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TRIP NOTES

Alaska Salmon Run20 days | Starts/Ends: Anchorage

Alaska Salmon Run - 20 days updated on 18-05-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

These Trip Notes have been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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See the best of Alaska on this

incredible 20 day adventure which

starts and ends in Anchorage.

Cruise alongside orcas, humpbacks

and sealions in Seward and hike

glaciers, trail blaze in Denali

National Park and spot bears

catching salmon in Valdez. Sea

kayak through icebergs, camp

in the Alaska's wilderness under

a spectacular blanket of stars,

explore Wrangell/St. Elias National

Park and more.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Anchorage - exploring this lively city in the

heart of the wilderness, which is home toalmost 50% of Alaska's population

• Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park -cruising alongside orcas, humpbacks andsealions and hiking the Exit Glaciar

• Homer - camping on Homer spit withvolcanic views

• Seldovia - sea kayaking around Seldovia Bay• Hope - visiting Alaska's first Goldrush Town,

overlooking Cook Inlet• Denali National Park - spotting incredible

flora and fauna including bears, wolves,moose and caribou

• Maclaren Glaciar - camping in thewilderness near the glaciar under a blanketof stars

• Wrangell-St Elias National Park - enjoyingoptional activities such as ice climbing,rafting and glacier hikes, in North America'slargest national park

• Valdez - enjoying the scenic waterfront,spotting bears catching salmon andoptional sea kayaking among glaciers

What's Included• 17 nights camping, 2 nights hostel• 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 15 dinners• Touring in a fully equipped overland

vehicle - with high quality 4 person tents(sleeping only 2), camp chairs and cookingequipment

• Denali National Park wildlife buses to ToklatRiver and Eielsen Visitor Center (2 days)

• Maclaren Lodge/Wilderness Glacier camp• Boat and canoe trips on the Maclaren River• Hikes in Denali NP, Wrangell-St. Elias NP,

Seward and Valdez• Kenai Fjords NP wildlife cruise and calving

glacier - Resurrection Bay Tour includinglunch on boat

• Two-night stay at Adventure Luxury Camp– lodging and all meals including salmondinner

• Half Day Sea Kayaking at the AdventureCamp

• Entrance fees to national parks andmonuments

• Escorted by two trained/commerciallycertified leaders/drivers

What's Not Included• Airport transfers• Flights and visas• Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Local PaymentUSD $1300

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : AnchorageWelcome to the largest city of Alaska, mostoften thought of as the state's capital. Startoff your vacation flying into stunning sceneryoverlooking the Chugach, Alaskan, Kenai, andTalkeetna mountain ranges. Although Mt.McKinley is only visible 20% of the year, there'sa chance you could even catch a glimpse.Anchorage is Alaska's most populated areayet it's shared with the likes of bears, moose,and wolves. After your flight into this urbanwilderness, make your way to the hostel in timefor the 6pm pre-departure meeting. Dine withthe group this evening and get to know yourfellow travellers and guides.

Included: Anchorage accommodation,Welcome MeetingOptional Activity before tour: Full DayWorld Famous Brooks River Alaskan BrownBear Viewing, Katmai National Park. $650-850,

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Anchorage City Tour ($49 - 3hrs). These optionalactivities are subject to availability. Overnight -Anchorage (hostel)

Days 2-4 : Seward & KenaiFjords NP

Anchorage - Seward. Located on the east sideof the Kenai Peninsula and Resurrection Bay,Seward is known as the "Gateway to KenaiFjords National Park." Seward is about half daydrive from Anchorage. In the afternoon youwill have some free time to explore the scenicwaterfront of Seward. The following morningwe will experience the national park by boat,cruising among the glaciers and wildlife. Afterhopefully spotting as much wildlife as possiblewe will be seeing a calving glacier! On this sixhour wildlife cruise lunch will be served on theboat. A visit to Seward would not be completewithout hiking alongside the picturesque ExitGlacier with a high probability seeing a few ofthe local black bear feeding on some berries. The8.2-mile round trip up to the Harding Icefield is aspectacular day hike. Starting on the valley floor,the trail winds through cottonwood and alderforests, passes though heather filled meadowsand ultimately climbs well above tree line to abreath-taking view of the Harding Icefield. Thetop of the trail is a window to past ice ages -a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as faras the eye can see! If you don’t feel preparedto do the full 8.2-mile round trip, there areshorter options with equally breathtaking viewsavailable.

