Alaska at its best

Tour Itinerary

Anchorage

2 nights’ accommodation at Quality Suites or Clarion Suites
Pick up your rental car and head to downtown Anchorage, your home for the first two nights of your tour. The largest city in Alaska, it stretches from Portage Glacier all the way to Cook Inlet, a distance of 50 miles and is surrounded by 6 magnificent mountain ranges. Enjoy a good night’s rest, and then it’s time to explore at leisure. If you’re feeling active, head into the wilderness to hike, bike or horse ride along numerous scenic trails. Kayaking on the Prince William Sound is another popular pastime. Cultural types will enjoy both the Alaska Native Heritage Centre and the Anchorage Museum, which bring to life over 10,000 years of Alaskan history. Shopping downtown is another delight, stopping for coffee or a meal in one of the many welcoming bars and restaurants.

Anchorage – Denali

2 nights’ accommodation at Denali Bluffs or similar
Wave a temporary farewell to Anchorage today as you drive along the Parks Highway to Denali, your destination for the next two nights of your holiday. Watch for wildlife en-route at the spectacular Knik and Matanuska Rivers before catching your first breathtaking sight of Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America and the United States. After checking into your comfortable hotel, check out what you can get up to in Denali National Park, a six million acre wilderness, home to grizzly bear, moose, caribou and wolves. As well as hiking, there’s ‘flight seeing’, river cruises on the Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna Rivers and dog sled tours. The Visitor Centre is also well worth popping into to learn all about your magnificent surrounds.

Denali - Fairbanks

2 nights’ accommodation at Wedgewood Resort or similar
After such fun and adventure, there’s more to come when you arrive in Fairbanks. First of all though, a stop in the city of Nenana is recommended to view the famous Nenana Ice Classic Tripod, an impressive device measuring the receding ice. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, perhaps embarking on another flight tour, this time over the Arctic Circle! The next day a Riverboat Discovery cruise will help you to get your bearings or browse through the treasures housed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum and the Antique Auto Museum. Highly recommended for dinner is the Alaska Salmon Bake located at Pioneer Park – delicious!

Fairbanks – Valdez

2 nights’ accommodation at Best Western Valdez or similar
Travel along the Richardson Highway this morning, en-route to Valdez, stopping at the historic Rika’s Roadhouse in Delta Junction, a gathering place for Alaskan’s since 1904. You can also see the Al-Can – where the Alaska and Canada Highways meet and enjoy a stop at Bridal Veil Falls and Worthington Glacier. Perfect for a wide range of outdoor pursuits, the waters surrounding Valdez are teeming with life so keep your eyes peeled for sea otters, Humpback and Orca whales if you decide upon a glacier cruise. There’s also abundant fishing, museums detailing its gold rush past, hiking and helicopter rides. After a busy day, linger in a local restaurant over a delicious meal.

Valdez – Anchorage

1 night accommodation at Quality Suites or Clarion Suites
Return to Anchorage for one night via the Glenn Highway, stopping at Sheep Mountain Lodge en-route for some great views of the Matanuska Glacier. Continue travelling through the Matanuska Susitna Valley, renowned for its extra large vegetables thanks to its rich soil and almost 24 hours of daylight in the summer months! Arrive in Anchorage late afternoon for more exploring.

Anchorage – Homer

2 nights’ accommodation at Homer Ocean Shores or similar
Homer is your destination today, stopping at the pullouts along the Turnagain Arm to admire spectacular views of mountains quite literally rising from the sea! Bald Eagles are often seen along these shores too so make sure you’ve a pair of binoculars handy. The towns of Kenai and Soldotna are worth a browse, arriving in Homer late afternoon. Spend the next day exploring at leisure, visiting the art shops perhaps or hiring a boat for a fishing trip. Kayaking is another favourite activity as is a bear viewing in the nearby Katmai National Park.

Homer – Girdwood

1 night accommodation at Hotel Alyeska or similar
Drive today from Homer to Girdwood for an overnight stay at Hotel Alyeska, nestled amongst the beautiful Chugach Mountains. Another day in the great outdoors awaits you, sightseeing by helicopter perhaps and landing on a glacier for more breathtaking views. You can also take a tram ride to the top of Mount Alyeska, hike along the Forest Service trails or swim in the hotel’s large seawater pool. There are some gorgeous spa treatments on offer too for a spot of well deserved pampering. After a good night’s rest, drive the short distance from Girdwood to Anchorage for the return journey home, reflecting on all the wonderful things you’ve seen and done in Alaska!