Experience the natural beauty of Alaska with wildlife, glaciers, National Parks and gorgeaus sceneries. After a stop in Anchorage continue your tour with Seward located at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. Spend some time exploring the town, and go on a specialized wildlife and birding boat cruise of the glacier-filled Kenai Fjords National Park. View dozens of glaciers, wildlife before you arive to Valdez, a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound, Continue your journey with Fairbanks, Elias National Park and Reserve, Denali National Park and Talkeetna. On the way to Anchorage drive through the matanuska-Susitna Valley and return to Anchorage before you depart home.

Meet your English Speaking Driver for an airport transfer. 

Clarion Suites Hotel (3.5*) in Anchorage is ideally located in the heart of downtown and is within walking distance of many area attractions, including the Anchorage Visitors Center, Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center and the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall. Amenities and facilities include a complimentary hot breakfast, wireless high-speed Internet access and a complimentary newspaper. Facilities include an indoor heated pool and hot tub and fitness center.

Overnight at Clarion Suites Hotel (3.5*).

Meet your driver for a guided tour of Anchorage, Alaskas largest city. Full of interesting sites, picturesque scenery, and history, Anchorage makes for a great half-day tour. Your tour will pass attractions like the Log Cabin Visitor Center, the Alaska Railroad Depot, and the Museum of Art & History. Visit Resolution Park and the Captain Cook Monument as well as Ship Creek Viewpoint, which overlooks Cook Inlet.

Overnight at Clarion Suites Hotel (3.5*).

This morning you will meet your driver for a sightseeing tour of the city, which will include the historic downtown area, the Ship Creek fish ladder, and Lake Hood. After the city tour you will head south.

Nestled between the breathtaking Turnagain Arm and spectacular Mt. Alyeska, Girdwood, originally named Glacier City, was founded as a gold mining town at the turn of the century. This quaint town has evolved from a mining town into Alaska's only year-round resort community. As you enter into Seward your driver will take you on the only road into Kenai Fjords National Park to visit Exit Glacier.

Here you can walk the trails to gain up-close views of an active glacier! After your stop continue into the small city of Seward. Enjoy a city tour with a final stop where you will have ample time exploring the Alaska Sea Life Center, a research and rehabilitation facility that focuses on marine mammals, seabirds, and fish species of the Northern Pacific. Spend time exploring the center’s wildlife and interpretive displays. The remainder of the evening is free to explore Seward.

The Best Western Edgewater Hotel (3*) in Seward is only one block from the Alaska Sea Life Center, and is centrally located in Seward's historic downtown district. While staying at this Seward hotel, you can explore the various specialty shops, restaurants, and art galleries in Seward, Alaska. 

Overnight at Best Western Edgewater (3*).

This morning you will board a sightseeing vessel to cruise through the wildlife-rich and glacier-filled waters on Kenai Fjords National Park. Some of the wildlife that you are likely to encounter includes sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, whales and many marine birds such as puffins and cormorants. With some luck you may even catch a glimpse of humpback or orca whales. This 8.5 hour cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park will take you to the face of a tidewater glacier where you might see large chunks of ice ‘calving’ into the sea below. Keep your eyes and ears open – the sound of the ice cracking and falling is as incredible as watching it fall. A light deli-style lunch will be served on board the vessel. In addition you will enjoy a one-of-a-kind stop at Fox Island for an all you can eat grilled wild Alaska salmon and prime rib dinner. After the cruise you will have the evening free on your own. Arrive back in Seward and have the remainder of the day free to explore on your own.

Overnight at Best Western Edgewater Hotel, (Standard) (L,D).

Today you will be traveling north on the Seward highway toward Whittier. You will drive through the longest combined vehicle railroad tunnel in North America! Upon arrival in Whittier you will board the Alaska Marine Highway with your guide and private transportation for passage through Prince William Sound to Valdez. During your voyage, you will have the opportunity to view dozens of glaciers, which lie in the surrounding mountains, as well as the abundant wildlife that call this pristine area home. Valdez is located on the north shore of Port Valdez, a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound. It is the
southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. The Richardson Highway, Alaska's first road, passes through the magnificent scenery of the Chugach Mountains. Once you arrive in Valdez, you will have the rest of the evening free.

