Itinerary
Day 1 Anchorage
Arrive into Anchorage. Transfer to your hotel by shuttle or on your own. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides an excellent start to your vacation.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Anchorage Marriott
Day 2 Anchorage
Today is yours to explore Alaska’s largest city. Go shopping, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, take a hike or bike ride in one of Anchorage’s many parks, or step aboard an Anchorage Trolley for a lively and informative one hour sightseeing tour of the city. Another option is a bear viewing tour such as to the Chinitna Bay area.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Anchorage Marriott
Day 3 Anchorage Kennicott / McCarthy
Pick up your rental car and then start your driving tour today. There are numerous photo stops and hiking trail options as you drive along the Glenn Highway, recognized as a National Scenic Byway. Enjoy beautiful views of the Matanuska Glacier along your route to the small community of Chitina. In Chitina you will leave your car and take a short flight to McCarthy, located in the heart of Wrangell – St. Elias National Park. The small plane flight provides stunning views of the mountains and glaciers that make this park unique. Plan 5.5 hours driving time, not including stops, plus a 30 minute flight from Chitina to McCarthy.
Overnight in Kennicott at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Day 4 Kennicott / McCarthy
Take a step back in time today on a two-hour historical walking tour of Kennecott. Your guide will take you to the 14 story Mill Building of the Kennecott Copper Corporation which was built in the early 1900’s. You will also visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Visitor Center, see mining artifacts, and tour historic buildings. Catch a glimpse of what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness while hearing tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. This afternoon you have plenty of time for an optional guided glacier hike.
Overnight in Kennicott at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Day 5 Kennicott / McCarthy Fairbanks
Begin your day with a return scenic flight to Chitina where you will pick up your car. Your drive takes you north on Alaska’s oldest highway, the Richardson Highway, which began in 1898 as a gold rush trail to Eagle. The route follows the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. Along the way there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska’s “Gateway to the Arctic.” We suggest a visit to the University Of Alaska Museum of the North and the Musk Ox farm.
Overnight in Fairbanks at the Springhill Suites
Day 6 Fairbanks Denali
Today, drive along the scenic Parks Highway to the park entrance area of Denali National Park. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the Denali Park entrance that has numerous optional tours such as rafting, flightseeing, or ATV tours to offer.
Overnight Denali Park Entrance at the Grande Denali Lodge
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Day 7 Denali
Today, depart on a narrated bus tour into Denali National Park. As you travel through the pristine wilderness, look for wildlife, such as bears, caribou, and moose, as well as views of the Mountain. Your experienced driver/guide will provide commentary. The tour is approximately 4-6 hours long and takes you approximately 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions.
Overnight Denali Park Entrance at the Grande Denali Lodge
Day 8 Denali Talkeetna
This morning, your scenic drive today takes you south to Talkeetna known for its special backcountry-town charm. Weather permitting, Talkeetna can have one of the best views of the mountain Denali as well as the Alaska Range. From Talkeetna there are spectacular flight-seeing tour options or a jet boat excursion.
Overnight in Talkeetna at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Day 9 Talkeetna Seward
Today you will drive south through the Matanuska Valley before reaching Anchorage. Continue south along the Turnagain Arm on the Seward Highway, an American Scenic Byway. There are beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains on this route where you can frequently see Dall sheep perched on roadside cliffs. You may decide to visit Exit Glacier, one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. There are numerous interpretive trails in the area including one that leads to the face of the glacier.
Overnight in Seward at the Harbour 360 Hotel
Day 10 Seward Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
In the morning depart from the scenic port of Seward. A four to five-hour glacier and wildlife cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park takes you to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, the only lodge inside Kenai Fjords National Park. On your cruise look for whales, porpoises, sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles, puffins, and other wildlife. Enjoy lunch in front of the impressive Aialik Glacier and watch for ice to calve off into the ocean. After arriving at the shores near Pederson Glacier, the lodge and guest cabins are an easy 20 minute walk from the outer coast along a maintained trail; motorized travel is provided if desired. After an orientation you have the afternoon available for optional activities. Evening programs are also available.
Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
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Day 11 Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Choose from a variety of activities offered daily, including sea kayaking (short and long tours), short hikes, canoeing across the lagoon, and interpretive programs. Take a sack lunch for extended activities or join an in camp lunch in between shorter trips. Alternatively, choose time to relax and enjoy the views of the lagoon and glacier from the lodge. Dinner and evening programs are hosted in the main lodge.
Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Day 12 Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge Anchorage
Choose a short morning activity to suit your interest. Lunch is either in camp or a packed lunch while on an activity. After lunch, board the boat for a scenic cruise back to the town of Seward. Upon arrival drive back north along the scenic Turnagain Arm to Anchorage.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Anchorage Marriott
Day 13 Anchorage
Depending on your departure time, you may have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer on your own to the airport and return rental car.
Accommodation
Marriott Anchorage Downtown Hotel
Anchorage
Located just five miles from Anchorage Airport in Alaska, this 20-story hotel, situated between H and I Streets, offers first-class accommodation and panoramic views of Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. The hotel features a restaurant, a bar and lounge, meeting facilities, as well as an indoor swimming pool and fitness center. Free wireless internet is available in the hotel lobby.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
McCarthy
Kennicott Glacier Lodge is a family owned lodge featuring gracious hospitality, breathtaking Alaska scenery, and access to lots of outdoor activities. We are the only lodge in the historic town of Kennicott, Alaska and most of the activities in the area begin right across the street from us. Try glacier hiking or ice climbing on the Root Glacier, one of the few easily accessible glaciers in North America. Learn about the unique history of the National Historic Landmark of the Kennicott Copper Mine. Or spend your time flight seeing, alpine hiking, or river rafting. Kennicott is located 314 miles east of Anchorage. Approximate drive time is 7 hours from Anchorage, 5 hours from Valdez, and 9 hours from Fairbanks.
Grande Denali Lodge
Denali National Park
The Grande Denali Lodge on Sugarloaf Mountain is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. The interior design highlights the Alaska Native Heritage of its owners while it offers panoramic views of the surrounding Denali wilderness and the Nenana River canyon. You'll find the lodge is a very special place where you can truly relax, meet friends, share a meal, or simply take in the beauty all around you. Grande Denali Lodge offers spacious guest rooms with canyon or hillside views and a selection of Alaskan-style cabins with a range of creature comforts. Our Alpenglow Restaurant features New American cuisine with a focus on fresh Alaskan seafood and tender, all-natural meats combined with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Talkeetna
Set on a ridge just above the town of Talkeetna, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers majestic views of the tallest peak in North America. It’s the best of Alaska, outside and in. Outside, we’re at the doorstep for high-energy outdoor adventures in Denali and beyond. Inside, there’s a crackling fire in a giant river rock fireplace, and a carefully-curated selection of Native art in the boutique. Award-winning cuisine, the best wine selection in the area, friendly service—and a great night’s sleep! All rooms feature a full private bath, hair dryer, coffee maker, refrigerator, satellite television, telephone, and wireless internet.
Harbor 360 Hotel
Seward
This 3-story hotel is located just 1 block from the Seward train station and at the bustling Seward Small Boat Harbor. This hotel offers comfortable hotel rooms, indoor pool and hot tub, safety deposit box at front desk, and on-site guest self-laundry facilities. There are 94 guest rooms all with private bath, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, coffee maker, TV, free wireless internet access, air conditioning, telephone, refrigerator and alarm clock. Microwave available on request.
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