Classic Alaska:

The Best Way To see Alaska

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This is the best way to get a taste of the Southeast, South Central and Interior regions of Alaska.  The intimacy of our small groups allows discovery and immersion in an Alaska not possible with any other style of travel. Special Bonus - on the Southbound guided trip, you'll experience Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year - in Alaska!

DETAILED GUIDED ITINERARY:

Day One - JUNEAU
Arrive in Alaska's capital city,  Founded in 1867, this is truly Alaska first city!  We'll meet for a delicious and inviting welcome lunch at noon (please plan your arrival accordingly).  After lunch, we're off for an exhilarating helicopter trip!  View spectacular mountain peaks, up to six different glaciers and deep glacial cirques with a one hour tour over the Juneau Ice Field and City of Juneau. You will visit either the spectacular Herbert glacier or the Taku glacier, the only advancing glacier in the Juneau Ice Field. Land for a walk on the surface of a living glacier while your experienced pilot points out and describes areas of interest.

Day Two - GLACIER BAY
After breakfast on your own, we'll hop aboard a bush plane to the homestead community of Gustavus, at the entrance to beautiful Glacier Bay National Park.  At our enchanting inn, we'll feast on a delicious home-cooked lunch; this afternoon you may want to borrow one of the Inn's bikes for a scenic ride, or head down to the Visitor's Center for a relaxing, informative guided nature walk.  Relax for the evening--enjoy a drink and appetizers at the cozy bar, then delight in a home-cooked meal you'll be talking about for a long time.

Day Three - GLACIER BAY and HAINES
After a sumptuous breakfast at the inn, you'll embark on an amazing and scenic cruise of Glacier Bay.  On this spectacular journey, you can expect to see massive, beautiful glaciers, snow-capped mountains and wildlife such as whales and harbor seals. After the cruise, we'll board another plane for the short flight to Haines, where we will pick up our vehicle for the balance of the trip. 

Day Four - KLUANE
A gem in the family of Parks Canada's national treasures, Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada covers an area of 21,980 square kilometers. It is a land of precipitous, high mountains, immense icefields and lush valleys that yield a diverse array of plant and wildlife species and provides for a host of outdoor activities. Kluane National Park and Reserve is also home to Mount Logan (5959 m/19,545 ft), Canada's highest peak.

Our goal today will be to relax and take in all this natural beauty.  At our remote B&B, we can walk, hike, explore the shoreline and more.  We will come together in the evening to prepare our dinner in the common kitchen.

Day Five - TOK
Continuing out of the Kluane area, we'll soon find ourselves in the Tetlin Wildlife Refuge on our way back into Alaska and the town of Tok--the self-proclaimed "Sled Dog Capital of the World".  We'll overnight at a friendly hotel.

Day Six - FAIRBANKS
Onward to Fairbanks.  We'll stop along the way at many scenic spots, including Rika's Historical Roadhouse on the banks of the Tanana River.  We'll also stop and view the Alaska Pipeline.  Upon arrival in Fairbanks, we'll cruise the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard the Riverboat Discovery, an authentic Alaska sternwheeler. The evening is yours to discover Fairbanks.

Day Seven - HEALY/DENALI
Welcome to Denali National Park, home to Mt. McKinley (North America's highest mountain).  The afternoon will be yours for discovery--you may want to take a whitewater rafting trip, enjoy horseback riding, tour the backcountry via ATV, experience golf under the midnight sun, or simply relax.  We'll spend the next two nights at one of the area's fine lodges.

Day Eight - HEALY/DENALI
Today, we'll venture into the park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour.  This is perfect for those wanting the opportunity to learn more about the ecology, landscapes and wilderness that is Denali. With the help of a Certified Interpretive Guide, look for wildlife on this 54 mile journey to the turnaround point. If weather permits, travel 8 miles further to Stony Overlook for a look at the full 18,500ft vertical rise of “The Great One” – Denali, the crown jewel of the Alaska Range.

Day Nine - TALKEETNA
Continuing down the Parks Highway, we'll overnight in historic Talkeetna on the south side of McKinley.  You might choose a scenic flight around the mountain, a walking tour of town or a riverboat safari. 

Days Ten & Eleven - Anchorage
We end our drive in the Land of the Midnight Sun.   These two days are yours to explore (we can help you plan activities); on day Eleven we'll enjoy a final meal together at one of Anchorage's best restaurants.

Day Eleven - Depart for Home