Explore Alaska
9 days
From $ 2105
Duration9 days
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Go deep into the wild on this active Alaskan adventure. Alaska may be part of the USA, but it feels like another world. This trip gives the freedom to hike, kayak, climb or fly your way through the iconic Denali and Wrangell-St Elias national parks. It’s a big, bold landscape filled with incredible mountain ranges, diverse wildlife and shining glaciers. Get truly into the wild as well as reunite with civilisation with stops in Anchorage and Valdez. There’s also plenty of free time to explore this beautiful landscape at your own pace.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 9 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Physical Grading: Light
  • Ages: 15+
Explore Alaska - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Anchorage
Welcome to Anchorage, Alaska's most populous city and, quite frankly, one of the most beautifully backdropped cities in the entire country. Things kick off this evening with a welcome meeting at 6, but we highly recommend arriving early if possible to see the sights. This is a truly unique environment, a city in the heart of the wilderness, and the surrounding area is simply stunning. It's worth just spending some time in the cafes and bars and getting to know the hardy locals who have more than a few entertaining stories up their sleeves. After you meet your fellow travellers and leader in the evening, why not join them in town for an optional group dinner.
Please inform the hotel reception if you're going to be late to the meeting. We'll also be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.
Day 2: Denali National Park
Leave the city behind this morning and venture into a world of sparkling lakes, epic glaciers and the formidable Alaska Range. Head north along the Parks Highway to Denali National Park (approximately five hours), keeping an eye out for caribou as you go. Home to the highest peak in the United States, Denali (Mount McKinley), as well as grizzly bears, wolves, moose and Dall sheep, this national park is a true pristine wilderness with endless snowy peaks.
Day 3: Denali National Park
Buckle up for an eight-hour bus trip through Denali National Park, visiting the Eielson Visitor Centre as you go. This scenic tour will take you through the park's scenic backcountry, travelling 66 miles to the visitor centre. The journey is worth it as the rangers and interactive displays provide a great insight to, and information about, the national park. The drive of the bus will help you spot wildlife while answering questions and, of course, making bathroom stops. Be sure to bring some food and beverages with you as there aren't any available on the tour itself.
Day 4: Maclaren River
Traverse through high alpine country as you drive Alaska's second-highest highway pass to the Maclaren River Lodge. Kick back with some music and take in the epic views or get to know some of your travel buddies along the way. On arrival at the lodge, take a canoe upriver to the remote wilderness Glacier Camp, where you'll spend the night camping out beneath the stars and have an opportunity to explore the surrounding area. 
Day 5: Wrangell-St Elias National Park
Wake from your peaceful slumber and canoe back to the lodge in the morning. Today is a big travel day, with approximately eight hours total driving time, but it's also a really beautiful drive with plenty of wildlife and some phenomenal views along the way. You'll leave the main highway and head deep into Wrangell-St Elias National Park, which is the largest national park in the country and almost six times the size of Yellowstone. The evening is free once you've arrived at the campsite, so enjoy exploring the area or kick back and soak up the camp vibes.
Day 6: Wrangell-St Elias National Park
Today is free to explore Wrangell-St Elias National Park and there are a whole host of optional activities to take part in. Perhaps take a scenic flight over the park or venture out for a glacier walk on the spectacular Root Glacier, or maybe try your hand at some adrenaline-pumping ice climbing. Alternatively, just spend the day hiking and exploring this stunning area – all 13 million acres of it. Keep an eye out for moose, bears and caribou and then, in the evening, return to the campsite for some much-needed (and well-earned) rest.
Day 7: Valdez
Depart Wrangell-St Elias and make tracks for Valdez, a small town on the edge of Prince William Sound. The trip should take approximately seven and a half hours, including a stop at Worthington Glacier en route. Valdez, which is surroudned by the steep, snow-capoped Chugach Mountains, is best known as the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and has a population of a few thousand. Set up camp after arriving and the rest of the evening is free to relax or check out town.
Day 8: Valdez
Today is free to do what you like in Valdez. Kayaking is hugely popular here, and you can paddle on Prince William Sound, among the glaciers, down the fjords through to waterfalls and with the setting of imposing mountains in the background. On land, possibly visit the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive for an interesting history of this important port city.
Day 9: Anchorage
This morning take the long drive back to Anchorage, which usually takes around six hours. This may be a tiring journey, but it's also a spectacular one as you cross the immense Thompson Pass.
The trip finishes on arrival into Anchorage and no accommodation is provided tonight. The arrival time depends on each group, but if you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 9pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you wish to spend extra time in Anchorage we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Inclusions

Included

  • Denali National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Denali National Park Visitor Centre
  • Denali - Scenic bus tour
  • Maclaren - Wilderness Glacier Overnight Canoe Trip
  • Denali's Alaskan Huskies - Dog Sled Demonstration

  • Transport

    Private vehicle

  • Accommodation

    Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Camping (with facilities) (4 nights), Hotel (1 night)

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