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HOME >> DRIVING PACKAGES >> All Self-Drive Packages >> Best of Alaska with Glacier Bay National Park - Tour 1508CTA

Best of Alaska with Glacier Bay National Park - Tour 1508CTA
Trip
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Tour Highlights:
  • Visit two of Alaska's most popular national parks, Denali and Glacier Bay.
  • Experience small towns and local lifestlyes.
  • Travel at an easy pace with time daily adventures, and great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tour Includes:
  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 11 day midsize car rental from/to Anchorage including unlimited mileage
  • Bus tour into Denali National park with snack and park fees
  • Scheduled flight from Anchorage to Juneau
  • Roundtrip flights Juneau to Gustavus (will most likely be a small plane with luggage restrictions)
  • Transfers in Gustavus
  • Full-day cruise into Glacier Bay National Park from Gustavus with lunch and park fees
  • All taxes

Upgraded program also includes 1 breakfast and 1 dinner during stay in Gustavus.

Not included: Any insurances for rental car, additional driver fees, gas. Airfare, meals, optional excursions, or park/admission fees other than those mentioned, gratuity.
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This itinerary is designed to give you time to explore some of the best areas in Alaska and tour the two most popular national parks. Following a self-drive tour of Alaska's interior, including Denali National Park, you will fly to Juneau, Alaska's capital. From here you will fly to Gustavus to take a full-day boat cruise into the famous Glacier Bay National Park, known for its spectacular glaciers, scenery and wildlife. The tour allows you plenty of time to explore each area. You can depart any day in the summer and you can also add additional days or optional excursions such as a day tour into Alaska's Arctic.
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1
 
Anchorage Arrival
Anchorage Arrival Pick up your rental vehicle at the airport and drive to your hotel accommodation. Depending on your arrival time you may have the opportunity to enjoy an optional excursion, such as a guided hike (not included). Overnight in Anchorage.


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

Today you will first drive the Glenn Highway and then the Parks Highway north towards Denali. Enjoy possible stops such as the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Thunderbird Falls, or the Native Village of Eklutna. Talkeetna, today's destination, is small community with unique Alaskan backcountry character. It is also one of the best starting points for flight-seeing tours to Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Mountain Range (not included). You can even land on a glacier on Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain on the continent! Talkeetna is located at the confluence of three rivers, which serve as access routes to remote wilderness. Take this opportunity to explore the "real Alaska" by jet boat (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.

Today you continue your drive north towards Denali. As you reach the entrance to Denali National Park, we recommend a visit to the Denali Visitor Center. Here you will find informative exhibits and information on Park Service programs. During the rest of the day, you have the opportunity to enjoy other optional tours, such as whitewater rafting or a Jeep safari (not included). Overnight at the Denali park entrance.


4
 
Denali National Park
Denali National Park Early this morning, you will depart on a 6 to 8 hour bus tour that brings you approximately 55 miles into Denali National Park. There is the possibility of seeing wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep, also known as Alaska's "big five". Weather permitting, you may have some spectacular views of Mt. McKinley. A snack box is included. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the Denali park entrance.


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

Today, continue on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Accompanied by forest and mountain landscape, you will drive through the coal mining town of Healy, the historic railroad town of Nenana, and the old mining camp of Ester. You have several tour options while in Fairbanks, including an historic sternwheeler riverboat cruise or a visit to the El Dorado Goldmine, where you learn to pan for gold (not included). Overnight in Fairbanks.


6
 
Fairbanks
Fairbanks Today is free to explore the Fairbanks area at your leisure and is a great opportunity for optional excursions into Alaska's Arctic (not included). We also recommend a visit to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum. Overnight in Fairbanks.


7
 
Fairbanks to Glennallen/Copper Center area
Fairbanks to Glennallen/Copper Center area Distance/driving time: +/- 260 miles / plan 4.5 hours driving time, not including stops.

Travel south on the Richardson / Alaska Highway to Delta Junction and then continue south on the Richardson Highway. Just outside of Fairbanks visit the Santa Clause House in North Pole. Along the scenic highway there are several rest stops, making this a perfect day to plan a picnic! As you near your final destination of Glennallen/Copper Center, you drive along the boundary of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve. This region of Alaska offers impressive vistas of several of North America's tallest peaks. Overnight in the Glennallen / Copper Center area.


8
 
Glennallen / Copper Center area to Valdez
Glennallen / Copper Center area to Valdez Distance/driving time: +/- 100 miles / plan 2.5 hours driving time, not including stops.

Continue on the spectacular Richardson Highway further south towards Valdez. Part of the route parallels the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Weather permitting, you'll have incredible views of the Wrangell Mountains. This scenic drive will take you by the Worthington Glacier and through Keystone Canyon with its many cascading waterfalls. You have the opportunity to meet at the glacier for a guided hike (not included). Overnight in Valdez.


