center, or the gift shop. Today’s special exhibit is ‘Alaskan’s Go to College: A Tumultuous History of College in the 49th State,’ presented by the Cook Inlet Tribal Society.

Retail:           $69 per person
Pickup:          12:30pm
Drop Off:       2:30pm
Included:       Anchorage Museum Entry, Snacks, Bottled Glacier Water

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Glacier Turn Tour*

Travel a stunning All-American Road along the mountain-lined coast of scenic Turnagain Arm! This is the spectacular Turnagain Arm tour, where some of the best scenery in Alaska resides.  We start the day off around noon by picking you up at your hotel and heading to Mt. Alyeska. The summit of Mt. Alyeska is almost 4,000 feet high and its slopes average 54 feet of snow every year. We’ll take a tram up to 2,280 ft and the viewing decks of the Roundhouse Museum. Weather permitting, we’ll see several glaciers from this viewpoint, as well as Turnagain Arm from the museum’s viewing decks. Then we’ll take the tram back down the mountain for lunch at our favorite eatery at the base of the Chugach mountains.  You’ll feast on the bottomless soup of the day, famous sourdough bread, and delicious desserts. A beverage is included.  Enjoy lunch family-style indoors, or outside among this place’s beautiful flowers. After an Alaska-sized lunch, we’ll travel on to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a rescue and rehabilitation organization for Alaska’s wild mammals. Here we’ll view grizzly bears, eagles, families of elk and bison, lynx and other furry friends. Up next it’s glaciers! We’ll get up close and personal with Portage Glacier on a 1-hour cruise across Portage Lake. An on-board naturalists will share interpretive facts and stories about the land, the local flora and fauna, and the beautiful glaciers of the Portage Valley. Together we’ll learn about glaciers and watch (and listen) to Portage Glacier, which once filled the entire valley and connected what are now five separate glaciers. Your captain aboard the MV Ptarmigan will take you to a safe distance from the edge of the glacier so you can experience its radiant hues and ancient power. 

Retail:           $199 per person
Pickup:         10:30am
Drop Off:       6:30pm
Included:       Aerial Tram Ticket, AWCC Entrance, Glacier Cruise Boarding Pass, Lunch

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Matanuska Glacier Walk

Try a local favorite! The Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier accessible by road at 27 miles in length.  Thousands of years old, this massive glacier is tucked up into the head of the Matanuska Valley.  You will spend over 2 hours directly on the glacier with a glacier guide by your side, learning how the Matanuska Glacier was born and how it shaped the landscape in the Matanuska Susitna Valley.  Explore blue meltwater pools, the ice formations and deep crevasses. Walking on ice is slippery fun, so our guests are equipped with a helmet, a walking stick and crampons that attach to your shoes.  We require our guests to bring sturdy footwear (hiking shoe, waterproof shoe, boot) and suggest that you bring an extra pair of socks.  Don't be surprised that your shoes get filthy dirty with glacial flour.  This glacial till is finely ground rock the glacier has created - it makes for great facials!  This tour does require walking for about 2 hours as we will be with our glacier guide outside for this period of time!  Our fully-guided transportation includes a pick up at your hotel in Anchorage as well as water and snacks in the touring vehicle.  We will also stop for lunch where we’ll overlook the glacier while enjoying some yummy Alaskan fare.

Retail:           $249 per person
Pickup:          8:30am
Drop Off:       6:00pm
Included:       Ice Gear, Lunch

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Choose Your Pre and Post Conference Adventure
Consider arriving into Anchorage before your conference begins or extend your stay after your conference ends so that you can explore more of what Alaska has to offer! At 663,300 square miles, The Last Frontier is home to five distinct Alaska Native cultures, eight National Parks, approximately 100,000 glaciers, over 3 million lakes, and an abundance of diverse wildlife. Select one of two itineraries that takes you off the beaten path and into either the coast of Alaska in Kenai Fjords National Park & Preserve or the backcountry of Denali National Park & Preserve. Whether you’re looking for wild encounters or calving glaciers, you’ll find what you’re looking for in these quintessential pre and post adventures!

Call for more details and to check availability as space is limited!

Reserve a multi-day itinerary now and receive a welcome survival kit!

