Discover Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by Car

Known as "Alaska's Playground," visitors experience uniquely Alaskan adventures.

Tour Code: 1507CTA

Tour Overview

This leisurely self-driving tour by car through Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula (fondly called “The Kenai” by Alaskans) in Southcentral Alaska offers you time to enjoy several Alaska state and national parks, go fishing for halibut, enjoy marine wildlife cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park and discover the engaging Kenai outdoor activities that draw so many Alaska locals here on vacation. You’ll visit Seward, Homer, Cooper Landing, and Soldotna and cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park to see glaciers and spot wildlife, from whales to sea otters. You will also have an opportunity to go sport fishing for halibut in Homer, the “Halibut Capital of the World,” or to take a bear-viewing trip from Homer to the Katmai Coast.  In Seward, you can visit the Alaska SeaLife Center for an up-close experience with marine life and to explore Exit Glacier. At the end of this Kenai Peninsula tour, you may want to add an optional excursion that takes you to the impressive Spencer Glacier for a rafting tour with a short ride on the Alaska Railroad.

What's Included
  • 7 nights of hotel accommodation
  • 7 days of midsize car rentals from/to Anchorage, including unlimited mileage
  • 6-hour cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park with lunch
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Meals, gratuities, car rental coverage (such as LDW or liability insurance), additional driver fees, gas, and GPS rental. Car rental category upgrades available at additional fee.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Pick up your rental car at the airport upon arrival and drive to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure exploring Alaska’s largest city. Overnight in Anchorage. Your hotel will be near the Anchorage airport or in the Anchorage midtown area.

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.

Day 2
Anchorage to Seward

Today, start your tour with a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm, a National Scenic Byway. Watch for Dall sheep on the mountains to your left and for beluga whales in the ocean to your right. Recommended stops enroute to Seward include Portage Glacier and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Depending on your arrival time in Seward, you may also have time for a visit of Exit Glacier and the Alaska SeaLife Center, a marine science aquarium. Overnight in Seward.

Day 3
Seward

Seward is known as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Today, enjoy a 6-hour boat cruise into the park, a 1760 square mile coastal wilderness. This lush area is home to abundant wildlife, including humpback and orca whales, puffins, seals, and Stellar sea lions! Cruise up close to a tidewater glacier for a chance to watch the ice calve off into the ocean with a splash. Lunch is included. Overnight in Seward.

Day 4
Seward to Homer

Spend the day touring Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. You will travel along the turquoise blue Kenai River, a world-class salmon fishing area. Continue to Homer with opportunities to stop in historic villages, or take advantage of great photographic opportunities along the Cook Inlet coastline. Homer is positioned at the end of the Sterling Highway on a 4.5-mile long spit of land stretching out into Kachemak Bay. This is as far west as you can drive in the Americas. Overnight in Homer.

Day 5
Homer

Today is at your leisure to explore the town and the bustling Homer Spit, where you will find water taxis, bear viewing flights, and fishing charters available (see Tour Add-ons), as well as many gift shops and art galleries. Homer’s nickname is the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”. Overnight in Homer.

Day 6
Homer to Soldotna or Kenai

As you depart Homer, stop for a view across Cook Inlet of four active volcanoes. Continue back up the Sterling Highway to Soldotna or the small town of Kenai, both of which are located on the Kenai River. Overnight in Soldotna / Kenai.

Day 7
Soldotna to Anchorage

Drive east on the Sterling Highway and then north on the Seward Highway back to Anchorage. From the Portage train station, you have the opportunity to take an optional trip to Spencer Glacier (additional cost). On that optional tour, you travel on the Alaska Railroad for a short but scenic train ride to Spencer Glacier in the remote Chugach Mountains. At Spencer, board your raft for a 2 hour gentle float among the icebergs at Spencer Lake and down the Placer River. This optional tour is great for families or those seeking a relaxing outdoor adventure. You may also stop in Girdwood and Mt Alyeska. From here take a scenic hike or take the Alyeska Tram up the mountain, offering amazing views of the surroundings and the Turnagain Arm. Later, drive to Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage near the Anchorage airport or in Anchorage midtown.

Day 8
Anchorage Departure

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

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

You can start this tour daily (within the listed dates of operation).

To confirm this reservation we will need: Flight arrival information, Full name including middle name(s), Gender and Date of Birth.

Click the "Book Now" button next to the date range you are interested in. After you select the date and number of room / people, you will see all services included in the tour and hotel information.  To book the tour, add the package to your cart and checkout.


*Child prices are valid for children 11 years and younger, sharing a room with at least 2 full paying adults with the existing bedding. Maximum of 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.

After you click "book now" and select a date, you will see tour availability. "To Be Requested" indicates that the service cannot be immediately confirmed online. This status requires us to check space with the hotel or service supplier and the service may or may not be available.

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Discover Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by Car:

Bear Viewing Expedition from Homer

Enjoy a scenic 1.5 hour flight in a float plane from Homer into the true Alaskan bush, flying past expansive glaciers that clothe towering mountains and steaming volcanoes. After landing, you and your group will hike 3–5 miles in remote […]... Browse itinerary

Halibut Fishing in Homer (Full Day)

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 Homer fishing trip is a treat – cruising […]... Browse itinerary

I have to thank you for your assistance in planning the most amazing trip to Alaska! It was the most organized easy way to travel. Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip...accommodations were great, shuttles so helpful, trains an awesome experience! So appreciate your input in booking dome cars. Everyone across... Read more  

Jean | Louisiana