Day
1
ANCHORAGE, AK
The city of Anchorage sits on a high bluff along the banks of Cook Inlet against the impressive Chugach Mountains as a background. It is home to nearly half the state’s population, and it boasts fine restaurants, high-rise hotels, a world-class museum, a zoo, theater, art, and music. Still, Anchorage remains tightly linked to the wilderness that surrounds it. Because of its “biggest Alaskan city” status, it is often thought of as the capital city…mistakenly of course.
Day
2
ANCHORAGE, AK
Just as in any big city, there are numerous attractions to enjoy here. A trolley ride around Anchorage or city tour will give you a glimpse of all that is available to see and do here. You may want to experience nature at Chugach State Park which lies largely within city limits and offers 500,000 acres of accessible hiking, skiing, rafting, and climbing. Consider also a visit to the Museum & Alaska Native Heritage Center to experience Alaska’s Native cultures and expand your understanding of Alaska’s Indigenous people.
Day
3
ANCHORAGE – SEWARD, AK
Depart Anchorage this morning as you make your way south through Chugach National Forest to Seward, the “Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park”. This picturesque port city lies on the Kenai Peninsula at the end of the Seward Highway, a designated National Scenic Byway. This charming town offers visitors world-class ocean fishing, day cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park, access to hiking trails, numerous tours, and is home to the Alaska SeaLife Center. Enjoy a Kenaj Fiords Cruise; there are several to choose from that range in duration and departure times. Regardless, highlights will include much wildlife viewing as the waters of Kenai Fjords are teaming with sea lions, harbor seals, Dall porpoises, sea otters, humpback, killer and minke whales.
Day
4
SEWARD – DENALI, AK
Leave Seward behind and head North to Denali. Denali is arguably one of the most wild, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful places on earth. Located in the heart of Alaska’s magnificent interior, this park expands 6 million acres of land bisected by only one road that extends 92 miles (not all open to the public). Low-elevation taiga forests juxtapose high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, crowning with North America’s tallest peak, Mount McKinley at 20,320 feet. Wild animals large and small roam the lands freely, living as they have for ages.
Day
5
DENALI NATIONAL PARK, AK
Denali National Park is best experienced through various bus rides along the Denali Park Road that take visitors to the different points of interest where private vehicles are not allowed. The park also offers a variety of ranger programs, special events, and visitor activities that can be found in the pages of the park event calendar which is distributed to all area accommodations. The most popular activities here include rafting, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Day
6
DENALI – FAIRBANKS, AK
Depart Denali on the long drive north to Fairbanks today. Fairbanks is Alaska’s second most populous city and is called “The Golden Heart of Alaska,” a reference describing the character of the town’s people, the location in Alaska’s interior, and the discovery of gold in 1902. Because of its location, just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks shortest winter day enjoys less than three hours of sunlight, and the longest summer day (around June 21) which never really ends, though officially it has over 21 hours of sunlight. Take a cruise aboard the Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River, or visit the museum at the University to explore its gold mining history.
Day
7
FAIRBANKS, AK
A must do while here is taking a cruise aboard the Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River. This authentic sternwheeler takes you on a 3.5-hour tour narrated by Alaskan Native guides. Visit the museum at the University to explore Fairbanks’ gold mining history, or the Antique Auto Museum with more than 75 exceptionally rare and beautiful antique cars on display. Summer visitors should try to catch the three-day World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in mid-July, when contestants from around the state compete in the standard dance, art, and sports competitions, as well as some unusual ones like ear-pulling, knuckle hop, high kick, and the blanket toss.
Day
8
