Upcoming Programs
Join UAF 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 UAF.
If you would like to be notified when our other travel programs become available .
2026 & 2027 Tours
September 19 - October 4, 2026 (Waitlist Only)
Join us on an incredible journey through the French countryside to admire the landscape, explore the culture, and delve into the rich history of this western European nation. After flying into Nantes, our program begins in Angers, where you will immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Loire Valley. Explore fairytale-like châteaux, stroll medieval hilltop towns, and visit the site of a World War II tragedy. You’ll visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, including a medieval, fortified city, meeting with locals along the way, who will share their culture and cuisine. And you’ll do - and dine - as the French do: Venturing to the French countryside and eating your way through Lyon, France’s culinary epicenter. Then, cap it all off with two nights in chic Paris where you will enjoy the iconic sites of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine.
| Program Tuition: | |
| (per person) Double Occupancy | $8,950 |
| Single Supplement | +$950 |
There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due May 1, 2026.
Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), 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.
October 31 - November 13, 2026 (Waitlist Only)
We invite you to discover the culture, beauty, and natural history of Japan while traversing the country from Tokyo to Kyoto on this 14-day adventure. We will witness the art of Sumo wrestling, visit famous Shinto Shrines, and immerse ourselves in the musical experience of Taiko drumming. We'll enjoy the natural beauty of Hakone, where we will discover the world of geisha. The famous bullet train will take us to Kanazawa, where we will learn about the tea ceremony, visit the forested mountain village of Gokayama, and enjoy a home hosted meal. Then, we journey onto Kyoto, where the visit includes the Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle, where we will take a step back into Japan’s feudal past. We travel to Nara, Japan’s capital city in the 8th century, to learn about samurai and experience sushi making with a professional chef. All of this and more, is part of our magical journey to this ancient land.
| Program Tuition: | |
| (per person) Double Occupancy | $8,995 |
| Single Supplement | +$1,100 |
There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due May 15, 2026.
Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), 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 9 - 13, 2026 (Waitlist Only)
Image credit: Mary Cassatt. 1893. The Art Institute of Chicago, Robert A. Waller Fund. Photo by Robert Lifson, The Art Institute of Chicago.
Join us this December for an art-filled trip to Chicago to see Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism at the Art Institute of Chicago. The program will also include visits to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Architectural Center, lectures from museum and gallery experts, and classic Chicago activities (think hot dogs and live jazz!).
| Program Tuition: | |
| Double Occupancy (per person) | $2750 |
| Single Supplement |
+$530 |
| Extra Room Night (12/7, 12/8, 12/13, 12/14) |
+$270 per night |
There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due September 10, 2026.
Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, gratuities, entry fees, and tickets.
Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 1 mile 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 31 - February 12, 2027 (Waitlist Only)
From the flash of a blue morpho butterfly to the quiet movement of a sloth in the canopy, Costa Rica offers an intimate look at life in the tropics. Journey through rainforests, cloud forests, and coastal landscapes as we explore some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Along the way, connect with local communities, learn from knowledgeable guides, and experience the rhythms of daily life in this remarkable country.
As we travel from the Arenal region to the cloud forests of Monteverde, the Pacific coast, and beyond, daily experiences bring these landscapes into focus. Walk across hanging bridges high in the canopy, explore forest trails with expert naturalist guides, and take to the waterways on a wildlife-viewing river excursion. Look for monkeys, sloths, and vibrant birdlife by day, with opportunities to discover the forest’s nocturnal side. Relaxing in nature and meaningful visits with local communities add both balance and depth to this immersive journey.
Please Note: The Tortuguero Add-On is currently full, if you would like to join the waitlist for this extension, please reach out at (907) 474-7021
| Program Tuition: | |
| (per person) Double Occupancy | $5,250 |
| Single Supplement |
+$600 |
There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due September 30, 2026.
Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), 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
- Proof of travel insurance, including overseas medical coverage and emergency evacuation,
is required for this trip.
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.
April 8 - 23, 2027 (Waitlist Only)
Springtime in England. What could be more enchanting than lush meadows and fields of flowers? Discover the scenic and cultural treasures of the northern United Kingdom, where natural beauty and rich history go hand in hand. You’ll revel in Great Britain’s diverse charms and witness breathtaking landscapes, including the snowcapped peaks of Welsh Snowdonia, the lakes and mountain fells of England’s Lake District, the green valleys and white cliffs of the Yorkshire Dales (home of All Creatures Great and Small), the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the Neolithic UNESCO sites in the Orkney Islands, the isle of Skye, the site of the Battle of Culloden, among many other unforgettable destinations.
| Program Tuition: | |
| (per person) Double Occupancy | $8,495 |
| Single Supplement |
+$750 |
There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due December 4, 2026.
Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), 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 18 - October 4, 2027 (Waitlist Only)
Discover Mongolia’s diverse land and people, from the bustle of Ulaanbaatar and alpine beauty of Khovsgol Lake to the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert. Meet with nomadic herding families, learn about ancient shamanistic beliefs, ride a camel in the desert dunes, and discover why Mongolia is known as the “Land of Blue Sky” during stays in authentic ger tents—just as modern-day nomads and their ancestors have done for centuries.
| Program Tuition: | |
| (per person) Double Occupancy | $7,995 |
| Single Supplement |
+$600 |
There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due May 17, 2027.
Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), 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
-Travel insurance with at least $50,000 in medical coverage and $200,000 in emergency
medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip.
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

















