Alaska Explorer

Day 1 : Fly to Anchorage

We fly to Anchorage to begin our exploration of Alaska, America's Last Frontier.

Day 2 : Anchorage

Thrust between 5,000 foot peaks and an inlet, Anchorage is unlike any other city. Learn from a local what it’s like to call Alaska’s largest city home, with bear and moose within town limits. See where the original townsite of tents began and where an entire neighborhood slid into the sea during the powerful 1964 earthquake at Earthquake Park. Watch for planes taking off and landing at the world’s busiest seaplane base on Lake Hood, the same location where planes with skis can land in the winter when it freezes over.

Enjoy a Holiday Vacations Welcome Lunch and get to know your fellow travelers.

We top the day off discovering new things at the Anchorage Museum that celebrates all-things-Alaska including art, culture, history, ecology, and ethnography.

Day 3 : Talkeetna

We depart from Anchorage by rail to Talkeetna. Enjoy onboard breakfast and Alaska’s epic scenery on the ride as we journey north in a dome rail car.

Our fun in Talkeetna includes a thrilling Wilderness Jetboat Adventure where the wilderness will be your classroom as you learn about local animals, trapping, and the indigenous Dena’ina people. This immersive experience kicks off our discovery of all that Alaska’s natural wonders offer.

We check-in to our hotel in Talkeetna and enjoy free time this evening.

Day 4 : Denali National Park & Preserve

This morning, as we make our way north, watch for views of Denali, North America's tallest mountain. Along the way to Denali, we break at the Alaska Veterans Memorial where you can stretch your legs and take pictures.

We embark on a Tundra Wilderness Tour for a guided exploration of Denali National Park's unique setting. Keep watch for Dall sheep, caribou, moose, grizzly bears, black bears, and wolves. From the boreal forest to the open tundra, experience the untamed beauty and vast landscapes of this protected wilderness.

Day 5 : Denali, Your Way

This morning, discover Denali however you choose. From hiking to river rafting, shopping, or visiting a sled dog kennel, there are plenty of options!

In Fairbanks, we visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center where we casually explore and learn about life in Alaska's interior and its four seasons.

We check-in to our hotel for a two-night stay in Fairbanks.

Day 6 : Gold Dredge 8 & Riverboat Discovery lll

Start today with a demonstration of different mining methods and learn to pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8. Try panning yourself and keep what you find! We’ll also view and learn about the incredible Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, an engineering marvel. Feast on a "miner's lunch" at Discovery Landing before our afternoon adventures.

We board the Riverboat Discovery III for a fascinating excursion on the Chena River. Witness a bush plane maneuver and watch dog mushing in action. Step ashore at a recreated fishing and hunting camp where we learn about the lifestyles of indigenous peoples in Alaska’s interior.

Day 7 : Valdez

This morning, get a rare photo opportunity with the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, the monumental line crossing the river on an impressive suspension bridge.

Enjoy the remainder of the day on a relaxing ride south to Valdez, the quaint harbor town where we'll stay for the next two nights.

Day 8 : Alaskan Beauty

After breakfast, we embark on a scenic drive up Keystone Canyon with photo stops for Worthington Glacier and Thompson Pass. Experience the larger-than-life scenery of these mountains and stunning coloration of massive glaciers.

Have the rest of your day at leisure in Valdez. You may wish to go flightseeing, kayaking, hiking, view exhibits at the Valdez or Whitney Museums, or visit a local fish hatchery.

Day 9 : Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

Today we embark on a great adventure with a Glacier & Wildlife Cruise on Prince William Sound. Our narrated cruise offers a chance to see the wildlife that makes the sound its home. See Meares Glacier, a tidewater glacier that is currently advancing, located in the Chugach National Forest. Whales, sea otters, Dall's porpoise, and sea birds are often seen while cruising the waters of Prince William Sound.

Enjoy an included lunch on the cruise.

Then sit back and relax on our way to Whittier, where we'll disembark and board our coach for a short ride to Girdwood, our home for the night.

Day 10 : Fond Farewells

Our last full day is filled with appreciation and celebration. Enjoy spectacular views as we glide up Mt. Alyeska aboard an aerial tram.

Then, gather for a Holiday Vacations Farewell Lunch. We’ll enjoy a delicious meal while reliving our fun adventures exploring the great state of Alaska.

We return to Anchorage, perhaps with time to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about the native cultures that have shaped how people in Alaska live. Later, we fly overnight to return home.

Day 11 : Arrive Home

Arrive home with unforgettable memories from phenomenal Alaska.