13 Days / 12 Night

Day 1:  Anchorage arrival

Transfer to your hotel by taxi (included). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2:  Anchorage

Today is at your leisure to explore Anchorage. Enjoy a 1 hour narrated tour of the city by trolley, then spend the rest of the day shopping, visiting the museum or enjoying an optional tour such as flight-seeing (not included). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 3:  Anchorage to Chitina to McCarthy / Kennicott / 254 miles
Plan 5.5 hours driving time, not including stops, plus 30-minute flight from Chitina to McCarthy.
This morning, transfer by taxi (included) to the downtown car rental station to pick up your car. Then you will drive the scenic Glenn Highway northeast toward Glennallen. Along the way there are numerous photo stops, such as the Matanuska Glacier, and hiking trails, including at Independence Mine State Historical Park. Once you reach Glennallen, you will head south on the Richardson Highway to Chitina, where you will leave your rental car and board a bush plane for the scenic flight into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Your final destination is the spectacular Kennicott mines and Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

Day 4:  McCarthy / Kennicott

Take a step back in time today on a 2.5-hour historical tour of Kennecott. Your guide will take you inside the 14 story Mill Building of the Kennecott Copper Corporation, which was built in the early 1900s. Catch a glimpse of what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness, while hearing tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. This afternoon, you have plenty of time for an optional guided glacier hike or rafting tour (not included). Overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.
 

Day 5:  McCarthy / Kennicott to Chitina to Fairbanks / 314 miles

30 minute flight from McCarthy to Chitina, plus 6 hours driving time, not including stops
Begin your day with a return flight to Chitina, where you will pick up your car. Your drive takes you north on Alaska's oldest highway, the Richardson Highway, which began in 1898 as a gold rush trail to Eagle. This route follows the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Along the way, there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska's "Gateway to the Arctic." We suggest a visit to the University Of Alaska Museum of the North and the Musk Ox farm. You have several options for gold panning and gold mine tours, such as the El Dorado Gold Mine or the Discover the Gold City Tour (not included). Overnight in Fairbanks.
 

Day 6: Fairbanks to Denali National Park to Kantishna / 125 miles
Depart Fairbanks this morning, traveling south on the Parks Highway. You will leave your car at the Denali National Park entrance area and, at approx. 1pm, depart on a wildlife bus tour through the Park to Kantishna. Along the way, your naturalist driver/guide will discuss the history of the park and help you search for moose, bear, caribou and other animals. Stops will be made to enjoy the scenery and photograph wildlife. The bus will arrive at the lodge at 8pm. Meals are included at the lodge beginning with dinner tonight. Overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. (Dinner)

Day 7: Kantishna

Spend the day enjoying a naturalist-led guided hike or walk, panning for gold, mountain biking through the backcountry, or fishing. Activities are included with your stay (except for optional flight-seeing tours of Mt. McKinley). In the evening, enjoy a presentation focusing on the local area, read a book from the extensive natural history library, or just relax and share stories from the day. Overnight at the Kantishna Roadhouse. (All meals)

Day 8: Kantishna to Park Entrance to Talkeetna / 153 miles

5 - 6 hour bus ride to the park entrance, plus 3 hours driving time to Talkeetna, not including stops.

Enjoy a light breakfast early this morning before departing at 6am on the bus back to the park entrance. For a truly unique experience, upgrade to a scenic return flight past Mt. McKinley to the park entrance (additional cost; please see below). Then enjoy a scenic drive south to Talkeetna, a small town known for its special charm. This evening, you have time for a spectacular flight-seeing tour or a riverboat excursion (not included). Overnight in Talkeetna. (Breakfast)

Day 9: Talkeetna to Seward / 240 miles
Plan 5 hours driving time, not including stops.
Today you will drive south through the Matanuska Valley before reaching Anchorage. With Anchorage’s many restaurants, it is a good place to stop for lunch. Head south on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm. There are beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains on this route, where you can frequently see Dall sheep perched on roadside cliffs. You may decide to visit Exit Glacier, one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. There are numerous interpretive trails in the area, including one that leads to the face of the glacier. Overnight in Seward.
 

Day 10: Seward to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

At 10am, depart from the scenic port of Seward. After a four to five-hour wildlife and tidewater glacier cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park, arrive at the shores near the lodge. The lodge and guest cabins are an easy 20-minute walk from the outer coast along a maintained trail; motorized travel is provided if desired. Today’s activities include an orientation, afternoon excursions, dinner, and evening program. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. (Lunch, dinner.)

Day 11: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

Choose from a wide variety of activities offered daily, including sea kayaking (short and long tours), hikes for various energy levels, exploring the seacoast by motorized skiff, and interpretive programs. Take a sack lunch for extended activities or join an in-camp lunch in between shorter trips. Choose time to relax if you wish. Dinner and evening programs are hosted by naturalists nightly. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. (All meals)

Day 12: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge to Seward to Anchorage / 126 miles

Short return cruise plus 3 hours driving time, not including stops.

Choose a short morning activity to suit your interest. After lunch, board the boat for the coastal wildlife and scenic tour of Kenai Fjords National Park as you return to Seward. Upon arrival, retrieve your rental car and return to Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage. (Breakfast, lunch.)

Day 13: Anchorage departure

Any insurances for rental car, additional driver fees, gas.
Meals, alcoholic beverages, optional excursions, park/admission fees other than mentioned, gratuity. 
For additional car rental days please click here!

Kennicott Accommodation: Kennicott Glacier Lodge consists of two buildings. The main building was originally opened in 1987 and has comfortable rooms with a sink with cold running water. There are plenty of spotlessly clean bathrooms and shower rooms located throughout the main lodge for your use.  Baths are "private use", but shared by other guests. In 2004 a new (separate) building was added, offering 10 rooms with private bath. On this program, you will be accommodated in the separate building in a room with private bath. Depending on availability we might only be able to accommodate you in the main lodge in a room with shared bath (you would be notified).

Denali Accommodation: The accommodation inside Denali National Park is very comfortable and nice for the remoteness and inaccessibility, though it is not a first class hotel. The main activities inside Denali National Park are outdoor activities for nature lovers such as hiking. If the Kantishna Roadhouse is not available, we will offer to reserve your room at the Denali Backcountry Lodge at the applicable higher rate.

*Scenic flight information: The scenic fly-out from Kantishna to the Denali Park entrance is approximately 55 minutes in duration. The flight takes you past Mt. McKinley, providing amazing views, and is via small bush plane (maximum 5 passengers). The price is $341 per person (based on 2 people) and is refundable if cancelled due to weather, less a $40 administrative fee. Please contact us for rates based on more than 2 travelers.

May 30 - September 2, 2010: Daily Departures