Day 1

Arrive Anchorage and transfer to your hotel by taxi (not included). Overnight in Anchorage at the Copper Whale Inn.

Day 2

Today is at your leisure to explore Anchorage. Enjoy a 1 hour narrated tour of the city by trolley, then spend the rest of the day shopping, visiting the museum or enjoying an optional tour such as flight-seeing (not included). Overnight in Anchorage at Copper Whale Inn.

Plan 5.5 hours driving time, not including stops, plus 30-minute flight from Chitina to McCarthy. 
This morning, transfer by taxi (not included) to the downtown car rental station to pick up your car. Drive the scenic Glenn Highway northeast toward Glennallen. Along the way there are numerous photo stops, such as the Matanuska Glacier, and hiking trails, including at Independence Mine State Historical Park. Once you reach Glennallen, head south on the Richardson Highway to Chitina, where you will board a bush plane for the scenic flight into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Your final destination is the spectacular Kennicott mines and Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge in a room with a private bathroom.

Day 4

Take a step back in time today on a 2.5-hour historical tour of Kennecott. Your guide will take you inside the 14 story Mill Building of the Kennecott Copper Corporation, which was built in the early 1900s. Catch a glimpse of what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness, while hearing tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. This afternoon, you have plenty of time for an optional guided glacier hike or rafting tour (not included). Overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

30 minute flight from McCarthy to Chitina, plus 6 hours driving time, not including stops.
Begin your day with a return flight to Chitina, where you will pick up your car. Your drive takes you north on Alaska's oldest highway, the Richardson Highway, which began in 1898 as a gold rush trail to Eagle. This route follows the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Along the way, there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska's "Gateway to the Arctic." We suggest a visit to the University Of Alaska Museum of the North and the Musk Ox farm. You have several options for gold panning and gold mine tours, such as the El Dorado Gold Mine or the Discover the Gold City Tour (not included). Overnight in Fairbanks at the Taste of Alaska Lodge.

Depart Fairbanks this morning, traveling south on the Parks Highway. You will leave your car at the Denali National Park entrance area and, at approx. 1pm, depart on a wildlife bus tour through the Park to Kantishna (duration 6-7 hours). Along the way, your naturalist driver/guide will discuss the history of the park and help you search for moose, bear, caribou and other animals. Stops will be made to enjoy the scenery and photograph wildlife. The bus will arrive at the lodge at 8pm. Meals are included at the lodge beginning with dinner tonight. Overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. (Dinner)

Denali Accommodation: The accommodation inside Denali National Park is very comfortable and nice for the remoteness and inaccessibility, though it is not a first class hotel. The main activities inside Denali National Park are outdoor activities for nature lovers such as hiking. If the Kantishna Roadhouse is not available, we will offer to reserve your room at the Denali Backcountry Lodge at the applicable higher rate.

Day 7

Day 8- Kantishna to Park Entrance to Talkeetna / 153 miles

5 - 6 hour bus ride to the park entrance, plus 3 hours driving time to Talkeetna, not including stops. Enjoy a light breakfast early this morning before departing at 6am on the bus back to the park entrance. For a truly unique experience, upgrade to a scenic return flight past Mt. McKinley to the park entrance (not included). The scenic fly-out from Kantishna to the Denali Park entrance is approximately 55 minutes in duration. The flight takes you past Mt. McKinley, providing amazing views, and is via small bush plane (maximum 5 passengers). Please contact us for rates. Enjoy a scenic drive south to Talkeetna, a small town known for its special charm. This evening, you have time for a spectacular flight-seeing tour or a riverboat excursion (not included). Overnight in Talkeetna at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. 

Day 9- Talkeetna to Seward / 240 miles

Allow 5 hours driving time, not including stops.
Today you will drive south through the Matanuska Valley before reaching Anchorage. With Anchorage’s many restaurants, it is a good place to stop for lunch. Head south on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm. There are beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains on this route, where you can frequently see Dall sheep perched on roadside cliffs. You may decide to visit Exit Glacier, one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. There are numerous interpretive trails in the area, including one that leads to the face of the glacier. Overnight in Seward at the Seward Windsong Lodge.

Day 10- Seward to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

At 10am, depart from the scenic port of Seward. After a four to five-hour wildlife and tidewater glacier cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park, arrive at the shores near the lodge. The lodge and guest cabins are an easy 20-minute walk from the outer coast along a maintained trail; motorized travel is provided if desired. Today’s activities include an orientation, afternoon excursions, dinner, and evening program. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Day 11- Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

Choose from a wide variety of activities offered daily, including sea kayaking (short and long tours), hikes for various energy levels, exploring the seacoast by motorized skiff, and interpretive programs. Take a sack lunch for extended activities or join an in-camp lunch in between shorter trips. Choose time to relax if you wish. Dinner and evening programs are hosted by naturalists nightly. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. (All meals)

Day 12- Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge to Seward to Anchorage / 127 miles

Short return cruise plus 3 hours driving time, not including stops. Choose a short morning activity to suit your interest. After lunch, board the boat for the coastal wildlife and scenic tour of Kenai Fjords National Park as you return to Seward. Upon arrival, retrieve your rental car and return to Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage at the Copper Whale Inn.

Day 13