Included Activities: Kenai National Parkentrance, Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlifecruise and Calving Glaciers with lunch on boat,Hiking Exit GlacierOptional Activity: Karaoke $ free (well maybea few drinks first!) Overnight - Seward (B:3, L:3,D:2)

Day 5 : Homer

Seward - Homer. Located on the western sideof the Kenai Peninsula and Kachemak Bay,Homer is the launching point for our two-nightAdventure Camp. But, don't overlook this artistinspired town with its many galleries along thespit. We will be arriving quite early so that thereis enough time to explore the picturesque townand its fishermen culture. For example, the SaltyDawg Saloon's lighthouse is a great place tosit belly-up to the bar along with posting yourdollar bill on the ceiling or wall so that yourfriend, who will be by later, will have a drink onyou.

On the way to Homer there will be enough timefor some scenic photo stops and short hikes.Depending on the time of the year we mightstop to watch the Salmon Running up RussianRiver or visit one of the orthodox churchesoverlooking the volcanoes on the other side ofthe bay.

Included Activities: Exploring the picturesquetown of Homer and its fishermen cultureOptional Activities: "Halibut Fishing Capitalof the World" $150 (half day) **Followingmorning**Overnight - Homer (B, L, D)

Days 6-7 : SeldoviaAdventure Camp

Homer - Seldovia. Take a boat ride from Homerto Seldovia, landing on this lovely and relativelyuntouched beach of the peninsula. Campingwill be in canvas tents with beds and all theamenities you'll need. There is a beautiful mainhouse where meals, comfortable chairs, coffeeand tea are always on tap. From there ventureout into the pristine wilderness and explorethe many coves and trails. The next day we'llhave a half day of sea kayaking around SeldoviaBay, frequently visited by sea otters and harborseals and watched overhead by bald and goldeneagles. One of the evenings the owner Tony willbe serving their famous salmon dinner for us!

Included Activities:Water Taxi from and toHomer (1/2 Hour ride), 2-night stay at theAdventure Camp, canvas tents with beds,luxurious main house, half day sea kayakingSeldovia Bay, all meals cooked and served byAdventure Camp Overnight - Seldovia (luxurycampi) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 8 : Hope

Seldovia - Hope. In the morning you can eithergo on the optional flight to Katmai NP/LakeClark to see the famous grizzlies or take thewater taxi back to Homer to have a few hoursin Homer before we head off to Hope. Hopeis a quaint little town overlooking Cook Inlet/Turnagain Arm and is just a short drive fromAnchorage yet; there is still plenty to do herefrom gold panning, hiking, and bird watching.In the summer during weekends there mightbe some life concerts going on in the localfishermen bar.

Included Activities:Town Visit, Time forsouvenir shoppingOptional Activity: Bear Viewing Katmai or LakeClark ($620) Gold Panning ($25-$80)Overnight - Hope (bush camping) (B, L, D)

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Day 9 : Anchorage

Hope - Anchorage. Today it’s only a short drivearound the Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage.We will stop at the famous Beluga Point.Potentially you can see Beluga Whales or DallSheep. The afternoon you will have time toexplore Anchorage downtown. Anchorage is alively city that houses almost 50% of the state’s730,000 people. (Commonly it is mistaken forthe capital of Alaska, but that would be Juneau.)Throughout the summer there are multiplefestivals and plenty of nightly live music. Keep inmind that this city is situated right in the heartof the wilderness, where over 1,000 moose, 250black bears, and 100 grizzly bears also call ithome.

Included Activities: Visit Beluga Point atTurnagain ArmOptional Activity: Anchorage Museum,Heritage Center, Bike Coastal Trail Overnight -Anchorage (hostel) (B)

Days 10-12 : Denali NationalPark

Anchorage - Denali National Park. In themorning we head off to the amazing DenaliNational Park. Whether it's flora or fauna youcame to see, this is the place to fulfill your hopesof seeing large and small wild animals livingas they have for ages. We set up our campsiteand the following two days you will have theopportunity to take a bus ride through the

national park along its only road and hopefullyspot bears, moose, caribou, or wolves. For thoseof you who are looking for a heart poundingand more strenuous adventure, you’ll havethe opportunity for trailblazing throughout thepark’s 6 million acres. No trip would be completewithout adding the optional activity of flyingover Denali National Park and around Mt.McKinley (20,320 ft/6194 m.) In the eveningswe will sit around the campfire, listening to thesounds of the night and telling our adventuresof the day.

