Northern Exposure | Favorite Alaska Road Trip

Day 1 Anchorage to Seward via Whittier | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise Depart Anchorage and follow the Seward Highway toward Turnagain Arm, one of Alaska’s most dramatic coastal corridors. The road traces tidal flats and mountain slopes below the Chugach Mountains, with waterfalls, rocky cliffs and sweeping inlet views along the way. Continue through Portage and the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier, where you board the Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise. Cruise into a sheltered world of fjords, floating ice, waterfalls and tidewater glaciers, watching for sea otters, seals, whales, seabirds and mountain goats. After the cruise, continue by road to Seward, set between Resurrection Bay and the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. (Lunch is included onboard today.)

Day 2 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 12 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in Seward and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Explore Kenai Fjords by boat, paddle the protected waters around Resurrection Bay, hike near Exit Glacier, meet sled dogs at a summer training camp, or upgrade to a glacier flightseeing, dogsledding or iceberg kayaking adventure. Option 1. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise Cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, steep coastal cliffs, remote islands and rich marine habitat create one of Alaska’s classic coastal wilderness experiences. Watch for seals, whales, puffins, sea otters and other wildlife as expert narration brings the park’s glaciers, fjords and natural history to life. Option 2. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Paddle the protected waters of Resurrection Bay, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forested shoreline and the wild coastal scenery that makes Seward so memorable. This active sea-kayaking adventure offers a close-to-nature way to experience the bay, with opportunities to explore shoreline areas near Tonsina Point. Option 3. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on calm Bear Lake, located just outside Seward. With local guides, visit the salmon weir, learn about the salmon life cycle, and watch for eagles, loons and other wildlife in a peaceful mountain setting. Option 4. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey family homestead and meet the Iditarod athletes at their summer training camp. Feel the excitement as the dogs are harnessed, then ride through the scenic rainforest on a comfortable summer sled. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Cruise the blue waters of Resurrection Bay, where mountains, glaciers and rugged cliffs create a spectacular coastal setting. Watch for whales, puffins, otters and other marine wildlife, then enjoy lunch on Fox Island during this memorable Kenai Fjords experience. Option 6. Exit Glacier Hike Explore the Resurrection River Valley on a guided hike to Exit Glacier, where blue ice descends from the Harding Icefield. This is one of the most accessible glacier experiences in Alaska and a strong choice for travellers who want to feel close to the landscape. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Guided Walking Salmon Fishing | Seward Area Walk scenic rivers and streams near Seward with an expert guide and try your hand at salmon fishing in a classic Alaska setting. This is an ideal upgrade for travellers who want a more hands-on outdoor experience. Option 8. Upgrade Option: Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Kayak among the floating icebergs of Bear Glacier Lagoon, where ice breaks from the largest glacier in the Harding Icefield. Paddle through a changing maze of blue and white ice, with possible sightings of harbour seals, black bears and coastal wildlife. Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Landing Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on an unforgettable helicopter adventure, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes. Land on or beside ancient ice, explore the dramatic surroundings and experience the scale and beauty of Alaska from a remarkable perspective. Option 10. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Take a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers before landing on a glacier snowfield for a true Alaska dogsledding experience. Meet an Alaskan sled-dog team and mush across real snow in summer. Option 11. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled with Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on a scenic helicopter journey, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes before landing at a glacier dogsled camp. Meet the huskies, learn from experienced mushers and drive a dog team across ancient ice. Option 12. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Begin with a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers, then kayak through Bear Glacier Lagoon among monumental icebergs. This is one of Seward’s most dramatic adventure upgrades, combining flightseeing, kayaking and remote glacier scenery.

Day 3 Seward to Girdwood | 143 km/89 mi | Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Begin the day with a short drive to Exit Glacier, where an easy walk offers close-up views of one of Alaska’s most accessible glacier landscapes. Continue north through the mountain scenery of the Kenai Peninsula to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where admission is included. This spacious sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, giving you the chance to safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Continue to Girdwood and ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram up Alyeska Mountain for sweeping views over Turnagain Arm, up to seven hanging glaciers and the peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. At the base of the tram, settle in for the night at Alyeska Resort, surrounded by forest, mountain scenery and one of Southcentral Alaska’s most memorable alpine settings.

Day 4 Girdwood to Talkeetna | 241 km/150 mi Drive north from Girdwood along Turnagain Arm, where the mountains and water create one final dramatic coastal stretch before the route passes through Anchorage and into the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The landscape opens into farmland, forest, rivers and long views toward the Alaska Range. Continue to Talkeetna, a characterful rail and river town near the confluence of the Talkeetna, Susitna and Chulitna rivers, known for its climber history, local restaurants and possible clear-day views of Denali.

