Day 1 Anchorage | Arrival
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer independently to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Alaska’s largest city, set between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Walk part of the coastal trail, explore downtown restaurants and local galleries, or settle in with mountain views as your Alaska vacation begins.
Day 2 Anchorage to Seward | Alaska Railroad | Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 11 Excursions
Depart Anchorage aboard Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic train and travel south on one of the most spectacular rail journeys in North America. From your GoldStar dome seat or private outdoor viewing deck, watch the city give way to the tidal flats of Turnagain Arm, where the Chugach Mountains rise sharply from the water and the railway curves along the coast. Continue past forested valleys, waterfalls, hanging glaciers and the wild backcountry of the Kenai Peninsula before arriving in Seward, a dramatic harbour town set between Resurrection Bay and snow-capped mountains. (Breakfast is included onboard the train today.) This afternoon, choose one included Seward excursion.
Option 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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 11. 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 Anchorage | Private Transfer | Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise | Alaska Railroad
This morning set off on a private transfer to Whittier. Along the way, we will experience the famous Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - the longest one-lane highway tunnel in North America which is shared with Alaska Railroad. In Whittier, board the 26 Glacier Cruise and cruise deep into Prince William Sound where you will see 26 named glaciers and many more unnamed. Cruise close to these towering masses of ice, so close you can “hear” the glaciers move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. On the 26 Glacier Cruise, you’ll see several types of glaciers, including Alpine hanging, Piedmont and Tidewater. Calving activity may be seen as broken pieces of ice fall into the water and become icebergs. Lunch is included onboard. Back in Whittier, we board the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery for our final leg of the tour to Anchorage. (Lunch is included onboard today.)
Day 4 Anchorage | Floatplane Fly-in Bear Viewing Excursion
Fly from Anchorage by floatplane into one of Alaska’s remote bear-viewing regions. Depending on the season, weather and bear activity, your destination may be Redoubt Bay, Katmai National Park, Lake Clark or Chinitna Bay. From the air, Alaska opens into a vast landscape of coastline, rivers, mountains, wetlands and wilderness valleys. After landing, join professional guides for a bear-viewing experience in natural habitat, with opportunities to watch brown or black bears fishing, foraging or moving through the landscape. (Lunch is included today.)
Day 5 Anchorage to Sheldon Chalet | Helicopter
Depart Anchorage for your 45-minute scenic helicopter ride to Sheldon Chalet, arriving around 2.00pm. An engineering marvel located just 10 miles from Denali’s summit, Sheldon Chalet features five guest rooms, a living and dining area, an observation deck and a sauna. Step on to the deck and marvel at the majestic surroundings before coming inside for champagne and a freshly prepared sampling of Alaskan Seafood. Meet your staff and discuss adventure options during your stay with our world class guides. Settle in and let the peace and solitude overtake you. (Dinner included today.)
Day 6 Denali | Sheldon Chalet
Awake to the sunrise shining on the summit of Denali. Enjoy a cozy cup of coffee as you marvel at the way the light changes the landscape moment by moment. Breakfast is served. Choose one adventure today and another tomorrow such as rappelling, rock or ice climbing, glacier trekking, gourmet glacier picnicking, crevasse exploring or sledding. Enjoy a late afternoon cocktail and delectable hors d’oeuvres on the observation deck then dine on a beautiful gourmet dinner while you watch the sun set on Denali. Spend the evening on the deck around a fire, stargazing or relaxing in the sauna. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included today.)
Day 7 Denali | Sheldon Chalet
Welcome the majesty of the amphitheater into your morning as it draws you into quiet reflection. Another warm delicious breakfast is prepared just for you. Choose an informative book on the area to read from our library or trek to the historic Sheldon Mountain House for stories of Denali. Enjoy another activity of choice then return to a mouth watering dinner. Come evening, relax in the sauna or watch the stars sparkle above the amphitheater on the observation deck. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included today.)
Day 8 Sheldon Chalet to Anchorage | Helicopter
Watch the sunrise hit the snow-covered Alaska Range from your bed. Leisurely breakfast on locally sourced Alaskan fare as you say your farewells and prepare to depart the Sheldon Nunatak. Depart between 11.00am-12.00pm for the 45-minute helicopter ride back to Anchorage. Transfer by private vehicle (included) to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. (Breakfast included today.)
Day 9 Anchorage | Departure
After check-out, your Alaska vacation comes to an end. Depart Anchorage with memories of glaciers, mountain horizons, rail journeys and the wide-open landscapes that make the Great Land so unforgettable.