Included Activities: 2-Day National ParkEntrance and Shuttle Bus services, Hiking inDenali National Park (short, long, off the beatentrack, that's on you to decide!)Optional Activities: Flights over Mt. McKinley$210-320 plus $75 for glacier landing (1-1.5 hrsplus additional time glacierlanding)Rafting Nenana River $90-190 on whitewater orgentle float (2hrs to all day) Overnight - Denali National Park(B:3, L:3, D:3)

Days 13-14 : Maclaren RiverLodge

Denali National Park - Maclaren River Lodge.From Denali, we drive the lightly traveled DenaliHighway. First opened in 1957, this dirt roadwas the first to access Denali National Park(then known as Mt. McKinley National Park.)Located in the Maclaren river valley, we traversethrough high alpine country on the state’ssecond highest highway pass. Here lies theMaclaren River Lodge run by Alan and Susie,who are fantastic hosts that will take us ona boat ride up to "The Glacier Camp." Nowwe’re out in the wilderness on our own, nomobile phone reception and no roads. Herewe'll stay overnight exploring and camping outunderneath the stars. The next morning we'll

take a casual canoe trip back down the riverfor our next night at this beautifully situatedlodge. While most of us will spend the rest of theafternoon relaxing, some might want to try theirluck in fishing, catching our dinner?

Included Activities:Boat Ride up to GlacierCamp, guided overnight stay at Glacier Campsleeping under the stars, canoe trip on MaclarenRiverOptional Activity: Fishing (pricing to bedetermined on number of people) Overnight -Maclaren River Lodge (1), Bush camp (1) (B:2,L:2, D:1)

Days 15-17 : Wrangell-St EliasNational Park

Maclaren River Lodge - Wrangell/St EliasNational Park. We travel on to visit Wrangell-St Elias, the largest national park in theUnited States and camp at the "End-of-the-road” campground. Literally at the end of theMcCarthy Road, these 60 miles of gravel roadwere built along the old Copper River andNorthwestern railways. Most remnants left ofthis once thriving area were a part of the coppermines, but most people forget this was wherethe last great gold rush happened in Alaska.There are many optional activities like hiking,ice climbing, glacier walks, guided mine tours,rafting, and scenic flights around 16,000-footpeaks, 25-mile long glaciers and massive icefalls.So, days 16 and 17 are left for you to decidewhat to do: Take the optional historical tour,hike on your own in the beautiful surroundingsor try some crazy outdoor stuff like ice climbing,guided glacier hikes, or whitewater rafting.

Included Activity:Hiking, Scenic DriveOptional Activities: Ice Climbing $135 (fullday), Root Glacier Hike $90 (half day) $110 (fullday), Three Rivers Raft/Fly-in $285 (6-8 hrs),Kennecott History Tour $35 (2.5 hrs) Overnight

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- St Elias National Park (bush camp) (B:3, L:3,D:3)

Days 18-19 : Valdez

Wrangell-St Elias National Park - Valdez. Wetravel on to Valdez, the terminus of the 800-miletrans-Alaskan pipeline that begins at PrudhoeBay and an important gateway to the interior ofAlaska. Valdez was brought to the forefront ofnational media March 1989. The Exxon Valdezran aground causing an 11-million gallon oilspill. For many years, flora and fauna weredevastated by this environmental catastrophe.Thankfully, order has been restored and theChugach Mountains set a gorgeous backdropto this quaint little town. When we arrive inthe afternoon you will find fantastic hikingopportunities just a short walk from town. Ifyou are tired of hiking there is enough toexplore in the history-filled little town. The nextday is focused on optional activities. Highlyrecommended is the Columbia Glacier SeaKayaking for its beautiful scenery, mammothicebergs and possibility of spotting all kinds ofwildlife.In the evenings we will venture out and seeif we can find some bears feeding on salmon.Valdez is well known for bears to come to thelocal salmon fish hatchery and the surroundingcreeks.