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Sunrise Photo Safari (Pre Conference: May 13)

Rise and shine early this Saturday morning! Embark on a sunrise photographic expedition to one of the most historic and scenic locations in Southcentral Alaska. You'll leave Anchorage predawn and arrive in Whittier just in time for a sunrise hike in Portage Pass, a route forged by Alaska Natives eons ago, and traveled more recently by Russian fur traders and early settlers. Views along the way include a spectacular 360° panorama of Portage Glacier and Prince William Sound. This trip is for photography enthusiasts of all levels. It is led by an Alaskan, professional photographer guide who provides support and coaching along drive and in the field, as well and commentary on the natural history of the region.

Retail:           $665.75, based on 4 person tour minimum
Pickup:         4:00am
Drop Off:       3:00pm
Included:       Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, Lunch

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Rail and Sail (Pre or Post Conference)

Extend your Alaskan adventure with a rail and sail experience you won’t want to miss! Ride the historic Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class (upgrade to Gold Star Service available) from Anchorage to the port town of Seward where you’ll then cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park & Preserve to experience wildlife, glaciers, and breathtaking scenery! Unwind after an eventful day at a modern harbor front hotel! Your return journey will include fully guided highlights such as Exit Glacier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (200 acres of natural habitat for rescued land mammals), Alyeska Ski Resort for a tram ride 2,000ft to the top of Mt. Alyeska, and lunch at a local eatery for fresh soup, sourdough bread, and cinnamon rolls! Your guide will drop you off in Anchorage at either your hotel (pre conference) or the Anchorage Airport (post conference).

 

Rail & Sail (Pre Conference; May 12 - 13)

Friday, May 12
Anchorage to Seward via Alaska Railroad (6:45AM - 11:05AM)
Wildlife & Glacier Cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park & Preserve; Salmon & Prime Rib Buffet Included (11:30AM - 5:30PM)
Overnight Seward Harbor

Saturday, May 13
Continental Breakfast
Seward to Anchorage via Salmon Berry Tours; Exit Glacier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Mt. Alyeska Aerial Tramway, & Lunch Included (10AM - 5PM)
Anchorage Hotel Drop Off

Retail: $688.00 per person, based on double occupancy
Retail: $760.50, based on single occupancy

 

Rail & Sail (Post Conference; May 19 - 20)

Friday, May 19
Anchorage to Seward via Alaska Railroad (6:45AM - 11:05AM)
Wildlife & Glacier Cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park & Preserve; Salmon & Prime Rib Buffet Included (11:30AM - 5:30PM)
Overnight Seward Harbor

Saturday, May 20
Continental Breakfast
Seward to Anchorage via Salmon Berry Tours; Exit Glacier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Mt. Alyeska Aerial Tramway, & Lunch Included (10AM - 5PM)
Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport Drop Off

Retail: $721.75 per person, based on double occupancy
Retail: $827.75, based on single occupancy

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Railway to Wilderness (Post Conference: May 19 - 21)

Conclude your Alaskan adventure by extending your visit for an itinerary that won’t disappoint! Board the iconic Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class (upgrade to Gold Star Service available) from Anchorage to Denali National Park & Preserve! Begin your National Park experience with a dinner theater filled with Alaskan fare and festive fun in an authentic cabin. Your overnight accommodation is modern hotel perched on the bluffs near the Denali Park Entrance. Wake up early for a narrated bus tour 52 miles into Denali National Park for views of Mt. Denali (North America’s tallest peak) and the opportunity of seeing wildlife before returning to the Park Entrance for a night on your own. Your great Alaskan adventure comes to an end with return to Anchorage. Your motorcoach transportation will drop you off at the Anchorage Airport for your departure flight. Farewell from Alaska, and have safe travels home!

Friday, May 19
Anchorage to Denali via Alaska Railroad (8:15AM - 3:40PM)
Dinner Theater (6:30PM - 8:30PM)
Overnight Denali Park Entrance

Saturday, May 20
Wildlife Bus Tour into Denali National Park & Preserve; Snacks Included (7AM - 3PM)
Overnight Denali Park Entrance

Sunday, May 21
Denali to Anchorage via Motorcoach (7AM - 1:30PM)
Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport Drop Off

Retail: $795.25 per person, based on double occupancy
Retail: $1,037.25, based on single occupancy

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 *  If you have never been to Alaska and have limited time, we recommend the Glacier Turn Tour as it includes mountains, beautiful scenery, wildlife and glaciers.