Posts Tagged ‘Explore Tours’

Photo: Tight shot of the giant Stikine River Delta on final approach to Wrangell, Alaska (Alaska #65 from Ketchikan). Explore Tours can arrange an adventure all the way up this river to Telegraph Creek, BC. Incredible. Do it! Heard over coffee: “Can I tell Henry you’ll make all of his Alaska arrangements?” Mm-hmm, here we are mid-winter and my wife is booking our guest room for July. And guess who gets to make the plans? That would be me. It’s an awesome responsibility. Luckily, my friends at Explore Tours have the answer.

Think about it: Isabelle, Crystal and the gang spend their days custom-designing adventures for travelers from around the world: tours, cruises, sightseeing, adventures. The works.

So, when I have friends who need a helping hand with their Alaska arrangements, I call Explore Tours. They have the buying power to get exclusive, low rates on Alaska Airlines and all the best lodges and activities around the state.

For example:

a. Check out the very best of Denali National Park with a visit to Kantishna, near the shores of Wonder Lake. V-e-r-y few visitors every go ALL the way to the end of the road. Fishing, flightseeing, gold-panning, exploring. It’s an incredible experience–without the crowds. Stay at Camp Denali from 4-8 days.

b. Knik River Lodge is close-up against the Knik Glacier in the Matanuska Valley. It’s a wild place–that you can drive to from Anchorage. Jet-boat rides, horseback tours, hiking. It’s WILD out there (but there’s free wi-fi).

c. Tutka Bay Lodge. Nestled along the shores of Kachemak Bay, you can count on some great meals featuring Alaska seafood, as well as some incredible adventures in the surrounding parklands.

Remember: Alaska is a big place. So let the professionals at Explore Tours take care of everything from Ketchikan to Nome–and everywhere in between! They have the knowledge, the expertise and the inspiration to put together the right trip for you–or your visiting friends and relatives!

Call them: (800)523-7405 or check the website for more details. www.exploretours.com

It’s time to get serious about saving money on travel. USTravel can help you–whether you’re headed to the Lower 48 or hosting visitors here in Alaska.

Anchorage-Minneapolis from $314rt (for travel through June 6)
Anchorage-New York City from $478rt
Anchorage-Hartford, CT from $478rt
Anchorage-Washington, DC from $488rt
Anchorage-Chicago from $488rt

Of course, your air fare is just the beginning. (more…)

I asked Explore Tours to find the cheapest ticket to Las Vegas from Anchorage. Their answer? “It’s cheaper if you take two nights at Harrah’s.”

Hunh? Cheaper to get more?

That’s the way it is these days. Here are three examples where it’s actually less money to take two nights’ hotel than air fare alone.

Hunh? Yep. You heard it correctly. It’s actually less-expensive to stay two nights. Here are some examples:

a. Anchorage-Las Vegas. Air alone= $1,432 for two.  Add two nights at Harrah’s and your price drops to $1,234 for two. That’s a savings of more than $200–just for adding the hotel. 

b. Anchorage-Phoenix air only=$1,376 for two. Add two nights at the Marriott and the price drops to $1,270 for two. That can go to your car rental–or for a couple of nice bottles of wine (or one v-e-r-y nice bottle) with dinner. 

c. Anchorage-Miami air only= $1,540 for two. Add two nights hotel and the price comes down to $1,440 for two. Not a bad deal.

EXTRA BONUS: Instead of the usual 14-21-day advance purchase, there is NO advance purchase with the package. So you could plan your departure this week!!

Check with our friends at USTravel and ask about the Explore Tours specials to these and other cities, including Seattle, Dallas and L.A. In Anchorage, call (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217 toll-free.