Welcome to the Last Frontier!

Experience the awe and wonder of Alaska, where untamed wilderness, rich native traditions, and stunning natural beauty come together in one unforgettable journey. From the icy fjords of Kenai to the towering peaks of Denali, this itinerary invites you to encounter God’s grandeur in the wild, reflect on themes of stewardship and creation, and connect deeply with the land and its people. Whether spotting wildlife in its natural habitat or learning from Alaska’s Indigenous heritage, this trip offers a unique opportunity to explore the edges of the world - and your faith - with fresh eyes.

Experience the nation’s premier winter festival at Fur Rondy, celebrating Alaskan pioneering spirit since 1935 with outhouse races, intricate snow sculptures, and a Pamplona-style dash with reindeer.

Stop by the Fur Rondy Carnival for fun games and rides. Warm up with a hot cocoa, enjoy a funnel cake, and take a spin on the Ferris wheel - all while celebrating 100 years of this iconic Alaskan race!

Head down to Ship Creek to see the 2024 Snow Sculptures! Here artists have transformed 8ft x 8ft x 8ft blocks of compressed snow into incredible works of art.

Dinner recommendations will be provided.

Enjoy a tour showcasing Anchorage's highlights, with numerous stops, engaging stories, and photo opportunities as you journey through the snow-covered landscapes.

Experience hands-on instruction in an introductory snowshoeing lesson while enjoying stunning views and the ideal setting for wildlife sightings.

Dinner recommendations will be provided.

The Matanuska Glacier, located just two hours northeast of Anchorage, is Alaska’s most accessible glacier and a favorite destination for winter visitors. With the guidance of an experienced local expert, you can walk on the striking blue ice of this massive glacier and capture breathtaking photos along the way. Winter offers dramatic scenery and unveils unique glacial features that you won’t find during other seasons.

Explore this Reindeer ranch, where you'll learn facts about the species, take photos, and see these beautiful animals up close. You are not in Texas anymore! 

Enjoy a stay at this comfortable hotel, offering a welcoming atmosphere and set against Alaska's stunning backdrop. Its central location provides easy access to Fairbanks' attractions and unique experiences.

Dinner recommendations will be provided.

Experience the serene beauty of Denali National Park on a guided day trip to see Denali, North America's tallest mountain. From late September through early May, the park transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow-covered landscapes and a tranquil atmosphere. Despite fewer visitors during this time, the park's peaceful ambiance offers a uniquely memorable experience.

Arrive Denali Discovery Center and hear a welcome to Denali Presentation by a local.

Depart for the Murie Science and Learning Center. At the center explore the exhibits, talk with a ranger, and borrow snowshoes to walk around the building. They have a place for the students to eat lunch.

Dinner recommendations will be provided.

Experience the Northern Lights just outside of Fairbanks in a cozy, modern setting. At Aurora Pointe, you can relax in a warming hut with complimentary refreshments as you wait for the lights to appear. Nestled in the Golden Heart of Alaska, Aurora Pointe offers a subtle yet inviting atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a unique and memorable experience under the Arctic sky.

Pickup in front of the Bridgewater Hotel at 11:00am.

Take a guided snowmobile tour through the Alaskan wilderness, spot wildlife, while crossing over frozen lakes and through spruce forests.

Take an authentic Alaskan winter dog sled ride with a team of champion huskies, driven by an experienced musher. Play with the dogs and enjoy breathtaking views!

Dinner recommendations will be provided.

Please email us at info@kairostours.com or call us at 512.596.1642 for more information.

Unlike other student travel companies, Kairos Tours provides complete financial transparency.

Clients receive a detailed line item breakdown of expenses, including all available receipts. We account for every dollar spent. Kairos Tours never marks up an expense or charges a ‘percentage of spend’ fee – keeping all interests aligned.

We don't ask for your budget, we create your budget with you.

All of our trips are fully customizable - this sample itinerary is simply a starting point to give you a sense of what is possible! We are happy to tailor every detail to fit your group’s unique needs, interests, and preferences.

Group travel can be a difficult and frustrating experience. The group is only as fast as the slowest participant, and that is why our clients spend most of their time in Chaperone Groups. These small groups consist of roughly 4-5 students and 2-3 adults, and move much more efficiently (and happily!) through the cities, allowing students to focus on their unique interests. Keeping entire groups together while following a yellow umbrella around cities (‘amoeba style’) creates missed opportunities and makes unfortunate use of valuable time.

The beauty of any school trip is the opportunity for the student to build self-confidence, problem solve, and learn how to navigate in a new environment. The adults are present to help keep students safe, but otherwise should ‘lead from behind’. At Kairos Tours we focus heavily on student leadership and responsibility for their trip experience.

Is there a minimum number of guests required for this trip?

