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TRS | NHPBS Alaska 2025

Traveler's Resource Website

with Willem Lange

ANCHORAGE - SEWARD

MAY 21 - 28, 2025

800.624.0166 | [email protected] | www.americanexpeditions.net

To register for the tour and to access your payment account click the button below.

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Updated on 10.2.24



We look forward to providing you with helpful information through your group’s custom Traveler's Resource Site in the months leading up to your departure. Hopefully, this site's features will make anticipating your trip even more exciting! Visit your site often to view your daily itinerary as it evolves, including hotel and flight details details, to read about the places you will visit, access links to destination-specific content, get advice on what to pack, and much more.

For quick access to any section of this website please click on the three bars in the upper left corner to access the drop-down index.

Your Traveler's Resource Site also offers convenient access to our web payment portal, where you can make your tour payments, view previous payments, and see upcoming payment dates.


Discover Alaska with NHPBS!

New Hampshire PBS and American Expeditions invite you to explore Alaska! Travel on the journey of a lifetime to this expansive, beautiful state with thousands of years of rich history. Take in Alaska's incredible natural landscapes, unique culture, and fascinating history starting in Anchorage, continuing on to Seward, a launchpad for exploring Kenai Fjords National Park, and returning from Anchorage with a stop in Talkeetna, Denali's unique mountain town.

Alaska is the largest state, in area, of the United States and was admitted to the union as the 49th state in 1959; it is America’s Last Frontier. Alaska is rich in history, with people inhabiting the area since 10,000 BC and rich in gold, with the Klondike Gold Rush sending close to 10,000 prospectors to the remote region of the Yukon in hopes of hitting it big in the late 1800s.

A state of extremes, Alaska homes 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States with Denali being the tallest mountain in North America. It also experiences the Midnight Sun during the summer months, with some areas of Northern Alaska experiencing 24 hours of sunlight. In comparison, some remote places in Alaska experience up to 2 months of winter darkness.

Alaska is a state that is best explored in person! Gain a firsthand experience of this state’s rich history, dramatic landscape, raw wildlife, and welcoming people.

Discover local traditions with knowledgeable guides and forge friendships with fellow travelers, all while supporting New Hampshire PBS!

Table of Contents


  • Daily Itinerary
  • Tour Inclusions
  • Tour Package Prices
  • Payment Account Portal
  • Travel Tips
  • Health & Wellness Travel Tips
  • Useful Resources
  • Social Media
  • Destination Video
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • American Expeditions Contact Information

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Wednesday, May 21

DEPART FOR ALASKA

The NHPBS tour of Alaska starts with a flight from Boston to Anchorage. Refer to your AE tour handbook for tips on making the journey smooth and comfortable.

7:00a Depart Boston Logan on Alaska Airlines #459.

10:23a Arrive in Seattle and transfer to your flight to Anchorage.

2:30p Depart Seattle on Alaska Airlines #131.

5:07p Arrive in Anchorage.

Welcome to Alaska! Your American Expeditions tour manager will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals area of Anchorage International Airport.

Head to your centrally located hotel in Anchorage. Tonight, the NHPBS Discover Alaska Tour with Willem Lange kicks off with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.


DAY 2 | Thursday, May 22

SIGHTSEEING IN ANCHORAGE | BIRD SANCTUARY

Enjoy waking up to your first full day in beautiful Alaska with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

Board your deluxe motorcoach for a city tour, including Historic Downtown Anchorage, Lake Hood, the world’s busiest seaplane base, and Earthquake Park.

After, enjoy a visit to Potter Marsh, a bird sanctuary and listen to a local speaker tell you about the wildlife and birds that migrate to Alaska.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore Anchorage on your own. Perhaps visit the Alaska Botanical Gardens, as Alaska’s spring flora bloom in the extended daylight visit to Anchorage's midtown and take a stroll down this bustling neighborhood filled with quaint shops and cafes. If you're feeling adventurous, head out on a flightseeing adventure to get a bird's eye view of wilderness and the glaciers.



DAY 3 | Friday, May 23

DAY EXCURSION TO TALKEETNA

Today, transfer to the Anchorage Rail Depot where you board the deluxe dome rail to the community of Talkeetna. Glass-dome ceilings allow for panoramic views as Alaska unfolds along the tracks, and you have access to a unique outdoor viewing platform to take spectacular photos.

Talkeetna served as a supply station for miners in the early years of the 20th century and later became the headquarters for the Alaska Railroad engineers who built the railroad route north to the Tanana River. The town was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1993 and has served as a staging area for Mt. McKinley climbers for years.

Breakfast is served on board the rails. Upon arrival in Talkeetna, enjoy exploring the quaint town, where there is a museum and gift shops, Talkeetna Ranger Station if it’s open for the summer season and more. In the late afternoon, board your private motor coach and head back south to Anchorage.



