Enjoy an in-depth active Alaska adventure! Raft, kayak, hike and discover amazing scenery on this self-drive tour. Visit Denali National Park on a transit bus giving you the opportunity to get off the bus and do some hiking in the park. Ride the Alaska Railroad into the back country for a kayaking paddle around icebergs followed by hiking over the ancient ice of a glacier. You will also explore the beautiful Kenai Peninsula in South Central Alaska, where you can go fishing or add a bear viewing excursion. This very special Alaska tour is planned especially for active outdoor and nature enthusiasts and is the perfect way to truly experience all Alaska has to offer.
Anchorage Arrival
Arrive into Anchorage and pick up your rental car at the airport. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides an excellent start to your vacation. Overnight in Anchorage (near the airport).
Important Note: Please provide us with your flight arrival information at time of booking, so that we can schedule the car rental pick up time correctly.
Anchorage to Denali National Park
Today you depart Anchorage and travel north to Denali. Along the way are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. The drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park can have stunning views of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. This evening enjoy a 2 hour white water rafting tour which takes you 11 miles through class III and one class IV rapid. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.
Denali National Park
This morning, depart on a transit bus to the Eielson visitor center, located deep in Denali National Park. The approx. 8-hour ride takes you approximately 66 miles into the park. The transit bus to Eielson offers visitors the ability to get off the bus, take a hike, take in the sights and re-board a different transit bus to return. The transit bus drivers can answer many of your questions but do not provide a formal, narrated tour. As you travel through the pristine wilderness, search for wildlife, such as bears, caribou, and moose, as well as views of the Mountain. The bus will turn around at the Eielson Visitor Center, where National Park Service Rangers and interactive displays provide information about the park and its abundant resources. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.
Denali National Park to Girdwood
The scenic drive southbound as you make your way back down to Anchorage. Along the way, stop in the quaint town of Talkeetna, known for its special backcountry town charm. Weather permitting, Talkeetna can have one of the best views of mountain Denali and the Alaska Mountain Range. Later drive through Anchorage and along Turnagain Arm. This route has beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains. Girdwood is a quaint ski town with one of the nicest resorts in Alaska. Overnight in Girdwood.
Girdwood
Today awaits you yet another amazing experience! Your tour guide will transfer you and fellow guests from Girdwood to the Portage train station. At Portage you will board the Alaska Railroad’s wilderness route to Spencer Glacier. This part of the Chugach National Forest is only accessible by train. You will kayak across a lake, past icebergs, to the face of Spencer Glacier (approx. 1.5 miles and 1 hour one way). Your guide will equip you with glacier trekking gear, including crampons and helmets, and then lead you onto the blue glacier ice. During your two hours on the ice, peer down crevasses, see moulins, look for ice caves, and learn about glaciology up close. Afterwards, paddle back to the whistle stop and ride the Alaska Railroad back to Portage. Transfer provided back to Girdwood. Overnight in Girdwood.
Girdwood to Homer
Drive south along Turnagain Arm onto the Kenai Peninsula. Head west on the Sterling Highway, following the world famous Kenai River. Homer is a quaint fishing town with a beautiful spit of land that extends into Kachemak Bay. Overnight in Homer.
Homer
Spend a free day exploring all that Homer and Kachemak Bay have to offer. Highlights include the Homer Spit, a local winery, the Islands and Ocean Center, the Pratt Museum, fresh seafood restaurants, and views from East End Road. There are some great hiking opportunities. Or you may prefer to participate in optional excursions, including halibut fishing or a bear viewing flight safari (see Tour Add-Ons - NOTE: the optional fishing and bear viewing may not be available on a daily basis). Overnight in Homer.
Homer to Anchorage
This morning, drive north on the scenic Sterling and Seward Highways back to Anchorage. Possible stopovers include the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier, or take one of the many hikes along the Turnagain Arm. Overnight in Anchorage (near the airport).
Anchorage Departure
Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Return your car to the Anchorage airport rental car station. Depart or start an additional program.
To confirm this reservation we will need: Full name including middle name(s), Gender, Date of Birth and body weight.
Please also provide us with your flight arrival information (arrival time, flight number and name of airline) when you make your reservation. That way we can book the rental car accordingly.
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.
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.
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.
All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.
Enjoy a scenic 1 to 1 1/4 hours day trip out of Homer, Alaska on a scenic flight by small plane which takes you over volcano and glacier-rich scenery to either Lake Clark National Park or the east coast of Katmai National Park (this tour does NOT go to Brooks Falls). The final location will be decided based upon the... Read More
The Alaska city of Homer is known as the "Halibut Capital of the World" and offers some of Alaska's best halibut fishing from mid-May to September. The boat trip itself on this Alaska day fishing trip is a treat - cruising the beautiful shore line you regularly see sea otters, whales, puffins, and other marine wildlife. The ship captains are... Read More
Call or email us to help plan the perfect Alaskan vacation.
Book the "Adventure Driving Tour", to add these tour add-on's to your reservation.
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Call or email us your tour questions or to customize your Alaskan vacation.
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