Alaska Self Drive & Alaska Railroad Vacation

Day 1 Anchorage | Arrival Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer at your own cost to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights.

Day 2 Anchorage to Seward | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise This morning travel along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is a body of water featuring the world’s second highest tides at over 30 feet. In Whittier board the 26 Glacier Cruise and venture deep into Prince William Sound, finding yourself so close to glaciers that you can “hear” them move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. Lunch is included onboard. Following your cruise it is an approximate 2 hour drive to your destination of Seward.

Day 3 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 11 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Resurrection Bay is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and home to several Alaska state parks that offer abundant opportunities to hike, sea kayak and explore! Option 2. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on this scenic local lake with fun-loving guides. Bear Lake is located just outside Seward, Alaska and normally offers flat calm waters, and a home for Sockeye salmon. On the way there is a stop to visit the salmon weir and learn about their life cycle. Eagles, loons, and bears are often seen while on this adventure Option 3. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey Family Homestead in Seward and tour the beautiful tether free summer camp for Iditarod athletes! Meet the dogs, feel their excitement as teams are hitched to comfortable summer sleds, then mush for two miles through the scenic rainforest. Option 4. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Tour Admire the icy blue waters of Resurrection Bay as your boat glides past glaciers, snowcapped mountains, and dramatic cliffs. On this 5-hour Kenai Fjords cruise, watch for whales, puffins, and otters with a wildlife guide. Visit Fox Island for a delicious lunch at a private lodge and enjoy skipping stones at a pebble beach. Learn about the area’s natural history during this unforgettable Resurrection Bay adventure. Option 5. Exit Glacier Hike This moderate hiking adventure is great for viewing the jewel of the Resurrection River Valley - Exit Glacier. This massive wall of blue ice descends the mountainside from the Harding Ice Field, down to the Resurrection River. Option 6. Upgrade Option: Guided Walking Salmon Fishing - Seward Area Experience the thrill of a guided walking salmon fishing tour in Seward, Alaska. Stroll along scenic rivers and streams with an expert guide who will help you reel in the catch of the day. Learn about local fishing techniques while surrounded by stunning Alaskan wilderness. Perfect for all skill levels, this adventure offers an authentic taste of Alaska’s fishing heritage in one of its most picturesque settings. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Explore the massive icebergs deposited by Bear Glacier, the largest glacier of the Harding Icefield, from the comfort of your kayaks. Enjoy the stability of your boats as you glide through the glacier’s calm lagoon, navigating a maze of floating ice. The lagoon’s features change daily, and your guide will select the best route. Wildlife sightings, including harbor seals and black bears, are also likely on this adventure. Option 8. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Flight with Landing Fly into Kenai Fjords National Park for a breathtaking flight over Bear Glacier, showcasing its massive crevasses and iceberg-filled lagoon. Land on the shore to spend 35 minutes exploring with a pilot/guide. This is a unique opportunity to explore a remote Alaskan beach, hear and see the actively calving glacier, and interact with icebergs near the shore. Moose, Dall sheep, marine wildlife, and black bears are often spotted on this tour. Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Experience the thrill of mushing your own sled-dog team on real snow in summer. Begin with a helicopter ride over glaciers, spotting wildlife like moose and bears. Land on a glacier and enjoy an hour with an Alaskan Champion dogsled team, operated by 6-time Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey. Option 10. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled with Bear Glacier Tour Experience the thrill of mushing your own sled-dog team on real snow in summer. Begin with a helicopter ride over glaciers, spotting wildlife like moose and bears. Land on a glacier and enjoy an hour with an Alaskan Champion dogsled team, operated by 6-time Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey. Then, soar across Resurrection Bay into Kenai Fjords National Park to explore Bear Glacier, with its massive icebergs and calving glacier Option 11. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Iceberg, Kayaking Adventure Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure by escaping the crowds and discovering an untouched gem. Start with a scenic helicopter ride over mountains and glaciers, then kayak through a freshwater lagoon filled with monumental icebergs. Bear Glacier, one of the largest off the Harding Ice Field in Kenai Fjords National Park, offers a unique and dynamic environment, where seals and bears can be spotted. Routes vary based on current ice conditions, ensuring each trip is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Day 4 Seward to Girdwood | 143 km/89 miles Begin your day with a short drive to Exit Glacier to take the easy walk to stand beside this spectacular Glacier. Next, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Continuing to Girdwood, take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. At the base of the tram is your overnight accommodation at Alyeska Resort.

