Day 1:  Anchorage arrival
Pick up your rental vehicle at the Anchorage airport upon your arrival and drive to your hotel. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2:  Anchorage to Denali National Park / 237miles
Plan 5 hrs driving time, not including stops.
First you follow the Glenn Highway northbound. A few interesting stops along the Glenn Highway are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. Continuing on the Parks Highway towards Denali National Park, you drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. You can take a side trip to the small gold mining community Talkeetna, famous for its special charm for an optional jetboat cruise or flight seeing tour (not included), or continue on to Denali National Park for an afternoon of optional rafting or a jeep safari (not included). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 3:  Denali National Park to Fairbanks / 125 miles
Plan 2.5 hrs driving time, not including stops.
This morning enjoy a 6-8 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (approx. 55miles/88km into the park). The park is inhabited by many different animal species, and with some luck you may see bears, caribou, moose, sheep, wolves and a variety of birds. Mt. McKinley may also be seen, weather permitting. A snack is provided during your tour. This afternoon, upon return from your park tour, continue on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Surrounded by forests and mountains, you drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester, an old mining camp. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 4:  Fairbanks
Today you have time to explore Fairbanks and surroundings. Participate in optional excursions including the Riverboat Discovery Cruise or a visit to Eldorado Gold Mine (not included). Or drive to Chena Hot Springs to visit the Ice Museum and to take a relaxing bath in the hot springs. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 5:  Fairbanks to Valdez / 366 miles
Plan 7 hrs driving time, not including stops.
Today your journey continues as you head east toward Delta Junction. As you depart Fairbanks you will drive through North Pole, home of the Santa Claus House. In Delta Junction, take the spectacular Richardson Highway south towards Valdez. Part of the route parallels the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Weather permitting you'll have incredible views of the St. Elias Mountains. Drive by Worthington Glacier and through Keystone Canyon with its many cascading waterfalls. Overnight in Valdez.

Day 6:  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 7: 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.)
Today you depart Valdez on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry and travel through beautiful Prince William Sound.  Upon arrival in Whittier, drive through the Whittier-Portage Tunnel (one-lane tunnel, open to traffic during certain hours only) with a possible stop at the Portage Glacier and Visitor Center. Continue along the Seward Highway through scenic landscape to Seward.  We recommend possible side trips to Hope and Exit Glacier in Seward. Overnight in Seward.

Day 8: Seward to Anchorage / 127 miles
Plan 3 hrs drive time, not including stops.
There is plenty of time today to enjoy optional excursions, including a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, a helicopter dog sledding tour, or a visit to an Iditarod musher homestead and dog sled ride (not included).  Later you will return to Anchorage for your final night. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 9:  Anchorage departure

Return your car to the Anchorage airport car rental station. Depart or start an additional program.

8 nights accommodation, 8 day midsize rental car with unlimited mileage, bus tour into Denali National Park with snack and park fee, ferry passage for passengers and vehicle, and all taxes and fees.