This amazing array of attractions and adventures provides a truly unique family vacation experience. Our Circle Alaska Family Adventure includes every Alaskan highlight imaginable. All aboard! The Alaska Railroad not only provides transportation for the first portion of your journey, but the scenic views and excellent service create an enjoyable experience all on its own. From Anchorage, travel north toward Denali National Park with opportunities to see Mt. McKinley along the way. In Fairbanks, you can pan for gold and cruise aboard a classic sternwheeler riverboat. Next, you will continue touring by car along the route leading to Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Valdez. A trip across Prince William Sound aboard the Alaska ferry gives a taste of Alaska’s glaciers and marine wildlife, while a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is both educational and exciting, for old and young alike!

11 Days / 10 Nights

Day 1:  Arrival Anchorage
Transfer to your downtown area hotel by courtesy shuttle or taxi. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Within walking distance of your hotel is the Anchorage Museum of History and Art and other downtown attractions as well as many dining options. You may also wish to participate in an optional activity such as Flight seeing or Mountain Biking (not included). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2:  Anchorage to Denali National Park

This morning transfer to the Anchorage train station by hotel courtesy shuttle or taxi. Then depart Anchorage for Denali National Park aboard the Alaska Railroad at 8:15am*. Upon arrival in Denali (3:30pm) a hotel courtesy shuttle will meet the train and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for optional tours in Denali such as Helicopter Flight seeing or a Jeep Safari (not included). Your hotel provides free transportation to the park's Visitor Center, which is just a short walk from hiking trails and the ranger station with Alaska husky dog kennels. Overnight at the Denali Park Entrance.

Day 3:  Denali National Park
Today you have an early morning bus tour into Denali National Park. This tour is approximately 6-8 hours long, which varies due to the spotting of wildlife within the park. Sightings may include moose, bear, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and many small mammals such as fox. Your experienced driver will provide narration about Denali's natural history and unique sub-arctic desert terrain. A snack is included. Overnight at the Denali park entrance.

Day 4:  Denali to Fairbanks
Free morning to explore the Denali area on your own and to take advantage of the many optional tours in the Denali area. You depart Denali for Fairbanks at 3:45pm via the Alaska Railroad, arriving at 8:00pm. A dining car is available on the train. A local transfer on arrival is provided by your hotel. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 5:  Fairbanks
This morning you pick up your rental car at the Fairbanks airport before you depart at 8:45am aboard a classic sternwheeler riverboat. On this 3.5 hour sternwheeler riverboat cruise you see an Athabascan fish camp, Alaskan bush pilot demonstration and a championship sled dog team . After your return, you have time for lunch and relaxation before you visit the El Dorado Gold Mine. During this 2 hour guided tour you will learn about past and present gold mining in Alaska. Take a ride on the Tanana Valley Railroad through a permafrost tunnel where Alaska's history comes alive. Enjoy a walking tour of the mining camp where you can meet Alaska miners and learn about present day placer mining methods. After a short course in gold mining, grab your own "poke" filled with pay dirt right out of a sluice box and try your hand at panning for gold. Keep what you find! Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 6:  Fairbanks to Valdez / 368 miles
Plan 7 hours of driving time, not including stops.
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Richardson Highway, one of the oldest and most scenic highways in Alaska. This route follows the Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Just outside of Fairbanks, stop at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska. Along the way, there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. As you near your final destination of Valdez, you are very near the boundary of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve. This region of Alaska offers impressive vistas of several of North America's tallest peaks. Take some time today to explore and visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park headquarters and ranger station, then continue into the Chugach Mountains and through Thompson Pass. There are several places to stop and enjoy the amazing landscapes, including Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil Falls. Overnight in Valdez.

Day 7:  Valdez
Today is at your leisure to enjoy Valdez and surroundings. Try a leisurely and scenic kayaking trip or see some of Prince William Sound's well known glaciers with a glacier cruise (not included). Overnight in Valdez.

Day 8:  Valdez to Seward / Ferry from Valdez to Whittier (3 or 6 hrs). Drive Whittier to Seward (85 miles; plan 2 hours drive time, not including tunnel waiting period or stops.)
This morning drive your car aboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry in Valdez. As you depart Valdez, you will sail past the huge oil tankers which transport Alaskan oil to the "Lower 48." Enjoy the scenery and relaxing pace as you cruise through Prince William Sound, where playful sea otters and lazy sea lions abound - don't forget your binoculars! On arrival in the port of Whittier, drive off of the ferry and into a mountain tunnel which takes you to Portage Glacier Valley. From here, it is a beautiful drive to Seward. Along the way, you can stop at Portage Lake or Exit Glacier. Overnight in Seward.

Day 9:  Seward
Today you have time to explore the quaint town of Seward, known as the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. Admission is included into the state-of-the-art marine science facility at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Here you will get an up close look at Alaska's diverse marine life and sea birds. Also included is a visit of Mitch Seavey's Iditarod Racing Kennel where you will meet the famous sled dogs that run the Iditarod sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome every year in March. You can cuddle adorable puppies,  dress up as an Iditarod musher, and take in the spectacular Alaskan wilderness as you mush for two miles with an Iditarod racer.  This 1.5 hr tour, also voted "Best Dog Sled Tour in Alaska" is designed for guests of all ages and abilities. Later today you still have the opportunity for a boat cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park (not included). Overnight in Seward.

Day 10:  Seward to Anchorage / 127 miles
Plan 3 hours drive time, not including stops.
This morning you have plenty of time for an optional tour in Seward (not included) before you head back to Anchorage. On your drive to Anchorage you first drive through the Chugach Mountains and then along Cook Inlet's Turnagain Arm, scene of the second highest tidal flow in North America. En route we suggest a few worthwhile stops, including the ski resort village of Girdwood and the Potter's Marsh bird sanctuary. Depending on your arrival time, there maybe ample time to explore Alaska's largest city. Anchorage's Alaska Native Heritage Center is a great facility to see and learn about Alaska's varied native cultures and traditional lifestyles. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 11:  Departure
Return the car to the airport rental station today. Depart or start additional program.

*All rail times are approximate and subject to change.