DAY 4 | Saturday, May 24

ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER | MUSK OX FARM | SLED DOG KENNEL

After breakfast this morning, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska’s Indigenous People and Cultures.

This afternoon, travel north to the Matanuska Valley where you will visit the Musk Ox Farm to learn about these prehistoric animals. Then continue to a local sled dog kennel to learn about the "Last Great Race" and how to train and care for the stars of the team, the dogs.

This evening, enjoy dinner together with the group.



DAY 5 | Sunday, May 25

WHITTIER GLACIER & WILDLIFE CRUISE

Today, NHPBS will take an excursion to Whittier. Drive the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles in length! This unique one-lane tunnel, shared by both cars and trains, is the only way to get to Whittier via land and it is an engineering feat not to be missed. Upon arrival in Whitter, hop aboard the Glacier & Wildlife Cruise and explore the stunning Prince William Sound in the afternoon. A light lunch is served on the cruise.

The cruise takes you from Whittier to Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deep-water fjord where two tidewater glaciers and several alpine glaciers await. The dense spruce forest provides a dark-green backdrop for the white spray of waterfalls stemming from the eight glaciers that hug the mountain peaks along the route. Cruise the calm waters of the Sound and enjoy narration by a Chugach National Forest Service Ranger as the boat grants you an up-close look at these towering glaciers. Be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife; this area is abundant with whales, bald eagles, and sea otters.

Return to the hotel in Anchorage this evening and rest up for the following day's adventures.


DAY 6 | Monday, May 26

ANCHORAGE - SEWARD

Following breakfast at the hotel, check out and board your coach as you head south today to the coastal community of Seward, a fishing town at the Southern edge of the Kenai Peninsula.

Board your motorcoach and begin your journey to Seward. Time permitting, a visit to the Alaska Aviation Museum may be arranged, with four hangers of exhibitions and vintage aircrafts you learn about the history and importance of aviation in Alaska from a local bush pilot.

Continue your touring with a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where you'll get an up-close view of some of the state's unique creatures. The Alaskan Wildlife Conversation Center's mission is to preserve Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, research, education and quality animal rehabilitation. The center, which opened to the public in 1993, also educates visitors about Alaska's wildlife.

Continue on to Seward and check in to your hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel or nearby.



DAY 7 | Tuesday, May 27

CRUISING IN KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast this morning, board your marine vessel and cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai Fjords National Park is renowned for its stunning coastal landscapes, fjords, and abundant wildlife. See massive tidewater glaciers such as Aialik and Holgate Glacier. Keep an eye out for marine wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, seals, puffins, and seabirds. Carved by glaciers, the fjords offer breathtaking views of steep cliffs and lush forests. A light lunch will be served on board.

Tonight, we'll have our farewell dinner at a restaurant near the hotel and reflect on our adventures together.


DAY 8 | Wednesday, May 28

RETURN HOME

This morning, check out of your hotel and depart for Anchorage International Airport.

The NHPBS Discover Alaska with Willem Lange ends with an overnight flight from Anchorage back to Boston. Heartfelt goodbyes are exchanged at the airport, and your group is sent off with a fond, “Farewell - until we meet again!”

4:00p Depart Anchorage on Alaska Airlines #254.

8:28p Arrive in Seattle and transfer to your flight to Boston.

10:15p Depart on Alaska Airlines #536.

6:41a* (+1 May 29) Arrive in Boston on Thursday, May 29.

*Some visits are weather-dependent and may not allow for full visitation due to weather/accessibility issues.

**Flight schedule is subject to change.



Your Tour INCLUDES:

FLIGHTS - professionally managed with group airfare 

  •  Roundtrip flights from Boston to Anchorage

Our flight team handles custom flight requests and upgrades.

ACCOMMODATIONS - thoughtfully selected to match group needs

7 nights in 4 star hotels, as follows:

  • 5 nights in Anchorage
  • 2 nights in Seward

MEALS - varied, flavorful, and highlighting local cuisine

Breakfast served daily at your hotel.

Two lunches, served as follows:

  • Light lunch on Glacier & Wildlife Cruise
  • Light lunch on Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Three dinners, served as follows:

  • Welcome dinner at hotel in Anchorage
  • Dinner in Anchorage
  • Farewell dinner in Seward

Additional meals can be arranged upon request. 

ACTIVITIES + TOURS + ENTRANCES - handpicked for your travelers 

Experience fabulous sightseeing with our entertaining and informative guides:  

  • City Tour of Anchorage
  • Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary
  • Glacier & Wildlife Cruise on Prince William Sound, Whittier
  • Excursion to Talkeetna by Train
  • Alaska Native Heritage Center
  • Visit to Musk Ox Farm & Dog Sled Kennel
  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  • Cruise in Kenai Fjord National Park

TOUR MANAGER to handle on-the-road logistics 

To accompany your group every step of the way from arrival through departure, you will have an American Expeditions full-time Tour Manager and local Alaskan Tour Guides along the way. Our beloved tour managers assist with:

  • Greeting and gathering the group upon arrival
  • Expediting hotel check-ins and check-outs
  • Liaising with reception desks, coach drivers, and guides
  • Directing on-site entrances and activities, handling tickets and vouchers
  • Keeping each day well-paced
  • Sharing cultural and historical content and interpreting local customs
  • Sending everyone home with fond memories & hopes to travel together again soon!

