Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Anchorage arrival
Your Alaska vacation begins upon arrival in Anchorage where you make your own way to your first hotel. Spend the afternoon getting to know Alaska by exploring the unique charms of this frontier town. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 2 - Anchorage to Denali National Park (237 miles/379 km, 5 hrs)
Drive the Glenn Highway north to Wasilla. Interesting stops along the Glenn Highway might be the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. In Wasilla you continue on the Parks Highway north towards Denali National Park. You drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. A possible side trip on your Alaska tour may be to the small gold mining community Talkeetna, famous for its special charm. Overnight Denali.

Day 3 - Denali National Park
Enjoy a 6 to 8 hour Alaska wildlife tour into Denali National Park (approx. 55miles/88km into the park). The park is home to a variety of different animal species. Keep an eye out for bears, caribou, moose, sheep, wolves and a variety of birds. If the weather is just right, you may be able to see the peak of Mt. McKinley. Snack is included. Overnight in Denali.

Day 4 - Denali to Fairbanks (121 miles/194 km, 2.5 hrs)
Continue on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. You will be accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes as you travel Alaska through the communities Healy and Nenana and by Ester, an old mining camp. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 5 - Fairbanks to Valdez (366 miles/586 km, 7 hrs)
Drive the spectacular Richardson Highway south, which runs parallels to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline for part of the journey. Kepp your eyes open for incredible views of the St Elias Mountains (weather permitting). Drive by Worthington Glacier and through Keystone Canyon with its waterfalls. Overnight Valdez.

Day 6 - Valdez
Enjoy a full day to explore Valdez on own. This city is the end terminus of the Alyeska Pipeline as well as perfect gateway to explore the Prince William Sound and its glaciers. Choose from a number of activities such as day cruises into Prince William Sound and to Columbia Glacier, or kayaking tours. Overnight in Valdez.

Day 7 - Valdez to Seward (85 miles/140 km, 9 hrs total)
Leave Valdez in the early morning on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry and make your way through beautiful Prince William Sound. Upon arrival in Whittier, drive through the new Whittier-Portage Tunnel, a one-lane tunnel (open to traffic during certain hours only). You may wish to make a stop at the Portage Glacier and Visitor Center. Then drive the Seward Highway through scenic landscape to Seward. Another possible side trip would be to Hope and Exit Glacier. Overnight in Seward.

Day 8 - Seward to Anchorage (127 miles/204 km, 2.5 hrs)
Enjoy the morning at leisure before you travel back to Anchorage. You may choose to take a wildlife and glacier cruise into scenic Kenai Fjords National Park - both great endings to your Alaska vacation. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 9 - Anchorage departure
Return car to Anchorage car rental station. Make your own way to the airport as your Alaska vacation comes to a memorable end.