Day 1 : Fly to Alaska

We fly to Anchorage and check in to our comfortable accommodations.

Day 2 : Anchorage

Today we explore all that Anchorage has to offer. Known as the gateway to Alaska’s adventures, this one-of-a-kind city is nestled between 5,000-foot peaks and an inlet. Learn from a local what it’s like to call Alaska’s largest city home, with bears and moose within town limits. See where the original townsite of tents began and where an entire neighborhood slid into the sea during the powerful 1964 earthquake at Earthquake Park. Watch for planes taking off and landing at the world’s busiest seaplane base on Lake Hood, the same location where planes with skis can land in the winter when it freezes over. We take a break from explorations to get to know our fellow travelers over an included Holiday Vacations Welcome Lunch. Our planned activities conclude with discovering new things at the Anchorage Museum that celebrates everything about Alaska including art, culture, history, ecology, and ethnography.

Day 3 : Talkeetna

After breakfast we depart from Anchorage and travel to the quaint village of Talkeetna, with free time and lunch on our own in historic downtown. This afternoon we embark on a Jet Boat Adventure, watching for views of wildlife and majestic Denali. Our immersive experience continues as we pull ashore for a short stroll through a forest trail to gaze upon Alaska’s natural wonders. Arriving at the replica of a Dena’ina Indian dwelling, we discover the history of these indigenous people and even step inside an authentic trapper’s cabin. Later, we check in to our Talkeetna hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 4 : Denali National Park and Preserve

This morning we make our way north and watch for views of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain. Along the way to Denali, we break at the Alaska Veterans Memorial to stretch our legs and take pictures. Upon reaching our destination, we embark on an exciting guided exploration of Denali National Park hoping to catch a glimpse of bear, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep From the boreal forest to the open tundra, it’s an incredible feeling to experience the untamed beauty and vast landscapes of this protected wilderness.

Day 5 : Denali, Your Way

Today, take advantage of ample time at leisure and discover the Denali area however you choose. From hiking to river rafting, shopping, or visiting a sled dog kennel, there are plenty of options. Later, we travel from Denali to Fairbanks in a domed rail car with dinner service included. Relax and watch the changing landscapes as we travel further into Alaska’s Interior.

Day 6 : Fairbanks

Start today with a visit to Gold Daughters to learn the craft of gold panning and become masters ourselves as we use our newly conquered panning techniques to find and keep gold of our own. A stroll over to the Mining Museum allows us to explore Alaska’s gold rush history, marveling at hundreds of fascinating relics. Following an included lunch, we stop to view Alaska’s most incredible engineering feat, the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, and hear more about its crucial contributions to the economy. We then head to Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center to discover how Alaska’s indigenous people have lived in the Great Land throughout each season with immaculate exhibits. Tonight we have dinner on our own and the evening at leisure.

Day 7 : Valdez

After an included breakfast, we begin our drive to Valdez on the historic Richardson Highway, the first in Alaska’s interior. Keep watch for glimpses of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, both above ground in areas of permafrost and underground. We make a stop where the iconic pipeline makes a river crossing on a suspension bridge for a photo opportunity. Further down the road we break in Delta Junction, where the Alaska Highway and Richardson Highway meet. As we continue on this scenic byway, have your cameras ready for the plethora of spectacular sights that lie ahead – the Alaska range, Wrangell and Chugach Mountains, glacier-fed rivers, and lush forests. A stop at the Wrangell- St. Elias National Park Visitor Center allows us to view the unique exhibits or roam around this beautiful area. Tonight we check in to our Valdez accommodations and take the evening at leisure.

Day 8 : Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

Today we embark on an extraordinary adventure through Prince William Sound with a Columbia Glacier and Wildlife Cruise. While traversing these calm waters, our narrated cruise offers views of hanging and tidewater glaciers with a chance to witness calving glaciers crash into the sea. We also have the opportunity to see some of the marine life that call the Sound home, such as humpback whales, orcas, Dall’s porpoises, sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and sea birds. Upon returning to Valdez, we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 9 : Scenic Byway

Soak in the breathtaking sights of steep rock walls and towering waterfalls as we drive up Keystone Canyon, making stops at Thompson Pass and Worthington Glacier for exceptional photo opportunities. We continue on the Glenn Highway, a scenic byway of majestic mountain views that takes us to the sprawling Matanuska Glacier. Later, we arrive in Anchorage.

Day 10 : Fond Farewells

Following a leisurely morning, we take a scenic tram ride at Alyeska Resort for views of hanging glaciers and mountain peaks within the Chugach Mountains. We then gather for a delicious farewell meal to celebrate our shared adventures in the Last Frontier. Our afternoon is spent at the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore how native cultures shaped this amazing state and learn what time-honored traditions still exist today. Later, our overnight flight returns us home.

Day 11 : Journey’s End