Majestically located on the waterfront in picturesque Valdez, Alaska, the Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn (2.5*) is a step above for casual luxury and friendly, professional service.  Just walk out the door and watch the tour boats gather at the docks as they embark on a unique Alaskan adventure of viewing beautiful Alaskan landscape and wildlife.

Overnight at Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn (2.5*).

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park in southeastern Alaska. It was established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The park area is included in an International Biosphere Reserve and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest national park in the United States by area, covering an area of 20,587 mi² (53,321 km²), or over 13 million acres (53,000 km²). In fact, it is larger than nine U.S. States, and its size is comparable to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
Mount St. Elias is situated on the border of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Canada's Kluane National Park and Reserve. At 18,008 feet (5,489 m), Mt. St. Elias is the second highest mountain in both Canada and the United States. The vast majority of the park is designated as wilderness, and the Wrangell–St. Elias Wilderness is the largest designated wilderness in the United States.

Today you will depart Valdez for your journey through famous Thompson Pass on the way to Fairbanks. Thompson Pass is home to the highest snowfall in the state of Alaska! Spectacular scenery will include Thunderbird Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Worthington Glacier. Upon arrival in Chitina, you will board a flight to Kennicott, which will fly you through the majestic Wrangell St. Elias range. The Kennicott Glacier Lodge is in the middle of the beautiful St. Elias range. You will spend the next two evenings enjoying this stunning countryside. The history of Kennicott began in 1900, when prospectors spotted a patch of green hillside that looked like good grazing ground for their packhorses. The grass, as fate would have it, turned out to be the green glint of copper ore, and the rest is history. In 1986, Congress recognized Kennicott as a National Historic Landmark, and efforts were begun to stabilize and preserve the site. In 1998, the National Park Service acquired the Kennicott Mines National Historic Landmark, thus adding this important cultural resource to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Built in 1987, the Kennicott Lodge is a replica of one of the historic Kennicott mining buildings. The lodge is decorated with photographs and personal items of miners and provides a unique and historical atmosphere. Rooms are small and simple, but comfortable. The only restaurant in Kennicott is in the lodge and features delicious home-cooked food.

Overnight at Kennicott Glacier Lodge .

In Kennicott you will be fitted for crampons (spikes strapped on the bottom of your boots for traction while exploring the ice of the Root Glacier). The first mile and a half follows an old wagon road, and you stop several times along the way to discuss glaciology and geology, and view 16,390 ft. Mt. Blackburn. At the glacier you strap on our crampons and with simple instruction and practice; you'll feel secure walking on the ice. Numerous glacial streams cut deep ravines in the ice and form shimmering azure blue pools.

Following your incredible experience of walking on a glacier you will have the remainder of the evening free to enjoy on your own.

Overnight at Kennicott Glacier Lodge .

Fairbanks is a town in Interior Alaska, 1488 miles from the start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, BC. It is the second-largest city in Alaska and, being a junction of several major highways, will be a likely stop of most visitors to the state. Pioneer Park is definitely something that all tourists should visit while staying in Fairbanks. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Riverboat Discovery tour, and El Dorado Gold Mine are all popular sights. Fairbanks is centrally located and a jumping off point for many of the adventure activities in the interior - including drives to the north coast.

Today you will take your return flight from McCarthy to Chitina. Once you arrive in Chitina you will continue your voyage to Fairbanks. During your journey you will travel on the Kuskulana River’s 600’ steel & wooden bridge which was built in 1911 and has a span of 283 feet. The community of Glennallen lies along the Glenn Highway at its junction with the Richardson Highway. As you travel along the highway you will see the outer limits of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and have an opportunity to stop at the Parks visitor center. This park is the largest National Park in the United States and has more than 100 glaciers and some of North America’s highest mountain peaks. Travel along the highway as it closely parallels the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline and hope for view of the Eastern Alaska Range. Mt Deborah, Mt. Hess and Mt. Hayes dominate the horizon as you drive toward Delta Junction to Fairbanks.

Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge (4*) is conveniently located near the heart of Alaska’s interior, and offers a combination of wilderness lodge atmosphere and modern amenities.  With beautifully landscaped grounds and a large outdoor deck extending to the water’s edge, this Lodge takes every advantage of its exclusive setting on the Chena River.  Guests have easy access to the airport, downtown shopping and attractions, the rail depot and the University of Alaska.

Overnight at Princess Lodge (4), (Standard), (B).

Your Fairbanks city tour includes stopping at the 800-mile engineering miracle known as the Trans- Alaska pipeline which carries crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. This afternoon you will board a Mississippi style sternwheeler for a gentle cruise along the Chena and Tanana rivers. Your 4 mile journey takes you to a recreated native Athabascan village, complete with bark houses, a well stocked smoke house and an authentic trapper’s cache. This is a good opportunity to see many of the traditional skills and lifestyles of these native people – salmon fishing and curing, wood carving, dog handling, working with leather and skins, all of which are increasingly rare skills today. Your Fairbanks city tour will end back at the hotel and you will have the rest of the evening to explore Fairbanks on your own.

Overnight at Princess Lodge (4*), (Standard), (B).

Today’s tour starts with a visit to the University of Alaska museum which features cultural and natural history exhibits from the entire state. Highlights of the galleries include the state’s largest gold display, the story of the pipeline, and a special section on the Northern Lights. This afternoon you will head south to Denali National Park. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure. It is at the park entrance that most of the park services are located.
The remainder of the afternoon is free for optional excursions.

The McKinley Chalet Resort (4*) offers 345 upscale rooms, fine and casual dining, on-site dinner theater, on-site raft departures, and endless walking trails next to the Nenana River. Spanning over 42 acres, the McKinley Chalet Resort offers a variety of room types and settings to meet everyone’s needs. You’ll enjoy the convenience of two full-service restaurants, several retail, food and beverage outposts, and coffee carts throughout the facility.

Overnight at McKinley Chalet Resort (4*).

Early this morning you will depart on a 6-8 hour Tundra Wilderness Tour (non-private) into the heart of the park where you will have your best opportunity to view and photograph wildlife such as moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf and grizzly bears. Learn more about how these animals survive in this unique area of the Circumpolar North from your experienced driver and guide. A light snack and hot beverage will be provided during the tour. At the conclusion of the tour, your private transfer will return you back to your hotel and the rest of the day is free for hiking, rafting, other optional tours, or visit the Denali National Park Visitor Center.

Overnight at McKinley Chalet Resort (4*).

This morning you will transfer to the Denali Alaska Railroad Depot where you will travel aboard a deluxe domed rail car to Talkeetna. The train departs Denali at 12:10 pm. Regarded as the most scenic stretch of the entire Anchorage – Fairbanks journey, you will have memorable views of the Alaskan interior. Once you arrive in Talkeetna at 5:00 pm, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel where you will have the rest of the evening free to pursue any optional activities.

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4*) is set on a ridge above the small community of Talkeetna on the south side of Mt. McKinley.  Built atop a high bluff, the lodge overlooks the Susitna River Valley and surveys the entire Alaska Range, with Mt. McKinley right in the middle.  This lodge offers unforgettable views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range, yet is just minutes from adventures of a lifetime.  

Overnight at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4*).

After a leisurely morning in Talkeetna, you will make your way back to Anchorage by private transportation. You will drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, which is considered one of the most important agricultural areas in Alaska. The valley is rimmed by three major mountain ranges: the Alaska Range, the Talkeetna range and the Chugach Mountains. The surrounding mountains include many mountain passes, as well as working and abandoned gold mines. Approaching Anchorage you will pass by the bedroom community of Eagle River and the two military installations in Anchorage; Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base. You will have the remaining part of the evening free to
explore Anchorage.

Overnight at Clarion Suites Hotel (3.5*), (B) (Standard).

This afternoon a private transfer and guide will transfer you to the Anchorage International Airport for your flight home.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).