Included Activities: Hiking and Scenic DriveOptional Activities: Glacier/Iceberg SeaKayaking $270, Glacier Wildlife Cruises $115(half day) Overnight - Valdez (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 20 : Anchorage

Valdez - Anchorage. Today our tour sadlycomes to an end but not before we'vecrossed Thompson Pass with stunning viewson Worthington Glacier. Our lunch stop willbe at Matanuska Glacier before returning toAnchorage in the late afternoon. (B, L)

Arrival InformationJoining HostelAlaska Backpackers Inn327 Eagle St. Anchorage, AK 99501, UnitedStatesHostel tel: +1 907-277-2770

We will be meeting at 6pm at the hostel onday 1. You will find a welcome note at thereception that day to provide you with anyfurther information. Please bring your passportand insurance details (if not send beforehand)with you. We can’t wait to meet you!

Getting ThereAirport transfers are not included. AnchorageAirport is fairly small and hopefully theimmigration process won’t take you too long,however be prepared to stand in line. Afterleaving immigration and customs there is a dooropposite and you will find taxis outside it. Taxisshould cost around $25 to get you downtown tothe Alaska Backpackers Inn.

Arriving at the hostel there will be a reservationunder your name (and/or Infinite Adventures).If you arrive before 4pm your room might notbe ready, but you can leave your luggage at thereception and explore Anchorage downtown.

If you need pre or post trip accommodationplease make a reservation directly with AlaskaBackpackers Inn - http://alaskabackpackers.com

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Infinite AdventuresOur North America tours are operated by InfiniteAdventures.

Local PaymentOur North America trips have a Local Paymentwhich is collected in US Dollars and will needto be given to your trip leader on day 1 at theWelcome Meeting. The local payment is part ofthe overall tour cost and is used to pay someof the day to day operational costs that areincurred while we are on the road. You willfind the Local Payment amount noted underExclusions at the beginning of these Trip Notes,please budget accordingly.

Group ParticipationOn an overland journey you are more than just apassenger, you’re part of the crew, pitching in toset up camp, shop for food, cook and generallyhelp out. We operate a rota system, dividing thegroup into smaller units, so that these dutiesare shared equally amongst the group. Thesejobs will include things like collecting water andfirewood, loading the back locker, etc.

MealsOn our overland journeys, all included mealsare cooked at campsites and this means thatyou will be working as a group to preparemeals and cook for your group. If you have anydietary requirements please tell us at the timeof booking and also remind us at your welcomemeeting.

A typical camp breakfast might be toast withspreads, cereal and sometimes something hotsuch as eggs or pancakes as well as tea andcoffee. Lunch is almost always a sandwichheaped high with healthy salad and assortedfillings, sometimes with fruit to follow. Dinnermight be a BBQ, risotto, pasta dish and there isalways the chance to try some local food.

We do cater to vegetarians/vegans andmost types of food allergies. However pleaseunderstand that in a group environment thereare limits and often the vegetarian dish will bethe same as the main dish just with the meatleft out/cooked separately. Also in Alaska as well

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as in Canada there are some areas with limitedsupply on e.g. lactose/wheat free products soit is recommended to bring certain productswith you or understand that they might not beavailable.

The Overland TruckThe overland vehicle that we use in NorthAmerica is rather unique because it's aconverted US school bus and it even has aname - ATKA. The truck provides ample spacefor everyone to stretch out along with providingat least 8 passengers tables for card playingor writing in their journals. The multitude ofwindows are big and open easily to allow youto take pictures at any time from the bestangles. The overland vehicle is a large part of theexperience and most travellers think of it as asecond "home" by the end of the trip.

The truck includes:• Viewing platform on top of vehicle for taking

360 Degree pictures of wildlife or landscape• Wood rack to carry firewood for campfires• Interior tables for at least 8 people to write

journals or play cards during the ride• Coolers for drinks and food• Individual overhead lockers for personal

belongings• Overhead lights and speakers (to switch on

and off individually)• Individual seats (no benches) which are fitted

with seatbelts• Plenty of windows which are not tinted and

open for maximum view and possibility totake photos at any time

• On-board safe for passenger passports andmoney

• Safety rating of the overland vehicle(statistics show that school buses built after1977 are 8 times safer than passengervehicles)

• Overland Vehicle that withstands the worstgravel roads

CampingOur North America trips are overland campingadventures. We provide 4 person tents toaccommodate 2 people. The tents are easy toput up and take down. You will need to packyour own sleeping mat, pillow and sleeping bag.

