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HIGHLIGHTS

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DURATION

7 DAYS

COMFORT

LANGUAGE

RATING

Exploratory adventure for the magnificent Polar Bear
Travel from “Haul Road”
Enjoy life at the top of the world at Kaktovik

ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP

Primary:	Wildlife
Other:	Small Aircraft Touring, Local Culture & Cuisine, boating

$4995USD

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Experience Polar Bears - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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TRIP OVERVIEW
TRIP ITINERARY
NUTS & BOLTS

Join us in 2012 for a truly exploratory adventure to the northern coast of the continent in search of the worlds largest land predator, the magnificent Polar Bear. This once in a lifetime trip offers adventurers a chance to view, photograph and admire this amazing creature in its natural habitat. We’ll immerse ourselves in the villages that make their existence above the Arctic Circle, and spend time living amongst the amazing creatures of the north.

Our trip will take us north from Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway; also know as the “Haul Road” recently made famous by the Discovery Channel with its series Ice Road Truckers. In a comfortable 15 passenger van, we’ll travel this 400-mile gravel road through the heart of the Brooks Range and onto the North Slope of Alaska. We’ll overnight along the way in comfortable lodges, and enjoy the scenic majesty of life above the 66th parallel. From the town of Deadhorse and the official end of the Dalton Highway, we’ll fly to Kaktovik, where well enjoy life at the top of the world, and get a chance to experience polar bear viewing like nowhere else on the planet!

Day 1: Fairbanks

Today you are free to arrive in Fairbanks on your own. We’ll be staying at Pikes Waterfront Lodge, which is located near the airport on the banks of the Chena River. After checking into the hotel, you’ll meet our guides by early afternoon in the hotel lobby. Tonight we’ll do an orientation dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant in Fairbanks and upon returning to our hotel, we’ll pour over maps and discuss the route. Dinner included.

Day 2: Brooks Range

After a filling breakfast at our lodge, we’ll load the van and head north towards the Haul Road, and the mighty Brooks Range. 70 miles out of Fairbanks, the road turns to gravel, and the adventure truly begins. With plenty of opportunities for photos, we’ll keep a watchful eye out for grizzly bear, caribou and moose as we make our way to Coldfoot, and our accommodations for the night. All meals included.

Day 3: Brooks Range

We’ll leave the halfway point of the Coldfoot, and continue north towards Atigun Pass, Alaska’s highest divide at 4800’. From this crest in the heart of the Brooks Range, we’ll see a vastly different world devoid of trees that is the North Slope of Alaska. This 250-mile day will take us to Deadhorse, also known as Prudhoe Bay. Our morning departure time will coincide with an afternoon flight, where we’ll board a small aircraft bound for Kaktovik. This small town of less than 300 residents lies on the northern edge of Barter Island, within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This amazing community thrives in one of the harshest climates in North America, and you’ll find our accommodations quite comfortable given our distance from the rest of the world. All meals included.

Day 4 - 6: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

As we gather for breakfast, we’ll meet up with our local guide, longtime Kaktovik resident Robert Thompson, who has spend the last 3 decades exploring the northern reaches of the Brooks Range and has become a steward of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He’s traveled the world speaking on behalf of the wildlife and people who call this wild place home. Over the next three days, we’ll explore Barter Island and get a chance to view the many species of wildlife that reside there.

If the weather cooperates, we’ll use a small boat to travel out to the barrier islands that buffet Barter Island from the Beaufort Sea. This 5½-mile stretch of land is a regular gathering spot for polar bears, and with any luck we’ll get the chance to see them in this amazing habitat. We’ll spend the days entranced by these magnificent creatures. We’ll also make regular stops at the bone pile, where leftover carcasses from the annual whale hunts provide easy meals for these giants, as they patiently wait for winter, and the return of the sea ice. All meals included.

Day 7: Barter Island

We’ll have a leisurely morning as we tally up our wildlife sightings and revel in the significance of these majestic creatures. Too soon for most, we’ll board an aircraft bound for Fairbanks, and the conclusion of our departure. As the wheels leave the runway of Barter Island, we’ll scan one last time for a glimpse of the bears, before the pilot banks south, and returns us to “civilization”. Please schedule homebound flights for after 8pm. Breakfast and lunch included.

