Alaska Frontier

ALASKA THE FINAL FRONTIER 5 - 16 August 2023 ALASKA THE FINAL FRONTIER 5 - 16 August 2023 ALASKA THE FINAL FRONTIER 5 - 16 August 2023 ALASKA THE FINAL FRONTIER 5 - 16 August 2023 ALASKA THE FINAL FRONTIER 5 - 16 August 2023
Tour Summary

Our Alaska ‘The Last Frontier’ Conference offers a limited number of participants the most comprehensive land-based itinerary that any visitor to the region could wish for.

Unlike an Alaskan cruise journey, where you’re herded from one stop to another with thousands of other people, our Small Group Tour will be capped at no more than 30 participants.

We’ve partnered with local operators to create a travel and conference package that can’t be beaten.

Alaska is one of the world’s special places — full of exotic wildlife, magnificent mountains, glacier-carved valleys and steep, rocky coastlines. The area is home to the tallest mountains, the biggest glaciers, the most plentiful fishing and the wildest nature preserves on the North American continent.

You begin your all-inclusive itinerary with a Networking Welcome Dinner in Anchorage. It is Alaska’s largest city and offers the perfect balance between unrivalled Alaskan wilderness, soft-adventure activities, and the amenities visitors expect from a modern city.

Anchorage offers an eclectic mix of high-end eateries, both native and modern art galleries and a selection of world-class museums. Travel through pristine wilderness and stunning mountain views on your way to Denali National Park.

You will enjoy a Lodge stay — a true Alaskan experience at The Grande Denali Lodge on Sugarloaf Mountain with panoramic views of the surrounding Denali wilderness and the Nenana River Canyon. The Park is home to Dall sheep, grizzly bear, caribou, moose and Mt. Denali . . . the tallest mountain in North America.

Why Travel With Amaco Small Group Tours?

  • All Inclusive Travel Packages
  • Small Groups
  • Hand-picked Tours & Activities
  • 25+ Years Experience

Got a Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. One of our expert team is available and would be happy to answer any questions you have.

1300 668 149 or +61 3 9545 0906

info@amacotravel.com.au

You then head south to Girdwood and the famous Alyeska Resort. From here the Alaskan experience continues with the most Alaskan of activities — dog sledding.

The activity we have planned for you showcases these amazing creatures in the best possible way. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet and hear about the amazing Alaskan Huskies, you will learn the art of mushing and experience the strength and stamina required for dog sledding. Did we mention you’ll be arriving by helicopter, and dog sledding on a glacier?

Alaska is blessed with some of the best wilderness trails in North America. You’ll get to see them first hand from the back of a quad bike as you venture through the temperate forest of the Chugach range with an expert guide. You’ll be led through the maze of trails and across alpine meadows all the time keeping an eye out for the bears, moose and eagles who inhabit the area.

The exploration of this vast state continues when you board the Alaska Railroad Goldstar Coastal Train for an extraordinary journey south to Seward. Ranked by National Geographic Traveller as one of the Top Ten Train rides in North America, the train travels through wilderness areas, winding around bends and offering one breathtaking view after another.

If everything described above isn’t enough to entice you to join us, then the inclusion of a day cruise in Resurrection Bay through Kenai Fjords National Park will surely help. Watch for humpback and killer whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, puffins and many other types of marine birds during your cruise.

You’ll also be part of a VIP tour of the Alaska Native Heritage Centre to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the many native peoples of Alaska.

If bear viewing is your sole reason for joining us then you will not be disappointed.

The itinerary has a whole day built purely around visiting the remote Alaska Bear Viewing Camp. This camp provides you with the greatest possible opportunity to view these amazing creatures in what many believe is the region’s most rugged, remote and incredibly beautiful wilderness. Accessible only by seaplane, you will fly over towering mountains and glaciers landing directly on the shoreline in front of the camp.

