Upcoming Programs

Winter in historical Japanese villageJoin Ӱ Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning for an educational experience unlike any other! Our tours are tailored for a mature traveler, and the inclusions are special experiences that only we can offer! 

To learn more about what to expect during our trips, please visit our FAQ page.

Please note:

  • We require a minimum number of travelers to run a tour.  After registering for a tour, do not purchase trip insurance or plane tickets until you hear back from us that the minimum has been met and your travel plans can proceed, full steam ahead.
  • Payment deadlines for all travel programs are pending until we receive final approval for the trip from Ӱ.  
If you would like to be notified when our other travel programs become available please email Summer@alaska.edu

2024/25 Tours

October 14 - October 29, 2024 (waitlist only)

Join us on this special journey to the ancient land formerly known as Siam. Explore a Buddhist country filled with temples, spices, floating markets, amazing textiles, lush green countryside, flowing rivers, and warm, friendly people.
Our program begins in Bangkok, where you will experience famous Buddhist landmarks and authentic markets, and then moves on to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, it is north to Chiang Mai, where a wide variety of cultural and natural experiences await. Lastly, we visit Phuket, a rainforested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea. Along the way, we will learn about the natural, political, and cultural histories of this beautiful country.
For those wanting to expand the journey, there is a four-day extension to Cambodia to explore the area around Siem Reap, including the famous Angkor Wat, the exquisite remote villages of Banteay Srei and Mechrey, Tonle Sap Lake, and the historic Roluos Group Temples.

Thailand Grand Palace

Program Tuition:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $4,000 
Single Supplement +$750
Cambodia Extension:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $1,200 
Single Supplement +$250

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration. If you plan to buy an additional room night, only one person has to purchase it if the room is being shared.
Full tuition is due by June 21, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note: 
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

December 22, 2024 - January 8, 2025 (waitlist only)

The evolutionary story of the Galápagos Islands has been told many times, but only through immersing yourself in their splendor can you truly appreciate the impressive forces that shape nature here and around the globe. Embark on the Samba to explore this tropical, volcanic archipelago plentiful in charismatic wildlife, unafraid of you or your camera. Seals on the Galapagos beach with a boat in the backgroundThe captain and crew of the Samba are devoted to making your journey the trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the biodiversity of the “Enchanted Islands” and the richness of Ecuador’s culture, cuisine, and folklore.

Travel from mangroves in the basin of the Guayas River to the páramo of Cajas above 10,000 feet! Experience the colonial city of Cuenca, the markets and hot springs of the Andes, and the heart of the Amazon Basin. The Amazon Rainforest is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2,000 birds and mammals. Explore the most diverse jungle in the world, home of the Achuar people, who maintain a remarkable and intimate relationship with nature and its processes.

Program Tuition:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $11,900
Single Supplement Not available

 

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by September 30, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

January 5 - January 22, 2025 (waitlist only)

The evolutionary story of the Galápagos Islands has been told many times, but only through immersing yourself in their splendor can you truly appreciate the impressive forces that shape nature here and around the globe. Embark on the Samba to explore this tropical, volcanic archipelago plentiful in charismatic wildlife, unafraid of you or your camera. The captain and crew of the Samba are devoted to making your journey the trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the biodiversity of the “Enchanted Islands” and the richness of Ecuador’s culture, cuisine, and folklore.

Travel to the Andean Cloud Forests and climb to the highest active volcano of the world! You'll experience Old Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vivid reminder of the colonial times, as well as the markets, hot springs, and natural landscapes of the Andes before traveling to the heart of the Amazon Basin. The Amazon Rainforest is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants,and some 2,000 birds and mammals. Explore the most diverse jungle on earth, home of the Achuar people, who maintain a remarkable and intimate relationship with nature and its processes

Galapagos small inlet

Program Tuition:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $11,900
Single Supplement Not available

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by October 11, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

March 7 - 21, 2025 (waitlist only)

Sicily Pictures

On your Sicily travel adventure, you'll discover an Italian island with more than 3,000 years of history. Once home to a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate, a Norman kingdom, and more, traces of ancient conquerors can still be found in Sicily’s well-preserved ruins, elegant architecture, and gastronomic delights. You will go off the beaten path, where you’ll discover authentic cultural experiences with the friendly, fiercely proud Sicilian people that includes zipping along Modica’s narrow streets in an iconic, vintage Fiat 500; spending the night in an agriturismo, a traditional Sicilian farmhouse; and even sitting down to a home-cooked meal with a farming family in the pastoral Sicilian countryside. The island beckons…so bring an open mind, a spirit of adventure, and a hearty appetite.

