Alaska’s National Parks Tour by Car

Anchorage Arrival

On arrival in Anchorage transfer to your hotel on own. Overnight in Anchorage.

Anchorage

Today is yours to explore Alaska’s largest city.  Take a taxi or Uber / Lyft this morning to the Anchorage Midtown car rental station, where you will pick up your rental car. You now have the freedom to visit interesting sights in Anchorage such as the Alaska Aviation Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center,  drive to the Chugach State Park or visit scenic viewpoints along the Anchorage coast and take a walk along the Coastal Trail. Overnight in Anchorage.

Anchorage to Seward

Today, drive to Seward along scenic Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm.  Few roads in the United States can match the diversity of scenic landscapes and unique natural feature. Take a leisurely pace with recommended stops along the route include the aerial tram up Mt. Alyeska, the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Lake and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Just before you reach Seward you have a chance to visit Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers that is an easy walk from the parking area.  This afternoon you may also choose a guided kayaking tour or dog sled ride (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Seward.

Seward

Enjoy a leisurely morning before departing on a 6 to 7.5-hour cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska’s treasures. As you cruise through the park and the Chiswell Islands National Wildlife Refuge watch for Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and orca and humpback whales.  During the cruise you will see examples of Alpine, Cirque, Piedmont, and Tidewater glaciers.  A stop will be made at either Holgate or Aialik Glacier to witness ice falling off the glacier face with a thunderous sound into the pristine waters below (known as glacier calving).  Lunch is included on board during your cruise. Overnight in Seward.

Seward to Sheep Mountain Area

Today you will travel back up the Seward Highway and continue into the lush Matanuska Valley and onto the breathtaking Glenn Highway. This is one of the oldest and most scenic highways in Alaska. The Glenn, as it is known by locals, follows the Matanuska River up to its beginning at the Matanuska Glacier. Along the way, there is an opportunity for a helicopter glacier dog sled adventure from Knik River Lodge (see Tour Add-ons). This is a perfect day to plan a picnic!  Overnight in the Sheep Mountain area or Copper Center area.

Sheep Mountain Area to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Start the day with a drive to the small town of Chitina, where you will leave your rental car and board a bush plane for the scenic flight into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.  At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States and equivalent in size to the country of Switzerland!  Your flight route provides a birds-eye view of this tremendous park which includes four mountain ranges containing 9 of the country’s 16 highest peaks along with massive ice fields. Overnight in Kennicott/McCarthy (standard program has room with shared bath).

Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Take a step back in time today on a 2.5-hour historical tour of Kennicott, built by the Kennecott Copper Corporation in the early 1900’s. Catch a glimpse of what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness and hearing tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. This afternoon you have plenty of time for an optional guided glacier hike (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Kennicott/McCarthy (standard program has room with shared bath).

Wrangell St. Elias National Park to Fairbanks

You will return to Chitina by bush plane this morning then your day continues driving on the Richardson Highway.  This route was established in 1898 as a gold rush trail to Eagle, Alaska located on the Yukon River not far from the Klondike Goldfields.  The road follows the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, still known as one of the world’s greatest engineering feats.  Along the way there are several rest stops including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. This evening explore the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska’s “Gateway to the Arctic”. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks

Today is at your leisure to explore Fairbanks and surroundings, or add an optional excursion to see Alaska’s Arctic region, including tours crossing the Arctic Circle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks to Denali National Park

Drive south on the Parks Highway to the Denali National Park entrance area. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes you will drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester, an old mining camp. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Your hotel will be at the park entrance, where most of the park services and hotels are located. This afternoon you have the opportunity to enjoy optional tours include rafting trips and flightseeing by helicopter or bush plane. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Denali National Park

Today, depart on a narrated bus tour into Denali National 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.  The tour is approximately 4-6 hours long and takes you approximately 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. The rest of the day is free for optional tours at the Denali National Park entrance. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Denali National Park to Anchorage

You will drive south to Anchorage today. Take your time and enjoy the drive. Along the way are some scenic viewpoints where you can stretch your legs and make some breaks. Then reach Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Overnight in Anchorage.

Anchorage - Bear Viewing

For many Alaska visitors, seeing bears in the wild is the highlight of their vacation. Today’s planned trip to bear country is programmed to offer you best possibilities and varies by location depending on the time of year. Please keep in mind that even though we endeavor to schedule the bear viewing to the best possible areas for good viewing, we cannot guarantee any bear sightings. Transfers to and from your hotel are on your own.  Overnight in Anchorage.

Visit to Katmai National Park – overall itinerary start dates June 8 to July 19
Depart Anchorage in the morning between 7:00 and 9:30am aboard a scheduled flight to King Salmon. Upon arrival, a local representative will transfer you to a seaplane for a 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. At Brooks Camp, you will meet with Park Service staff for a brief orientation in bear safety before spending about 4-6 hours exploring Katmai National Park viewing brown bears from observation platforms and hiking to Brooks Falls. Your return flight to King Salmon will depart this afternoon, typically between 3 and 4pm. You may not return to Anchorage until 9:30 pm. The tour is approximately 10 to 12 hours long in total.

Visit Lake Clark National Park – overall itinerary start dates July 20 to August 26
Depart from Lake Hood Sea Plane Harbor in Anchorage and fly southwest over Cook Inlet toward the Chigmit Mountains. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska and Aleutian Mountain Ranges and two active volcanoes – Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna – before landing in Crescent Lake within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. You will disembark at Redoubt Mountain Lodge where knowledgeable guides escort you by boat to lakeside areas to view bears feeding on spawning Alaska salmon. About 6 to 7 hours will be spent of guided bear viewing. This bear watching flight safari offers a great adventure for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages! The tour is approximately 10 to 12 hours long in total.

Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure flight, you may have some free time for souvenir shopping or add-on additional excursions. Return your rental car and depart or add an additional program.