Day 5 Talkeetna | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions | Talkeetna to Denali National Park Entrance | 246 km/153 mi Today, choose your Talkeetna experience before continuing deeper into Alaska’s mountain country. Explore river wilderness by jetboat, or upgrade to flightseeing around Denali and the Alaska Range, with a glacier landing option when weather permits. After your excursion, follow the Parks Highway north through forest, river valleys and broad mountain landscapes toward Denali National Park Entrance. Option 1. Wilderness Excursion Jetboat Tour Travel by jetboat into Alaska river country, with views toward Denali when skies are clear. Your naturalist guide shares stories of local history, wildlife and the surrounding landscape, with stops that may include a Dena’ina-style encampment and a historic trapper’s cabin. Option 2. Upgrade Option: Denali Flightseeing Experience | Small Aircraft Fly toward Denali and the Alaska Range by small aircraft for a dramatic view of rugged peaks, glacier-filled valleys and the mountain’s immense rise from the surrounding landscape. Weather permitting, this is one of the most powerful ways to appreciate the scale of Denali. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Flightseeing with Glacier Landing | Small Aircraft Take the Denali flightseeing experience further with a glacier landing, weather permitting. Fly past peaks, glaciers and ice-carved valleys before touching down on the glacier for time on the ice, surrounded by the silence and scale of the Alaska Range.

Day 6 Denali National Park | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in the Denali region and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Travel the legendary Denali Highway, journey into Denali National Park by coach, or upgrade to flightseeing over the Alaska Range or a helicopter glacier landing. 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 217 km/135 mi gravel road and takes you off the beaten path in a 4x4 to enjoy sweeping views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers, tundra and possible wildlife. Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour Travel into Denali National Park on a narrated coach tour along the park road, where the landscape opens into tundra, braided rivers, mountain valleys and wildlife habitat. Watch for moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bears and other wildlife while learning about the park’s geology, ecology and wilderness character. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Fly toward Denali and the surrounding Alaska Range for a dramatic view of snow-covered peaks, glacier-filled valleys and rugged ridgelines. From the window seat of a small aircraft, this upgrade gives you a powerful sense of the scale of North America’s tallest mountain. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Fly by helicopter across the Denali region toward the Yanert Glacier, passing tundra, mountain terrain and glacier-carved valleys along the way. Land on the glacier for a spectacular high-alpine Alaska experience.

Day 7 Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | 198 km/123 mi Continue north on the Parks Highway toward Fairbanks, travelling through Interior Alaska communities such as Healy, Nenana and Ester. The scenery changes as mountain country gives way to boreal forest, river valleys and broad northern landscapes.

Main Itinerary Departing Fairbanks Day 1 Fairbanks to Denali National Park | 198 km/123 mi Depart Fairbanks and drive south on the Parks Highway toward Denali National Park Entrance. The road leaves the Interior’s open river valleys and boreal forest, gradually building toward the mountains and the edge of the Alaska Range. Pass through northern communities and watch for changing light across forest, tundra and ridgelines before arriving near Denali National Park.

Day 2 Denali National Park | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in the Denali region and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Travel the legendary Denali Highway, journey into Denali National Park by coach, or upgrade to flightseeing over the Alaska Range or a helicopter glacier landing. 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 217 km/135 mi gravel road and takes you off the beaten path in a 4x4 to enjoy sweeping views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers, tundra and possible wildlife. Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour Travel into Denali National Park on a narrated coach tour along the park road, where the landscape opens into tundra, braided rivers, mountain valleys and wildlife habitat. Watch for moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bears and other wildlife while learning about the park’s geology, ecology and wilderness character. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Fly toward Denali and the surrounding Alaska Range for a dramatic view of snow-covered peaks, glacier-filled valleys and rugged ridgelines. From the window seat of a small aircraft, this upgrade gives you a powerful sense of the scale of North America’s tallest mountain. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Fly by helicopter across the Denali region toward the Yanert Glacier, passing tundra, mountain terrain and glacier-carved valleys along the way. Land on the glacier for a spectacular high-alpine Alaska experience.

Day 3 Denali National Park to Talkeetna | 246 km/153 mi | Talkeetna Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions | Leave Denali National Park Entrance and drive south on the Parks Highway through forest, river valleys and mountain-view country. The Alaska Range remains a powerful presence behind you, with possible views of Denali on clear days. Continue toward Talkeetna, a relaxed rail and river town known for its climber history, local restaurants and frontier character. Upton arrival in Talkeetna you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Wilderness Excursion Jetboat Tour Travel by jetboat into Alaska river country, with views toward Denali when skies are clear. Your naturalist guide shares stories of local history, wildlife and the surrounding landscape, with stops that may include a Dena’ina-style encampment and a historic trapper’s cabin. Option 2. Upgrade Option: Denali Flightseeing Experience | Small Aircraft Fly toward Denali and the Alaska Range by small aircraft for a dramatic view of rugged peaks, glacier-filled valleys and the mountain’s immense rise from the surrounding landscape. Weather permitting, this is one of the most powerful ways to appreciate the scale of Denali. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Flightseeing with Glacier Landing | Small Aircraft Take the Denali flightseeing experience further with a glacier landing, weather permitting. Fly past peaks, glaciers and ice-carved valleys before touching down on the glacier for time on the ice, surrounded by the silence and scale of the Alaska Range.