The first night of our North America tours isspent at a hostel/hotel. In hostels we reservetwin share rooms with shared facilities. Twin/double hotel rooms are ensuite. If we have oddnumbers there might be the occasional tripleshare room, but this is rare.

CampsitesMost of the campsites we stay are establishedcampgrounds with flush toilets and hotshowers. However we try to get out intothe wilderness and this means some of ourcampsites are bush camps with an outhouseonly and no showers. But don’t worry, you willbe rewarded with spectacular views on glaciersand mountains and the next campsite we go tothe shower will feel even better;) If you are indoubt, please contact us: we also do carry waterwith us, so that you can have a basic wash, ifyou’d like to.

Camping with bearsSome might be thrilled about this possibility;some might feel slightly nervous about it. Yes,bears might visit our campsites but as long as wefollow certain rules while hiking and camping inthe wilderness, there is little to worry about.

While you are hiking we always stay togetherin groups. This gives us the opportunity to talkand make some noise to make sure wild animalsare aware of our presence. Bears have usuallyno interest in human beings and tend to stayaway. Making noise scares them and most likelyyou won’t even see them as they turn their backtowards us and go the other direction. If wecome across one of these big hairy fellows, thebest thing is to stop and talk calmly to the bear.We will all stay together in a group and makeus look as big as possible while slowly movingbackwards. And if you are still not convinced: tobe on the safe side we will carry bear spray to usein the very unlikely event a bear comes too close.

Camping with bears requires some other/additional rules to be safe. The main reasonbears are interested in a campsite is food. Thiswill mean for us to not have any food (includinggranola bars, peanuts or any kind of snacks) inyour tents. Also tooth paste with its minty smellseems to be of bears’ interest which means thatall your toiletries will stay in our overland vehicleduring nights.

When we cook dinner we make sure that all trashwill either go back into ATKA or will be safelydisposed in bear-proof bins, which are providedby many National Parks or campsites/rest areas.It comes without saying that also all our cookinggear will be safely stored away during night.Bears need to feed all summer to prepare forthe long winter season. If they don’t expect andsmell any food in our camp there is hardly anychance we will have a visitor during night.

What to packHigh quality outdoor gear is a nice thing to have,but is not a necessity! As long as you have somedecent rain gear, shoes you feel comfortablehiking with, comfortable sleeping pad, a warmsleeping bag and some layers to keep you warmin chilly nights you will be fine.

We can't, with 100% certainty, tell you what willgive you the optimal comfort in your overlandadventure. But, we can give you a good ideaabout what to bring and then you can add onwhatever you might feel is essential to yourpersonal needs.

We get lots of questions about the weatherconditions and climate in Alaska and Canada.All we can say is that the summer up north canaverage between 15 to 25 C during the day, andthe nights can get chilly. Weather can changepretty quickly; the best way to dress is in layers!Here you can find a packing list with what wethink is worth bringing...

THE BASICS1. Passport (along with any visas needed)2. Travel Insurance3. Backpack or soft luggage (max. 23 kg/50 lb)4. Daypack5. Sleeping bag (3-season)6. Sleeping Mat7. Travel Pillow8. Personal Medical Kit/Medications/Prescriptions9. Extra Glasses/Contacts/Solution10. Sunscreen SPF 25+/After-sun lotion11. Insect Repellent12. Antihistamine/After bite cream13. Antibacterial gel14. Head torch/lamp15. Alarm Clock

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16. Sunglasses17. Hat18. Water Bottle19. Travel Towel20. Toiletries

CLOTHING1. Warm microfleece/sweater2. Long sleeve shirts3. Long trousers4. T-shirts5. Thermal shirt/trousers6. Underwear7. Beanie8. Water proof jacket/pants9. Socks (cotton/smart wool/trekking)10. Mid-weight gloves

GEAR1. Waterproof bags2. Comfortable hiking shoes/boots3. Sandals/flip-flops4. Binoculars5. Camera gear6. Extra batteries/charger/memory cards7. Universal Adapter8. Hiking Sticks (if you are used to them/needthem)9. Rubber Boots (if you have space/like to wearthem)

TRAVEL ACCESSORIES1. MP3/Ipod2. 16/32 GB flash drive (for group compilation ofphotos)3. Notebook/Journal4. Magazines/Books/Kindle

LaundrySome campsites we stay at provide washingmachines and dryers for a small charge. Thefollowing campsites are a good place to dolaundry: Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Calgary,Dawson City, Teslin, Tok, Denali, Valdez, Seward,and Homer and of course the hostel inAnchorage.

