Day 1 Anchorage to Seward | 204 km/127 mi
This morning travel along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is a body of water featuring the world’s second highest tides at over 30 feet. Keep an eye out for Beluga whales chasing salmon in the bay or Dall sheep along the highway. In Seward we suggest a visit to Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Centre.
Day 2 Seward | Full Day Northwestern Fjord Cruise
Today we have arranged for you to take an all-day Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise. Travel farther into Kenai Fjords National Park than with any other cruise and visit the magnificent Northwestern Fjord, home to three amazing tidewater glaciers and numerous alpine glaciers. (A continental breakfast & deli-style lunch is included onboard)
Day 3 Seward to Homer | 270 km/168 miles
Continue your journey and follow the Sterling Highway, a designated scenic highway covering miles of spectacular landscape. Along the way view snowcapped mountains, active volcanoes including Mt. Iliamna, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Augustine, deep ocean bluffs, excellent salmon fishing opportunities along the Kenai River, and a magnificent coastline.
Day 4 Homer | Day at Leisure
Homer “Halibut Capital of the World” provides you with truly incredible panoramic views of mountain ranges, white peaks, glaciers and the famous Homer Spit. Use the day to explore the area - kayak to a remote cove, take a scenic cruise and spot wildlife including whales, seals, sea otters and many shorebirds. If you prefer to observe Grizzly bears up close, take an optional scenic flightseeing tour to the Katmai Coast.
Day 5 Homer to Girdwood | 297 km/185 mi
This morning, drive north on the scenic Sterling and Seward Highways back towards Girdwood. Along the way we have included admission to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears, muskox. Continuing to Girdwood, take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. At the base of the tram is your overnight accommodation at Alyeska Resort.
Day 6 Girdwood to Talkeetna | 241 km/150mi
Drive north from Girdwood along scenic Turnagain Arm, traveling through Anchorage and the agricultural region of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, to the small, picturesque town of Talkeetna. Talkeetna serves as a base camp for Mt. Denali climbers; the community of 857 residents is located at the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. A turn-of-the-20th-century gold-mining centre, the town has retained much of its early Alaskan flavour.
Day 7 Talkeetna to Denali National Park Entrance | 257 km/153 mi | Denali National Park Entrance to Denali Backcountry Lodge | Coach
Continuing northward from Talkeetna, tour the scenic Parks Highway along the boundary of Denali State Park and Hurricane Gulch. The massive peaks of the Alaska Range are in view nearly the entire route. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure. It is at the park entrance that most of the services are located, however your journey takes you to a lodge located deep inside the park. In the afternoon the lodge shuttle will transfer you from the park entrance to Denali Backcountry Lodge. During your lodge shuttle transfer your driver/guide will offer expert insights into the park’s natural history and wildlife. The famous park road offers your best chance for seeing the wildlife and scenery that makes the Denali area so unforgettable. (Dinner is included today)
Day 8 Kantishna | Denali Back Country Lodge
Spend a full day inside Denali National Park enjoying a naturalist-led guided hike or walk, panning for gold, mountain biking through the backcountry, or fishing. Activities are included with your stay (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today)
Day 9 Denali Backcountry Lodge to Denali National Park Entrance | Coach Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | 198 km/123 mi
Return by bus to the Denali National Park entrance area. Then drive the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester - an old mining camp. (Breakfast is included today).
Day 10 Fairbanks | Day at Leisure
In Fairbanks you have the unique chance for an optional day tour to cross the Arctic Circle and to visit the vast interior. Another option is to drive along Chena Hot Springs road (watch out for moose!), go on a hiking trip and visit Chena Hot Springs Resort. Here you can relax in the large heated indoor pool or the natural outdoor rock lake.
Day 11 Fairbanks to Chitina | 498 km/310 mi | Chitina to McCarthy | Flight
Settle in for a day of driving through some of Alaska’s most diverse and dynamic landscapes. You’ll drive the Richardson Highway along the Tanana River through Delta Junction, home to the Delta Bison Sanctuary. Once you’ve reached Copper Center you’ll turn east to the small town of Chinitna.
Flying from Chitina is the best way to get to McCarthy-Kennicott and the flightseeing that is included in the trip makes it a great value. On the way to McCarthy fly alongside 16,000’ Mt. Blackburn, over the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, past the Erie Mine and view the awe-inspiring Stairway Icefall. A flyby of Kennicott and McCarthy before landing will orient you to the area you are about to explore. Along the way your pilot will describe landforms, point out wildlife and fill you in on a bit of the human history of the area.
(Please note: Flying has the added benefit of saving 4-5 hours of driving on the single lane, gravel surfaced McCarthy road)
Day 12 McCarthy | Kennicott | Root Glacier Hike
Spend the morning exploring the dynamic features of nearby Root Glacier on a guided trail and ice hike. The afternoon is yours to visit the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark and the funky-rustic nearby enclave of McCarthy.
Day 13 McCarthy to Chitina | Flight | Chitina to Valdez | 194 km/120 mi
Today fly back to Chitina by bush plane while enjoying great views of the Wrangell Mountains. From Chitina continue south where you will begin to enter the Chugach Mountains that ring the coast of Alaska from Prince William Sound. At Thompson Pass you may wish to stop at one of the pullouts for the scenery and views of Worthington Glacier before you begin the descent into Valdez.
Day 14 Valdez | Prince William Sound Columbia Glacier Cruise with lunch
Discover the magic of Alaska on this 7-hour Columbia Glacier cruise from Valdez. A local captain and crew will guide you through the Trans Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South Central Alaska. Look out for wildlife along the way; if you’re lucky you could spot porpoises, puffins, sea lions and sea otters among other creatures. (Lunch included)
Day 15 Valdez to Sheep Mountain Lodge | 309 km/192 mi
Today you will drive back north on the Richardson Highway with great views of the Wrangell Mountains as you return to Glennallen (weather permitting). Here you follow the Glenn Highway towards Palmer/Anchorage until you reach Sheep Mountain Lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the scenic mountain views or recreational activities in the area. There are over 20 km/12 mi of trails near the lodge perfect for exploring. Birds and wildflowers abound. Maps are provided in each cabin for self-guided hiking.
Day 16 Sheep Mountain Lodge to Anchorage | 172 km/107 mi
Drive the Glenn Highway south to Anchorage. Highlights on this part of today’s trip include the Independence Mine in beautiful Hatcher Pass and the many communities in the Mat-Su Valley. This valley contains many farms and offers beautiful views of the Chugach Range. Upon arrival in Anchorage your incredible Alaska self drive adventure comes to an end.
