Highlights of Alaska
15 days
From
$ 4149
Duration15 days
A vast, rugged land of jaw-dropping beauty and abundant wildlife, Alaska remains America’s last truly unconquered frontier. Up to the challenge? This 15-day adventure will put you in touch with one massive state more than you’d imagined possible, mixing hotel stays with cabins typical of the Alaskan frontier. Along the way, you’ll sample amazingly fresh seafood in Anchorage, hike Denali National Park, investigate glaciers, and be blown away by the awesome majesty of your surroundings. Prepare to have your horizons expanded tenfold.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Basic
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Anchorage
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Please keep in mind, a lot of what there is to see and do in Alaska is weather-dependent. We give our CEOs the opportunity to adjust the schedule as needed based on weather. For example, something scheduled on the itinerary for Day 2 may be better on Day 4, when the sun is shining. Please be flexible and enjoy the ride.
Hiking note: On this trip there are several options for hikes in each location. Your CEO will adjust the hikes according to weather and fitness level of the group.
Hiking note: On this trip there are several options for hikes in each location. Your CEO will adjust the hikes according to weather and fitness level of the group.
Day 2: Anchorage/Homer
Travel around the coast of the Kenai Peninsula, where glaciers tumble down from the mountains towards the ocean. Keep an eye out for beluga whales playing out at sea while travelling along the Turnagain Arm, or volcanoes across the Cook Inlet.
Travel along the coast of the Kenai Peninsula. Opt to enjoy a hike outside of Homer.
Meals: L
Day 3: Homer
While in Homer, keep a look out for some of the local wildlife including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, moose and shorebirds, to name a few.
Enjoy a free day in Homer. Opt to take a water taxi to explore Kachemak Bay or go for a hike.
Day 4: Homer/Seward
Leave Homer in the morning and arrive at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula where the ice age still lingers. Spend the day exploring this site to discover the fjords, their history, science and remote splendor.
Head out for an amazing hike to the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield. Considered one of the greatest hikes on the Kenai Peninsula, experience glaciers and the forces that shaped the landscape up close, while exploring only a tiny portion of the nearly 1 million acres that make up Kenai Fjords National Park.
Head out for an amazing hike to the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield. Considered one of the greatest hikes on the Kenai Peninsula, experience glaciers and the forces that shaped the landscape up close, while exploring only a tiny portion of the nearly 1 million acres that make up Kenai Fjords National Park.
Travel to the Kenai Peninsula and explore the Kenai Fjords.
Hike to the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield this afternoon, seeing the size and power of this natural phenomenon in person.
Hike to the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield this afternoon, seeing the size and power of this natural phenomenon in person.
Meals: L
Day 5: Seward/Valdez
Hop an Alaska Marine Highway ferry through the Inside Passage, across the Gulf of Alaska and into Prince William Sound. If weather permits, catch a glimpse of the Columbia Glacier.
The Columbia Glacier is receding, leaving huge blocks of ice and an impassible moraine. It is always changing and each day the bay is filled with floating ice.
The crashing glaciers and towering Chugach Mountains rising from the sea make Valdez absolutely picturesque.
The Columbia Glacier is receding, leaving huge blocks of ice and an impassible moraine. It is always changing and each day the bay is filled with floating ice.
The crashing glaciers and towering Chugach Mountains rising from the sea make Valdez absolutely picturesque.
Spend the day on a scenic journey to Valdez. Take the ferry across the Gulf of Alaska and into Prince William Sound. View Portage Glacier and the town of Whittier before arriving to Valdez.
Meals: L
Day 6: Valdez
Valdez is a quintessential Alaskan coastal town surrounded by impressive mountains, and a great place to explore. Opt to hike Thompson's pass, kayak beside one of the world's largest tidal glaciers or catch a glimpse of salmon spawning (in season). The crashing glaciers and towering Chugach Mountains rising from the sea make Valdez absolutely picturesque.
Enjoy a full day to discover everything that Valdez has to offer. Opt to go kayaking or hiking.
Day 7: Valdez/McCarthy
Travel into Wrangell-St Elias National Park, staying in the small historic town of McCarthy. Surrounded by more mountains and glaciers than anywhere else in Alaska, every direction has a spectacular view. The McCarthy road is an experience in itself. Once a railroad heading towards vast mining fortunes, the gravel road that remains couples incredible views with a rugged driving surface that truly encompasses the wild feeling of Alaska.
Travel toward the huge and wild Wrangell-St Elias National Park, stopping at Worthington Glacier en route.
Meals: B, L
Day 8-9: McCarthy
This national park is the largest in the US, roughly 25% larger than Switzerland, and is the convergence of three mountain ranges.
Spend two days exploring the park and hiking around. Opt to take a scenic flight, go for a glacier walk or try ice climbing. Choose to explore the ghost town of Kennecott, hike the Bonanza Mine Trail or the Root Glacier Trail.
Day 10: McCarthy/Tangle Lakes
Drive through Copper River Valley en route to Tangle Lakes, checking out the fishwheels (used for salmon) along the way.
Meals: L
Day 11: Tangle Lakes/Denali National Park and Preserve
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Denali Highway, stopping for photos along the way. In the afternoon, reach Denali National Park, known for its diversity of wildlife and the highest mountain in North America, Denali, formerly called Mt McKinley. Bask in the awesomeness of this vast wilderness.
Journey to Denali National Park and look for a clear view of Denali en route, the highest mountain in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley.
Enjoy a picnic.
Meals: L
Day 12: Denali National Park and Preserve
Enjoy plenty of time to explore and hike Denali NP. Whether it's the summer when the animals are raising their young, or winter when they're preparing for the cold and hibernation, you'll get to see it all.
Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali with some hikes in the area. Enjoy picnic lunches and revel in the awesomeness of the park.
For those that do not want to hike, options include rafting on the Nenana River, a visit to the dog-sled kennels run by the park rangers or opt to take a scenic flight over Denali.
Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali with some hikes in the area. Enjoy picnic lunches and revel in the awesomeness of the park.
For those that do not want to hike, options include rafting on the Nenana River, a visit to the dog-sled kennels run by the park rangers or opt to take a scenic flight over Denali.
Enjoy a full-day excursion into Denali NP to Eielson Visitor Center to take in the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Opt to get closer to nature with hikes, rafting or a scenic flight.
Enjoy a picnic lunch.
Meals: L
Day 13: Denali National Park and Preserve
Enjoy more free time to explore Denali National Park.
Day 14: Denali National Park and Preserve/Anchorage
Opt to enjoy a final dinner with the group and reminisce about the epic journey into the wild.
Drive to Anchorage and enjoy a final evening with the group.
Meals: L
Day 15: Anchorage
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- All national and state park entrance fees
- Hikes and exploration of Kenai Peninsula
- Hike to Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield
- Views of Portage and Worthington Glaciers
- Wrangell-St Elias National Park visit
- McCarthy visit
- Cooper River Valley and Tangle Lakes views
- Full-day excursion to Eielson Visitor Center in Denali NP
- Free time in Homer, Valdez, and Denali National Park
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Air-conditioned private vehicle, National park shuttle bus, Ferry, Hiking -
Accommodation
Standard hotels (3 nts), Cabins (2 nts, en suite facilities), Basic hotels/cabins (6 nts, shared facilities), Basic hotels (3 nts, triple-share, shared facilities)