• There’s no minimum number of participants required, but please note that the fewer people in the group, the higher the price per person. Larger groups help keep individual costs lower by sharing fixed expenses like transportation and guides.

What information will be provided before the trip?

• Each traveler will receive a complete, dynamic itinerary that includes travel logistics, hotel details, tours, entrance information, meeting points, and more—everything you need to feel fully prepared.

Will there be a group meeting before departure?

• Yes! We’ll schedule a pre-trip meeting (either in person or via Google Meet) to go over final details, answer questions, and ensure everyone is ready and excited.

Does Kairos Tours provide a Tour Director?

• A Tour Director can be arranged to accompany your group upon request. Please note this may affect the overall cost of the trip.

Will the itinerary change from what’s currently listed?

• Kairos Tours will make every reasonable effort to provide this trip in accordance with the descriptions provided. Although it is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your reservation or cancel confirmed reservations, we reserve the right to do so should it become necessary or advisable, in our sole discretion. We’ll always prioritize the best possible experience for your group!

Are trip prices guaranteed?

• All pricing is based on current estimates and subject to change due to factors like group size, travel dates, currency exchange rates, and seasonal variations.

Are meals included in the trip price?

• Lunches and dinners are typically not included in the trip price, allowing for flexibility and the opportunity to explore local dining options. Personal incidentals, such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities, are also the responsibility of each traveler.

What if there are unexpected delays or issues?

• Kairos Tours is not responsible for costs or disruptions resulting from circumstances beyond our control, such as flight delays, changes or cancellations, injuries, weather, war, natural disasters, strikes, social discourse, pandemics, etc., and/or other unforeseeable matters.

My name is David Mebane and I am a lifelong traveler that experienced my first international trip as a 2nd grader, and I haven’t stopped since. I founded Fat Tire Tours in Paris, France in 1999 and love showing people around the City of Light. That passion has grown to include other incredible destinations around the globe, and is the genesis for Kairos Tours. I don't know every destination on the globe, but I do know several well, and I love to take people with me to create experiences and memories that last a lifetime. 

I live in Austin, Texas with my wife Kelly and our son Weston and daughter Caroline. However, we spend as much time as we can elsewhere since there is nothing better than an adventure with family and friends.

Purchased from Russia on March 30, 1867, Alaska is unique among U.S. states because it was acquired not for settlement, but for strategic and economic ambition. Once dismissed as “Seward’s Folly” due to its remote, icy landscape, Alaska would eventually become one of the most vital and captivating parts of the nation - both culturally and geographically.

For thousands of years before the arrival of Russians or Americans, Alaska was home to deeply rooted Indigenous cultures. Peoples such as the Inupiat, Yupik, Aleut (Unangan), Athabascans, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian lived in connection with the land and sea, building rich traditions of hunting, storytelling, art, and community. These cultures continue to shape Alaska’s identity and are celebrated in museums, festivals, and villages across the state.

Russia arrived in the 1700s, hungry for fur, particularly sea otter pelts, and quickly established trading outposts. The Russian-American Company soon controlled commerce, bringing both economic activity and severe disruption to Native communities. Harsh conditions, resistance from Indigenous peoples, and mounting costs eventually led Russia to sell the territory to the United States for $7.2 million. At the time, many Americans saw this as a mistake - until gold was found.

By the 1880s and ‘90s, gold strikes in places like Sitka, Klondike, Nome, and Fairbanks triggered a rush of prospectors and fortune-seekers. Temporary camps turned into bustling towns, and the once-silent landscape echoed with pickaxes, saloons, and supply trains. Visitors today can walk the streets of Skagway, ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, and imagine the hopes and hardships of that era.

Despite its growing economy, Alaska remained a distant frontier. That changed during World War II. In 1942, Japanese forces occupied Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands - the first foreign troops on American soil since the War of 1812. The United States responded with military investment, constructing the 1,700-mile Alaska Highway in under nine months. Remnants of these bases, roads, and airstrips are still visible today, and some are open to the public as historical sites.

Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959, and soon faced one of its most defining moments. In 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake - the most powerful ever recorded in North America - struck near Anchorage. It reshaped landscapes and communities, and recovery efforts would leave a lasting mark on the state’s infrastructure.

The late 1960s brought a new kind of rush - this time for oil. The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in the 1970s transformed the economy. The 800-mile pipeline, still operational today, helped fund the Alaska Permanent Fund, a unique savings account that pays annual dividends to Alaskan residents.

Today, Alaska is a place where past and present coexist in vivid detail. You can walk where gold miners toiled, stand where ancient glaciers carved the land, and listen to Native stories passed down through generations. It’s a place of extremes—vast, wild, and unforgettable.

Whether you're here to explore its stunning landscapes, trace the steps of pioneers and visionaries, or simply experience the midnight sun, Alaska offers more than a destination. It offers a story - and you can be a part of it.