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

Today is yours to recover from your flight and explore Alaska's largest city. Pick up your rental car at your leisure from the downtown rental agency. Go shopping, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, take a walk along the Coastal Trail, drive to Chugach State Park, or enjoy an optional guided hike or sightseeing tour (not included). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 3:  Anchorage to Seward / 127 miles

Plan 3 hours driving time, not including stops.

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. Overnight in Seward.

Day 4:  Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Day 8:  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.

Return to Chitina by plane this morning. 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. This evening, explore the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska's "Gateway to the Arctic."  Return your rental car tonight. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 9:  Dalton Highway, Gates of the Arctic Nat’l Park & Anaktuvuk Pass
Travel far above the Arctic Circle today on a memorable journey to Anaktuvuk Pass. Early this morning (approx. 5am), depart in a comfortable mini coach for a ground tour from Fairbanks across the Arctic Circle to Coldfoot. From here, you will board a small plane for a flight into the heart of the Brooks Range, the northern-most mountains in North America. The plane will land within the Gates of the Arctic National Park at the Nunamiut Eskimo village of Anaktuvuk Pass, nearly 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Visit the village and learn about the culture and lifestyle of the local people. After your visit you will fly back to Fairbanks, arriving between 6pm or 7pm. Transfer by courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Overnight in Fairbanks.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The excursion to Anaktuvuk Pass only operates to approx. Aug 31, depending on weather conditions. If you start this program on or after Aug 24, we automatically include a day excursion to Barrow, the top of the world, instead of the Anaktuvuk Pass Tour.
 

Barrow tour description:
Barrow is the northernmost city in the United States, 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle. As Alaska's largest Eskimo village, in Barrow knowledge of the environment and animal behavior continues to be essential for day-to-day survival. During the tour witness ceremonies and traditions of the native culture as you tour the Inupiat Heritage Center, a National Park Service Affiliated Site. Take part in local music and dances and learn about the traditional blanket toss. Your tour includes a chance to examine the tundra, search for hundreds of bird species, view the ice of the Arctic Ocean and walk on a beautiful sand beach as far north as you’re ever likely to go.  Throughout you will have a chance to interact with local residents who enthusiastically enjoy sharing their stories and culture. Extra brave guests can join the most prestigious Polar Bear Club in the world by choosing to swim in the Arctic Ocean (optional).

Day 10:  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. (Snack and dinner included)

Day 11:  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. (All meals included).

Day 12:  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 13:  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 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 this afternoon. You arrive back in Anchorage at approximately 9pm. 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.

14 nights accommodations *** (see important notes). 7 days (pick up day 2) midsize car rental including one way fee from Anchorage to Fairbanks and unlimited mileage. Park admission fees into all five parks. Roundtrip 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. All taxes.

Included for upgraded programs are taxi transfers on days 1, 2, 12, 13, 14 & 15 in Anchorage.