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Alaska

Wild About Alaska: Glaciers & Wildlife With Your Family

Program No. 24150RJ
Alongside your family, explore Alaska by foot, train, raft, dog sled and boat to get up close to towering glaciers and awesome wildlife.
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  • A group of travelers poses for a photo on railroad tracks in Alaska, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
  • A multigenerational family smiles while enjoying a scenic float rafting tour in a large green inflatable raft in Alaska.
  • A large musk ox with brown fur and curved horns stands in a grassy green field next to a wire fence in Alaska.
  • Three young people hike on a rocky trail in Alaska with a lush forest and snow-capped mountains in the background.
  • A group of children sit on the gravel in an enclosure in Alaska, holding and petting several adorable sled dog puppies.
  • Rocky, tree-covered cliffs rise from the choppy waters of a fjord in Alaska under an overcast sky.
  • Towering rocky cliffs covered in green trees line the choppy waters of a fjord on a cloudy day in Alaska.
  • A massive glacier meets the water at the base of a steep, rocky mountain in Kenai Fjords, Alaska.
  • Three kids on a viewing deck at the Alaska Sealife Center look out over the water at a large, forested green mountain.
  • Two visitors take photos of a large sea lion swimming underwater in a glass tank at the Alaska Sealife Center.
  • A close-up of a dark, textured, carved Indigenous mask with wing-like details at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
  • People in rafts float down the Placer River in Alaska as a blue and yellow train passes by with mountains in the background.
National ParksOutdoor AdventuresFamily ProgramsSmall GroupNature & EnvironmentAges 8 and up
Length
7 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,699 / ADULT
2,699 / CHILD
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Anchorage, AK
Program Concludes
Anchorage, AK
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
15 ( 6B, 4L, 5D )
Activity Level
Picture it: Floating down a clear river past jaw-dropping glaciers. Smiling from ear to ear while excited Huskies pull you and your family through the wilderness. During one unforgettable week in the wilds of Alaska, make memories that’ll last a lifetime as you explore some of the country’s coolest landscapes – literally! Experience train rides to amazing glaciers, wildlife walks through the forest and a rafting adventure while searching for moose and bears along the way. Learn about the animals that call Alaska home, all delving deep into the wild with your family.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Visit the SeaLife Center, where you’ll learn about marine animals during two hands-on activities, a scavenger hunt and trivia, and explore among the sea lions and seabird habitats!
  • Sail past massive glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park as the experts help you search for local wildlife like whales, otters, puffins, sea lions and more.
  • Learn about Alaska’s long history of dog sledding at the Seavey Iditarod Racing Team's facility where the three-time champions train, enjoy a ride through the wilderness and meet the puppies-in-training.
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General Notes
This is a family program for participants, their adult children and grandchildren ages 8 and up. For a comparable grandparent adventure for grandchildren ages 8-12, check out "Wild About Alaska: Glaciers & Wildlife With Your Grandchild" (#24149).
Featured Expert
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Timothy Rawson
Tim Rawson came to Alaska in the 1980s to climb big mountains, and made Alaska his home. He earned a master's degree in northern studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a doctorate in American history from the University of Oregon. He remains on the faculty at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. When he's not teaching or studying, you can find Tim out on the hills, mountains, or streams. He has years of experience leading groups and lecturing.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Tim Rawson came to Alaska in the 1980s to climb big mountains, and made Alaska his home. He earned a master's degree in northern studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a doctorate in American history from the University of Oregon. He remains on the faculty at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. When he's not teaching or studying, you can find Tim out on the hills, mountains, or streams. He has years of experience leading groups and lecturing.
Tina Odenbaugh has a love of Alaska that came from her grandparents living there. As a child, she was intrigued by their stories of grand adventures. After earning her B.S. in Wildlife Biology, she moved to Alaska with the Fish and Wildlife Service to study seabirds and the Exxon Valdez oil spill, eventually becoming a Park Ranger in Seward, Nome, and Denali. As a naturalist, she's been leading groups for years, specializing in Alaska and National Parks. Always a birder, she's never without her binoculars.
Karlie Bonds, born in Colorado, considers Alaska her home. She earned a bachelor's degree in geography from Portland State University, and her time on the college sailing team led her to seek out more adventures outdoors. She spent two years living and working on a small expedition ship in Alaska while educating others on its incredible nature and history. While not leading kayaking or hiking outings, she enjoys wildlife photography and creating nature inspired art through beadwork and embroidery.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking for up to two miles on sometimes rocky terrain, possible long periods of standing, floating down river for 3.5 hours, and dog sledding for 2 hours.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Family Program
Share your love of learning with your family. These programs are designed for any combination of generations: grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents and children.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Helpful Links
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it
  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

    An illustration of a hand using a pen to check off the final item on a clipboard checklist
  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

    An illustration of an elderly man sitting at a computer with a pair of binoculars beside him
  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

    An illustration of an elderly woman holding a piggy bank, with the Eiffel Tower in the background
  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

    An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it