TRIP INCLUDES

6 nights lodging
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
Transportation: Van transportation from Fairbanks to Deadhorse, bush flight from Deadhorse to Kaktovik and bush flight from Kaktovik to Fairbanks
Activities: Guided hikes throughout the trip and 3 Days Bear Viewing with Robert Thompson
Professional guide service at a maximum 6:1 client to guide ratio.

TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE

Lodging in Fairbanks prior to and after your adventure.
Personal gear (packs, rain gear, etc.).
Trip cancellation insurance.
Additional room nights due to weather delays.
Alcoholic beverages.
Guide gratuities.

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Did you know that you can customize this trip?

Customizing a trip is a great way to:

Change anything about the itinerary you don't like.
Change the size of the group or make this a private tour.
Change the duration or departure date of the trip.
Because we use the local operator, this customization usually won't cost you extra!

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<center>
        <h1 style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 22px; color: #604c3d;">Experience Polar Bears - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge</h1>
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    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; color: #928164;">Join us in 2012 for a truly exploratory adventure to the northern coast of the continent in search of the worlds largest land predator, the magnificent Polar Bear. This once in a lifetime trip offers adventurers a chance to view, photograph and admire this amazing creature in its natural habitat.</div>

<div style="margin-top: 10px;border-radius: 5px; 	
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background-image: -webkit-gradient(
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		left bottom,
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	);
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">DURATION</div>
                                    <div style="font-family: 'alice'; font-size: 18px; color: #7a9ebf; padding-top: 10px;">7 <span style="font-size: 10px;">DAYS</span></div>
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">COMFORT</div>
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">LANGUAGE</div>
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                                    <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; color: #907878; padding-top: 5px;">RATING</div>
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                        <div style="font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; margin-top: 20px;" id="Div1">
                            <ul><li>Exploratory adventure for the magnificent Polar Bear<li>Travel from  “Haul Road”<li>Enjoy life at the top of the world at  Kaktovik</li></li></li></ul>
                        </div>
                    </div>
                    <div style="margin-top: 10px; padding: 10px;border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-image: linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -o-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -ms-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);

background-image: -webkit-gradient(
		linear,
		left bottom,
		left top,
		color-stop(0.2, #F3F3F3),
		color-stop(0.81, #FEFEFE)
	);
	background-color: #FEFEFE;">
                        <div style="font-family: 'philosopher'; font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; color: #604c3d; text-align: center;">ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP</div>
                        <table cellpadding="5" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
                            <tr>
                                <td><span style="color: #544741;">Primary:</span></td>
                                <td><a href="/search/for/Wildlife/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Wildlife</a></td>
                            </tr>
                            
                            <tr>
                                <td><span style="color: #544741;">Other:</span></td>
                                <td><a href="/search/for/Small%20Aircraft%20Touring/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Small Aircraft Touring</a>, <a href="/search/for/Local%20Culture%20%20Cuisine/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">Local Culture & Cuisine</a>, <a href="/search/for/boating/in/Anywhere%20in%20the%20World/any-travel-style">boating</a></td>
                            </tr>
                            
                        </table>
                    </div>

<div style="border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-image: linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -o-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);
	background-image: -ms-linear-gradient(bottom, #F3F3F3 2%, #FEFEFE 81%);

background-image: -webkit-gradient(
		linear,
		left bottom,
		left top,
		color-stop(0.2, #F3F3F3),
		color-stop(0.81, #FEFEFE)
	);
	background-color: #FEFEFE;">
                        
