Grand Alaska Guided Bus Tour

Fully escorted coach tour with an expert guide taking you along Alaska's scenic roads and visiting popular destinations en route.

Tour Code: 1001CTA

Tour Overview

Packed with multiple highlights, this “Grand Alaska” guided motor coach or van tour gives you the experience of a lifetime in the 49th state! On this “Grand Alaska,” you’ll visit Valdez, the epicenter of the infamous 1964 earthquake. Then travel to Fairbanks, a modern city with a gold rush past. Finally, you’ll tour Denali National Park, home to North America’s tallest peak. You’ll travel with an expert guide who will inform and entertain you on this 7-night fully guided trip all around Alaska, making this truly an incredible Alaska vacation! Marvel at spectacular Alaskan landscapes full of towering mountains and lush valleys, observe wildlife and marine life at home in their natural habitats and view enormous glaciers.

What's Included
  • Seven nights accommodation in moderate hotels with baggage handling
  • Seven breakfasts (B) and one dinner (D)
  • Ground transportation is as follows: van transportation for group size 1 to 9 people (driver guide only) or full-size motorcoach transportation for group size 10 to 50 people
  • Journey through Prince William Sound by marine vessel (Whittier to Valdez)
  • Knowledgeable guide throughout
  • Sightseeing in Anchorage and Fairbanks
  • Alaska Native Heritage Center Admission
  • University of Alaska’s Museum of the North admission
  • Sternwheeler cruise in Fairbanks
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • A train journey from Fairbanks to Denali (dome rail car seating)
  • All taxes and fees
 

Tour Itinerary

Enjoy rail and bus service through some of Alaska’s most scenic routes, a bus tour into famed Denali National Park and a scenic journey through Prince William Sound. This program is recommended for those who want to experience the comfort and convenience of a fully guided group tour while travelling aboard the Alaska Railroad and deluxe motorcoach / van.

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Arrive into Anchorage and transfer by courtesy shuttle or on your own to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for exploring Anchorage. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage to Valdez

This morning after breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Anchorage including a visit of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Later, travel by motorcoach/van* to Whittier before boarding a marine vessel for a scenic journey through Prince William Sound to the town of Valdez.  Overnight Valdez. (B)

Day 3
Valdez to Fairbanks

Board the motorcoach/van* for the drive north to Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway. The route takes you along Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest park in the US and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Overnight Fairbanks. (B)

Day 4
Fairbanks

This morning includes a sightseeing tour of the gold mining town of Fairbanks with a stop at the University of Alaska Museum. In the afternoon, cruise the Chena River aboard a classic Sternwheeler. A stop will be made to see a sled dog team, a trapper’s cabin, and an historic Native Alaskan settlement. Overnight Fairbanks. (B)

Day 5
Fairbanks to Denali National Park

Travel by train on a deluxe dome rail car from Fairbanks to Denali.  In the afternoon, take an interpretive hike along Otto Lake followed by a “Welcome to Denali” reception a the Denali Discovery Center. Overnight near the Denali park entrance area. (B)

Day 6
Denali National Park

Today, depart on a narrated bus tour (simple park bus) 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. The bus driver 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. Overnight near the Denali park entrance area. (B)

Day 7
Denali National Park to Talkeetna to Anchorage

Travel by motorcoach / van* along the Parks Highway from Denali to Talkeetna, and explore the small town. Later continue to Anchorage. In the evening, enjoy a closing dinner and farewell. Overnight Anchorage. (B. D)

Day 8
Anchorage Departure

Your tour comes to an end with a hotel courtesy transfer to the airport. (B)

IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) This tour may operate in reverse direction on some departure dates. 2) * Ground transportation as follows: van transportation for group size 1 to 9 people (driver guide only) or full-size motorcoach transportation for group size 10 to 50 people.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

 

Reluctantly, our family returned from our trip to Alaska last Sunday.  We had a marvelous time all along the way!  Even though we kept up a steady pace from train to excursion to hotel to excursion to train, you had planned everything perfectly so that our connections all worked out very well.... Read more  

Priscilla | Indiana