This active Alaska tour is designed for those short on time who want to see all the main Alaska highlights while still getting their blood pumping. This Alaska trip includes 'must-sees' such as a full day cruise in the Kenai Fjords National Park and a flight-see tour around Denali complete with a landing on Ruth Glacier. Get out on a moderately strenuous guided hike in Denali National Park and tackle some Class III rapids on the Nenana River. The trip takes advantage of the Alaska Railway system to move you quickly through the countryside starting in Anchorage and ending in Fairbanks. Learn about the Gold Rush era and take part in an authentic Sternwheeler cruise to finish up your week of adventure. Opt to add more time and explore Anchorage or go deeper into Denali National Park.
Highlights
Cruise Kenai Fjords National Park and spot wildlife in the glaciated fjords
Experience dog-sledding in Seward and a taste of the Gold Rush in Fairbanks
Hit the Class III Whitewater Rapids of the Nenana River near Denali Park.
Enjoy a flightseeing tour around Denali and walk on Ruth Glacier.
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Arrive in Anchorage and settle into your downtown hotel this evening. If time allows, explore the city a bit tonight. Add a free day in Anchorage to include a heritage tour or other guided city tour to explore the area. Rest up before the first full day of your Alaska Adventure.
Catch the train south to Seward this morning. Once in Seward, head straight from the train station to begin your tour. Take in the fascinating history and breathtaking beauty as your guide shows you the sights of Seward Alaska, known as “the Gateway to Alaska” and “Mile 0″ of the Iditarod Trail. See first-hand the effects of the 1964 Earthquake and stand in awe of the mountain that is home to the second-oldest foot race in the United States.
Then, head out to Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park one of Seward Alaska's favorite views. A short walk along the nature trail takes you to the face of the glacial ice. Watch for mountain goats, moose or bear on the mountainside. During the salmon runs, see salmon swimming upstream to spawn. A hearty lunch will be served at nearby Resurrection Roadhouse before you travel to the Seavey homestead and take a 1.5 hour dog sledding tour. At the end of this fun-filled day, your driver will return you to your hotel where you can spend the rest of your evening relaxing or exploring on your own.
Departing from Seward, this cruise glides past seals, whales and puffins as we explore coastal rainforests, tidewater glaciers and remote Alaskan islands. Experienced and engaging captains narrate the trip, so you walk away knowing a whole lot more about Kenai Fjords National Park and its wonders.
Today is free for you to arrange additional, independent excursions. Many adventure options are offered in Seward, such as hiking, kayaking, and glacier visits. Opt to stay in Seward to wander the streets of this small town or just enjoy the peaceful scenery at the lodge. Board the train this evening to return to Anchorage and settle in before your early morning train north.
Day 5: Talkeetna | Denali Flight-see & Glacier Landing
Travel north on the train today arriving at Talkeetna, the historic stop which marks mid-way to Denali. Settle into your lodge before setting out on an afternoon guided flight-seeing tour of Denali National Park. Fly completely around Denali, spotting its various features such as the Kahiltna Glacier, the west buttress, Sheldon Amphitheater, Ruth Glacier and the Great Gorge. Then, fly across the divide to spot Denali's Wickersham Wall, a 14,000 foot continuous 'wall' of rock and ice. Next land on the gentle slope of Ruth Glacier for an opportunity to view and photograph the peaks surrounding you. Return to Talkeetna Lodge this evening.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before traveling by train further north to the Denali National Park Entrance. Check into your small cedar cabin accommodations at Denali Cabins and rest up before an early evening hike to explore the area. The moderately strenuous hike winds through a spruce and birch forest typical of lower elevations in Denali National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the possible moose or other forest animal sighting! Your guide shares valuable insight about the Denali National Park habitat and is eager to answer any questions throughout the hike. Return to the Denali Cabins.
You can opt to upgrade your experience for the next 2-3 nights with an upgraded stay at the Denali Backcountry Lodge. This is a remote wilderness Alaska lodge located at the end of the famous road that travels deep inside the park.
Today it is time for some river adventures! Set out towards Healy to get on the water for a thrilling 11-mile whitewater raft down the Nenana River! This is the best rafting for those seeking a thrill, with Class III rapids and one Class IV rapid. Be prepared to get wet, as you get into real whitewater rafting through exciting rapids such as "Cable Car", "Coffee Grinder", and "Ice Worm". Return to your cabins this afternoon to warm up. Opt to explore on your own this afternoon or book another excursion for your time.
Today is free for you to continue exploring the area before your late afternoon train departure. You may choose to book a guided excursion in advance for this day, or just leave it open to explore independently. The train will take you to Fairbanks this evening where you check into Pike's Waterfront Lodgel for the night.
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel for your sightseeing tour to see the highlights of Fairbanks. During the tour, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center where you will find great exhibits about Interior Alaska. Then stop at the Trans Alaska Pipeline where your guide will explain the astonishing engineering of the pipeline, the oil field in Prudhoe Bay, and the Alaska oil industry. From there, continue to the Museum of the North with its dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries (closed on Sundays in September; then tour will go to the Antique Auto Museum instead). And finally, you will visit Santa Claus at his home in North Pole, and buy some Alaska souvenirs and Christmas decorations.
This afternoon, an optional Sternwheeler Riverboat Tour can be arranged for an additional cost.
Day 10: Return Home
Make your way to the airport for your flight home or to continue your Alaska travels independently.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 35%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payment by credit card may be subject to 3% convenience fee and a maximum $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
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