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Great Alaskan Road Trip

Rent a car and explore Alaska's most popular destinations at your own pace with flexibility and freedom.

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Tour Code: 1521CTA

Tour Overview

Discover more of Alaska on our “Great Alaska Road Trip” while you visit Denali National Park and Seward and take a cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park! Enjoy Alaska at your own pace as you drive through the wilderness to three top Alaska attractions: Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and the Matanuska Valley. This Alaska self-driving itinerary offers great opportunities for wildlife viewing is a top highlight of , as well as experiencing diverse landscapes with mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and more! After arriving in Anchorage, you will head to Denali National Park for two nights. A bus tour into Denali gives you excellent opportunities to see the scenery and the animals that make this park famous. You’ll then stay for two nights at Knik River Lodge, where you’ll experience natural Alaska without the crowds including a flightseeing tour to a glacier! Your final two days in Seward feature a glacier and wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park to see icebergs, whales, sea lions, and more

What's Included
  • 7 night accommodations
  • 7 days midsize rental car with unlimited mileage
  • 6 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise with lunch
  • 3-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Airfare, meals other than those mentioned, optional excursions, and gratuities. Fuel, additional driver fees, or additional rental car insurance.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Anchorage

Arrive in 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 Alaska vacation. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage to Denali National Park

After picking up your rental car, this morning is free to explore Anchorage’s many attractions. City highlights include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, the Log Cabin Visitor Center, the Alaska Zoo, local breweries, and the Coastal Trail. Later, depart Anchorage and follow the Glenn Highway northbound. A few interesting stops along this highway are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. Continue on the Parks Highway towards Denali National Park and drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Then drive through Denali State Park. 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, Alaska’s many animals roam freely in a region dominated by the continent’s tallest mountain. Most visitor facilities operate near the park entrance. Your evening is free for optional activities, or you can just relax and enjoy some leisure time. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 3
Explore 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 approx. 3-6 hours long and takes you approx. 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Check out the Visitor Center at the park entrance or add a rafting trip or sled dog kennel tour. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 4
Denali National Park to Palmer and Knik River Lodge

This scenic drive takes you back south on the Parks Highway towards Anchorage. We recommend a side trip to the quaint town of Talkeetna, known for its special backcountry-town charm. Weather permitting, Talkeetna can have one of the best views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Continue to Wasilla and make a stop at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Museum before you head out to Knik River Lodge. If time allows, you can also visit the Musk Ox Farm, and the Reindeer Farm in Palmer. You overnight at Knik River Lodge, a breathtaking property at the end of the road, overlooking Knik River and the surrounding mountains.

Day 5
Palmer / Knik River Lodge

Today you have a great opportunity to add a helicopter trip to a glacier to walk and ride on a dog sled in the snow. As soon as you lift off you will see Knik Glacier, and after flightseeing over the glacier and scenic Lake George, you’ll land at the glacier base camp. Here you will have an hour to experience a dog sledding adventure that you will never forget. Please note that this helicopter dog sledding tour is not included in the price of your tour. Other helicopter tours are available as well. Overnight in the Palmer area at Knik River Lodge.

Day 6
Palmer and Knik River Lodge to Seward

Drive south onto the Kenai Peninsula today. You will pass through the communities of Eklutna and Eagle River as you near Anchorage. Continue south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm to Seward. This route has beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains. Recommended stops along the route include the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Glacier and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Just before you reach Seward, you have a chance to visit Exit Glacier. This is one of the few glaciers that visitors can walk to. The interpretive trail leading to the glacier provides an illustrated history of the glacier’s path as it has receded over the last 100 years. Overnight in Seward.

Day 7
Seward - Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

At 11:30 am, you’ll depart on an 6-hour wildlife and glacier 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 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 glacier calving – when large ice chunks fall off the glacier. Lunch is included onboard. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Seward.

Day 8
Seward to Anchorage - Departure

Today, drive to Anchorage at your leisure (driving time is approximately 3 hours). Return your car to the Anchorage airport rental car station. Depart for home or begin an additional Alaska adventure.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates




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.

NOTE: At the end of the tour, you drive from Seward to Anchorage. An overnight in Anchorage is not included at the end. If you are planning to fly out on that day, please only book a flight that departs Anchorage in the afternoon or evening. You have the option to book a night in Anchorage at the end as well.

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Great Alaskan Road Trip:

Helicopter Flightseeing with Glacier Landing

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Length: 1 hours

Starting at: $421 / pp

A one hour drive from Anchorage brings you to Alaska Glacier Lodge and the base of Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. From Alaska Glacier Lodge’s base you will take a breathtaking 15 minute helicopter ride up to Knik Glacier. During the flight you will see turquoise melt pools, steep walls of ice and deep crevasses. After landing on... Read more

Helicopter Glacier Dog Sledding at Alaska Glacier Lodge

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Length: 1.5 hours

Starting at: $596 / pp

This day tour from Anchorage is just a 1-hour drive away from the city and includes flightseeing and dog sledding, an unbeatable combination for any Alaska visitor interested in active outdoor recreation! From Alaska Glacier Lodge’s base you will take a breathtaking 15-20 minute helicopter ride up to a glacier. After landing on the glacier,... Read more

two river rafts with people exploring a river surrounded by a mountainous landscape

Wilderness Run Float Trip from Denali

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Length: 3 hours

Starting at: $125 / pp

On this Alaska river rafting day trip from the Denali Park Entrance, you’ll float down on the Nenana River bordering Denali National Park. You may see moose, sheep, caribou and bear, as you raft downstream 11 miles. Your rafting guide will handle the oars so you can relax and enjoy the Alaska views. This scenic portion... Read more

I went in February because my biggest wish, and last on my bucket list was to see The Borealis Aurora. I certainly got my wish, but it was overshadowed by all the other experiences I managed to fit in. Would I recommend this trip - absolutely, and if I went to Alaska... Read more  

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Related Sightseeing Tours

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two people on the deck of a tour boat looking at a tidewater glacier

Glaciers and Wildlife Tour

Duration: 8 days

Starting at: $2329 / pp

Combining Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna and Denali, this tour provides wildlife viewing opportunities and scenic touring throughout. You travel by the Alaska Railroad to Seward and cruise into Kenai Fjords... Read more

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Family Fun Vacation and Self-Drive

Duration: 9 days

Starting at: $2299 / pp

This great family itinerary is specifically planned to allow for a leisurely travel pace allowing ample time for family oriented activities. Top destinations include visits to both Denali and... Read more

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a caribou on a dirt road in front of a tour bus

Denali & Glacier Experience

Duration: 6 days

Starting at: $1769 / pp

By train, travel along the scenic Seward and Portage Glacier Highways before entering the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the second longest tunnel in North America. On arrival in Whittier,... Read more

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Unique Itinerary
a tour bus parked next to evergreen trees and flag poles; mountains in background

Grand Alaska Guided Bus Tour

Duration: 8 days

Starting at: $2529 / pp

Great option as a stand alone touring program or as a comprehensive land tour before or after an Alaska cruise. Every day there is spectacular mountain scenery, with local... Read more