Best of Alaska

Welcome to Alaska! Your adventure begins in Anchorage, located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet – a unique urban environment in the heart of the wilderness. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe head to the Anchorage Museum or check out the sights and try spotting a moose wandering the streets of town (yes, really). This evening, maybe celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with an optional group dinner.

This morning, you’ll drive from Anchorage to Homer along the scenic Turnagain Arm – an All-American Road passing Cook Inlet. It was named after British explorer James Cook, who was forced to ‘turn again’ when the waterway didn’t hold the Northwest Passage in 1778. Along the way, stop for lunch at a local brewery in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains. Then, continue to Homer for the night. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this small town on Kachemak Bay at your own pace. Maybe wander the streets full of artisan shops and restaurants or walk out on the spit and visit the famous Salty Dawg Saloon for a drink.

Today is a free day to explore Homer and the surrounding bay. You might want to head to the local bakery nearby for a breakfast of coffee and pastries, then take up one of the optional activities this gorgeous town has on offer. You could explore on foot or book a tour of the bay. Maybe take the local ferry to explore the town of Seldovia, accessible only by boat or plane. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise, looking out for sea otters, bald eagles, ducks, orcas and more, or explore the unique stilted main street of town, overlooking the bay. If you’d prefer to kick back at the local winery, you can go for a tasting this afternoon. Tonight, just ask your trip leader for some local dinner recommendations.

This morning, take a scenic drive on the Kenai Peninsula from Homer to Seward. Grab a window seat if you can because on a clear day, there are some gorgeous views of the turquoise lakes near Moose Pass, as well as the mountains and volcanoes in the distance. Pause in Moose Pass where you can take an optional kayaking tour. When you arrive in Seward this afternoon, head out on a short hike to the tongue of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park – a major attraction of the park, this electric blue glacier is one of the most accessible valley glaciers in Alaska. After, check into your hotel in Seward and enjoy a free evening to explore the town or head to a local restaurant for dinner and drinks.

This morning, you’ll head to the docks for a full-day cruise of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Look out for wildlife like orca whales, porpoises, puffins and other birdlife as you sail the still waters and explore the gorgeous surroundings. Marvel at the electric blue tidewater glaciers – if you’re lucky, you may get to see one ‘calve’ some ice into the sea. Enjoy lunch on the boat before cruising back to Seward. This afternoon, you may have some free time to head out on a hike or visit the Seward SeaLife Centre.

Today, hit the road again to Denali National Park. Along the way, stop off in Anchorage for a private guided visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Learn about Alaska’s Indigenous cultures through traditional dwellings, dance, storytelling and exhibits. Then, continue to Denali and settle into your hotel for the next three nights.

After breakfast this morning, head to the Denali Visitor Center, where you’ll get your first real sense of the landscape, wildlife and cultural history that shape this national park. Explore the exhibits, speak with rangers about the best spots for wildlife viewing and photography, and learn more about the deep connection Indigenous Alaskans have with this place. The name Denali comes from the Athabascan language and means ‘the great one’ – a name used for generations before the mountain was called Mt McKinley. The rest of the day is free for you to explore your way – maybe raft the Nenana River, join a guided hike in or near the park, follow a self-guided trail like Horseshoe Lake or simply relax at your lodge and take in the views.

Rise and shine early this morning for your full-day journey deep into park with a naturalist guide. As you travel into the park’s vast wilderness, keep watch for brown bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall sheep, with time built in for stops to view and photograph wildlife along the way. When the weather cooperates, you may also get clear views of Denali itself rising above the surrounding tundra, valleys and snow-capped mountains. You’ll want to bring your camera today!

After breakfast this morning, head to the colourful Talkeetna. When you arrive, head out for a short walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, have free time to explore. Maybe take a scenic flight over Denali for a unique perspective of is peak and the tundra and glaciers surrounding it. Then, continue back to Anchorage, where you’ll take a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you might like to get together with the group for a farewell dinner and reminisce about the highlights of your journey through Alaska.

There are no further activities planned today, so your trip will come to an end at check out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.