Day 1 Anchorage
After your arrival, explore Alaska’s biggest city: Take a walk on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or take the Town Trolley to get a first overview of the city. There is lots to do in Anchorage. The Visitor Center is a good starting point to collect information.
Day 2 Anchorage to Seward (by train)
Catch the early morning train to Seward and enjoy the stunning scenery on your way south to the coastal town of Seward. This is the most beautiful train ride in Alaska, taking you along Turnagain Arm and snow capped mountains. Upon arrival in Seward you will join a 6 hour cruise into the Kenai Fjords National Park, giving you the opportunity to spot marine wildlife and glaciers.
Day 3 Seward to Anchorage (by train)
You will have most of the day to explore Seward on your own: Visit the SeaLife Center, stroll through the town center or spend the day visiting the nearby Exit Glacier. In the late afternoon the train takes you back to Anchorage. Arrival time is approximately 10:15 PM.
Day 4 Anchorage to Talkeetna (by train)
Take the train to Talkeetna, a charming artist town with a fantastic location at the confluence of the Chulitna, Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers and with great views of the Alaska Range. The population is highly creative, thus you will find many imaginative shops and businesses as well as the mystique of its mountaineering community.
Day 5 Talkeetna to Denali (by train)
Today it’s on to famous Denali National Park. On clear days you can enjoy great views of the mountain ranges while you relax on the train. You will arrive in the afternoon and have the remainder of the day to get familiar with the region.
Day 6 Denali National Park
Get the experience of Denali National Park on your 4.5 hour guided bus tour. You will see the beauty of the National Park and its tundra landscape while following the Park Road to the East Fork historical cabin. On route watch for wildlife as moose, Dall sheep, caribous, foxes and with some luck bears are often spotted during the trip.
Day 7 Denali to Fairbanks (by train)
You have some more time in the Denali area before catching the train to Fairbanks. You may go back to the park entrance and visit the exhibitions at the Visitor Center, the Murie Science Center or the Sled Dog Demonstration. Arrival in Fairbanks is at approximately 8 PM.
Day 8 Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs (56 miles)
Pick up your rental car and drive through the scenic Chena Hot Springs Recreation Area to the equally named resort. On almost every drive moose can be spotted along the road. There are many good options for hiking. At the resort you can relax in the hot springs, join various activities or visit the ice museum.
Day 9 Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks (56 miles)
Return to Fairbanks. There is a lot to do in Alaska’s second largest city: Experience the old days at Pioneer Park, learn about history and cultures in the interesting museums or take a dinner cruise down the Chena River.
Day 10 Fairbanks to Paxson Area (133-175 miles)
Leave Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway. You will get some close views of the famous Alaska pipeline that goes from Prudhoe Bay at the Arctic Ocean to Valdez at the end of the Richardson Highway. Enjoy the fantastic scenery on the way South.
Day 11 Paxson Area to McCarthy/Kennicott (196-237 miles)
Today you will drive to the amazing Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the US. Nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America are located in this park. You will drive the last 60 miles on the McCarthy Road, a true Alaska gravel road. The road ends just before McCarthy, a very charming ghost town that was once an important town for the world’s formerly most productive copper mine in Kennecott.
Optional: Instead of driving the gravel road to McCarthy, it is also possible to include a round trip flight from Chitina to McCarthy.
Day 12 McCarthy/Kennicott
Free day to explore the area. Go on a glacier hike, visit the old copper mine in Kennicott on a guided tour, take a hike in the park or go on a scenic flight and enjoy the incredible scenery from above.
Day 13 McCarthy to Matanuska/Palmer Area (202-275 miles)
The scenic Glenn Highway offers some good opportunities for hiking or fishing. See Sheep Mountain and the Matanuska Glacier before you enter the Mat-Su Valley either today or tomorrow. This valley gets the most hours of sunshine in Alaska and is therefore the prime agricultural area in the state. Overnight in the Sheep Mountain Area or Palmer.
Day 14 Matanuska/Palmer area to Anchorage
(41-72 miles)
A short drive takes you back to Anchorage. Visit some more attractions or do some shopping before choosing one of the various pubs and restaurants for your last dinner in Alaska.
Day 15 Anchorage
Your tour ends today. Return your rental car and depart Anchorage.