The itinerary also allows you to spend some time at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre where you can view indigenous wildlife including the eagle, Sitka blacktail deer, elk, arctic musk ox, wood bison and more. From there it is only a short journey to Whittier where we will board a catamaran-style cruise boat for a sightseeing adventure on Prince William Sound.

Enhancing the many activities and tours included in our itinerary and adding further to the already exceptional value already offered is the inclusion of deluxe accommodation as well as all breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

We hope you can join us in Alaska in August 2023.

Places are limited to just 30 participants. Secure your place by registering today or you will miss out!

Destination

Anchorage Alaska

Duration

12 Days / 11 Nights

Value For Money

All Inclusive Tour Package

Start & End Location

Anchorage, Alaska

Start Date & Time

5th August 2023

End Date & Time

16th August 2023

Registration Fees

Conference Participant: $995 pp
Non-Conference Participant: $795 pp

Travel Packages

Amaco Family Price (for previous Amaco Conference Participants): $16,995pp

Early Bird Price (if booked on or before 31 December 2022): $17,495pp

Standard Price (if booked on or after 1 January 2023): $17,995pp

Alaska Single Supplement (if travelling alone): $4,995

Note: We will honour original pricing for participants who were booked on our Alaska Small Group Tour originally scheduled to depart in 2020.

Travel Package Inclusions

  • 5 x nights accommodation at Downtown Marriott Anchorage (5, 9, 10, 11 & 12 Aug 2023)
  • 3 x nights accommodation at Grande Denali Lodge (6, 7, 8 Aug 2023)
  • 3 x nights accommodation at The Alyeska Resort Girdwood (13, 14, 15 Aug 2023)
  • 11 x Breakfasts, 10 x Lunches, 11 x Dinners
  • Denali National Park Tour
  • Denali Rafting / Scenic Float Excursion
  • Kenai Fjords Resurretion Bay Wilderness Cruise
  • Alaska Railroad Goldstar Coastal Train
  • Sea Plane roundtrip Scenic Flight – Lake Hood to Redoubt Bay
  • Fox Island Landing
  • Black and Brown Bear Viewing at Redoubt Bay
  • ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour
  • Helicopter Tour and Glacier Landing
  • Dog Sledding Ride
  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre
  • Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise
  • Mt Alyeska Aerial Tram Pass

Gold Amaco Standard Inclusions

  • Airport transfer as detailed in the itinerary for group arrivals and departures
  • Beverages with all included lunches and dinners (alcoholic beverages where permitted)
  • Services of specialist guides throughout
  • All applicable entrance fees, taxes and porterage
  • Amaco staff escort
  • Hassle free luggage management
  • Tips to drivers, guides and Alaskan staff

Package Excludes

  • International airfares to and from the conference
  • Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, mini bar, room service, laundry and business communications
  • Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
  • Travel, optional tours & excursions not included in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Pre-Tour Covid testing (if required)
Itinerary

Day 1 - 5th August 2023 Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska

On arrival at Anchorage Airport, you will be met by Amaco staff and our local operators and assisted with luggage before transferring to our hotel. Following check-in at the hotel, you are free to relax in your room or begin enjoying the area surrounding the hotel.

A relaxed Welcome dinner takes place this evening at one of Anchorage’s most popular restaurants. During the dinner, you will have the opportunity to meet other participants and their partners as well as your Amaco host.

Overnight: Downtown Marriott Hotel Anchorage
Included Meals: Welcome Networking Dinner

Day 2 - 6th August 2023Anchorage, Talkeetna & Denali

Conference Sessions 1 & 2 will take place this morning followed by lunch at the hotel.

After lunch, you will depart for Denali National Park with a stop in the historic town of Talkeetna. Continue on and arrive at The Grande Denali Lodge.

Enjoy Dinner at the Lodge this evening.

Overnight: The Grande Denali Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - 7th August 2023Denali National Park

After breakfast head for a day’s guided adventure in Denali National Park. The park is home to Dall sheep, grizzly bears, caribou, moose and Mt. Denali. You will stop at major landmarks including Igloo Mountain, Polychrome Pass and Toklat River.