TRANSPORTATION in a private, modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver 

For all services specified in your itinerary.

INSURANCE that covers our commitment to you

American Expeditions, Inc. holds $5,000,000.00 of Travel Agent and Tour Operator Professional Liability Insurance.  

TOUR ENHANCEMENT MATERIALS to help plan, promote, and prepare for your tour

  • A customized Tour Handbook with hourly itinerary, packing tips and lists, practical “Things to Know”, destination background, and other fun content. This printed booklet is provided for each traveler about a month before departure.  
  • A luggage tag, passport/document holder, and outlet adaptor for each traveler is also included. 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONS SERVICE goes beyond logistics 

  • A unique opportunity to make lifelong friends through travel and pilgrimage!  When we bring groups together, friendships develop that frequently extend to years of heartfelt reunions on tours we plan around the world.   
  • You are in good hands! We’ve got 30+ years’ experience arranging custom cultural and special interest tours, performance tours, and festivals for choirs, bands, and orchestras.
  • Our American Expeditions team is the best in the business! We are paddlers, musicians, teachers, event planners, parents, performers, volunteers, travelers, linguists, athletes, and more, from many countries, sharing our expertise at producing great tour experiences.

CONVENIENT ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM 

American Expeditions has a secure, password-protected, online payment site where tour members register and pay for their tour in increments. Reminders and statements are sent electronically.  

TOUR PACKAGE PRICES you can rely on

LAND PACKAGE PRICES:

  • $6,380.00 per person based on double occupancy, minimum of 20 paying travelers


AIRFARE:

  • $1,059.00 per person

This price includes flight taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change until tickets are issued. If flight taxes or fuel surcharges change before tickets are issued, your invoice will be adjusted accordingly.


TOTAL LAND & AIR:

  • $7,439.00 per person based on double occupancy, minimum of 20 paying travelers


OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL SERVICES:

  • Single Supplement $1,184.00 per person

Your tour includes everything above. Here’s what’s not included: 

Passport, official ID, visa or other required travel documents | Immunizations | Fees for extra, oversize or overweight baggage | Luggage handling at airports and hotels | Transportation of oversized instruments | Meeting room | Meals, entrance fees, and coach transfers not mentioned above | Drinks with meals unless specified | Gratuities for tour managers, local guides, hotel staff | Travel insurance (additional information on insurance can be provided).

Please let us know if you would like any of these items added to your tour.

TRAVEL PROTECTION is recommended!

American Expeditions recommends purchasing a travel protection plan through Travel Insured.  This link is also available online via your Traveler's Resource Site. Please review coverage options very carefully and contact Travel Insured Inc. directly with any insurance-related questions.

Payment Account

Please set up your payment account in order to register for your tour.


Travel Tips


Health & Wellness Travel Tips


Our first priority is each traveler’s health and safety while on tour. In order to support that goal, we encourage our travelers to be fully vaccinated prior to travel.  It is not possible to socially distance during a group tour and masking on the motorcoach will not be enforced unless local rules necessitate it.

Here are some additional tips to keep you healthy and happy while on tour.




Useful Resources


Custom Flight Request

Once confirmed, your group’s current flight details will be listed in your itinerary above.

Custom flights are defined here as any flight arrangements differing from the group (this includes one-way travel, upgrades, different dates, or different cities). If you plan to book flights yourself, or if you plan to book flights yourself using miles, please do so independently.


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Recommended Reading

MCI has partnered with Bridgeside Books, an independent bookshop local to us here in Vermont, that has drawn on their expertise to compile specially selected book recommendations for this tour.

Ordering through the link below supports a small business and ensures you get quality books shipped directly to you to further enhance your travel experience!

Happy Reading!






Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to your Traveler’s Resource Site! Here at American Expeditions, we are committed to bringing you the travel experience of a lifetime! As you get excited and begin making plans for your upcoming trip, here are some helpful resources and information to guide you.

In this section you will find answers to frequently asked questions on the following topics:

  • General (Includes questions about the itinerary, dietary restrictions, mobility restrictions, and package prices)
  • Hotels and Rooming Arrangements
  • Flights
  • Using the Web Payment System
  • Special Payment Arrangements
  • Travel Insurance
  • Cancellations/Terms & Conditions
  • The Help Desk


TOLL FREE 800-624-0166 • TEL 802-862-2200 • FAX 802-862-2251 119 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401 USA americanexpeditions.net[email protected] FOLLOW US • FB: @americanexpeditionstours | IG: @americanexpeditions

photo location - our home in Burlington, Vermont