Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
Welcome to the edge of the wilderness – to a city surrounded by uninhabited landscapes and the perfect springboard to an epic adventure through Alaska. Spend the day recovering from your journey before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a Welcome Reception.
Kickstart your day with a brief Anchorage City Tour before your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center. You’ll love learning about the traditional and contemporary ways of Alaska’s Indigenous cultures, journeying through 10,000 years of Alaska Native history and culture through art, dance, Native Games demonstrations, exhibits, traditional Native dwellings, films and more. Unlock more local secrets at the Center on an Indigenous Plants Tour MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll discover plants’ nutritional and health benefits. Then it’s onto the untamed wilderness of Denali National Park where a Local Specialist reveals insights into the rare subarctic flora and fauna of the park. The evening is then yours to spend as you like.
With the Denali National Park and Preserve just a short drive away from your hotel, you'll find a number of ways to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness on your own or spend the day partaking in one of our optional activities. With Denali, the highest peak in North America at the center of it all, the park consists of 6 million acres of tundra, boreal forest and ice-capped mountains. This magnificent land is nature at its most pure yet has something to offer all.
Tune into your beautiful surrounds as you’ll have the whole morning to connect with Denali on your terms. Later, we’ll board a deluxe dome railcar on the Alaska Railroad, and make our way to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks. A delicious Regional Meal is served aboard the train before our arrival in Alaska’s Northern Lights capital.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a city tour of Fairbanks. Then you'll be digging into insights of Alaska's Gold Rush. Dive Into Culture with Fairbanks’ own Gold Daughters who will guide you through the process of panning for gold in real Alaskan paydirt. To conclude your day, Connect With Locals and enjoy a special visit to the home of David Monson, a local Dog Mushing celebrity, to learn about the sport of Dog Mushing in Alaska. Join him and his dogs for a Be My Guest experience.
We journey south to the port community of Valdez located along Prince William Sound. As you carve your way through this rugged state you’ll view the snow-capped summits of the Alaska Range, expansive glaciers and the Trans Alaska Pipeline which runs parallel to the highway. Stretch your legs during a brief stop at the Historic Rika Roadhouse, an important crossroads for travelers, and the Wrangell St. Elias Visitors Center, before arriving in Valdez.
Delve into the heritage and culture of Valdez, the Copper River Basin and Prince William Sound during this morning’s visit to the Valdez Museum. Keep a keen eye out for seals, otters, sea lions and porpoises as you cruise around Prince William Sound, admiring the plunging ice cliffs of Columbia Glacier which have calved giant icebergs into the bay. Enjoy lunch against the backdrop of your wild surrounds before returning to Valdez, your home for a second night.
We begin our return journey to Anchorage this morning, crossing Thompson Pass. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during your afternoon stop at the Musk Ox Farm. Here you’ll join a Local Specialist for a guided tour to view the Artic Musk Oxen and learn how this non-profit organization promotes sustainable agriculture practice. Continuing your journey west, arriving in Anchorage later today where you’ll toast to new friends over a memorable Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
We journey along the Scenic Seward Byway this morning to the port community of Seward. Our first stop is for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where a Local Specialist will reveal the role of this wildlife rehabilitation center. Next up is a sightseeing cruise, including lunch, into the icy heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. Share the waters with Humpback whales and glacial icebergs.
Our adventure through the rugged Alaskan wilderness has come to an end. Depart Anchorage at leisure.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Denali ATV Wilderness Adventure (Available on Day 3)Get ready for some adventure! Whether a novice or expert ATVer, this tour will be a memorable 10 mile ride in the scenic Alaskan wilderness on a Single or Side by Side ATV. Riding along trails surrounded by Denali National Park, at speeds up to 30 mph, your adventure includes breathtaking 360° overlook stops with views of lakes and valleys in the Alaska Range.