Try your luck at gold panning at Moose Creek, lunch at the Denali Backcountry Lodge and explore the historic grounds. Meander back to your lodge in the afternoon.

Dinner at a local restaurant this evening taking in the most breathtaking wilderness in Alaska.

Overnight: The Grande Denali Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - 8th August 2023Denali

Conference Sessions 3 & 4 will take place this morning.

Following lunch at the hotel, you will take a scenic float trip near the entrance of Denali National Park on the Nenana River. Late afternoon enjoy a performance of the Music of Denali, a live show telling the story of the first adventurous men to summit Mt. Denali.

Conclude the evening with an Alaskan family-style dinner, enjoying Alaskan smokehouse BBQ and many more Alaskan local specialties.

Overnight: The Grande Denali Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - 9th August 2023Denali to Anchorage

Today you leave Denali behind and head south back to Anchorage.

You’ll stop for lunch in Talkeetna, a renowned historic end-of-the-road Alaskan town located at the base of Mt McKinley.

You’ll arrive back in Anchorage late afternoon in time for dinner overlooking the Port of Anchorage and Cook Inlet.

Overnight: Downtown Marriott Hotel Anchorage
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - 10th August 2023Kenai Fjords National Park and Seward

Today you’ll head to Seward and board a smooth sailing catamaran for an up-close encounter within the Kenai Fjords National Park.

The Gulf of Alaska brings a constant influx of nutrients into the bay, making it an extremely fertile feeding ground for many species of marine wildlife. Sea otters and whales, doll porpoises, puffins and unique geological formations are all on the agenda today.

You’ll then board the Alaska Railroad Goldstar Coastal Train for an extraordinary journey back to Anchorage. Ranked by National Geographic Traveller as one of the Top Ten Train Rides in the North
America, the train veers away from the busy road and heads into the wilderness, winding through one scenic stretch after another. You’ll enjoy a lovely three-course dinner on board the train taking
in the views in your glass dome carriage.

Overnight: Downtown Marriott Hotel Anchorage
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - 11th August 2023Redoubt Bay

Prepare yourself for the wildlife experience of a lifetime today.

Your adventure begins with a seaplane sightseeing flight from Lake Hood, the world’s largest seaplane base to Redoubt Bay — home to one of the most concentrated and viewable bear populations in Alaska.

Redoubt Bay itself is a beautiful glacial carved inlet with steep walls dropping into deep, dark ocean waters teeming with whales, seals and sea otters. Overhead bald eagles perch on the forested hillsides and the head of the bay is dotted with waterfalls and streams.

Your bear viewing experience is from a covered pontoon boat where experienced naturalist guides will guide you through the chain of Big River Lakes and popular Black and Brown Bear feeding sites. Lunch will be hosted in a remote wilderness lodge.

Return to Anchorage with some free time before dinner at a local downtown restaurant.

Overnight: Downtown Marriott Hotel Anchorage
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - 12th August 2023Anchorage Region

Today it’s time to explore like a local Alaskan!

You’ll head to the backcountry trails on a quad bike for a wildlife view experience with a difference. Your guide will point out local wildlife and guide you through the trails with the soaring glaciers as a backdrop.

Enjoy a riverside hot lunch before heading back to the hotel. The remaining afternoon is at your leisure before you head out to Anchorage downtown for dinner.

Overnight: Downtown Marriott Hotel Anchorage
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - 13th August 2023Anchorage to Girdwood

Conference Sessions 5 & 6 will take place this morning followed by lunch at the hotel.

After lunch, you will depart Anchorage and head to Girdwood. This glacier town sits tucked amid the Chugach Mountains and has a backdrop of stunning glaciers. The contemporary alpine style resort of Alyeska will be home for the next 3 nights.

