- June 10, 2024–June 20, 2024
- $7,169 based on double occupancy from Grand Rapids
Exploring the wildlife, wild land, landscapes, geology, and small-town communities of Alaska
Tour status
This tour is currently full. If you wish to join the wait list in case there are any cancellations, you can do so via the Witte Travel website ("register" button). No payment is needed; if a space becomes available, you'll be contacted and can choose to join and pay at that time.
Highlights
We're excited to offer this unique Alaskan land adventure with the expert guidance of Prof. Gerry Van Kooten:
- Visit Anchorage, Seward, Soldotna, Homer, Wasilla, and Denali
- Raft the Kenai, jet boat the Talkeetna, cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
- Look for eagles, Dall sheep, moose, marine birds, sea lions and other wildlife
- See a natural gas storage site (underground), volcanic chains, forearc basins, gold-bearing quartz veins, North America’s tallest mountain (if clear), and eroding sea coast cliffs
- Explore the Savage River loop trail in Denali National Park
- Hike 5 miles (round trip) to Russian River Falls
- Visit museums and art galleries, and also attend a slap-stick dinner theater
- Discuss plate tectonics, volcanic processes, erosion and sediment transport, and landscape evolution
- Ride the Alyeska Tram
- Experience a sled dog demonstration
Trip leader
Gerry Van Kooten, professor of geology emeritus, is a geologist with many years of experience in the energy industry in Alaska. He has been an Alaska resident since 1985, living in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula, and returning every summer during his 13 years of teaching at Calvin. He is a veteran tour leader who has led field trips for students and adult learners to Hawaii, Montana, and northern Michigan.
Prof. Van Kooten will enrich the tour experience with conversations that enable participants to appreciate the geological beauty, historical stories, and current topics of interest throughout Alaska.
Activity level
This is an active trip and participants should be able to walk 5-6 miles a day (on a couple days) on unpaved trails. While we stop regularly for discussion, participants need to be able to walk comfortably to keep up with a group and have good balance. At Denali National Park, we will do a particularly challenging hike, but there will be an option for a shorter, easier hike instead.
Contact Gerry at gvankooten1@gmail.com to ask further questions about the activity level.
Cost, deadlines
The cost for this tour is $7,169 per person, based on double occupancy and flights from Grand Rapids. This pricing includes 9 days in Alaska plus two travel days, flights, three boat excursions, bus transportation, and all park and venue entrance fees. Though higher than a typical U.S. tour, it's competitive pricing that's in line with current industry pricing in Alaska.
The pricing for single-room occupancy is $8,784. Travel insurance is offered via TravelEx for $610.08 ($747.51 for solo travelers); review the TravelEx plan for details about what is included or excluded in coverage.
Passengers interested in traveling from other airports besides Grand Rapids can find details on those arrangements in the "special flight arrangements" or "land-only participants" sections of the Terms and Conditions.
More information
Download the tour brochure (PDF) for the full itinerary and registration details. Email alumni@calvin.edu with your name and address if you wish to receive a print copy of the tour brochure.
Calvin tours are open to any friends of CALL and the Calvin Alumni Association who wish to travel with us. Explore other Calvin-sponsored tours, too.
Registration
The registration deadline has passed.