Day 5 Girdwood to Anchorage | 62 km/38 mi Driving north towards Anchorage you’ll have a chance to view the magnificent scenery back to the Kenai Peninsula across Turnagain Arm. If you like, there is a great walking area in Potter Point Park along the ocean. Keep an eye out for beluga whales making their way towards the Cook Inlet or for Dall sheep combing the mountainsides.

Day 6 Anchorage | Floatplane Fly-in Bear Viewing Excursion Experience an unforgettable half-day guided tour to witness Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Your adventure begins with a scenic float plane flight from Anchorage, taking you southwest to one of several prime bear-viewing locations—Redoubt Bay, Katmai National Park, Lake Clark, or Chinitna Bay—depending on the season and where the bears are actively foraging for food. Once there, you’ll have the rare opportunity to observe Alaska’s magnificent brown bears up close as they fish, forage, and interact in their untouched environment.

Day 7 Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska Railroad Early this morning take the Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar with service to Denali National Park. Watch for views of Denali and keep an eye out for wildlife. Arrive mid-afternoon; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity. (Breakfast & lunch is included onboard the train today)

Day 8 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife. Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River in Denali National Park. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Get a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Be immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glacier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for local residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.

Day 9 Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | Alaska Railroad This morning is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the park, landing on a glacier or hiking. By early afternoon, board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train in the Goldstar Railcar to Fairbanks. Enjoy the late afternoon scenery as you travel north to Fairbanks where your incredible Alaskan adventure ends. (Dinner is included on board the train today)

Day 1 Fairbanks to Denali | Alaska Railroad This morning, board the Denali Star, Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar for a scenic journey to Denali National Park. Arrive late morning; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity. (Breakfast included onboard the train today)

Day 2 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife. Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River in Denali National Park. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Get a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Be immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glacier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for local residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.

**Day 3 Denali to Anchorage | Alaska Railroad This morning is open for optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the Park, landing on a glacier, or hiking. At midday, board the Alaska Railroad and travel by Goldstar Railcar for the day trip to Anchorage. As you travel along the Susitna River, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Denali or black bears along the banks of the river. (Lunch & dinner included onboard the train today)

Day 4 Anchorage | Floatplane Fly-in Bear Viewing Excursion Experience an unforgettable half-day guided tour to witness Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Your adventure begins with a scenic float plane flight from Anchorage, taking you southwest to one of several prime bear-viewing locations—Redoubt Bay, Katmai National Park, Lake Clark, or Chinitna Bay—depending on the season and where the bears are actively foraging for food. Once there, you’ll have the rare opportunity to observe Alaska’s magnificent brown bears up close as they fish, forage, and interact in their untouched environment.

Day 5 Anchorage to Seward | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise This morning travel along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is a body of water featuring the world’s second highest tides at over 30 feet. In Whittier board the 26 Glacier Cruise and venture deep into Prince William Sound, finding yourself so close to glaciers that you can “hear” them move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. Lunch is included onboard. Following your cruise it is an approximate 2 hour drive to your destination of Seward.