Dinner this evening is an authentic Alaskan dining experience. You will be welcomed into the stunning home of a local Alaskan and enjoy an amazing home-cooked meal featuring Alaskan specialties.

Overnight: The Alyeska Resort Girdwood
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - 14th August 2023Girdwood Area

Ready yourself for some Alaskan dog sledding today!

Begin your morning with an exhilarating scenic flight above the Chugach Mountains, landing at Punchbowl Glacier, 3200 feet above sea level.

Meet the athletes of the Iditarod veteran’s kennel, the Alaskan Huskies and their pups before hopping on board as you enjoy a dog sledding experience on the glacier — surrounded by scenic peaks and valleys. You’ll learn how the dogs are trained to pull the sled, how they have everlasting endurance and how they possess an inherent drive to run. Dog sledding with Alaskan Huskies is such a large part of Alaskan life and history, a wonderful memory to take back home.

Return to Girdwood for lunch. The afternoon is free so you can explore the small mountain town.

You’ll be heading to 1896 and the heady Gold Rush days of Alaska for dinner at the Crow Creek Mine. After an exclusive tour of the historic gold mine, you’ll enjoy dinner before heading back to the resort.

Overnight: The Alyeska Resort Girdwood
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11- 15th August 2023Prince William Sound

Your first stop today is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre, an educational and rehabilitation facility for orphaned and injured Alaskan wildlife. Your guide will provide a narrated drive through tour of the park where you will have the opportunity to witness indigenous wildlife including, Elk, Musk Ox, Bald Eagles, Black and Brown Bears, Wood Bison and Black Tail Deer. You will have free time to walk around at your leisure before leaving the park and heading through the Chugach Mountain Range to the port town of Whittier.

In Whittier, you will board a catamaran to explore the massive glaciers, dense spruce forests and the abundant wildlife of Prince William Sound. The final stop on the cruise is Surprise Glacier, one of the most active in the sound. Don’t be surprised if you hear a rumbling sound as massive chunks of glacial ice plummet into the ocean.

After you disembark you will be transported back to Alyeska Resort to enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the award-winning mountaintop luxury restaurant, Seven Glaciers at Alyeska.

Overnight: The Alyeska Resort Girdwood
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - 16th August 2023Girdwood to Anchorage

The ‘Alaska ‘The Last Frontier’’ itinerary ends today. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Anchorage or the airport for your onward journey.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel Options & Extensions

Given everything that has happened in the travel industry of late – you’re correct to be vigilant about where you spend your travel dollar.

Amaco is not only a member of AFTA, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents but we are also ATAS Travel Accredited. This means we have met strict industry standards and criteria. Only the best industry agents achieve this accreditation meaning that you can travel with us knowing that you’re in safe and capable hands.

Amaco is also a member of CATO, the Council of Australian Tour Operators and as such is a signatory to their code of conduct that ensures the greatest possible integrity in advertising and delivery of high-quality travel experiences.

With over 25 years’ experience in planning and running conferences, we understand that participants often want to add additional travel destinations and adventures either before or after the all-inclusive packages we provide.

Other operators might discourage you from doing this. Sometimes, it’s because of the added complexity it creates and at other times they’ll try to talk you out of it simply because they don’t have capable or experienced staff with the breadth and depth of knowledge of the advisors we employ.

Australia is such a long way from many of the places we conference in – so we encourage all participants to make the most of the time away. This might mean departing earlier than the rest of the group and visiting other destinations before meeting up with the main group at the conference or staying on at the conclusion and doing some additional travel.

Either way – our travel advisors are perfectly positioned to assist you with making these arrangements and will do all the hard work for you – seamlessly combining your personalised itinerary with the group program.

CAN I BOOK MY OWN FLIGHTS?

Yes… not a problem. We understand that people may have a preferred Travel Agent they want to use and we don’t have any issues with you doing so. We’ll advise you of suggested arrival and departure times to allow you to make use of our group transfers.

