From Anchorage to Fairbanks, see what the "Great Land" of Alaska has to offer on this exhilarating vacation. In Alaska, wildlife viewing is abundant—from bald eagles to Dall sheep to Beluga whales—and this tour gives you the opportunity to see spectacular scenery and wildlife. Begin your trip in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, with time to explore the city’s sites. Travel into Chugach National Forest and board your cruise to Portage Glacier. Next: see breathtaking scenery as you travel to Fairbanks via the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and the Matanuska Valley, a lush farming region where cabbages can grow to weigh more than 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight.In Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city, cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard a sternwheeler riverboat. Then ride the legendary Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park for free time to explore on your own, or you can opt to hike, whitewater raft, “flightsee” Mount McKinley, or helicopter land on a glacier. But wait, there’s more: visit an Iditarod Dogsled Center to learn about this epic race. Your trip ends back in Anchorage. On this tour, you experience fun-filled activities and beautiful scenery—a vacation of a lifetime!
Highlights:
Scenic Highlights:Chugach National Forest, Portage Glacier, scenic Tahneta Pass, Matanuska Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Chena & Tanana Rivers, recreated Athabascan Indian village, and Denali National Park.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Anchorage. Relax today or do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.
Day #2 Anchorage. Journey down Turnagain Arm, where mountains rise out of the sea, and keep an eye out for Dall sheep, bald eagles, and beluga whales. Travel into Chugach National Forest and board your boat for a CRUISE to Portage Glacier. A National Forest Service interpreter will be on board to explain the glacier. This afternoon and evening are free in Anchorage for independent activities. (CB)
Day #3 Anchorage–Fairbanks. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, a lush farming region where cabbages can grow to weigh more than 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight. Over scenic Tahneta Pass, with vistas of Matanuska Glacier, then travel along WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which runs 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The area boasts glaciers larger than the island of Manhattan, and is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America. Along the way, see spectacular scenery. (CB)
Day #4 Fairbanks. This morning, take the included cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard the STERNWHEELER RIVERBOAT Discovery III. Stop at a recreated Athabascan Indian village and learn about their history. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Fairbanks.
Day #5 Fairbanks–Denali National Park. Ride the rails from Fairbanks to DENALI NATIONAL PARK. The afternoon and evening are free in Denali for independent activities, such as a walk in the park, attending one of the free national park programs, Mount McKinley flightseeing, a helicopter landing on the glacier, or the Denali Dinner Theatre.
Day #6 Denali National Park. A free day in DENALI NATIONAL PARK. Your Tour Director will recommend activities, including a river float trip, helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing, and hiking.
Day #7 Denali National Park–Anchorage. Journey south this morning and stop at the IDITAROD DOGSLED VISITOR CENTER to learn more about this epic race. Then, continue to Anchorage, where the tour ends at Anchorage International Airport. Please schedule homebound flights after 3:30 pm.
Hotels:
ANCHORAGE Ramada Downtown Anchorage (MF)
FAIRBANKS Bridgewater Hotel (MF)
DENALI NATIONAL PARK Denali Bluffs Hotel (F)