Day 6 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 11 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Resurrection Bay is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and home to several Alaska state parks that offer abundant opportunities to hike, sea kayak and explore! Option 2. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on this scenic local lake with fun-loving guides. Bear Lake is located just outside Seward, Alaska and normally offers flat calm waters, and a home for Sockeye salmon. On the way there is a stop to visit the salmon weir and learn about their life cycle. Eagles, loons, and bears are often seen while on this adventure Option 3. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey Family Homestead in Seward and tour the beautiful tether free summer camp for Iditarod athletes! Meet the dogs, feel their excitement as teams are hitched to comfortable summer sleds, then mush for two miles through the scenic rainforest. Option 4. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Tour Admire the icy blue waters of Resurrection Bay as your boat glides past glaciers, snowcapped mountains, and dramatic cliffs. On this 5-hour Kenai Fjords cruise, watch for whales, puffins, and otters with a wildlife guide. Visit Fox Island for a delicious lunch at a private lodge and enjoy skipping stones at a pebble beach. Learn about the area’s natural history during this unforgettable Resurrection Bay adventure. Option 5. Exit Glacier Hike This moderate hiking adventure is great for viewing the jewel of the Resurrection River Valley - Exit Glacier. This massive wall of blue ice descends the mountainside from the Harding Ice Field, down to the Resurrection River. Option 6. Upgrade Option: Guided Walking Salmon Fishing - Seward Area Experience the thrill of a guided walking salmon fishing tour in Seward, Alaska. Stroll along scenic rivers and streams with an expert guide who will help you reel in the catch of the day. Learn about local fishing techniques while surrounded by stunning Alaskan wilderness. Perfect for all skill levels, this adventure offers an authentic taste of Alaska’s fishing heritage in one of its most picturesque settings. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Explore the massive icebergs deposited by Bear Glacier, the largest glacier of the Harding Icefield, from the comfort of your kayaks. Enjoy the stability of your boats as you glide through the glacier’s calm lagoon, navigating a maze of floating ice. The lagoon’s features change daily, and your guide will select the best route. Wildlife sightings, including harbor seals and black bears, are also likely on this adventure. Option 8. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Flight with Landing Fly into Kenai Fjords National Park for a breathtaking flight over Bear Glacier, showcasing its massive crevasses and iceberg-filled lagoon. Land on the shore to spend 35 minutes exploring with a pilot/guide. This is a unique opportunity to explore a remote Alaskan beach, hear and see the actively calving glacier, and interact with icebergs near the shore. Moose, Dall sheep, marine wildlife, and black bears are often spotted on this tour. Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Experience the thrill of mushing your own sled-dog team on real snow in summer. Begin with a helicopter ride over glaciers, spotting wildlife like moose and bears. Land on a glacier and enjoy an hour with an Alaskan Champion dogsled team, operated by 6-time Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey. Option 10. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled with Bear Glacier Tour Experience the thrill of mushing your own sled-dog team on real snow in summer. Begin with a helicopter ride over glaciers, spotting wildlife like moose and bears. Land on a glacier and enjoy an hour with an Alaskan Champion dogsled team, operated by 6-time Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey. Then, soar across Resurrection Bay into Kenai Fjords National Park to explore Bear Glacier, with its massive icebergs and calving glacier Option 11. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Iceberg, Kayaking Adventure Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure by escaping the crowds and discovering an untouched gem. Start with a scenic helicopter ride over mountains and glaciers, then kayak through a freshwater lagoon filled with monumental icebergs. Bear Glacier, one of the largest off the Harding Ice Field in Kenai Fjords National Park, offers a unique and dynamic environment, where seals and bears can be spotted. Routes vary based on current ice conditions, ensuring each trip is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Day 7 Seward to Girdwood | 143 km/89 miles Begin your day with a short drive to Exit Glacier to take the easy walk to stand beside this spectacular Glacier. Next, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Continuing to Girdwood, take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. At the base of the tram is your overnight accommodation at Alyeska Resort.

Day 8 Girdwood to Anchorage | 62 km/38 mi Driving north towards Anchorage you’ll have a chance to view the magnificent scenery back to the Kenai Peninsula across Turnagain Arm. If you like, there is a great walking area in Potter Point Park along the ocean. Keep an eye out for beluga whales making their way towards the Cook Inlet or for Dall sheep combing the mountainsides.

Day 9 Anchorage | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to your incredible Alaskan adventure.