When you think of a spectacular Alaska vacation, what comes to mind? Witnessing glaciers calve into the sea? Riding the world-famous Alaska Railroad? Seeking out wildlife in Denali National Park? Or maybe it’s cruising through the sea to watch for seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales. Whatever it is, this Alaska tour is sure to delight!
Board the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service to Denali National Park, where you’ll hear an exclusive presentation by a local Naturalist! Seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and more on a wilderness expedition in Denali National Park. Take a cruise on Prince William Sound and along Columbia Glacier, the second-largest tide-water glacier in North America. You’ll also take a cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park to see glaciers calving into the sea and to hear the thunderous roar. Photos and videos cannot adequately capture the experience—you must witness it in person. On both cruises, be sure to watch for wildlife.
See the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal near Valdez, take a sternwheeler cruise in Fairbanks, visit the home of four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser, and enjoy all the scenery and majesty that only a vacation to Alaska can offer. Grab your camera and get ready for an Alaska tour that will leave you breathless and inspired—a travel experience of a lifetime.
Highlights:
- Valdez: Cruise Prince William Sound
- Delta Junction: Visit the living history homestead
- Fairbanks: Pan for gold at Gold Dredge #8; cruise aboard sternwheeler riverboat Discovery; enjoy an Alaska salmon bake
- Fairbanks–Denali: Journey aboard the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service
- Denali National Park: Dinner and exclusive presentation at the Murie Science & Learning Center by a local Naturalist; guided wilderness expedition
- Big Lake: Visit Happy Trails Kennels
- Anchorage: Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner at the Alaska Native Heritage Center with storyteller presentation
- Kenai Fjords National Park: Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Welcome to Anchorage! Meet your Tour Director this evening between 5 pm and 8 pm in the hotel reception area.
Day 2: Anchorage–Valdez
Meet your fellow traveling companions at this morning’s welcome orientation. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, where cabbages can grow to an amazing 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight, venture up over Tahneta Pass for wonderful vistas of Matanuska and Worthington Glaciers. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the seaside port of Valdez, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Alaska.”
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Valdez. Cruise on Prince William Sound
Board your boat for a CRUISE on Prince William Sound and along the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier, keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife, including seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales! Before returning to Valdez, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, where supertankers are loaded with crude oil from Prudhoe Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Valdez–Delta Junction–Fairbanks
Enjoy great scenery all the way as you travel along Richardson Highway. Stop at DELTA JUNCTION, a living history homestead with a museum, original roadhouse, and farm animals. Then, head west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, the state’s second-largest city.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5: Fairbanks
Visit GOLD DREDGE #8 and ride the narrow-gauge railroad. Then, try your luck as you pan for gold. Later today, board the sternwheeler DISCOVERY for a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers, with a stop at the Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! This evening, enjoy a special Alaska salmon bake.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Fairbanks–Alaska Railroad–Denali National Park
Board the world-famous ALASKA RAILROAD for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today’s ride ends at National Parks Foundation DENALI NATIONAL PARK, where North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley (Denali), majestically dominates the park’s 6 million acres. The afternoon is free. This evening, enjoy dinner at the Murie Science & Learning Center followed by an exclusive Globus Local Favorite PRESENTATION on Denali National Park by a local Naturalist.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Denali National Park
Morning at leisure. Optional activities include a float trip down the Nenana River and a helicopter ride over the park. Then, dress comfortably for a WILDERNESS EXPEDITION into Denali National Park to seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and other wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Denali National Park–Big Lake–Anchorage
Continue your exploration of Denali National Park as you head south toward Anchorage. Stop along the way at HAPPY TRAILS KENNELS, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his dogs. Meet an Iditarod competitor and learn how they race and care for their dogs. You will also see a demonstration on mushing, complete with a mock Iditarod checkpoint, and get a chance to play with the sled dogs! Upon arrival in Anchorage, enjoy a tour of the ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER. Afterward, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Over dessert, enjoy a special Globus Local Favorite STORYTELLING presentation.
Meals: Breakfas, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Anchorage. Cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
Witness one of the world’s most scenic drives as you follow the south shore of lovely Turnagain Arm. Upon arrival in Seward, board your vessel for a cruise of National Parks Foundation KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK and the opportunity to see glaciers calving into the sea, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and more!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Anchorage
The tour ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided.
Meal: Breakfast
