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HOME >> DRIVING PACKAGES >> All Self-Drive Packages >> All Alaska Classic - Tour 1517CTA

All Alaska Classic - Tour 1517CTA
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Tour Highlights:
  • Explore three of Alaska's National Parks, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias and Kenai Fjords.
  • Great wildlife viewing opportunities throughout.
  • Excellent photo journey to capture Alaska's great beauty.
  • Travel on four designated National Scenic Byways.
Tour Includes:
  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 14 day midsize rental vehicle with unlimited mileage
  • 6-8 hour bus tour into Denali National Park with snack
  • Roundtrip bush plane flights between Chitina and McCarthy
  • Alaska Marine Highway ferry passage from Valdez to Whittier for all passengers and vehicles
  • 6 - 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise with lunch
  • All taxes


Not included: Any insurances for rental car, additional driver fees, gas. Meals, optional excursions, park/admission fees other than mentioned, gratuities.
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This classic self-drive tour provides you with the best of Alaska's scenic highways and features three of Alaska's spectacular national parks.

This tour includes a stay in the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - the largest in North America - plus a glacier and wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park and a wilderness bus tour deep into the heart of Denali National Park. Additional stopovers in the scenic towns of Talkeetna, Valdez, Seward, Homer, Anchorage and Fairbanks make this the ultimate Alaskan driving tour!
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1
 
Anchorage Arrival
Anchorage Arrival Pick up your rental car at the airport upon arrival and drive to your hotel. Overnight in Anchorage.


2
 
Anchorage to Talkeetna
Anchorage to Talkeetna Distance/driving time: 115 miles / plan 2.5 hours driving time, not including stops.

Drive the Glenn Highway northbound, connecting to the Parks Highway in Wasilla. A few interesting stops along way are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. Talkeetna is a small but unique gold mining community, famous for its special charm and as the expeditions base for mountaineers seeking to summit Denali. You'll have time for some great optional excursions, including McKinley flight seeing and riverboat excursions (not included). Overnight in Talkeetna.


3
 
Talkeetna to Denali National Park
Talkeetna to Denali National Park Distance/driving time: 153 miles / plan 3 hours driving time, not including stops.

Continuing on the Parks Highway towards Denali National Park, you drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. This afternoon you may have time for optional excursions from the Denali park entrance include rafting or a Denali Jeep Safari (not included). Overnight near the Denali Park Entrance.


4
 
Denali National Park
Denali National Park Early this morning embark on a 6 to 8 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (approx. 55miles/88km into the park). The park is inhabited by many different animal species and with some luck you may see bears, caribou, moose, sheep, wolves and a variety of birds. Mt. McKinley may also be seen, weather permitting. A snack and park fees are included. Overnight near the Denali Park Entrance.


5
 
Denali National Park to Fairbanks
Denali National Park to Fairbanks Distance/driving time: 125 miles / plan 2.5 hours driving time, not including stops.

In the afternoon continue on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscape you drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester, an old mining camp. There are several optional Fairbanks activities available for today, including a sternwheeler riverboat cruise, gold mine tour or a float trip with dinner under the midnight sun (not included). Overnight in Fairbanks.


6
 
Fairbanks
Fairbanks Free day to explore Alaska's "Golden Heart City" on your own or to participate in optional excursions, including a visit to Barrow or other Arctic communities (not included). Overnight in Fairbanks.


7
 
Fairbanks to McCarthy / Kennicott
Fairbanks to McCarthy / Kennicott Distance/driving time: Drive Fairbanks to Chitina 314 miles / plan 6 hours driving time, not including stops. Flight from Chitina to McCarthy approx. 30 minutes.

Travel south from Fairbanks along the Richardson & Alaska Highways to Chitina, where you will leave your rental car and board a bush plane for the scenic flight into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Your final destination is the spectacular Kennicott mines and Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.


8
 
McCarthy / Kennicott
McCarthy / Kennicott Free day to explore historical Kennicott and the picturesque Wrangell - St. Elias National Park. We recommend taking a historical mine tour or glacier hike (not included) to better explore this spectacular area. Overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.


9
 
McCarthy / Chitina to Valdez
McCarthy / Chitina to Valdez Distance/driving time: Flight McCarthy to Chitina approx. 20 minutes. Drive Chitina to Valdez 120 miles / plan 2.5 hours driving time, not including stops.

Fly back to Chitina to retrieve your rental vehicle, and then continue south to the end of the spectacular Richardson Highway. Part of the route parallels the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and weather permitting you'll have incredible views of the St. Elias Mountains. Drive by Worthington Glacier and through Keystone Canyon home to many cascading waterfalls including the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls. This evening you have an opportunity to participate in an optional natural history kayaking tour through Valdez harbor (not included), which was devastated by the 1964 earthquake. Overnight in Valdez.


10
 
Valdez to Seward
Valdez to Seward Distance/driving time: Ferry from Valdez to Whittier (3 or 6 hours). Drive Whittier to Seward 85 miles / plan 2 hours drive time, not including tunnel waiting period or stops.

Today you depart Valdez on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry and travel through beautiful Prince William Sound. Upon arrival in Whittier drive through the Whittier-Portage Tunnel (one-lane tunnel, open to traffic during certain hours only). We suggest a possible stop at the Portage Glacier Visitor Center. Continue along the Seward Highway through scenic landscapes to Seward. Possible side trips to Hope and Exit Glacier are also worthwhile detours. Upon arrival, embark on an optional visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center or to an Iditarod musher's homestead for a dog sled ride (not included). Overnight in Seward.