That said though… we do have experiences consultants who are ready and waiting to help… even if that means just giving you a comparison price – nothing wrong with some competition.

We do ask for a copy of your itinerary so that we can double-check it to ensure that it fits with our program and group itinerary.

One word of warning, however, when booking flights independently – as the non-ticketing Agent we’re not notified of any changes or cancellations to your booking. If anything changes with your booking, it will be up to your agent to contact you and then for you to contact us.

It is also worth pointing out that even though we’ll have experienced staff members escorting the group during the conference, as the non-ticketing Agent we are unable to make contact or deal with the airline on your behalf.

CAN I CHOOSE MY OWN CLASS OF TRAVEL?

We used to include flights in our travel package but found that in many cases the fares were more expensive than the best available daily fares or were not applicable for people who were looking to extend pre or post the main conference travel dates.

We also felt it was unfair on you, as a participant, to unknowingly pay a premium for a more flexible group fare when you are already committed to attending the conference.

By not including the airfare in the package, you are able to work with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Travel Consultants to arrange flights on any airline and from any destination depending on your preferences…. including the class of travel.

CAN I VISIT OTHER DESTINATIONS BEFORE OR AFTER THE CONFERENCE?

In short….. Yes!

You’re encouraged to talk to our experienced travel consultants to learn more about the options open to you either before or after the conference itineraries. We will gladly work with you to put together a personalised itinerary that can include as much or as little as you want.

We believe it is important for your own peace of mind to know that our consultants are all employed directly by Amaco Small Group Tours and are located in our office.

We don’t subcontract out the travel to a third party which means you can be comfortable knowing that whatever arrangements you make through Amaco will be tied together with the conference program to make one continuous, seamless travel itinerary. We’ll put as much care and effort into your extension as we put into the planning of the conference.

Whether it is simply booking some airport transfers with a couple of nights accommodation through to more elaborate arrangements we are perfectly positioned to incorporate any individual travel plans into your overall conference itinerary.

Email or call us so we can put together your perfect itinerary.

WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Much has been said about the value of travel insurance – especially given the broad-based exclusion policies many underwriters have in place which protects them from claims resulting from pandemics and epidemics.

Amaco provides travel insurance from some of the most reputable companies in the industry including Cover-More, SureSave and AussieTravelCover – and always at competitive rates. Over the last few months, there have been a number of enhancements to the policies available which many of the credit card policies do not include.

Please call our office and we will gladly work with you to obtain a quote from any or all of our insurance suppliers.

Education

Amaco is an Accredited Education Provider for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine.

Each conference we run includes an education syllabus that assists GP’s, pharmacists and health professionals to improve the quality of care they provide to patients and customers while at the same time providing them the opportunity to travel to and experience new and exciting destinations.

Our conference to Alaska will allow delegates the opportunity to earn CPD points based on the content and time in session. As has been the case with past conferences, we will work closely with participants affiliated with other associations to ensure that they receive maximum recognition for attending the conference.

The content of the education sessions will be relevant to GPs, Medical Specialists, Pharmacists, Dentists, Nurses and other health providers. We encourage all attendees to register for the conference sessions.

The Education Committee for the Alaska Conference will be selected in mid-2022 with final conference topics to be chosen based on the feedback from our previous conference attendees and with input from the RACGP, ACRRM and Medical Journals. Suitable speakers will be approached based on the topics selected.

Subject to final accreditation, the Alaska Conference will include an Accredited Education Activity (formerly Category 1 Activity) affording delegates the opportunity to earn up to 40 points.

ACRRM members can also expect the education program to be accredited and to earn CPD points. RACGP and ACRRM accreditation will be applied for under the triennium 2023 to 2025.

As has been the case in the past, Amaco will work with pharmacy bodies and those affiliated with other associations to ensure that they receive maximum recognition for attending the conference.

We welcome applications from potential presenters and encourage anyone interested to contact us to obtain further information.

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