Ultimate Alaska National Parks - 185

Arrive into Anchorage and settle in at your hotel overlooking the Lake Hood Seaplane Base. Overnight Anchorage.

Discover the story of Alaska's largest city on a guided tour of Anchorage, or hop on a flight to Lake Clark National Park or Katmai National Park for a day of bear viewing. Overnight Anchorage.

Pick up your rental car, then head on down the highway to Seward. Take some time to stop for photos at Beluga Point, a cup of coffee in Girdwood, and a walk in Turnagain pass. Overnight Seward.

Explore the far reaches of Kenai Fjords National Park on a full day cruise to the remote Northwestern Fjord. See some of the park’s famous tidewater glaciers and, hopefully, its thriving marine wildlife. Overnight Seward.

Spend the morning exploring Kenai Fjords by land this time on a side trip to Exit Glacier. This afternoon hit the road again for a drive across the Kenai Peninsula to Homer. Overnight Homer.

Take a water taxi across Kachemak Bay to Otter Cove, then switch to sea kayaks for a guided paddle. Enjoy Homer’s many shops, galleries, and seafood eateries this afternoon. Overnight Homer.

After a drive through mountains, past lakes, and along Turnagain Arm, enjoy a little rest and relaxation at the luxe Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood. Feeling energized? Head out on a hike right from the hotel. Overnight Girdwood.

Make your way back through Anchorage today, and then north along the Chugach Mountains to the Alaska Glacier Lodge in Palmer. Overnight Palmer.

So far you've seen Alaska by land and by water. Today you'll see it by air. Your mid-morning helicopter tour takes you up and over nearby ridgelines and down to the vast Knik Glacier. Explore by foot for 30 minutes before returning. Overnight Palmer.

The Matanuska Valley awaits on your drive to Valdez today. Home to the Matanuska River and twisting, turning Matanuska Glacier, you’ll want to take your time through here. Further on you’ll cross over Thompson Pass and through the Keystone Canyon. Overnight Valdez.

Head into Prince William Sound for the day, your destination Columbia Glacier. Keep that camera handy. The Columbia is a highly active glacier and calving a common sight. Overnight Valdez.

You’re headed well off the beaten path today. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is your destination. When you reach the town of McCarthy inside the park, it’s just a few more miles by shuttle to the Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Overnight Kennicott.

Join a guide for a hike to Root Glacier this morning, then enjoy the afternoon on your own at the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. Overnight Kennicott.

Savor this final day on the road with a drive north through Paxson, Gulkana, and North Pole to Fairbanks. Once you arrive in town, drop off your rental car. Overnight Fairbanks.

Mark visiting the Arctic Circle off your bucket list today on a full-day tour by van and plane. On this trip you’ll see the mountains of Gates of the Arctic National Park, witness vast tundral landscapes, and visit the tiny outpost of Coldfoot. Overnight Fairbanks.

With the driving done, board the Alaska Railroad for a relaxed ride to Denali National Park. Overnight Denali.

Travel to the very end of the only road into Denali National Park on a guided wildlife bus tour. Overnight Denali.

Continue your rail trip south, leaving the Denali Depot for the town of Talkeetna. Overnight Talkeetna.

You may have saved the best for last with today’s flightseeing excursion into Denali National Park. The scenery is unlike anything you’ve seen yet. Overnight Talkeetna.

Board the train for your final ride back to Anchorage. Cheers to the trip of a lifetime with one last dinner and a final overnight in Anchorage.