Alaska “On A Dime” Tour

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.

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.

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.

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.

Depart Anchorage and follow the Glenn Highway northbound. A few interesting stops along the way are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. 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 gold mining community Talkeetna for an optional jet boat tour or a ski-plane flight to land on mountain 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.

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 approx. 8 hour tour*. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight near the Denali Park Entrance.

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.

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.