Adult Price: $190 Child Price: $190 Denali Wilderness Walking Tour (Available on Day 3)Go for a hike! Take an interpretive, guided walk in the Denali area with a naturalist guide who will point out the landmarks and talk about the amazing geology and glacial history of this part of the world. Walk through boreal forests and discover how plants and animals have adapted to the extreme sub-arctic environment. Walk in the footsteps of animals, and gain a new appreciation for this far north landscape. The active pace is usually about one mile per hour.
Adult Price: $115 Child Price: $115 Denali Zipline (Available on Day 3)Experience life above the trees! After a short trail ride shuttle and gearing up, certified guides will lead you along 6 suspension bridges and 8 thrilling zip lines, including the dual racer finale! The built-in, hands-free braking system allows you to relax and take in the breathtaking mountain views. Participants must be relatively physically fit for this active tour.
Adult Price: $139 Child Price: $139 Fixed Wing Flightseeing Denali Glacier Landing (Available on Day 3)We offer the only flight that lands on glaciers at the base of Mt. Denali. The pilot will ensure everyone has ample opportunity for photographs, especially photos of Denali. Upon arrival at one of the glacier landing zones passengers deplane and step into the "Ice Age". Passengers spend 20 minutes snowball throwing, snow angel making, picture taking, or just being awed by the beauty of the "other worldly" surroundings.
Adult Price: $649 Child Price: $649 Denali Fly Fishing (Available on Day 3)Fly Fish in Alaska! Experienced or beginner; you will fish for Arctic Grayling on lakes in the heart of the Alaska Range. The catch and release fly fishing package offers half day opportunities with no experience necessary. This personalized and fully outfitted trip includes gear, guide, equipment, and transportation. Fishing License additional. 4.5 hour tour with 2.5 hours on the water fishing.
Adult Price: $205 Child Price: $205 Denali Fixed Wing Flightseeing (Available on Day 3)Travel like the Bush pilots of Alaska! Enjoy a 60-70 minute fixed wing flightseeing journey following the Alaska Range out to about one mile from Mt. Denali.
Adult Price: $400 Child Price: $400 Helicopter Glacier Landing Expedition - 50 Minutes (Available on Day 3)Step into another world most people never see. Walk upon an ancient glacier tucked away deep in the Alaska Range. Blue ice, stunning views, and towering peaks combine to make this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Fly east, away from Denali National Park. Glacier walking boots are provided.
Adult Price: $536 Child Price: $536 Helicopter Tundra Landing Expedition (Available on Day 3)Don’t just fly over the mountains. Get out in them. Enjoy this short helicopter ride through the peaks and valleys that make up the Alaska Range. Explore the hills just outside of Denali National Park. Look down below for wildlife, keep your eyes on the horizon for a chance at viewing Mt. Denali. After a gentle landing, step out into this magical landscape. Sink your feet in the tundra, snap a flurry of photos, or just breathe in that crisp mountain air. Includes 15-20 minutes of flight, with a 15-20 minutes tundra landing.
Adult Price: $249 Child Price: $249 Helicopter Dog Sled Tour (Available on Day 3)A helicopter is used to transport you to our alpine camp where our experienced guide will accompany you as you mush along a snow-covered glacier. Drive the sled yourself or ride if you prefer as you enjoy the dramatic scenery. Back at camp you can bundle yourself up in actual Iditarod racing gear including an original bib-number for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. You will learn about Alaskan Huskies and the legendary Alaska dog mushing Seavey family.
Adult Price: $554 Child Price: $554 Valdez Helicopter - 30 Minutes (Available on Day 7)This action packed, aerial tour offers beautiful views of the spectacular glaciers and the stunning Chugach Mountains around Valdez. Within minutes of taking off, you will see glaciers, wildlife, waterfalls and more. You will have ample time and opportunity to get photos and video to create lasting memories. 30-minute total duration.
Adult Price: $295 Child Price: $295 Valdez Helicopter with Glacier Explorer Landing - 1 Hour (Available on Day 7)Not only will you get to explore multiple glaciers and look for wildlife, but your pilot will also take some time to find the perfect spot to land. You will have plenty of time to take pictures and drink some of the pure glacier water. 1 hour flight includes 30 minutes landing.
Adult Price: $375 Child Price: $375