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Explore Glacier Bay and Denali National Parks

Visit two of the most popular Alaska National Parks each offering great wildlife viewing and breathtaking scenery.

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Tour Code: 147CTA

Tour Overview

Visit Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park on this classic Alaska adventure vacation out of Juneau. Start your adventure in Alaska with a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, go whale watching for humpbacks, and stay at Glacier Bay Lodge. In 1925, Glacier Bay National Park was established to preserve this tidewater glacial environment for posterity, the public’s enjoyment, and scientific study. It has since become one of the most popular destinations in Alaska. Continue your tour with a flight from Juneau to Anchorage. Then travel aboard the Alaska Railroad into Interior Alaska. Visit Denali National Park, home of Denali, North America’s tallest peak, on a guided bus tour to view wildlife and get insights into the park’s history, ecosystems, and habitats.

What's Included
  • 9 nights in moderate-class hotels
  • Round-trip flights between Juneau and Gustavus (smaller planes)
  • Scheduled Alaska Airlines flight from Juneau to Anchorage
  • Transfers in Gustavus
  • 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise
  • 8-hour cruise into Glacier Bay National Park from Gustavus with lunch and park fees
  • Train from Anchorage to Denali
  • Scheduled motorcoach service from Denali to Anchorage
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Transfers in Juneau and Anchorage (courtesy hotel shuttle may be available in Anchorage only), meals, optional excursions, and gratuities.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Juneau

Arrive in Juneau at any time and enjoy the day to sightsee in Alaska’s capital city. Attractions include the Mt. Roberts Tram, the State of Alaska Museum, and Mendenhall Glacier. Overnight Juneau, near the Juneau airport.

Day 2
Juneau to Gustavus

Transfer to the Juneau airport in morning on own. Here you will board a small plane for a 25-minute scenic flight to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park*. Upon arrival in Gustavus a transfer to your accommodations is provided. Enjoy the afternoon at the lodge and explore the area on a walk/short hike or even kayaking tour (not included, optional). Overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge.

Day 3
Glacier Bay National Park

Early in the morning take a short walk to Bartlett Cove for your 8-hour narrated cruise of Glacier Bay National Park. Watch for whales, Stellar sea lions, puffins and sea otters as the high-speed catamaran cruises through the park to the face of the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers which are two of 16 tidewater glaciers found in the park. You may be fortunate enough to see glacier calving (ice falling off into the ocean). Lunch is included and park rangers are aboard to provide interpretive information. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge.

Day 4
Gustavus to Juneau

This morning, enjoy a 3.5-hour whale watching cruise to Icy Strait and Point Adolphus to see humpback whales in their summer feeding grounds. The whales’ unique feeding techniques, acrobatics and vocalizations make this tour unforgettable. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the Gustavus airport for your flight back to Juneau (small plane)*. Upon arrival in Juneau, transfer on your own to your hotel.  Overnight in Juneau. Your hotel will be a Juneau airport hotel.

Day 5
Juneau

Explore Juneau and surroundings. Take the tram up Mt. Roberts and enjoy amazing views of town and the harbor on nice weather days. The more active can explore the scenic hiking trails on top of Mt. Roberts. Take a walk through Juneau downtown to see Juneau’s historical and State capital buildings as well the Governor’s House. Depending on the amount of time you have, you may also be able to visit Mendenhall Glacier. Overnight Juneau.

Day 6
Juneau to Anchorage

Depending on your flight time to Anchorage you may have time to explore of Juneau to this morning. When its time for your flight, take a taxi on your own to the Juneau airport for a 2-hour scheduled jet flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel by shuttle or on your own.  Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 7
Anchorage to Denali National Park

This morning transfer to the Anchorage train station by courtesy hotel shuttle or on your own. At 8:20 am, you will travel from Anchorage to Denali National Park aboard the Alaska Railroad. Upon arrival in Denali at 3:40 pm transfer to your Denali hotel by courtesy shuttle. Tonight we recommend the delicious salmon dinner and amusing antics served at the Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Show (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 8
Denali National Park Tour

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 approx. 4-6 hours long and takes you approx. 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions.  The rest of the day is free for optional tours, such as river rafting (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 9
Denali to Anchorage

Sleep in this morning or enjoy a short excursion such as Denali flightseeing before departing for Anchorage. In the afternoon, board a comfortable motor coach and relax as you travel south through the scenic Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Upon arrival in Anchorage at 8:30 pm, transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle or on your own. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 10
Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer by shuttle or on your own to the airport. Depart or start an additional program.

* Flights between Juneau and Gustavus take place in small planes and are extremely weather dependent. Juneau and Glacier Bay are located on Alaska's Coast, in Southeast Alaska. Weather patterns here are different to the interior. Southeast Alaska typically has more rainfall and cloudy days in the summer time. With the airline and FAA safety regulations flights can only take place when the entire flight route is safe to fly. Therefore weather window days are extremely important. This itinerary is designed with 2 overnights in Juneau after the visit of Glacier Bay in order to provide that extra day in case flights from Gustavus to Juneau are delayed or weather cancelled.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

You can start this tour daily (within the listed dates of operation).

Click the "Book Now" button next to the date range you are interested in. After you select the date and number of room / people, you will see all services included in the tour and hotel information.  To book the tour, add the package to your cart and checkout.

To complete this reservation we will need for each person: Full name including middle name(s), gender, date of birth and body weight.


Child prices are valid for children 11 years and younger, sharing a room with at least 2 full paying adults with the existing bedding.

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

Prices for 4 or more people are on request. Please contact us.

After you click "book now" and select a date, you will see tour availability. "To Be Requested" indicates that the service cannot be immediately confirmed online. This status requires us to check space with the hotel or service supplier and the service may or may not be available.

Weather Cancellations:
If your flight between Juneau and Gustavus is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather, most of the missed services in Gustavus are refundable but only if you contact us immediately (that day). Please note that some services are non-refundable, even if they are missed due to weather.

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Explore Glacier Bay and Denali National Parks:
people sitting at a table eating dinner and enjoying a dinner theatre show

Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

Length: 2 hours

Starting at: $96 / pp

Enjoy 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 […]... Browse itinerary

We had a fabulous time in Alaska on our life quest to get to all the National Parks! I cannot rave about our trip enough!!!

Irene | Trip Advisor

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