11
 
Seward
Seward In the morning, depart on a full-day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska's treasures. As you cruise through the park and the Chiswell Islands National Wildlife Refuge, watch for Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles and even whales. During the cruise, you will see examples of Alpine, Cirque, Piedmont and Tidewater glaciers. A stop will be made at either Holgate or Aialik Glacier to witness glacier calving up-close. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat salmon and prime rib buffet on-board. In the evening return to the Seward harbor. Relax in the evening and enjoy the fresh Alaskan air. Overnight in Seward.


12
 
Seward to Homer
Seward to Homer Distance/driving time: 180 miles / plan 4 hours driving time, not including stops.

Spend the day touring Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. You will travel along the turquoise blue Kenai River, a world-class salmon fishing area. Continue to Homer with opportunities to stop in historic villages, or take advantage of great photographic opportunities along the Cook Inlet coastline. Overnight in Homer.


13
 
Homer
Homer Free day to explore the quaint fishing town of Homer and Kachemak Bay or to participate in optional excursions including guided halibut fishing, a bear viewing safari by bush plane to the Katmai coast, or a wildlife cruise to Gull Island (not included). Overnight in Homer.


14
 
Homer to Anchorage
Homer to Anchorage Distance/driving time: 233 miles / plan 5 hours driving time, not including stops.

This morning drive north on the scenic Sterling and Seward Highways back to Anchorage with possible stopovers at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or the quiet ski village of Girdwood, home of the Alyeska Resort. Overnight in Anchorage.


15
 
Anchorage Departure
Anchorage Departure Return car to Anchorage car rental station. Depart or start an additional program.


Below you will find descriptions of optional tours. When you book this tour package, you will see prices and be able to select which optional tours you would like to reserve.
Additional tours are available under our Day Tours section.

Price per Person – USD
Click a Date to Book Online
Standard Program
Operation Dates Single Double Triple Quad Child*
May 19, 12 - May 31, 12
Book Now! 		$4859 $2859 $2259 $1959 $600
Jun 01, 12 - Aug 10, 12
Book Now! 		$5529 $3199 $2479 $2129 $600
Aug 13, 12 - Aug 31, 12
Book Now! 		$5529 $3199 $2479 $2129 $600
Upgraded Program
Operation Dates Single Double Triple Quad Child*
May 19, 12 - May 31, 12
Book Now! 		$6029 $3409 $2629 $2229 $650
Jun 01, 12 - Aug 10, 12
Book Now! 		$6699 $3739 $2849 $2399 $650
Aug 13, 12 - Aug 31, 12
Book Now! 		$6699 $3739 $2849 $2399 $650

Tour starts daily from May 19 to Aug 10. Tour departs on selected dates only from Aug 13 to 31.***

* Children 11 years and under, sharing room with at least 2 full paying adults with existing bedding. Maximum 4 people per room.

Please click here to learn more about the difference of our standard / upgraded programs.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • *** Dates of Operation: Due to the ferry schedule, this tour does not operate daily. When you make your reservation, you will only be able to select certain departure dates. However, the ferry schedule is subject to change without notice, and therefore we reserve the right to modify the itinerary.

  • Accommodation in Kennicott: The Kennicott Glacier Lodge was opened in 1987 and is a replica of one of the historic mining buildings from the copper mining boom town days. This "main lodge" building has comfortable rooms with a sink with cold running water. There are plenty of spotlessly clean bathrooms and shower rooms located throughout the lodge for your use. Baths are "private use", but SHARED by other guests. In 2004 a new (separate) building was added, offering 10 rooms with private bath.

    If you book the STANDARD program, you will be accommodated in the main lodge building in a room with SHARED bath. If you book the UPGRADED program, you will be accommodated in the separate building in a room with private bath. Depending on availability we might only be able to accommodate you in the main lodge in a room with shared bath (you would be notified).

  • Booking requirments: we require following information for each traveler at time of reservation: Full name including middle name(s), citizenship, gender and date of birth.
    We also need your flight arrival information (arrival time, flight number and name of airline).

TRAVEL TO ALASKA:

Please make sure you have your proper documents (US Drivers License or passport) with you, your credit card and camera/video recorder.

If you booked a rental car with us that you will pick up upon arrival in Alaska, please make sure you provide us with your flight arrival information so that your car is ready for you when you arrive!

Also remember that Alaska has its own time zone. Alaska is 1 hour behind Pacific Standard Time / 2 hours behind Mountain Standard Time / 3 hours behind Central Standard Time / 4 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

 

WHAT TO PACK:

Temperatures from June through August range between 60°F / 16° C to 80°F / 27°. May and September are typically cooler, with temperatures ranging between 45°F / 7° C to 55°F / 13° C. Temperatures in the winter can range from -40 degrees to 40 degrees.

If summer or winter the general rule for Alaska is casual, comfortable clothing that can be worn in layers. The first layer should be something thin and next to the skin (try to avoid cotton). The second layer adds warmth and allows you the option of removing if it gets warmer (mostly fleece or similar). The third layer should protect you against rain and wind if necessary.

For day cruises into Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park, for example, we recommend an extra layer including a scarf, hat and gloves, as it can be chilly on the boats - even in the summer!

Comfortable walking shoes or water repellent hiking boots are also important. 

If you visit in the winter, your outer layer should protect you against the cold and wind. Even so jeans are comfortable, they are not ideal when it is really cold. Ski pants are protecting better against the cold weather. Do not forget to bring a warm scarf, hat, gloves, and boots.

 

 
 
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