Day 1 : Fly to Alaska

We fly to Fairbanks, known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska,” and check in to our comfortable accommodations.

Day 2 : Fairbanks

Get acquainted with your fellow travelers over a delicious Welcome Breakfast this morning. Afterwards, we’re off to discover Fairbanks with a guided city tour featuring its iconic gold rush history and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, an incredible engineering accomplishment. This afternoon, visit a local peony farm and marvel at the unique growing conditions that make this enterprise so successful. The remainder of the day is yours for individual exploration.

Day 3 : Delta Junction & Alaska Flour Co.

This morning, we board our comfortable motorcoach for a journey into Delta Junction and stop at the visitor center. This town was built during World War II to connect the contiguous United States with Alaska and got its start in agriculture during the Gold Rush to feed workers and livestock. Learn about the Delta Barley Project as we travel into the grain growing region and visit a local barley farm, Alaska Flour Company. After an included lunch, we travel to Mugrage Hay and Cattle farm to hear how they pasture raise the highest quality beef and advocate for agriculture on the Frontier. Later, we return to our hotel in Fairbanks.

Day 4 : Rail Journey to Denali

Relax and soak up breathtaking scenery from your domed rail car on our Alaska Railroad journey today. Enjoy an included breakfast onboard as we travel into the heart of the state’s wilderness and Denali National Park. Arriving early afternoon, we make a stop at the Denali Visitor Center and spend the rest of the day at leisure. There are plenty of options including hiking, river rafting, flightseeing, shopping, or visiting a sled dog kennel.

Rail journey from Fairbanks to Denali National Park

Day 5 : Denali National Park and Preserve

Today we join our naturalist guide for an immersive tour of Denali National Park and Preserve. With six million acres of pristine and protected land, it is one of the largest unspoiled regions in the world. Watch for grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep as our guide provides fascinating commentary. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore more of Denali however you choose!

Day 6 : Scenic Byway

We depart our hotel this morning and take the road less traveled, Denali Highway. With most of the route sitting above timberline, enjoy unrivaled views of the picturesque vistas featuring snow-capped mountains, glaciers, shallow lakes, and dense forests. Our journey continues along historic Richardson Highway, a scenic byway, with a visit to Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center en route. Arriving in Valdez, we check in to our hotel and have dinner at leisure.

Day 7 : Valdez Harbor Cruise

Today we venture into the quaint coastal community of Valdez. Our first stop is the local museum, featuring a historical archive, to learn about the town’s rich cultural and environmental history. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure to grab lunch and explore on your own. Later, we gather for a privately chartered harbor cruise with an expert onboard guide who shares insight on sustainability, the fishing industry, and the economic impact of oil fields. Savor an included dinner while taking in views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, fish hatchery, mountains, and wildlife.

Day 8 : Mat-Su-Valley Farms & Palmer

Take in views of steep rock walls and towering waterfalls as we depart Valdez, traveling up Keystone Canyon. Delight in scenic stops at Thompson Pass and Worthington Glacier before joining the Glenn Highway, a scenic byway. We continue south to the Matanuska Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley, an agricultural and supply center for Alaska’s remote interior. Enjoy seeing the mighty Matanuska Glacier, then we reach Palmer Visitor Center. Learn about the Matanuska Colony project and their expansive garden that showcases what can be grown in South-central Alaska. Later, we visit a local farm and then check in to our Wasilla accommodations.

Day 9 : Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center

Our day begins with more fascinating farm visits, including the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. This working research farm spans over 1000 acres that consists of cultivated land and forestland, as well as laboratory facilities used to research soils, plants, and livestock. Enjoy hearing how this center supports research in the Mat-Su Valley and provides education to all of South-central Alaska. This afternoon, we travel to Anchorage which is beautifully nestled between soaring mountain peaks and an inlet. Discover the city’s best highlights on a guided tour, including the original townsite where an entire neighborhood slid into the sea during the powerful 1964 earthquake. This evening, we settle into our accommodations located within Alaska’s largest city

Day 10 : Alaska State Fair & Anchorage

Today we stop in Palmer to visit the Alaska State Fair, the locals’ last celebration before summer gives way to winter. Marvel at the winners of the Giant Fruit and Vegetable competition, learn about the Matanuska Colony, see a barn that belonged to one of the original Matanuska Valley pioneers, indulge in classic fair food, or browse exhibits on livestock, crops, flowers, and more. Later, we gather to celebrate our agricultural journey through the Last Frontier at a wonderful Farewell Dinner before boarding our overnight flight home.

Day 11 : Arrive Home