Compare Best of Alaska by Intrepid Travel vs Ultimate Alaska & The Yukon by Tours4Fun
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 10 days | 13 days |
Price From | $ 4,118 | $ 4,449 |
Price Per Day | $ 412 | $ 342 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description |
Prepare to discover the captivating beauty of Alaska on this 10-day journey through its icy heart. Travel from Anchorage through forests, around mountain ranges and down the spectacular coast to the Kenai Peninsula. Explore the unspoilt woodlands of Denali National Park and keep your eyes open for grizzlies, caribou and moose. Cruise past glaciers, orca whales and puffins and experience this vast wilderness's quiet, majestic calm among striking landscapes. You’ll explore Homer, Seward, Talkeetna, Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park and enjoy loads of free time to customise your activities, making sure you’re doing all the things you actually want to do! |
Explore the highlights of following cities: Whitehorse, Anchorage, Dawson City, Fairbanks, Denali, Valdez |
Day 1 Anchorage
Welcome to Alaska! Located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet lies Anchorage – a unique urban environment in the heart of the wilderness. Your adventure begins here with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. 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.
Day 2 Homer
This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive from Anchorage to Homer along the scenic Turnagain Arm – an All American Road passing Cook Inlet and 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, you’ll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage Valley – a sanctuary that preserves local wildlife through conservation, education, research and animal care. Learn how they take in injured and orphaned Alaskan animals and provide them with care, spacious enclosures and a home. Surrounded by the Chugach Mountain Range, you’ll meet bison, moose and deer and explore the conservation area before moving on to Homer for the night. When you arrive, you’ll head out on an included group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3 Homer
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. Explore on foot or book a tour of the bay. Maybe take the local ferry to explore the town of Seldovia, where you can take a wildlife boat tour, looking out for sea otters, bald eagles, ducks, orcas and more. If you’d prefer to kick back at the local winery, you can go for a tasting and tour in this afternoon. Tonight, just ask your trip leader for some local dinner recommendations.
Day 4 Seward
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.
Day 5 Seward
This morning after breakfast, 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 and 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.
Day 6 Talkeetna
Today, hit the road again to drive along the Turnagain Arm (soak in those gorgeous views if you didn’t get a chance to last time) to the small town of Talkeetna. Along the way, stop in the town of Girdwood to take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt Alyeska for incredible views of seven glaciers and the valley below. Pause for a deli lunch at the top. When you arrive in Talkeetna, join your leader for a guided walk around town. Then you’ll have the rest of day free to find a great dinner spot or explore the charming surroundings on foot.
Day 7 Denali National Park
After breakfast this morning, you’re free in Talkeetna to explore the town. Perhaps book an optional scenic flight with a glacier landing to get up close to North America's tallest mountain: Denali. Later, drive to Denali National Park. During the drive, keep an eye out for caribou and other wildlife hanging out in the unspoiled environment. When you arrive, your group will check out the Visitor Center, where you can learn about the park and hopefully catch a glimpse of the towering mountain in the distance. Take an afternoon to explore or relax and then head out for a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8 Denali National Park
Rise and shine early this morning to prepare for a scenic 'Alaskan safari' drive through Denali National Park. You’ll take the Tundra Wilderness route, narrated by a trained driver-naturalist, that will take you to mile 43 of the Park Road. With Denali Mountain towering in the background, wind along the road hugged by mighty pine trees and framed by snow-capped mountains. As you pass the gorgeous scenery, look out for the abundant local wildlife – you might be lucky enough to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves (among a long list of other wildlife) on your journey.
Day 9 Anchorage
After breakfast this morning, you’ll return to where your adventure began in Anchorage. When you arrive, you’ll get to know this eclectic city during a tour with your leader. During the tour, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you’ll learn more about Alaska’s cultural heritage, hear the stories of the Indigenous Alaskans and discover 10,000 years of Alaska Native history through demonstrations, art and dance. After your walking tour and heritage center visit, you might like to get together with the group for a farewell dinner and reminisce about the highlights of your journey through Alaska.
Day 10 Anchorage
There are no further activities planned today so after breakfast, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Welcome to Alaska! Meet your Tour Director between 3 pm and 7 pm in the hotel reception area.
Day 2 ANCHORAGE - WASILLA - TALKEETNA - ALASKA RAILROAD - DENALI NATIONAL PARK
WASILLA Visit the Iditarod Headquarters. Scenic drive to Talkeetna, the starting point for climbers attempting to summit Denali, North America's highest peak at 20,320 feet. ALASKA RAILROAD Scenic train ride to Denali National Park. DENALI NATIONAL PARK [LF] Dinner at Murie Science & Learning Center includes a presentation by a local Naturalist. (B,D)
Day 3 DENALI NATIONAL PARK
DENALI NATIONAL PARK Tundra Wilderness tour in the park with a naturalist driver guide. Free time this evening. (B,L) ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Denali with a photo workshop. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.
Day 4 DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FAIRBANKS
DENALI NATIONAL PARK Free time this morning. Lunch at the [LF] 49th State Brewery to taste some local specialties and play Alaska lawn-games. Scenic drive to Fairbanks in the heart of Alaska's interior. FAIRBANKS Orientation drive followed by free time this evening. (B,L)
Day 5 FAIRBANKS
FAIRBANKS Discovery sternwheeler scenic river cruise on the Chena River. Visit a Chena Indian Village. Visit the University of Alaska - Fairbanks Museum and stop at the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. Free time this evening. (B)
Day 6 FAIRBANKS - DAWSON CITY, YUKON
FAIRBANKS Scenic drive over the Top of the World Highway to enter Canada's Yukon Territory, passing through the town of Chicken en route to Dawson City. DAWSON CITY Evening at Diamond Tooth Gerties featuring ragtime music, can-can dancers, and an old-fashioned casino. (B)
Day 7 DAWSON CITY
DAWSON CITY Guided sightseeing includes the Klondike Gold Rush Claim #1, where the first gold strike was made, and the Robert Service Interpretive Center to learn of the numerous poems and ballads he composed while exploring this remote area. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
Day 8 DAWSON CITY - WHITEHORSE
DAWSON CITY Scenic drive following the trail of gold seekers includes Five Finger Rapids en route to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. WHITEHORSE Free time this evening. (B)
Day 9 WHITEHORSE
WHITEHORSE Guided sightseeing includes the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, home to Ice Age giants. See the historic SS Klondike Riverboat. Visit with Iditarod and Yukon Quest trainers and huskies at [LF] Muktuk Adventures dogsled facility, followed by a special Taste of the Yukon dinner. (B,D)
Day 10 WHITEHORSE - TOK, ALASKA
WHITEHORSE Scenic drive past Kluane National Park, home to Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan at 19,625 feet en route to Tok, known as the "Dog Sled Capital of the World." TOK Free time this evening. (B)
Day 11 TOK - VALDEZ
TOK Scenic drive past Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, and Bridal Veils Falls en route to Valdez, known as the "Switzerland of Alaska." .VALDEZ Visit the Valdez Museum to learn of the areas Native Culture, early explorers, the 1898 Gold Rush, and the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. Free time this evening. (B)
Day 12 VALDEZ - WHITTIER - ANCHORAGE
VALDEZ Scenic cruise through Prince William Sound to Whittier includes a close look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, many massive glaciers, and abundant sea life. ANCHORAGE Farewell dinner this evening en route to Anchorage. (B,L,D)
Day 13 ANCHORAGE
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)