Day 4 Talkeetna to Girdwood | 241 km/150 mi | Alyeska Aerial Tram Depart Talkeetna and travel south through the broad Matanuska-Susitna Valley, where rivers, forest, farmland and distant mountain views frame the drive. Continue through Anchorage before joining the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm, one of Alaska’s most scenic coastal routes, with the Chugach Mountains rising above the water. Arrive in Girdwood, a mountain community tucked beneath the Chugach peaks. Ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram up Alyeska Mountain for sweeping views over Turnagain Arm, hanging glaciers and the surrounding alpine landscape before settling in for the night at Alyeska Resort.

Day 5 Girdwood to Seward via Whittier | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise Depart Girdwood and travel through the mountain scenery of Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley before passing through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier. Here, board the Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise and enter a sheltered marine landscape of fjords, waterfalls, floating ice and tidewater glaciers. Watch for sea otters, seals, whales, seabirds and mountain goats as glacier faces and icefields rise from the surrounding mountains. After the cruise, continue by road to Seward, a harbor town framed by Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Mountains. (Lunch is included onboard today.)

Day 6 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 12 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in Seward and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Explore Kenai Fjords by boat, paddle the protected waters around Resurrection Bay, hike near Exit Glacier, meet sled dogs at a summer training camp, or upgrade to a glacier flightseeing, dogsledding or iceberg kayaking adventure. Option 1. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise Cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, steep coastal cliffs, remote islands and rich marine habitat create one of Alaska’s classic coastal wilderness experiences. Watch for seals, whales, puffins, sea otters and other wildlife as expert narration brings the park’s glaciers, fjords and natural history to life. Option 2. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Paddle the protected waters of Resurrection Bay, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forested shoreline and the wild coastal scenery that makes Seward so memorable. This active sea-kayaking adventure offers a close-to-nature way to experience the bay, with opportunities to explore shoreline areas near Tonsina Point. Option 3. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on calm Bear Lake, located just outside Seward. With local guides, visit the salmon weir, learn about the salmon life cycle, and watch for eagles, loons and other wildlife in a peaceful mountain setting. Option 4. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey family homestead and meet the Iditarod athletes at their summer training camp. Feel the excitement as the dogs are harnessed, then ride through the scenic rainforest on a comfortable summer sled. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Cruise the blue waters of Resurrection Bay, where mountains, glaciers and rugged cliffs create a spectacular coastal setting. Watch for whales, puffins, otters and other marine wildlife, then enjoy lunch on Fox Island during this memorable Kenai Fjords experience. Option 6. Exit Glacier Hike Explore the Resurrection River Valley on a guided hike to Exit Glacier, where blue ice descends from the Harding Icefield. This is one of the most accessible glacier experiences in Alaska and a strong choice for travellers who want to feel close to the landscape. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Guided Walking Salmon Fishing | Seward Area Walk scenic rivers and streams near Seward with an expert guide and try your hand at salmon fishing in a classic Alaska setting. This is an ideal upgrade for travellers who want a more hands-on outdoor experience. Option 8. Upgrade Option: Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Kayak among the floating icebergs of Bear Glacier Lagoon, where ice breaks from the largest glacier in the Harding Icefield. Paddle through a changing maze of blue and white ice, with possible sightings of harbour seals, black bears and coastal wildlife. Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Landing Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on an unforgettable helicopter adventure, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes. Land on or beside ancient ice, explore the dramatic surroundings and experience the scale and beauty of Alaska from a remarkable perspective. Option 10. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Take a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers before landing on a glacier snowfield for a true Alaska dogsledding experience. Meet an Alaskan sled-dog team and mush across real snow in summer. Option 11. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled with Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on a scenic helicopter journey, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes before landing at a glacier dogsled camp. Meet the huskies, learn from experienced mushers and drive a dog team across ancient ice. Option 12. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Begin with a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers, then kayak through Bear Glacier Lagoon among monumental icebergs. This is one of Seward’s most dramatic adventure upgrades, combining flightseeing, kayaking and remote glacier scenery.

Day 7 Seward to Anchorage | 204 km/127 mi | Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Depart Seward and follow the Seward Highway north through the mountain scenery of the Kenai Peninsula. Before leaving the area, we recommend a stop at Exit Glacier, where a short walk offers views of one of Alaska’s most accessible glacier landscapes. Continue through forested valleys, alpine lakes and Turnagain Pass before arriving at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where admission is included. This spacious sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned Alaska wildlife, with opportunities to see animals such as bears, moose, caribou, muskox, bison and wolves in a natural setting. From here, follow Turnagain Arm back toward Anchorage, with the Chugach Mountains, waterfalls, tidal flats and possible Dall sheep or beluga whale sightings along the way. Arrive in Anchorage, where your Alaska road trip comes to an end.