Day 1 Anchorage
Pick up your 4×4 SUV and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure exploring Alaska’s largest city. There is lots to do: Visit the museums, enjoy a walk along the waterfront or explore the downtown area.
Day 2 Anchorage to Denali (240 miles)
Start your journey north on Glenn and Parks Highway to Denali National Park. Weather permitting you can catch a great view of Mt. Denali.
Day 3 Denali National Park
In the morning, you take a 4.5 hour bus tour into Denali National Park. This is one of your best opportunities to spot wildlife, including bears, moose, foxes or caribou. While the ride on the park shuttle bus is not narrated, it gives you the freedom to get off the bus and do some hiking and afterwards taking a different bus back to the park entrance.
Day 4 Denali to Maclaren River Lodge (121 miles)
Today, your adventure on Denali Highway begins. One of the last true gravel roads in Alaska with stunning scenery and wildlife viewing as well as hiking opportunities. This is the true Alaska!
Day 5 Maclaren River Lodge to McCarthy/Kennicott (237 miles)
Today you are driving to Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the US. A gravel road over what used to be a railroad track leads to McCarthy, a very charming small town. The road ends just before McCarthy. McCarthy supported Kennicott, the world’s most productive copper mines between 1903 and 1938.
Day 6 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 7 McCarthy/Kennicott – Valdez (180 miles)
Drive back on McCarthy Road until you meet the Richardson Highway and turn south towards Valdez. Drive by Worthington Glacier and through Keystone Canyon with its many cascading waterfalls.
Day 8 Valdez
Depending on your choice and availability enjoy the scenic Columbia Glacier Tour which takes you into Prince William Sound or get active and try sea kayaking. The Shoup Glacier Day tour offers an intimate experience at one of Alaska’s beautiful marine state parks (difficulty: easy – no experience needed).
Day 9 Valdez to Matanuska/Palmer Area (192 miles)
Enjoy the scenic drive on Richardson Highway and Glenn Highway. Charming mountain and glacier views will accompany you.
Day 10 Matanuska/Palmer to Anchorage (107 miles)
Enjoy more glacier views, maybe add in a glacier hike on or helicopter flight over the Matanuska Glacier before you make your way back to Anchorage.
Day 11 Anchorage
Return your rental car and depart Anchorage.