NORTHERN LIGHTS ITINERARY

FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 3, 2017 Pre-Tour Anchorage Extension Feb 23-25

Northern Lights 2017 Journey to Alaska with the Old Farmer’s Almanac and astronomer Bob Berman and experience first-hand the wonder of the northern lights.

Day 1

Feb 26th Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska during its most magnificent season- when the Sun is low in the sky and the snow is deep on the mountaintops. Guests will arrive during the day, welcomed by fellow travelers before beginning the tour. *Please note: when booking airfare to fly into Fairbanks International Airport and try to arrive by 5:00pm on the 21st.

In Fairbanks, the group will be staying at the Westmark Hotel. During dinner at the Pumphouse Restaurant, a local favorite, we will meet our special guest from the Old Farmer’s Almanac and world-famous astronomy writer and lecturer, Bob Berman. As midnight nears we’ll bundle up, climb into our coach bus, and head out of town and away from city lights in search of clear skies and our first aurora sightings.

Day 2 & 3 Feb 27th & 28th After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will board our private coach and make our way to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, one of the world’s leading centers in aurora studies. Here we’ll have the pleasure of a private lecture experience with Dr. Neal Brown, a former professor devoted to the study of the Northern Lights. Dr. Brown is a delightful speaker who offers a comprehensive guide to the science behind the aurora. While on campus, we will also visit the Museum of the North, which offers fascinating exhibits on the nature, arts and culture of Alaska. After the museum visit we will board our coach and travel to Chena Hot Springs for a 2-night stay. Sixty miles from Fairbanks and secluded in the mountains, Chena Hot Springs is ideal for observing the aurora and the northern skies. In your free time, you can even ride a dogsled in the forest, journey to a nearby summit by snocat, or relax in the hot springs while outside temperatures reach zero degrees. All in all, this promises to be an unforgettable experience. Did you know, Chena is also one of the “greenest” places on Earth! Scientists around the world have traveled to witness its modern green technology. You will have an opportunity to tour the remarkably progressive facilities and learn about their recycling program (everything is recycled), the self-sustaining power-generation system which uses the hot springs to heat all buildings and create electricity, and the greenhouses where much of the resort’s food is grown.

Day 4 March, 11th March 1st Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural feat in the harshest of climates. Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Berman’s major illustrated presentation “Light and Color in the Universe”. Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights!

Day 5 March 2nd After breakfast at the hotel, we will take an easy walk to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, where we can explore world-class displays on Alaskan natural habitats and native culture. After our center excursion, we’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to wander this unique and historic city. At dusk, we’ll head to the World Ice Art Championships, a special event that attracts carvers globe-wide. These sculptures are especially magnificent at night when illuminated by colored lights. Early evening will mark our final gathering at the hotel, for a memorable farewell dinner!

Day 6 Day 4 March, 11th March 3rd Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena Breakfast be provided by the Hotel and returnwill to Fairbanks. Along theWestmark. way, we will check-out 12 noon, butPipeline, late check-outs stop brieflyisatatthe Alaskan a great may be available upon request. Transport for guests architectural feat in the harshest of climates. returning to the airport will be available throughout the will day.bring a brilliant tour highlight: Late afternoon Bob Berman’s major illustrated presentation “Light Should guests to join us for our trip and Color in thechoose Universe”. extension, we will meet in the morning, and board a trainevening, to Anchorage through Denali National prove Park! Come assuming weather conditions fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights!

**Please note: Though we organize this tour around the time of year when conditions for the aurora are at their best, the appearance of the aurora is subject to nature’s whim and timing. Thus, while your chances of seeing the aurora are quite likely, we cannot guarantee that the aurora will appear during the trip. While in Fairbanks, nighttime aurora excursions will run conditions permitting and for an auroral forecast of 3 or more. Tour itineraries are subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.

Included in Tour Price Day 4 March, 11th

5 Nights Hotel Ground Transportation from Feb 21st-26th Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena 3 Dinners and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will 3 Breakfasts stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great 1 Lunch architectural feat in the harshest of climates. Lecture by astronomer Bob Berman Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: (Outdoor) Guide to the Northern Sky with Bob Berman’s major illustrated presentation “Light Bob Berman and Color in the Universe”. Northern Lights Lecture by Dr. Neal Brown Visit to the Museum of the North Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove Dogsled ride at Chena Hot Springs fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group Sno-Cat mountain top tour at Chena to a special remote location, in an attempt to Hotsprings experience the impressive aurora lights! Visit to the Fairbanks International IceCarving Competition Visit to the Fairbanks Cultural Center

Not Included in Tour Price Round-trip airfare to Alaska Meals that are not included above Items of a personal nature

Total Cost of Tour Per person, based on double occupancy: $1,950 Singles supplement: $489 Per person, deposit required upon registration: $500 Final Payments Due: December 15th Please note, deposits fully refundable before final payment deadline

Day 4 Pre-Tour March, 11th Anchorage Extension

Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural feat in the harshest of climates.

Feb 23rd-25th

Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Berman’s major illustrated presentation “Light and Color in the Universe”.

Extend your adventure in Alaska with this fun and exciting experience!

Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights!

Day 1 Feb 23rd Upon your arrival in Anchorage we will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Westmark hotel. In the evening we will gather for dinner at one of Anchorage's fabulous restaurants, just feet from the hotel!

Day 4 Day 2 March, 11th Feb 24th

Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena Aftertobreakfast willthe visit the and return Fairbanks. we Along way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, for a great new Thomas Planetarium a architectural in the of climates. specialfeat show on harshest the northern

skies conducted by Bob Berman.

Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: The planetarium is located in the Bob Berman’s major illustrated presentation “Light wonderful, new Anchorage and Color in the Universe”.

Museum, which includes a large, exhibitweather area. Visitors of prove Come hands-on evening, assuming conditions fair, we allwill ages charter are ainvited coach to totransport play in it, our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to making volcanoes that explode, experience the impressive aurora lights! creating bubbles that completely surround you, learning about the dynamics of moving objects, and a whole lot more.

In the afternoon we will take a bus tour of the beautiful Turnagain Arm, and experience the impressive scenery just outside of Anchorage

Day 3 Feb 25 Following breakfast we depart for an all-day train adventure to Fairbanks through Denali National Park. Throughout the day you will see magnificent scenery and, weather permitting, there will be numerous sightings of Mt. McKinley. Upon arrival in Fairbanks we will settle into the Westmark Hotel and get ready to meet the rest of the group, arriving the following day.

Included in Cost of Day 4 Tour Extension March, 11th Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena 3-NightsAlong Hotel and return to Fairbanks. the way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural feat in1the harshest of climates. Dinner Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: 3 Breakfasts Bob Berman’s major illustrated presentation “Light and Color in the Universe”.

Anchorage-Fairbanks Train Ticket

Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, weScenic will charter Anchorage a coach Guided to transport Tourour group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience thePlanetarium impressive aurora showlights!

Airport transfers

Total Cost of Tour Extension Per person, based on double occupancy: $840 Single supplement: $133 Final Payments Due: Dec 15th, 2016 **A minimum of 4 guests is needed to run the Anchorage Extension