Alaska Explorer

Day 1 : Fly to Alaska

We fly to Anchorage to begin our exploration of 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 bears and moose living within the city limits. See the original townsite and the location where an entire neighborhood slid into the sea during the powerful 1964 Alaska earthquake. Watch for planes taking off and landing at the world’s busiest seaplane base on Lake Hood. Enjoy a Holiday Vacations Welcome Lunch and get to know your fellow travelers, then top the day off discovering new things at the Anchorage Museum in celebration of Alaskan art, culture, history, ecology, and ethnography.

Day 3 : Talkeetna

We depart from Anchorage by rail to Talkeetna. Enjoy an onboard breakfast and Alaska’s epic scenery as we journey north in a dome rail car. Our fun in Talkeetna includes a thrilling Jet Boat Adventure where the wilderness will be our classroom as we 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 III

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. 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. Travel the Richardson Highway, Alaska's first highway, south into the Chugach mountains before arriving in 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 at 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 take a flightseeing trip, kayak or hike, 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, an advancing tidewater glacier 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 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 : Journey’s End