Alaska Highlights Tour - B094

1Day 1

Arrive in Anchorage, and check into your Anchorage Hotel. Depending upon your arrival time, spend the afternoon enjoying the sights. Perhaps take a stroll along the Coastal Trail, or visit a local Museum.

2Day 2

Depart Anchorage and drive to Talkeetna. This charming pioneer town, with its own-block-long Main Street, is halfway between Anchorage to Denali, and offers tons of adventures as well as great views of Mt. McKinley

3Day 3

Wake up and begin your trip north to Denali National Park. The drive is approximately 2.5 hours, but don’t hesitate to take your time and enjoy the scenery.

4Day 4

Wake up bright and early and board the Denali National Park Shuttle Bus to Eielson. Riding the shuttle bus system, you can enjoy Denali’s vast landscapes and unparalleled beauty while actively looking for wildlife and taking in the view of Mt. McKinley. Less formal than taking a tour bus, you’ll have the freedom to step off the bus to hike, take photos, or simply spend time relaxing in the heart of Denali before re-boarding a later shuttle bus.

5Day 5

Today you will drive approximately 2.5 hours to Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City. The afternoon is yours to enjoy; take a stroll along the Chena River, stop by the Visitor’s Center, or pick up an extra tour for the afternoon.

6Day 6

Drive approximately 7 hours to Chitina, where you will check into your hotel for the evening. While today is a full day of driving, the scenery will amaze as you draw nearer to Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

7Day 7

Flying from Chitina is the best way to get to McCarthy-Kennicott, and this 20-minute trip is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. You’ll fly along the flanks of 16,000-foot Mt. Blackburn and over the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, past the Erie Mine and see the awe-inspiring Stairway Icefall. Your pilot will describe landforms, point out wildlife and fill you in on a bit of the human history of the area.

For the next two nights you’ll stay at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge, a replica of one of the historic mining buildings from the copper mining boomtown days. Its 190-foot long front porch has a panoramic view of the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains, and your room is decorated with old mining artifacts and photos.

8Day 8

Second night you’ll stay at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

9Day 9

Depart from McCarthy via Bush Plane and return to Chitina. Collect your car and begin the 3 hour drive to Valdez. Be sure to stop and enjoy the scenery, especially the magnificent Worthington Glacier which you will be able to view from the road. Check into your Valdez hotel where you will stay for the night. For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, take in the sights of Valdez.

10Day 10

Drive your car to the Ferry Terminal in Valdez, and drive it right on board! Enjoy the 3 – 6 hour ferry ride to Whittier, Alaska. View the sights of Prince William Sound on your journey. Glaciers, sea birds, wildlife, possible whale sightings, sea otters, etc. Once in Whittier, drive 1.5 hours back to Anchorage. Check into your Anchorage hotel for your last night in Alaska.