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Quintessential Alaska: Denali, Glaciers & Fishing

Visit Denali National Park, cruise Prince William Sound, and go fishing on the Kenai or Kasilof River.

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Tour Code: 153CTA

Tour Overview

This “quintessential Alaska” vacation combines a visit to Denali National Park, a glacier cruise, and a day of guided fishing! You’ll ride the renowned Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali National Park and view the mountains of the Alaska Range while you search for abundant wildlife, such as moose, caribou, and bears. Denali is known for its wildlife and vast scenic views, including the mountain of Denali – the tallest peak in North America, soaring 20,310 feet above sea level. You’ll then take a day cruise into the calm waters of Prince William Sound to view glaciers and likely some marine wildlife up close. Your Alaska vacation tour concludes with two days on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral, Alaska. You can enjoy fishing in the plentiful Kasilof River or on the Kenai River, surrounded by the lush rainforests of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

What's Included
  • Seven nights of accommodation
  • Train from Anchorage to Denali
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • Scheduled motor coach transfer from Denali to Anchorage
  • Five days midsize car rental from/to Anchorage, including unlimited mileage
  • Glacier cruise into Prince William Sound from Whittier
  • One full-day guided fishing trip on the Kasilof or Kenai River
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Transfers in Anchorage, meals other than noted, Portage-Whittier tunnel toll fee, fishing license or king salmon stamps, and gratuities. Optional car rental coverage (such as LDW or liability insurance), additional driver, fuel or GPS rental.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Depending on your arrival time in Anchorage you may have time to take part in an optional tour or visit local attractions. Transfer to your hotel on your own. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage to Denali National Park

This morning transfer on own to the Anchorage train station for your departure to Denali aboard the Alaska Railroad.  This classic route takes you by rivers, over gorges and through mountain ranges offering spectacular views.  Upon arrival in Denali the transfer to your hotel via courtesy shuttle will be waiting with the evening at your leisure. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 3
Denali National Park Bus Tour

Today, depart on a narrated bus tour into Denali National Park.  As you travel through the pristine wilderness, look for wildlife, such as bears, caribou, and moose, as well as views of the Mountain. Your experienced driver/guide will provide commentary.  The tour is approx. 4-6 hours long and takes you approx. 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. The rest of the day is free for optional tours, such as river rafting, ATV tours and flightseeing tours. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 4
Denali National Park to Anchorage

This morning you are scheduled to depart aboard a comfortable motorcoach travelling southbound for Anchorage. Your driver will provide commentary along the way as you pass through the small towns of Talkeetna and Wasilla on your way back to Anchorage. After arriving in Anchorage it is a short walk to the rental car station where you will pick up a rental car. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Anchorage on your own. Local highlights include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, and a walk or bike ride on the Coastal Trail. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 5
Anchorage to Whittier then Soldotna

Today starts with a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm, one of the most beautiful segments of highway in the country. From Portage you will travel through mountain tunnels to the port town of Whittier where your cruise will depart from. On the 26 Glacier Cruise watch for sea otters, Stellar sea lions, and birds as you travel through the glacier filled fjords. Stops will be made in front of glaciers for the chance to witness large chunks of the glacier fall into the water (known as glacier calving). Lunch is included on board. Following your cruise it is an about 2 hour drive to your destination of Soldotna. Overnight in Soldotna or nearby city of Kenai.

Day 6
Guided Sport Fishing

You will depart very early in the morning for a full day of fishing on the Kasilof River or Kenai River (varies by fishing conditions). The best fishing conditions are at the crack of dawn, so be ready for early wake up which you will coordinate with your fishing guide a few nights before. You will float the river in a drift boat or a power drifter. Your expert guide will assist both novice and skilled anglers in the best techniques to get the most from the day on the river. Depending on the season fishing regulations, you may fish for king salmon, sockeye salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon, and/or rainbow trout. Your day of fishing is approximately 8 hours, so be sure to soak in the beautiful scenery around you. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Soldotna or the nearby city of Kenai.
(Please note that rainbow trout fishing is catch and release only.)

Day 7
Soldotna to Anchorage

Depart the Kenai Peninsula at your leisure and drive north back to Anchorage along the Seward Highway. Optional stops include the aerial tram in Girdwood and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 8
Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure flight you may have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Return your car to the Anchorage airport rental car station in time to meet your departure flight.

It is easy to customize this tour to add one or more days of guided fishing. Fish processing arrangements can be made with your guide if you want to have your catch frozen or smoked and then shipped home for you.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates


*Child 11 years and under, sharing room with at least 2 full paying adults with existing bedding. Maximum 4 people per room.

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Quintessential Alaska: Denali, Glaciers & Fishing:
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Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

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Enjoy old-time Alaska as you enjoy a popular dinner theater performance in Denali National Park set in an authentic Alaska log-paneled roadhouse. Join heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in this true-to-life Alaska Gold Rush tale of adventure in early 1900s Alaska. This dinner theater fun combines colorful storytelling, spirited music, and... Browse tour

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Wilderness Run Float Trip from Denali

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Length: 3 hours

Starting at: $125 / pp

On this Alaska river rafting day trip from the Denali Park Entrance, you’ll float down the Nenana River bordering Denali National Park. You may see moose, sheep, caribou, and bear as you raft downstream 11 miles. Your rafting guide will handle the oars so you can relax and enjoy the Alaska views. This scenic portion... Browse tour

We recently returned from our Alaska trip and we wanted to tell you what a wonderful experience we've had. Your choices of hotels, tour operators and the itinerary itself were very well thought through. Everything went smoothly and without a hitch. Weather cooperated, too. We will definitely recommend your company to our friends.... Read more  

Renata | Louisiana

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