Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Anchorage
Upon arrival in Alaska you will make your way to your Anchorage hotel for the night by complimentary hotel shuttle bus. You have the remainder of the day to explore the town of Anchorage on own.

Days 2 & 3 - Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest
Meet your group this morning and travel south on the scenic Seward Highway (a USDA National Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All American Road) along the Turnagain Arm to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula. Look up and see the mountains of the Chugach Range and the Kenai Mountains towering above you as you marvel at the scenery and keep an eye out for wildlife. Tonight you camp near the water’s edge at one of Alaska’s gorgeous lakes. You will have a full day here to participate in a variety of recreational activities. We recommend taking advantage of the great hiking in the area and encourage you to use the canoes to explore the local lakes.

Day 4 - Seward
Today you arrive at Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, home of the 300 square mile Harding Ice Field and abundant marine wildlife. Spend the day here and participate in a variety of recreational activities. Tonight you’ll stay at a Seward hotel. Take advantage of the outstanding hiking here if you haven’t had enough in the past few days. Hikers can choose between the Harding Ice field trail at Exit Glacier or Caines Head trail on Resurrection Bay. Alternately, the glacier/wildlife cruise is one of our favorites.

Day 5 - Denali National Park
Travel north to Denali National Park. Denali Mt. (Mt. McKinley) (20,320 ft.), Mt Foraker (17,400 ft.), and Mt. Hunter (14,573 ft.) are all visible from several vistas along the way. Continue north taking you over Broad Pass and for your first taste of the treeless north. On the north side of Alaska Range we’ll meet up with the Nenana River which will lead the group to Denali National Park. Explore the park entrance this evening - be sure to visit the newly constructed Denali National Park Visitor Center and/or go on a short hike.

Days 6 & 7 - Denali National Park
You have two full days to explore the diverse Denali region! One day is set aside for a wildlife bus tour into the heart of Denali National Park (included in tour cost). Keep your camera on hand as you watch for grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, and arctic fox. Tremendous views of North America's largest mountain Mt. McKinley (Denali) are a treat if the weather is just right. Get off the bus for a hike in a wild and remote wilderness. The other day is reserved for recreational activities based near the park entrance. There are multiple hiking options within Denali National Park near the park entrance. Another popular activity is the dog sled kennel tour offered free by the National Park Service.

Day 8 - Anchorage
Your Alaska tour continues with a casual drive to Anchorage with time for sightseeing and day hikes. Arrive in Anchorage by 5:00-5:30 pm where you are dropped off at your Anchorage accommodation by your Alaska adventure travel guide.

Day 9 - Matanuska River Valley
Meet with your group this morning and drive to the Matanuska Glacier, the largest accessible glacier in Alaska. This afternoon, take a walk onto the ice and moraine to explore a variety of unique glacial features with your travel guide.

Days 10 & 11 - Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Spend two days at Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the U.S. which contains some of North America's highest peaks. Explore the old copper mining towns of McCarthy and Kennicott within the park. Located nearby are the massive Kennicott and Root Glaciers, which are overshadowed by the 5000 foot Stairway Icefall. These wonders are not accessible by most tours but you really do get off the beaten path and spend the whole day in this area. Spend the next 2 nights at either a historic hotel or in a cabin.

Days 12 & 13 - Valdez and Prince William Sound
Your Alaska tour continues with a scenic drive to Valdez. From here you can view the Alaska Pipeline and stop at the road-accessible Worthington Glacier for a short hike. Later, cross scenic Thompson Pass and arrive in Valdez to explore the harbour. Often referred to as the 'Little Switzerland' of Alaska, Valdez is beautifully situated at the base of the towering Chugach Mountains. The lush landscape, high concentration of glaciers and great outdoor recreation make Valdez a popular destination. We recommend taking advantage of the great hiking or consider another favourite activity.

Day 14 - Prince William Sound
Your Alaska tour includes a ride across Prince William Sound on the Alaska State Ferry. Relax and enjoy the scenery from the deck as you look for bears, humpback and killer whales, Dahl’s porpoises, sea lions, harbour seals, and mountain goats. You will pass the Columbia Glacier, one of the largest and most magnificent tidewater glaciers in the state. This afternoon's destination is the small town of Hope and where you will camp near the shore of Turnagain Arm.

Day 15 - Hope to Anchorage
On the final day of your tour, explore the fascinating gold rush town of Hope and go on a short hike. For a more exciting adventure, take an optional whitewater rafting adventure on Sixmile Creek or Granite Creek. Return to Anchorage in the evening to be dropped off at the Anchorage airport or a hotel.

Please Note: This itinerary is a sample only. Itineraries may change without notice.