Day 1 ∙ Arrival Anchorage 

Upon arrival into Anchorage proceed to the baggage claim to pick up your luggage.

Please call the free hotel shuttle, which will take you to your hotel, the Lakefront Hotel, situated along the shores of Lake Hood, the largest floatplane base in the world.

The remainder of your day is open to explore Alaska’s largest city. Visit the expanded Anchorage Museum or the many galleries and shops downtown. Enjoy a walk or bike ride on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Watch floatplanes takeoff and land from the deck of the Lakefront Flying Machine Restaurant while enjoying a drink or dinner. 

Overnight at the Lakefront Hotel.

Day 2 ∙ Anchorage – Denali 

Enjoy hot breakfast at your hotel. At 8:00am meet your driver/guide and fellow travelers for a short briefing and introductions. Leave Anchorage onboard a private touring van and head north to Denali National Park. The Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla is one of the stops for today. Total driving time between Anchorage and Denali is five hours. Your driver/guide will determine where and when to stop for meals and Denali views. 

Overnight at the Grizzly Bear Resort located at Milepost 231 Parks Highway.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 ∙ Denali 

This morning board the Denali Park Transit Bus to travel 43 miles into Denali National Park to East Fork. This 4.5 hour shuttle bus round trip will guide you along the spectacular road corridor, promising different experiences every day, as Denali’s wildlife moves at its own pace. You have the opportunity to get off the bus and go for a hike and catch a different bus back to the Park entrance later.

This afternoon there is time for optional tours such as flight seeing, river rafting, hiking or jet boat tours. Your guide will help arrange any optional tours you would like to take.

Overnight at the Grizzly Bear Resort.

Day 4 ∙ Denali – Talkeetna – Wasilla

In the morning enjoy a tour of the DNP Visitor Center where you can get even more detailed information about the park or go on a scenic hike around Horseshoe Lake to watch for Moose and Beaver. At noon you will board the Denali Star train for your rail journey from Denali Park to Talkeetna.

Arrive in Talkeetna by 4:40pm where your guide will be waiting with the van. Explore the colorful town of Talkeetna on a guided short walking tour before your journey to your hotel in Wasilla.

Overnight at the Best Western Lake Lucille.

Day 5 ∙ Wasilla – Homer 

After an included continental breakfast leave the Matanuska Valley and head south. Today’s drive follows the scenic Seward Highway along picturesque Turnagain Arm to the right and the snow-capped Chugach Mountains to the left before crossing the Kenai Peninsula to the Sterling Highway with Homer at its southern-most point. We will break up the drive with many stops including a leisurely walk at Potter Marsh, and a visit to the Russian Orthodox Church in Ninilchik, built in 1900. The historic cemetery overlooks this rustic village peacefully and affords views of Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna perched across Cook Inlet.

Overnight at the Aspen Suites Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 ∙ Homer

You have all day today to explore Homer and the surrounding areas at your leisure. This quaint fishing town with a thriving arts community is nestled on the shore of Kachemak Bay and offers breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains and wildlife. 

Choose from optional excursions including world-class halibut fishing, bear viewing, a visit to the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, tour the Homer Spit or explore the many art galleries downtown.  

You can also take a water taxi to other local communities, such as Seldovia or Halibut Cove. Your tour guide will help you with the planning of your day and arrange optional excursions. 

Overnight at the Aspen Suites Hotel.

Day 7 ∙ Homer – Seward  

This morning after a visit to the local Farmers Market we will leave Homer. On the way we will stop at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center before heading to Seward. Seward was founded in 1903 as a starting point for the Alaska Railroad and is situated at the sparkling waters of Resurrection Bay, the Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Rugged mountains are covered by the massive Harding Icefield from which countless glaciers flow into the fjords teeming with an abundance of marine wildlife.

An early evening walk to the toe of Exit Glacier and a visit to the Exit Glacier Visitor Center will round out the day. 

Overnight at the Seward Windsong Lodge.

Day 8 ∙ Seward   

After an included continental breakfast, you will discover Kenai Fjords National Park on a fully-narrated wildlife and glacier cruise. Kenai Fjords National Park abounds with marine sea life such as sea otters, sea lions, puffins, and whales. Enjoy the stunning scenery and beauty of the glacier carved fjords and with luck observe huge chunks of ice calving off a glacier. Depart from the Seward Small Boat Harbor on a 6-hour cruise including a deli lunch.

In the afternoon you have time for an optional visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska’s only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center, watching the fishermen bring in their catch or a leisurely stroll through downtown. 

Overnight at the Seward Windsong Lodge.

Meals: Lunch served on board

Day 9 ∙ Seward – Anchorage

This morning you will be heading back to Anchorage. On the way, we will stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a non-profit 200 acres sanctuary for Alaskan animals. The AWCC is a home to bison, caribou, moose, wolves, brown and black bears, and many other indigenous animals.

After the beautiful drive along Turnagain Arm we will watch the floatplanes on Lake Hood and finish this last day of your escorted tour with a city tour of Anchorage. Your guide will say good-bye and drop you off at the Lakefront Hotel, where you will stay one last night in Anchorage.

Overnight at the Lakefront Hotel.

Day 10 ∙ Anchorage – Departure

After breakfast, depending on your return flight spend the day exploring Anchorage’s Big Wild Life. Take a guided hike into Chugach State Park, the third largest state park in the nation, or opt for an exciting excursion to Brooks Falls or Redoubt Bay Lodge. Go on a flightseeing trip or immerse yourself in native culture at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The hotel shuttle will transfer you to the airport and we wish you a safe journey.