Alaskan Highlights Lodging Tour- Private Tour

Highlights

• Goldstar Service Coastal Classic Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Seward
• Visit Exit Glacier/Kenai Fjords National Park
• Mitch Seavey Dog Sled Tour
• 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife Cruise w Alaskan Salmon/Prime Rib Buffet
• Visit Russian River, city of Kenai, & Deep Creek Recreation Area
• Ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram & have dinner at the AAA rated Seven Glaciers restaurant
• 8 hr Denali National Park Eielsen Wildlife Shuttle

Itinerary

DAY 1 – ANCHORAGE

Anchorage is Alaska’s most populated area yet it’s shared with the likes of bears, moose, and wolves. After your flight into this urban wilderness, make your way to our accommodations for the 6 pm pre-departure meeting followed by an included meal. Take this evening to get to know your expert tour guide.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2 – SEWARD

This morning you will board the famous Alaskan Railroad eating breakfast while taking you on a scenic ride down along the Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach Mountains. As a Goldstar Dome passenger, you enjoy a reserved seat in the upper-level dome, as well as priority seating in the lower-level dining room with all-inclusive breakfast. After the train ride, we will pick you up at the Seward train station and take you out to Exit Glacier for a short hike. In the late afternoon, enjoy a sled dog tour with 3-time Iditarod winner, Mitch Seavey – the famous Iditarod trail once started its way up to Nome from Seward – learn more about this important Alaskan history.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities: Fishing

Day 3 – SEWARD

Today we will experience the Kenai Fjords National Park by boat, cruising among the glaciers and wildlife. After hopefully spotting as much wildlife as possible we will be seeing two tidewater glaciers hopefully calving and crashing into the water below! The cruise will take you
out searching for humpback whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, otters and many birds among them the famous and colorful puffins. The boat will stop in front of two calving glaciers: Listen to the sounds of cracking ice and enjoy a drink on the rocks! In the evening venture out to explore
Seward on your own and have dinner at the restaurant of your choice.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, ***Alaskan Salmon & Prime Rib Buffet Included***

DAY 4 – HOMER

Located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula and Kachemak Bay, Homer is the launching point for bear viewing flights or the boat-kayak-flight day on the bay. But, don’t overlook this artist inspired town with its many galleries along the spit. On the way to Homer, there will be enough time for some scenic photo stops and short walks. Depending on the time of the year we will stop to watch the Salmon Running up Russian River or visit one of the Russian orthodox churches overlooking the Ring of Fire volcanoes on the other side of the bay.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 – HOMER

Today you have a free day for optional activities to choose from: Fly out across the Cook Inlet to view some of Alaska’s largest brown bears, volcanoes, and glaciers. You will be accompanied by your experienced bush pilot/bear guide. En-route view active volcanoes, scenic wilderness, and majestic glaciers. Your plane lands on a remote beach. Just a short walk away, you will view the main attraction: brown bears in their natural habitat. Many times you can see them lying in the grass, digging for clams along the shore, finding a mate or chasing the salmon. If you decide for the “Day on the Bay” you’ll hop on a local water taxi across Kachemak Bay. From here you will venture out on a half-day kayak trip. Paddle around hidden coves and have a salmon-sandwich picnic on a remote beach. Local transport will take you to the small village of Seldovia. At the “Local Airport”, you’ll hop a scenic flight back to Homer. If you decide to stay behind, Homer offers a relaxing atmosphere right on the water of Kachemak Bay: check out the quaint little artist shops, have a coffee right on the waterfront, walk on the beach or check out the local natural history museum.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Bear Viewing, Flightseeing & Kayaking

DAY 6 – GIRDWOOD

Today we are making our way back north staying close at Alaska’s premier ski resort. We will hop on the Alyeska Aerial Tram which takes you to sensational viewing experiences overlooking the Turnagain Arm and viewing of 7 hanging glaciers in the heart of the Chugach Mountains. The evening will finish off with a dinner at the AAA-rated Seven Glaciers restaurant.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – TALKEETNA

It’s a short drive to Talkeetna. Talkeetna is home to the convergence of three major glacial rivers, which makes for great excursions. There are several great trails in the area to explore on your own. Just outside of town, visitors can walk to the waterfront and marvel at the mighty Susitna River. On a clear day, enjoy views of the Alaskan Range and Denali as the backdrop. Also be sure to walk around downtown Talkeetna where you will find several quaint shops, local breweries, restaurants and more. No trip would be complete without adding the optional activity of flying over Denali National Park and around Mt. Denali (20,320 ft/6194 m.)

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 – DENALI NATIONAL PARK

After a casual morning we drive north hoping to get(another) glimpse of Mount Denali or maybe find moose along the scenic drive up to Denali National Park. We will check out Denali Visitor Center and explore some of the well-maintained hiking trails in the front-country of the famous park. One of the popular trails takes you down tow Horseshoe Lake where you have a good chance to spot beavers and moose! Accommodation: Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Activities: Denali Visitor Center/Hike the front-country of Denali National Park, Rafting

DAY 9 – DENALI NATIONAL PARK

Today we take the opportunity for a bus ride through the national park along its only road and hopefully spot bears, moose, caribou, or wolves. Denali offers 6 million acres of pure wilderness. We will take the bus out to Eielson Visitor Center where, on clear days, you will have a fantastic view of Mount Denali. There will be time for shorter hikes to explore the unique flora and fauna on foot as well.

Included: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 – ANCHORAGE

This is another day where you have a chance to see Mount Denali or spot a moose along the road. We will return to Anchorage for a late lunch.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Extend your stay in Anchorage