Program Tuition:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $5,900
Single Supplement +$750

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by November 22, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

 

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

September 15 - 25, 2025 (waitlist only)

Godafoss Waterfall

A world away yet tantalizingly close, Iceland is a magical island of pure and unspoiled natural beauty. Iceland is a verdant paradise of electric green valleys punctuated by craggy mountains, steaming hot springs, boiling mud pools, and lava fields said to be inhabited by elves. Here, we will meet hardy locals who have historically carved a living from both the land and sea in farming communities and fishing villages, as well as discover the history of this isolated nation preserved in a series of medieval tales known as the Sagas. Their customs and traditions are inspired from centuries of folk tales passed down from generation to generation, and are full of magic, ghosts, elves, and huldufolk (hidden people).

Although shaped by its past, Iceland continues to push the progressive envelope and continuously ranks at the top of better life indexes for its strong quality of life. You’ll get further insight into the lives of these resilient people during A Day in the Life of an Icelandic horse farm where we'll stay overnight. In Akureyri, sit down with a local family for a home-hosted dinner. Later, in the capital city of Reykjavik, witness the creativity of a city that has harnessed the power of nature to provide sustainable energy to its inhabitants when you learn firsthand about geothermal power at the Hellisheidarvirkjun Power Plant. Icelandic culture and traditions combine for an unforgettable adventure in an unspoiled land.

Program Tuition:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $6,795
Single Supplement +$500

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by May 24, 2025.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

January 26 - 29, 2025

Las Sendas Golf Course

Enjoy a 4 day golf clinic in Mesa, Arizona with Fairbanks Golf Club pro, JC Contreras, January 26 - 29, 2025.  You will be playing on the sun-soaked and staying at the nearby Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Includes:

    • 4 mornings (9 - Noon) with full swing and short game instruction
      • Video Analysis and swing review
      • Putting, Chipping, Pitching, Sand
      • Personal improvement drills and practice
      • Development of a consistent pre-shot routine
    • 4 lunches at the Las Sendas Golf Club
    • 4 afternoon playing lessons with your pro (1:30 pm - 3 pm) Unlimited play after the lesson
    • 4 nights lodging at the Home2 Suites by Hilton (double occupancy)
    • 4 breakfasts
    • All Range balls
    • All Greens fees

 

Golf Pro JC Contreras

Tuition includes a room at the Home2 Suites by Hilton (double occupancy) located a 10 minute drive from the Las Sendas Golf Club. Participants are responsible for air and ground transportation as well as dinner.

Home2 Suites Kitchen Home2 Suites Hotel
Program Tuition:  
Double Occupancy    $2,695
Single Supplement +$480

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by November 15, 2024.

Important note: 
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

March 31 - April 5, 2025
Sunny Downtown Sitka

Experience beautiful, historic Sitka, Ӱ’s first capital city. Stay in the newly renovated dorms on the Sitka Fine Arts campus and immerse yourself in the landscape and culture of this fascinating seaside town. Explore the rainforest, intertidal zone, vibrant cultures, history, wildlife, and more. Enjoy a night at the symphony, workshops, outings, and lectures with local artists, scientists, fishermen, and culture bearers. This trip will include hands-on art experiences: nature journaling, cedar bark weaving, and metalsmithing. No experience is necessary. Enjoy this picturesque city from the land and the water. Be inspired by whales, otters, kelp, cedar trees, Sitka spruce, totem poles, and so much more. If you love to spend time in nature and enjoy trying new things, this program is for you. Participants must be prepared to walk up to three miles a day comfortably and spend time outside in wet weather. A suggested packing list will be provided. The dorm rooms are clean, simple, and comfortable. Single rooms are available for an additional cost. There are several shared bathrooms, and our group will be the only one using the building. We will enjoy our meals in the campus dining hall.

Program Tuition:  
(per person) Double Occupancy    $2,650
Single Supplement +$200

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, educational programs, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

Registration opens November 1, 2024 at 9 am

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

May 28 - June 1, 2025
Blue Throat Cropped Topaz DenoiseGolden Crowned SparrowTree Sparrow

Are you a birding aficionado? If so, a trip to Nome during the spring bird migration may be on your bucket list. Summer Sessions is offering their annual four-day trip to Nome for a small group of eight to witness this amazing phenomenon. Participants stay at the Aurora Inn and travel out one of Nome's three roads each day. Often, birders have seen up to 99 different species!

Nome on the map of Ӱ

Program Tuition:  
Double Occupancy    $1,800 

Tuition includes a room at the Aurora Inn (double occupancy) and transportation within Nome. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Nome as well as meals.

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by March 1, 2025.

Important note: 
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably.

 

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

PAST TOUR EXPERIENCES

Our Time in Toolik (2024)

Traveling with Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning is not just a vacation, but an educational experience in culture, art, and history. Our tours are personalized for our groups, and we strive to make meaningful connections with local guides to create memorable experiences. 

Here are just a few of the places we've visited over the years:

South Africa
Cuba
Netherlands
Greece
Panama
Tanzania
Peru
Costa Rica

Bali
Chile
Scotland
Portugal
Ecuador
Turkey
India 
Japan

Morocco
Vietnam
Spain
Ireland
China
Slovenia, Croatia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Grand Canyon, AZ