Denali & Glacier Experience

Arrive into Anchorage and transfer to your hotel on your own. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides an excellent start to your vacation. If you arrive earlier in the day you may have time to take part in an optional tour such as flightseeing or a trolley tour. Overnight in Anchorage.

Transfer to the rail station on your own. Depart on Alaska Railroad's scenic train ride past Beluga Point and along Turnagain Arm to the port of Whittier. On arrival in Whittier board a high-speed catamaran for your cruise to see spectacular glaciers of Prince William Sound. On this 5-hour cruise you will stop at a bird rookery and travel past a working salmon hatchery. Cruise up through Ester Passage and through Barry Arm to watch for alpine and tidewater glaciers as well as glacier calving – when ice falls off the face of the glacier. As you cruise through this glacier filled sound, keep watch for Steller sea lions, sea otters, black bears, seals, eagles, and whales. Lunch and live narration by a local park ranger are included on board. Following the cruise, depart on the train for your return trip. Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer back to your hotel on your own. Overnight in Anchorage.

This morning transfer to the Anchorage train station by hotel courtesy shuttle or on your own. You will travel from Anchorage to Denali National Park aboard the Alaska Railroad and upon arrival transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle. With a size of over 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s greatest wild animal preserves. Here, protected from hunting, the animals roam freely in a region dominated by the continent’s tallest mountain. Most visitor facilities are grouped near the park entrance. Your evening is free for optional activities or you can relax and enjoy some leisure time. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Early this morning 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. A snack is included. In May/Sep, the tour may be shorter due to weather and road conditions. The afternoon and evening are free for optional tours such as river rafting or dinner theater (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Early this morning depart south by motorcoach to Anchorage. You will make a short stop in the historic town of Talkeetna. Continue through the town of Wasilla in the Matanuska Valley and past the Talkeetna Mountains on your way to Alaska’s largest city. After arriving in Anchorage, your afternoon is free to explore town. Local attractions include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, and the Log Cabin Visitor Center. Overnight in Anchorage.

Transfer by courtesy shuttle or on your own to the airport. Tour concludes.