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 1:  Fairbanks
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        Today you are free to arrive in Fairbanks on your own. We’ll be staying at Pikes Waterfront Lodge, which is located near the airport on the banks of the Chena River.  After checking into the hotel, you’ll meet our guides by early afternoon in the hotel lobby. Tonight we’ll do an orientation dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant in Fairbanks and upon returning to our hotel, we’ll pour over maps and discuss the route.  Dinner included.
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 2: Brooks Range
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        After a filling breakfast at our lodge, we’ll load the van and head north towards the Haul Road, and the mighty Brooks Range.  70 miles out of Fairbanks, the road turns to gravel, and the adventure truly begins.  With plenty of opportunities for photos, we’ll keep a watchful eye out for grizzly bear, caribou and moose as we make our way to Coldfoot, and our accommodations for the night.  All meals included.
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 3: Brooks Range
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        We’ll leave the halfway point of the Coldfoot, and continue north towards Atigun Pass, Alaska’s highest divide at 4800’.  From this crest in the heart of the Brooks Range, we’ll see a vastly different world devoid of trees that is the North Slope of Alaska.  This 250-mile day will take us to Deadhorse, also known as Prudhoe Bay.  Our morning departure time will coincide with an afternoon flight, where we’ll board a small aircraft bound for Kaktovik.  This small town of less than 300 residents lies on the northern edge of Barter Island, within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  This amazing community thrives in one of the harshest climates in North America, and you’ll find our accommodations quite comfortable given our distance from the rest of the world.  All meals included.
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 4 - 6: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        As we gather for breakfast, we’ll meet up with our local guide, longtime Kaktovik resident Robert Thompson, who has spend the last 3 decades exploring the northern reaches of the Brooks Range and has become a steward of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  He’s traveled the world speaking on behalf of the wildlife and people who call this wild place home.  Over the next three days, we’ll explore Barter Island and get a chance to view the many species of wildlife that reside there. <div><br></div><div>If the weather cooperates, we’ll use a small boat to travel out to the barrier islands that buffet Barter Island from the Beaufort Sea.  This 5½-mile stretch of land is a regular gathering spot for polar bears, and with any luck we’ll get the chance to see them in this amazing habitat.  We’ll spend the days entranced by these magnificent creatures.  We’ll also make regular stops at the bone pile, where leftover carcasses from the annual whale hunts provide easy meals for these giants, as they patiently wait for winter, and the return of the sea ice.  All meals included.
</div>
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
                                <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px; border-radius: 5px; 	
	-moz-border-radius: 5px; 
	-webkit-border-radius: 5px; 
	border: 1px solid #dddddd;
	background-color: White;
	padding: 10px;
	margin-left: 10px;
	margin-right: 10px;
	margin-top: 15px;">
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: 'sorts mill'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #604C3D;">
                                        Day 7: Barter Island
                                    </div>
                                    <div style="margin-top: 5px; font-family: 'Futura Bold', 'Gill Sans', Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: #544741; line-height: 20px;">
                                        We’ll have a leisurely morning as we tally up our wildlife sightings and revel in the significance of these majestic creatures.  Too soon for most, we’ll board an aircraft bound for Fairbanks, and the conclusion of our departure.  As the wheels leave the runway of Barter Island, we’ll scan one last time for a glimpse of the bears, before the pilot banks south, and returns us to “civilization”.  Please schedule homebound flights for after 8pm.  Breakfast and lunch included.
                                    </div>
                                    
                                    </div>
                            
	                </div>
                    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/e6ac6843-d819-46c2-9cd2-9e0a9e4a9f1e.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/2d59b419-f4cd-4813-a4c1-90c170065382.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/a7ee6ce4-9279-472e-beb0-0877eba641e4.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/c302e5e2-179f-4125-8586-4188762d4786.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/0f4c78b9-f36a-4a8c-b121-57b42819cf49.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/ba1b7b2b-f8b7-4596-872a-c81c89fc343d.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/762be8f2-0572-4848-9e5a-79fe3dce66ce.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/527375e0-adba-4e69-9c90-a41ea253cfd8.jpg" />
    
                <img style="width: 660px; padding: 2px; border: 1px solid #ccc; margin: 10px;" src="https://d35b54kuuvhi57.cloudfront.net/5c4b7f9f-66a1-4887-9a1d-151df66572ca.jpg" />

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