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 today so the entire 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 noon, board a sightseeing vessel to cruise through the wildlife-rich and glacier-filled waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. First, you cruise to Fox Island for an all-you-can-eat wild Alaska salmon and prime rib lunch at a remote lodge. Watch a presentation by a National Park Ranger and explore the "skipping stone" beach before continuing your cruise on Resurrection Bay. Watch for sea otters, puffins, sea lions, whales and other wildlife as you travel past pristine rain forest. See Bear Glacier at a distance, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park.  Overnight in Seward.

After breakfast on your own you will drive back to Anchorage along the Seward Highway enjoying the natural beauty of south central Alaska between Seward and Anchorage. About mile 79, you will see Whittier/Portage turn off on your right to Portage and visit the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. Take an unforgettable one-hour cruise on Portage Lake right up to the face of Portage Glacier. Watch for chunks of ice to calve into the water with a splash. After your cruise, drive on to Anchorage. 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.

This morning is free for optional tours, such as river rafting (not included). In the afternoon, depart on a bus tour of 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*. Overnight near the Denali Park Entrance.

Today you 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 stop by 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.