Map of Alaska Summer Family Holiday including United States Of America

An action-packed summer escape in USA’s icy state

See the best of icy Alaska in the summer seasons on a seven-day family-focused adventure from Anchorage. As you travel through the America’s northernmost reaches, take in spectacular scenic viewpoints across Flattop Mountain and Cook Inlet, learn of rich First Nations cultures and stroll lifelike villages. Cruise the extraordinary Kenai Fjords National Park, hike to see the toe of Exit Glacier, and take in the scenery in Denali National Park. With an ideal balance between active inclusions and plenty of family time, this Alaskan exploration is a perfect fit for all types of families.


Start
Anchorage, United States
Finish
Anchorage, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Family
Code
SSFS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 1, Max 11

Why you'll love this trip

  • Walk through life-sized village displays and learn of the rich First Nations cultures and communities of Alaska with an included visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.

  • Spend the day cruising past icy calving glaciers, rugged clifftops and an array of wildlife – the kids will love looking for sea otters, puffins and maybe even whales in the Kenai Fjords National Park.

  • Hike through the world famous Denali National Park on a family friendly trail.

  • Work as a family as you kayak along the shores of Moose Pass. A local guide will tell you and your family tales of local characters as you paddle on Trail Lake.

Is this trip right for you?

  • While Alaska can experience warm summers, you should still be prepared for cold temperatures, especially at night, and also rain, which can (and does) happen year-round. Bring warm clothing with you, including base layers, a warm hat, gloves and a thick coat, as well as a rain jacket and waterproof shoes.

  • The summer months in Alaska see very long daylight hours, with the sun not completely setting until after midnight. As most people are likely to sleep before midnight, you might want to bring an eye mask to block out the light.

Itinerary

Welcome to Anchorage – Alaska’s largest centre and main city. Set on Cook Inlet, this acts as the starting point of your summer family adventure. There isn’t anything planned today until a group welcome meeting at 5 pm, so you are free to arrive at any time today. After this all-important briefing where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travelling families, keep the introductions going as you head out together for an optional dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details for each member of your family. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Today’s destination is the town of Seward – the gateway of the original Iditarod Trail to interior Alaska – with plenty of scenic stops along the way. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round, providing spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Learn about the important work the centre does and see some of Alaska's iconic animals up close. On arrival in Seward, check into your hotel and have the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Your leader will be able to provide recommendations on what to do and where you could eat, so be sure to ask them.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Turnagain Arm - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Optional Activities
  • Seward - Alaska SeaLife Center - USD28
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 3 hours.
All aboard for a 6-hour scenic cruise from Seward scaling the edge of the Kenai Fjords National Park. The Kenai Peninsula is perfect to see on the water, and your comfortable boat will get you as close as possible to the glaciers and wildlife. The cruise captain will give a full narration today, providing insight into the area’s main sights as well as its ecology, history and geology. Highlights of the day include watching the mighty Holgat Glacier calve as chunks of ice crash into the water, as well as spotting sea otters, Steller sea lions, puffins, eagles, harbour seals and seabirds. Fingers crossed you might even spot a whale or two breaching in the water around you. After disembarking the ship back in Seward, you and the crew are free to relax in and around town tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Seward - Kenai Fjords Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
After a hearty breakfast, lace up your walking shoes for a leisurely walk like no other. Join your leader and head to Exit Glacier, where you’ll enjoy an easy 3-kilometre (2-mile) round-trip hike to the glacier lookout. It’s a spectacular sight to see, especially in the summer months with the sun glistening on the surface. Then you’ll travel to Moose Pass for a kayaking trip on Trail Lake with a local guide who will share tales about local characters like Alaska Nellie, Gold Miner Joe and Mad Sally, the region’s most cantankerous cat. Afterwards, transfer back to your accommodation for a free evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Seward - Exit Glacier
  • Seward - Lake Kayaking
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
It’s an early start for the drive to Talkeetna, stopping off at Girdwood along the way for lunch and a walk along the boardwalk where you might get to see moose tracks alongside the trail. You may like to ride the gondola up Mount Alyeska (own expense) before you hop back in the van for the journey to Talkeetna where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Girdwood - Mt Alyeska Aerial tram - USD38
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Keep an eye out for caribou and other wildlife as you head north along the Parks Highway to Denali National Park. On arrival at the park, head to the visitor centre to plan your next day’s activities and chat to the rangers about the area’s incredible wildlife, then your evening is free to relax. You might like to have dinner with the group and prepare for your days of exploration ahead.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Denali National Park - Visitor Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.
Get ready for a day of adventure as your expert leader takes you on a family friendly hike in Denali National Park. You might see the tallest mountain on the continent reaching high into the sky, hike along tundra trails that weave through wildflowers and maybe even spot some wildlife living among the landscape. Whichever trail your leader chooses, it’s sure to be a day to remember.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Denali National Park - Leader-led hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Leaving after breakfast, you’ll farewell the mountains and make your way to Anchorage. Upon arrival in Anchorage, stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Center – an interactive range of exhibitions, educating travellers about the traditional owners and First Nations peoples of this territory and beyond. Walk through six life-sized village sites dotted around the grounds – representing Alaskan territories such as the Athabascan, Inupiaq and Yup’ik/Cup’ik communities – and perhaps head into the Hall of Cultures, which displays works from Alaska Native artists.
Included Activities
  • Anchorage- Alaska Native Heritage Center
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours. Your tour finishes at 4pm at the same hotel the trip started at. No accommodation is booked for this evening. If you would like to spend more time in Anchorage, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Private Van, Boat

Accommodation

Hotels (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Turnagain Arm - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  • Seward - Kenai Fjords Tour
  • Seward - Exit Glacier
  • Seward - Lake Kayaking
  • Denali National Park - Visitor Centre
  • Denali National Park - Leader-led hike
  • Anchorage- Alaska Native Heritage Center

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Alaska Summer Family Holiday trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm on Day 1 in Anchorage. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please note this trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 56 days out from departure (prior to full payment due). Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers and is guaranteed to depart. We recommend arranging flights and related travel services only once your Booking Agent has confirmed your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.
4.Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
5. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old
6. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children under 17 years of age at time of travel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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