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Alaska “On A Dime” Self-Drive Tour

Visit two of Alaska's National Parks on a budget!

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Tour Code: 111CTA

Tour Overview

This Alaska “On a Dime” tour is designed for a smaller Alaska vacation budget, but packs in the fun on a self drive tour featuring two popular National Parks, Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park. Enjoy stunning drives along scenic Alaska highways. You’ll explore Kenai Fjords National Park on a wildlife and glacier cruise in Resurrection Bay and then travel  on to Denali National Park for a guided and highly educational 7-8 hour bus tour where you’ll learn about the history of the parks, their ecosystems and wildlife. The affordable price of this driving tour might even allow you to add-on optional Denali flightseeing, rafting and other excursions everyone can enjoy.

Note: If you like this tour’s driving route, we have two additional self-drive tours that you also may like, our  Great Alaskan Road Trip or our Family Fun Vacation and Self Drive.

What's Included
  • 7 night accommodations in tourist class / budget hotels
  • 7 days midsize rental car
  • 3.5 hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise from Seward
  • Approximately 7-8 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (in Sept tour may be shorter due to road conditions)
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Meals, gratuities, car rental coverage (such as LDW or additional liability), additional driver fees, gas and GPS rental.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Arrive at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and transfer to the hotel by courtesy shuttle. There are no activities planned, so the remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own or to participate in optional excursions. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage to Seward

This morning, pick up your rental car in downtown Anchorage and drive south to Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. As you depart Anchorage you will have time to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to bears and moose, as well as other animals native to Alaska. There are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way for a short hike or picnic. Overnight in Seward.

Day 3
Seward

This morning, there is time to explore the small, friendly port city of Seward. At 1:30pm, depart on a 3.5 hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise. Search for whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, bald eagles, puffins, and many other types of marine birds as you cruise the protected waters of Resurrection Bay. Rather than following a set route, this cruise travels to the best whale and wildlife viewing areas that day based on reports from other vessels. The experienced captains will explore the area’s wildlife hot spots to maximize chances of viewing whales and other wildlife in Resurrection Bay. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase on board.  Overnight in Seward.

Day 4
Seward to Anchorage

After breakfast you have a chance to visit Exit Glacier just outside of Seward. The Exit Glacier area is the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by road. Walk the interpretive trail to reach views of the glacier or book a guided glacier hike to explore the stunning glacier ice (see add-on tours)! As you drive back to Anchorage, you may also want to stop at the small mountain town of Girdwood, also called Alyeska. Several scenic trails give you great hiking opportunities. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 5
Anchorage to Denali National Park

Depart Anchorage and follow the Glenn Highway northbound. A few interesting stops along the way are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the village of Eklutna. Continuing on the Parks Highway towards Denali National Park, you will drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. You can take a side trip to the small community Talkeetna for an optional jet boat tour or a ski-plane flight to land on Denali along the route to Denali National Park. This afternoon you may wish to take an optional Denali River rafting tour or attend a dinner theater (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 6
Denali National Park

Today enjoy a bus tour into Denali National Park. This tour takes you through the best wildlife viewing portion of the Park Road, approximately 55 miles into the 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 and make stops during your approximately 8 hour tour*. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 7
Denali National Park to Anchorage

Continue your driving adventure by heading back to Anchorage. If you did not stop on the way to Denali, you still have the opportunity to visit Talkeetna for optional tours such as a jet boat tour or a flightseeing tour to land on Denali. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 8
Anchorage Departure

Today return your rental car at the airport in time to meet your departure flight, or extend your Alaska vacation by adding additional days to your trip.

* Please note that in September the bus tour into Denali National Park may be shorter (only up to 4 hours) due to road and weather conditions.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Alaska “On A Dime” Self-Drive Tour:
people sitting at a table eating dinner and enjoying a dinner theatre show

Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

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Length: 2 hours

Starting at: $90 / pp

Get a taste of 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 1900’s Alaska. This dinner theater fun combines a great... Browse tour

Exit Glacier Ice Hike

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Length: 8.5 hours

Starting at: $170 / pp

During this guided glacier hiking tour from Seward, Alaska, you’ll follow a scenic hiking trail to Exit Glacier which is a mixture of back-country and on-trail trekking (about 1.5 – 2 hours). The elevation gain on this Alaska hike is 1500 feet and the view from the top is stunning. You’ll then spend approximately 1... Browse tour

Thank you so much for putting together a special and very memorable vacation for my family. We truly loved the journey through Alaska. The breathtaking views through the mountains, glaciers and lakes on the train to Seward. Our wildlife excursion was exciting with more than 10 grizzlies, one mom and cub decided... Read more  

Deanna | Hampshire

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Grand Alaska Guided Bus Tour

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Great option as a stand alone touring program or as a comprehensive land tour before or after an Alaska cruise. Every day there is spectacular mountain scenery, with local sightseeing insights from a professional guide the entire tour. First,... Browse tour

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All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour

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Explore three of Alaska's National Parks: Denali, Wrangell - St. Elias and Kenai Fjords. Great wildlife viewing opportunities throughout. Travel on four designated National Scenic Byways showcasing the natural beauty of Alaska with its jagged mountain peaks, lush alpine... Browse tour

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Great Alaskan Road Trip

Duration: 8 days

Starting at: $1809 / pp

Explore Denali, Seward, and the Matanuska Valley with the freedom of a rental car. These three destinations complement each other with a variety of natural beauty from mountains to valleys to coastline. The bus tour into Denali National Park... Browse tour

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Family Fun Vacation by Car

Duration: 9 days

Starting at: $2399 / pp

A great family itinerary designed to allow for a leisurely travel pace with plenty of time for family oriented activities. Top destinations include Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. Touring highlights include riding aboard a "whistle stop" train operated... Browse tour