Alaska's National Parks Tour
Tour 1550CTA

Known by many as the "the Great Land", Alaska constitutes a virtual subcontinent with seventeen national parks. A visit to any of these parks offers the opportunity to see wildlife, experience seemingly endless wilderness, and to learn about Alaska's natural and cultural history.

Our Alaska's National Park Tour takes you into the heart of 5 of Alaska's most fascinating national parks, all of which provide unique experiences to some of the most remote and wild lands left on earth! Enjoy scenic drives along the Seward Highway to visit Kenai Fjords National Park and the Glenn Highway to Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Cross the Arctic Circle and fly to Gates of the Arctic National Park to learn about the unique lifestyle of the last remaining settlement of the Nunamiut (inland northern Inupiat Eskimo). Travel on the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park and the remote Kantishna area. View bears in their natural habitat at Katmai National Park, famous for Brooks Falls.

15 Days / 14 Nights

Day 1:  Arrival Anchorage

Upon arrival in Anchorage, transfer via hotel courtesy shuttle or taxi to your hotel. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for an optional excursion, such as Flightseeing (not included). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2:  Anchorage to Seward / 127 miles

Plan 3 hours driving time, not including stops.

Pick up your rental car from the downtown rental station this morning. Your drive to Seward takes you along scenic Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm. Few roads in the United States can offer the diversity of scenic landscapes and unique natural features so concentrated in one area. Wildflowers and waterfalls brighten every corner of the road as it glides below rough mountains that pierce thick, heavy clouds. Recommended stops along the route include the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Just before you reach Seward, you have a chance to visit Exit Glacier. This is one of the few glaciers that visitor's can walk to. The interpretive trail leading to the glacier provides an illustrated history of the glaciers path as it has receded over the last 100 years. Overnight in Seward.

Day 3:  Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Day 7:  Kennicott / Wrangell St. Elias National Park to Fairbanks / 313 miles

30 minute flight from McCarthy to Chitina, plus 6 hours driving time, not including stops.

Today begins with a return flight to Chitina. Your drive continues on the Richardson Highway, Alaska's oldest highway which began in 1898 as a gold rush trail to Eagle. This route follows the Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Along the way, there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska's "Gateway to the Arctic."  We suggest a visit to the University of Alaska Museum of the Arctic and the Musk Ox farm. You have several options for gold panning and gold mine tours such as the El Dorado Gold Mine or the Discover the Gold City Tour (not included). Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 8:  Dalton Highway, Gates of the Arctic Nat’l Park & Anaktuvuk Pass

Day 9:  Fairbanks to Denali National Park

Transfer via hotel courtesy shuttle or taxi to the Fairbanks rail station. At 8:15am*, depart aboard the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. Upon arrival (12pm), you will be met for your wildlife bus tour through Denali National Park to Kantishna. Your experienced driver will provide narration about the history, the fauna and flora of the park as well as stop for any wildlife sightings. With some luck you may see moose, bear, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and fox. A snack will be provided with your bus transfer. The bus will arrive at the lodge at approx. 8pm. Enjoy dinner and relax at the lodge. Overnight at the Kantishna Roadhouse or Denali Backcountry Lodge. (Snack and dinner included)

Day 10:  Denali National Park

Spend the day enjoying a naturalist-led guided hike or walk, panning for gold, mountain biking through the backcountry or flight seeing. In the evening, enjoy a presentation focusing on the local area, read a book from the extensive natural history library, or just relax and share stories from the day. All outdoor activities (except flight seeing) are included. Overnight at the Kantishna Roadhouse or Denali Backcountry Lodge. (All meals included).

Day 11:  Denali to Anchorage

Enjoy a light breakfast early this morning before departing at 6am on the bus back to the park entrance. For a truly unique experience, upgrade to a scenic return flight past Mt. McKinley to the park entrance (see Important Notes below). At 12:15pm, depart on the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage. Enjoy spectacular views through large picture windows, visit the gift shop or have a meal in the dining car (not included). Upon arrival in Anchorage (8pm) transfer to your hotel by hotel courtesy shuttle or taxi. Overnight in Anchorage.  (Breakfast included.)

Day 12: Anchorage to Brooks Falls / Katmai National Park
Transfer to the Anchorage Airport by courtesy hotel shuttle or taxi. Depart Anchorage at approximately 7:30am aboard a scheduled flight to King Salmon or Kulik. Upon arrival in King Salmon or Kulik, a local representative will transfer you directly to a seaplane for a 20 minute flight to Brooks Camp. On arrival in Brooks Camp, you will meet with park service staff for a brief orientation in bear safety before you check into your overnight accommodation. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Brooks Camp, viewing brown bears from observation platforms, and hiking to Brooks Falls. Overnight at Brooks Lodge.

Day 13:  Brooks Falls / Katmai National Park
Today take the guided bus tour to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes.  Katmai was initially established in 1918 following the cataclysmic eruption of Novarupta Volcano in 1912, a blast ten times more forceful than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The eruption buried more than 40 square miles with pumice and ash up to 700 feet deep. This area was named the Valley of 10,000 Smokes for the countless fumaroles that continued to steam for many years. Today the Valley is a geologic wonder containing active volcanoes and breathtaking views of deep gorges topped by multi-colored cliffs of volcanic ash. Overnight at Brooks Lodge.

Day 14:  Brooks Camp to Anchorage

Spend the morning at Brooks Lodge pursuing your own interests. You may want to take another hike to Brooks Falls, take a few last wildlife photos or visit the "Trading Post" where souvenirs may be purchased. Your return flight to King Salmon will depart early this afternoon (usually after lunch). You arrive back in Anchorage at approximately 4:30 pm. Transfer to your hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle or taxi. The evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 15:  Anchorage departure
Depending on your departure flight you may have some free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions (not included). Transfer to the airport via hotel courtesy shuttle or taxi. Depart or start an additional program.

 *All times are approximate and subject to change.

14 nights accommodations *** (see important notes). 7 days (pick up day 2) mid size car rental including one way fee from Anchorage to Fairbanks and unlimited mileage. Park admission fees into all five parks. Round trip flights from Chitina to McCarthy. Passage on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Denali and from Denali to Anchorage. Full day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park with lunch from Seward. 2-hr guided Kennicott Mine Tour in Kennicott. Full day Arctic Circle and Anaktuvuk Pass Adventure from Fairbanks (or to Barrow, depending on season). Roundtrip bus transfer and wildlife viewing tour from Denali park entrance to lodge inside Denali National park. Meals during stay at lodge inside Denali National Park as listed. 2 day excursion to Katmai National Park / Brooks Camp including bus tour to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. All taxes.

Included for upgraded programs are taxi transfers on day 1, 2, 11, 12, 14 & 15 in Anchorage.