WIFI and Cell PhoneReceptionAlaska is called “The Last Frontier” for a reason!The same applies to the northern parts ofCanada. There will be times and days wherethere might be no cell phone reception or

internet. Some of the campsites and lodges westay do offer wifi, but some of them run onsatellite connection, which is not as reliable andfast as broadband. However we will make youaware of internet cafes and any wifi possibilitiesthat will occur during our trip.

Electrical equipmentOur overland vehicle will be equipped with a12 volt socket to charge your iPod, MP3 player,camera, laptop and mobile phone. Please beaware that only a limited amount of equipmentcan be charged at a time and it will not beallowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle’sbatteries low.

Batteries may also be recharged from hotelroom wall sockets and the majority of thecampsites we stay at have electrical outletsso please bring along your normal chargingadapters as well. Youwill need to ensure that you have the correctcountry adaptor for your specific charger.

Mosquitos in Alaska/CanadaYou may have heard some bad stories aboutmosquitos in Alaska and that they are oftenjokingly referred to as the state bird. There are 35different species in Alaska and yes, sometimesthese little insects can get annoying. But theyare not nearly as bad as rumors have it. Whilemosquitoes can gather in big swarms, it is veryrare.

Nevertheless there are a few places wheremosquitos definitely can be a pain in the butt.But the good thing is: You can do somethingabout it!

• Cover up! Alaska can be warm but in thelate afternoon when mosquitos are mostactive you will be fine with an extra layer.Long trousers and long sleeve tops arerecommended.

• Spray your neck and your ankles with somemosquito spray.

• We carry two big cook tents with mosquitomesh on the sides to make it breathable yetmosquito resistant. So while we are cookingand hanging out in the evenings we will becovered for the most part. Also the entrance

to the truck is protected with a magic meshso that we don’t have to deal with a mosquitoinvasion while having our next truck party.

• If you really get angry with the mosquitos forbiting you, you can take your revenge withelectric tennis rackets. They are fun to playand you'll be doing a good deed for yourfellow passengers!

Personal SpendingBased on the range that previous travelers havespent on trips with us, we recommend you allowbetween a minimum of US$10 and a maximumof US$25 per day. This will cover individualexpenses such as drinks, meals whilst out andalso when staying in hotels, souvenirs, tips.

Please bear in mind that we don’t knowyour personal preferences (yet;): If you are anexcessive souvenir shopper or desperate forcoffee and snacks every single time we stop youmight reconsider the extra amount of moneyneeded. We also are giving an overview in theitinerary what optional activities will cost. Theseprices are estimated and can change!

Emergency Phone NumberThe emergency phone number for this trip is +1877 763 4958

Please do not call if you forgot to pack yourfavorite socks. This is for emergencies (flightdelays, etc) only.

Usa Country Guide

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurement isthe responsibility of the traveller and not On TheGo Tours. Please also ensure that your passportis valid for at least 6 months from your planneddate of departure from Canada.

Canadian passport holders do not require avisa to enter America, but must carry theirpassport on them. British, Australian and NewZealand passport holders do not require a visato enter the USA for up to 90 days under theVisa Waiver Program. These nationalities requiremachine-readable passports valid for the lengthof their stay, and must have proof of return

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travel. To travel under the Visa Waiver Program,passengers must obtain authorisation fromthe Electronic System for Travel Authorization(ESTA) by filling out a form at least 72 hoursprior to arrival. Note: There is a fee of US$14and receiving authorisation from ESTA does notguarantee entry to the USA.

Visa Waiver Program website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

South Africans are required to apply for avisa in advance of travel to the USA. Pleasevisit the relevant embassy for a visa form andinstructions.

TimeLas Vegas and other western states are 7hours behind Greenwich Meantime (GMT), andAnchorage in Alaska is 8 hours behind GMT.From March to November the United Statesobserves Daylight Saving and is 6 hours behindand 7 hours behind GMT.

