Travelpack

Highlights: Anchorage - Kenai Peninsula - Seward - Kenai Fjords National Park - Valdez - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - Denali National Park - Talkeetna

Other departures: Manchester - £3699, Birmingham - £3699, Bristol - £3799, Norwich - £3849, Newcastle - £3749, Edinburgh - £3749, Glasgow - £3649

Other depature dates:
21 Jul 19 (£3699)
4  Aug 19 (£3699)
16 Aug 19 (£3699)

Hotels:
Anchorage - Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites or similar 3*
Seward - Harborview Inn Hotel or similar 2*
Valdez - Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn or similar 2*
Wrangell - St. Elias National Park - McCarthy Lodge or similar 3*
Alaska Range - Maclaren River Lodge or similar
Denali National Park - Carlo Creek Lodge or similar

Excursions & Activities:
- Scenic walks and hikes
- Wildlife viewing opportunities, including Grizzly Bear
- Visit to Talkeetna Ranger Station (depending on availability)
- Visit to National Parks: Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St Elias and Denali

Itnerary:

Day 1: Anchorage
Welcome to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska with only 300,000 people. Now a bustling city fuelled by the oil boom and tourism, it wasn't that long ago that Anchorage was the final outpost before heading into the 'Last Frontier'. It's not uncommon to find bears roaming the outskirts of the city. A great way to spend your day is to wander around town getting a feel for the 49th state, speaking to the locals and checking out some of the great cafes and restaurants. A welcome meeting will be held at 18:00, for you to meet you tour leader and fellow travelling companions.

Overnight: Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites or similar
Accommodation: Hotel included
Meals included: Meals paid locally

Day 2: Kenai Peninsula - Seward
Leaving Anchorage, your first stop is to visit Portage Glacier before rounding Cook Inlet's Turnagain Arm and venturing onto the Kenai (pronounced `keen eye') Peninsula followed by the chance to walk the Byron Glacier Trail. This short trail takes you along a rushing glacial river into a dramatic, steep valley all the way to the base of Byron Glacier. From here you make your way to the colourful fishing village of Seward - the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. In its past life, Seward was a railroad port so there is now plenty of great shopping and a picturesque old-time downtown area.

Upon arrival, you have the option of a five-hour guided wildlife cruise to view sea mammals, including pods of orca, an array of birdlife and be able to experience the sights and sounds of icebergs being calved into the sea. What you'll see on this cruise cannot be guaranteed however, this day has always proven to be a popular and rewarding tour with loads of wildlife sightings.

Overnight: Harborview Inn Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Lodge in twin share
Meals included: Meals paid locally

Day 3: Kenai Fjords National Park - Seward
Today is a full free day to hike one of the most beautiful trails in Alaska - the Harding Icefield. This is not an easy hike but the views are worth it. This trail is popular for spotting wildlife and delivers breathtaking views of Exit Glacier along the way. Nothing will prepare you for the incredible views so it's worth saving your lunch to eat at the top if the weather is good.

Overnight: Harborview Inn Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Lodge in twin share
Meals included: Meals paid locally

Optional Activities:
Scenic cruise - US$154 - $214

Day 4 - 5: Valdez
Board a scenic ferry through Prince William Sound to Valdez (pronounced 'Val-dees'). Take in the rugged coastline and snow-capped Chugach Mountains as you pass striking icebergs and a myriad of forested islands. Tucked away at the end of a glacier-carved fjord and called the 'Switzerland of Alaska' due to its surrounding snow-capped mountains, Valdez is the most northerly ice-free port in the Western Hemisphere and the terminus of the Alaskan Pipeline that stretches over 800 miles to Prudhoe Bay. There's no better way to experience this pristine environment than with an optional (and highly recommended) sea kayaking trip up to the mouth of the glacier. A variety of hiking trails make this area a walker's paradise.

Overnight: Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn or similar
Accommodation: Hotel in twin share
Meals included: Meals paid locally

Optional Activities:
Sea Kayaking - US$249

Day 6 - 7: Wrangell - St. Elias National Park
The scenery keeps on coming thick and fast and today is no different. Drive through the dramatic Copper River Valley and stop for a short walk on the Liberty Falls Trail, just off the Edgerton Highway en route to the small town of McCarthy (population 40 in the summer, 17 the remainder of the year). This quaint settlement at the centre of a mass of mountains, glaciers and wilderness will be your base to explore Wrangell-St Elias for the next two nights. Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve contains nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States, including the second highest, Mount. St. Elias (5,488m), and is the most glaciated region in the North American continent.

You’ll discover an imposing area of glaciers, mountains, forest and wilderness, with wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities including Dall Sheep, mountain goats, caribou, moose, Grizzly and Black Bears. An optional experience and highly recommended, is the chance to fix crampons to your boots and hike around the Root Glacier, exploring its deep blue pools and carved ice shapes.

Overnight: McCarthy Lodge or similar
Accommodation: Hotel in twin share with shared facilities
Meals included: 1 breakfast included, other meals paid locally

Optional Activities:
Ice climbing - US$145
Glacier walks - US$120
Kennecott Copper Mill - US$28

Day 8: Alaska Range
Head into the heart of the Alaska Mountain Range on what is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the state, enjoy sweeping views of the Alaska Range on the Denali Highway before arriving to the Maclaren River Lodge. With spectacular views of the surrounding valley, this rustic lodge provides the ideal setting for an authentic Alaskan experience. This is a birder's paradise with many species often sighted and with the chance to fish for grayling (permit purchased locally) the activities are plentiful.

Overnight: Maclaren River Lodge or similar
Accommodation: Lodge in multi-share bunkhouse with shared facilities
Meals included: 1 breakfast included, other meals paid locally

Optional Activities:
Canoeing (unescorted) - US$50-60

Day 9 - 10: Denali National Park
As you travel the old Denali Highway to Denali National Park, keep your eyes open for wildlife while enjoying the peaceful, unspoilt Alaskan wilderness. Surrounded by the tallest mountain peak in North America, Denali offers a variety of wildlife including Grizzly Bear, caribou, Dall Sheep, marmots and wolves. Activities such as river rafting, dog sled demonstration and walks on quiet nature trails are available, all nearby to your campground setting which borders the park. Take the included Denali shuttle bus, for scenic views of the taiga and sub-arctic tundra as well as superb opportunities to view wildlife and hike the parks trails. Denali is one of the few national parks where visitors are encouraged to walk off the beaten track and make their own path. As a real treat and highly recommended, why not opt for a scenic flight over Denali National Park with the chance to land on an ice sheet under the watchful gaze of Mount Denali's towering peak, North America's tallest mountain?

Overnight: Carlo Creek Lodge or similar
Accommodation: Cabins in twin share
Meals included: Meals paid locally

Optional Activities:
Scenic flight - US$524
Mountain biking - US$20 - $57
White water rafting - US$92 - $187

Day 11: Talkeetna - Anchorage
Departing Denali, make your way towards Anchorage stopping en route in the town of Talkeetna where you can sample a local speciality; reindeer sausage. You also take in a visit to the Talkeetna Ranger Station depending on availability.

Continue on towards the Anchorage where your tour ends upon arrival. Why not add on a half day bear viewing extension for a float plane flight and landing in the wilderness? This wonderful experience with local guides allows you to get up close to the four-legged animals that call this place home.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We recommend booking post-tour accommodation if time allows. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

Accommodation: None included. Tour ends at 17:00 hrs
Meals included: No meals included except for food kitty

Offer Includes

Meal Plans