9
 
Valdez
Valdez Enjoy the day exploring the port of Valdez and its surroundings, including Prince William Sound, home to an abundance of wildlife and glaciers. We recommend a glacier and wildlife cruise to Columbia Glacier or a kayaking tour in Prince William Sound (not included). Overnight in Valdez.


10
 
Valdez to Palmer/Knik River
Valdez to Palmer/Knik River Distance/driving time: 258 miles / plan 5 hours driving time, not including stops.

Today you will drive the Richardson Highway back north to Glennallen. From here you continue on the Glenn Highway west to Palmer. The road curves through the Matanuska Valley, offering spectacular views of the Matanuska Glacier. Upon reaching Palmer, you may want to take a side trip to a Musk-Ox Farm before continuing on to your overnight accommodation. For the next two nights you will stay at the Knik River Lodge which offers comfortable wooden cabins with mountains in the backdrop and incredible views of the Knik River. Tonight, relax on the porch of your cabin and take in the quietness and beauty of the setting. Overnight at Knik River Lodge.

Note: you will stay at the Knik River Lodge with the standard and the upgraded program.


11
 
Palmer/Knik River
Palmer/Knik River Today you can explore the area at your leisure. We recommend adding a Knik Glacier airboat tour or helicopter dog sledding tour to Colony Glacier (not included). Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Hatcher Pass, which offers a variety of trails with outstanding views. Independence Mine State Historical Park with an abandoned mine from the 1930s is also located here. Overnight at Knik River Lodge.


12
 
Palmer/Knik River to Anchorage to Juneau
Palmer/Knik River to Anchorage to Juneau Distance/driving time: Drive Palmer/Knik River to Anchorage 62 miles / plan 1.5 hours driving time, not including stops. Flight Anchorage to Juneau 1.5 hours.

Drive to Anchorage this morning and return your rental vehicle. Then board an Alaska Airlines flight to Juneau, Alaska's capital. On arrival, transfer on your own to your hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure for optional tours such as bear viewing or canoeing around icebergs at Mendenhall Glacier (not included). Overnight in Juneau.


13
 
Juneau to Gustavus / 25 minute flight
Juneau to Gustavus / 25 minute flight Distance/driving time: Flight Juneau to Gustavus approx. 25 minutes.

This morning, transfer to the Juneau airport on your own. Here you will board a small plane for a scenic flight to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. On arrival, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your lodge. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy a walk or relax at the lodge. You may decide to take a whale watching boat tour to nearby Icy Strait (not included). Overnight Gustavus.

Note: If you book the standard program you will stay at the Glacier Bay Lodge. If you book the upgraded program you will stay at the Gustavus Inn (subject to availability).


14
 
Glacier Bay National Park to Juneau
Glacier Bay National Park to Juneau Distance/driving time: Flight Gustavus to Juneau approx. 25 minutes.

Early this morning, depart on a cruise of Glacier Bay National Park. A National Park Service ranger is on-board to provide information on the park and its wildlife. Lunch is included while on board. In the evening, you will be transferred to the Gustavus airport and fly back to Juneau (flight may be in small plane). Upon arrival in Juneau, transfer on own to your hotel. Overnight in Juneau.


15
 
Juneau Departure
Juneau Departure Depending on your departure arrangements, you might have some more time to explore Alaska's capital city. Transfer on your own to the airport or ferry terminal. Depart or start additional program.

Tip: We can make reservations for you to depart from Juneau on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Prince Rupert (Canada), or Bellingham (Washington). We can also arrange transfers from Bellingham to Seattle and post programs/hotels in Seattle. Please contact us for details.


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 21, 12 - May 31, 12
Book Now! 		$4519 $2789 $2299 $N/A $1260
Jun 01, 12 - Aug 20, 12
Book Now! 		$5119 $3089 $2499 $N/A $1260
Upgraded Program
Operation Dates Single Double Triple Quad Child*
May 21, 12 - May 31, 12
Book Now! 		$5698 $3469 $2849 $N/A $1570
Jun 01, 12 - Aug 20, 12
Book Now! 		$6299 $3769 $3049 $N/A $1570

Tour starts daily within the Operation Dates listed.

* 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

  • Day 10 and 11: accommodation is at Knik River Lodge for both the standard and upgraded programs.

  • Day 13: accommodation for the standard program is at the Glacier Bay Lodge. The lodge is located on Bartlett Cove outside of Gustavus and is owned by the National Park Service. It consists of a main building with a sitting area, park interpretive center, gift shop and restaurant. The rooms are located in wings separate from the main building. Activities at the lodge are mainly park ranger programs including guided nature walks and presentations. Accommodations for the upgraded program will be in Gustavus. The inn accommodates a limited number of guests and offers more personalized service.

  • Booking requirements: we require following information for each traveler at time of reservation: Full name including middle name(s), gender and date of birth.

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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