VoltageStandard voltage is between 110 and 120 volts.Primary sockets generally require the 2 flat-pinvariety. We recommend you pack a universaltravel adaptor and you will need a voltageconverter to use non-US appliances.

CurrencyThe official currency in the USA is the US Dollar(USD).

Euro, British Pounds and other major currenciescan be exchanged locally or in advance ofdeparture. While exchange facilities will beavailable at most airports they can incursubstantial fees, therefore it is recommendedto change money at a bureau de change orbank. Cash can also be withdrawn from ATMsand debit/credit cards are accepted at mostestablishments. It’s advisable to request banknotes in a mix of denominations, as it cansometimes be hard to get change from largenotes and smaller notes are handy for smallerpurchases and gratuities.

HealthYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to the USA from your local healthpractitioner to ensure you receive all of the

appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Tetanusis recommended. Emergency health care inthe USA is expensive therefore it is importantto ensure you have invested in good travelinsurance.

Water: The water quality in the USA is good andtap water is always drinkable.

FoodThe palate of the United States is much morediverse than most would expect it to be, witha different speciality from state to state, andthere is much more to it than hotdogs andhamburgers! In the northernmost state of Alaskathe traditional Eskimo staple of caribou is a firmfavourite with steak and reindeer burgers on themenu at most restaurants. The nation’s belovedsweet wobbly treat of Jell-o is most popular inUtah, and you can even try it deep fried at thestate fair. In Arizona fried dough was once astaple for many Native American tribes and isstill eaten today, either plain or with groundbeef, beans and cheese. If you’re in Nevada, trylocally-made pesto or pignoli cookies made withpine nuts that have been harvest here for over10,000 years. Or in Wyoming chow down onbuffalo jerky, just like the cowboys did.

Eating out is very common in the USA, withfamilies dining at restaurants on the weekendsand during the week too. Most cities will havea wide range of restaurants and cuisines tochoose from, ranging from traditional Americanfavourites to more exotic dishes. You’ll also findeating establishments to suit any budget ortime-frame, whether you want to grab a quickbite at a fast food joint or are looking to splashout as a Michelin-starred restaurant. If eating outit is important to remember that most wait staffrely on tips as the basis of their income, andgenerally expect to receive between 15-20% ofthe total bill price.

Weather in AlaskaOur Alaska trips run in the summer monthswhen we can camp and enjoy the greatoutdoors like hiking, sea kayaking or iceclimbing. You will be spoiled with 18 to 20 hoursof daylight and daytime temperatures between14-25 but it is colder at night.

June: The longest days of the year come inthe month of June. The sun does set belowthe horizon at Anchorage and the surroundingareas below the Arctic Circle, but it will neverget completely dark. You will experience whyAlaska is called the land of the midnight sun!The beginning of June can sometimes still bechilly and you might spot some snow pilesin shady areas. That being said, if you followour guidelines for what to pack, you’ll becomfortable throughout the trip.

July: Days are still long and on average this isprobably the warmest and driest out of the foursummer months. July starts berry season andwhere there’s berries, there are usually bearschomping away on hundreds of thousands ofthese delectable treats. Along with the berries,the salmon runs are finding their way along theshorelines and into the world-renowned Kenaiand Russian Rivers. Anglers will test their skillalong with their courage, as brown bears love towatch the local fly fisherman catch a potentialmeal.

August: Nights will bring some hours ofdarkness and at the end of the month in someregions temperatures during night might get abit chilly, all the more reason to build ourselvesa beautiful campfire. The highest peaks willget their first dusting of snow, which amplifiesthe amazing scenery. By August, the mosquitoshave almost tapered off completely and rainfallcan be more common. The salmon are runningup all rivers and streams and the ecosystem issaturated with an abundance of food sources.

Weather in the SouthwestOur Southwest America trips operate in thespring and autumn when the weather isgenerally nice. It's important to note that thesetrips pass through very different climate zonesand we will go from the desert of Nevada toCalgary, which is the gateway to the RockyMountains. This means average temperaturesin spring and autumn can vary from 30 Celsiusin Las Vegas and some of the national parksin Arizona/Utah to 15 Celsius in Yellowstoneand Calgary (day temperatures) and nightsin general can be pretty chilly. As weatherconditions vary you need to be prepared bypacking some warm layers and a good sleepingbag.

TRIP NOTES

Alaska Salmon Run




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