Valdez Heli Camps

Valdez is located at sea level nestled against the Chugach Mountains as the northeast port of Prince William Sound. It is only 122 air miles or 305 highway miles east of Anchorage. Anchorage, Often flight schedules may dictate a layover, but don't despair! A layover in Anchorage can be fun.

And, since so many of you ask: There is no rail (train) service to Valdez!

Essentially there are four alternatives to get to Valdez, listed in order of popularity:

• Flying
• Driving
• Ground Shuttle Service
• Alaska State Ferry

By Plane
This is by far the most popular and convenient method. The nearest Airport is the Valdez Airport, but you’ll need to get to Anchorage first! There are five Major carriers that provide year around service to Anchorage (Alaska Airlines, Delta, Northwest, Continental, and United). Era Aviation is the only scheduled airline in and out and makes the 30 minute trip two or three times a day each way between Anchorage and Valdez. Era is an Alaska Airlines partner and you should be able to schedule flights through most of the major carriers. We will meet your flight and deliver you to our lodge just 5 minutes away. You can find information on the commuter airline flights to Valdez at:
www.flyera.com; or call them at (800)-866-8394 or (907) 266-8394.

By Car

The drive from Anchorage is spectacular and takes about 6 hours without stops. The roadway is, for the most part, one lane undivided highway for the 300 mile trip, with snow packed roads most of the way. The Richardson Highway dramatically crosses Thompson Pass and descends into the narrow valley where Valdez lies. From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway North through Palmer and into Glennallen (about 190 miles). When you get the “T� intersection after going through the town, make a RIGHT turn onto the Richardson Highway south to Valdez (115 miles) as you reach town, the Richardson Highway turns into Egan Street. It is hard to miss our bright yellow office on the left hand side as enter town (most rental car companies will provide you a map). Try to do the trip in daylight, in clear weather, and stop at the Worthington Glacier in Thompson Pass on the way in.

A word of caution: You will be driving though mountains! Thompson Pass records over 700 inches of snow annually. Be prepared, and check the weather before you go (Alaska Road Conditions are available by Dialing “511� on a cell phone). The road is maintained year around, and Valdez –based road crews do their best to keep the roads passable. If the weather is bad, however, you should be comfortable driving in winter conditions.

If would rather not fly and don’t want to drive yourself, a shuttle service may be a good alternative for you. By Shuttle

There is no scheduled ground transportation between Anchorage and Valdez. There are at least two “Charter� Van Services that will provide service to Valdez. This is a six hour trip and offers spectacular views. See “By Car� above, for more information about the trip by ground.

The both of the two operators offer a number of alternatives for chauffeured transportation, from private sedan, up to and including large “party� buses.

Alaska Transportation Group www.alaskatransportation.net 866-425-8687 (US Toll Free) 907-952-1249

Alaska Timberwolf Journeys & Tours, LLC www.alaskatimberwolftours.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 907-344-9653 or 907-301-0560

By Alaska State Ferry

Looking for a way to complete your true adventure? The Alaska Marine Highway (AKA Alaska State Ferry) might be the way to come. There are some draw backs to the Ferry, and you might want to tie one direction of your trip in with an alternate method. The winter schedules do not run very often, so if you and your travel companions want to take advantage of this unique method, start planning now! You may be able to route your trip from Bellingham (just north of Seattle) to Valdez. Or you may want to take the quick hop from Whittier (about an hour south of Anchorage).

Again, this is the least often used method by our clients, and Ferry Schedules vary greatly from month to month – particularly Summer to Winter season. Contact the booking office for more information!

Alaska Ferry Adventures
(This is a booking agent for the Ferry System. May be more Customer Service Oriented than the Official State Site).
www.akmhs.com
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907-235-7099
800-382-9229 U.S.or Canada



Alaska Marine Highway System-Reservations (this is the official State Site)
www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs
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907-465-3941
800-642-0066 U.S.or Canada