Wrangell-St Elias National Park

Alaska’s Inns and Nature Lodges

from £6563 excluding flights

  • 12 nights
  • May-Aug
Home Destinations Americas Alaska Alaska’s Inns and Nature Lodges

Highlights

denali backcountry lodge superior cabin

Stay in characterful inns and distinctive nature lodges

Aerial views over Denali National Park

Stay in the heart of wildlife-rich Denali National Park

Abandoned copper mine at Kennicott

Discover the beauty and history of Wrangell-St Elias National Park

Humpback whale breaching, Kenai Fjords

Admire the glaciers and wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park

Why this trip...

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park tailor made white

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

norway malangen deluxe cabin view from deck stay in great locations white

Stay in great locations

This holiday features accommodation in incredible locations

Cabot Trail explore at leisure white

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Overview

This two-week self-drive itinerary takes in many of Alaska’s best known highlights, such as Wrangell-St Elias National Park, Denali and the Kenai Peninsula, as well as offering a chance to meet the locals along the way as you stay in a selection of friendly inns and remote lodges.

Offering a true immersion into the Alaskan wilderness, this holiday includes the rare chance to stay within the state’s most popular national parks. Fly into the heart of the vast Wrangell-St Elias National Park to visit the ghost town of Kennicott and marvel at the scale of the region’s glaciers and icefields. Spend 2 nights in Denali, with time available to explore this vast park and search for wildlife such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall sheep. And enjoy stunning views of the Pedersen Glacier from your log cabin as you stay at the only lodge within the Kenai Fjords National Park. Everywhere you go you will be surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes and prolific wildlife of Alaska.

Please note that whilst the accommodation in Alaska is clean and comfortable, the focus is on location and experience rather than luxury.

Itinerary & Accommodation

Arrive in Anchorage and make your own way to your accommodation for a two-night stay at Copper Whale Inn

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city and surrounding area. Perhaps choose to join a 1 hour city trolley tour (not included). Anchorage features dozens of parks and 122 miles of paved bike paths. Warmed by a maritime climate, you can spend the rest of your day hiking the nearby Chugach mountains or photographing glaciers.

Anchorage skyline

Collect your rental car and make your way to Chitina, where you will board an Alaskan bushplane for your 30 minute flight into the heart of Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Your destination is McCarthy, from where you will transfer to the ghost town of Kennicott. Spend two nights at Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

alaska-wrangell-st-elias-national-park-istk

Kennicott Glacier Lodge

kennicott glacier lodge

With 35 rooms set in the heart of Alaska's wilderness in Wrangell-St Elias National Park, the Kennicott Glacier Lodge overlooks twenty-five miles of glacier and is bordered by fourteen of the continent's highest peaks.

Read more

Join a 2-hour guided tour of Kennicott’s historic highlights, learning about this former thriving mining settlement which is now abandoned. The rest of the day is at leisure.

alaska south kennicott mine do

Make your way to Alaska’s second largest city, Fairbanks. (30 minute flight, plus 499 km drive). A visit to the Museum of the North is highly recommended.

alaska-fairbanks-aerial-view-istk

Departing from Fairbanks, head south on the George Parks Highway. Travel through vast expanses of boreal forest, with occasional clearings offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Arrive in Denali and check into your hotel at the entrance to Denali National Park.

Today you will enjoy a guided bus tour into the heart of Denali National Park (approx. 4-6 hours in duration). Some of this areas most iconic large mammals, such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall’s sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. The more-often seen small mammals include arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots can also be spotted. The bird life of Denali is also varied and impressive. Golden eagles are often seen as well as ravens, mew gulls, gray jays and occasionally bald eagles.

Admiring the view over Denali National Park
alaska denali national park grizzly bear doll
Caribou in Denali National Park

Leave Denali and head south through breathtaking scenery historic Talkeetna, nestled at the base of the Alaska Range.

Drive south to the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Your destination is the port town of Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm

Transfer by boat to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge (4-5 hours) where the rugged beauty of Alaska’s spectacular coast and abundant marine wildlife is balanced perfectly with private log cabins, a homely lodge and hearty meals with gourmet flair.

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

kenai fjords glacier lodge exterior

A true wilderness retreat, Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is the only lodge situated within the National Park.

Read more

Today is a free day for you to explore. Guided activities are included in your stay and may include interpretive nature walks, sea kayaking, or exploring the lagoon by canoe. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the lodge offers ideal comfort within direct views of nature. Curious sea otters and seals frequent the lagoon just steps from the main lodge deck. In a nearby meadow, you can spot bears and other wildlife from a safe distance.

alaska kayaking on kenai fjords mckayla crump unsplash
alaska humpback whale tail fin astk
Sea otter

Savour another morning in the wilds of Kenai Fjords National Park; kayak, canoe or beachcomb for a half-day before your return wildlife cruise to Seward. En-route, enjoy another opportunity to photograph the sheer cliffs of the fjords, scan for birdlife and seek out marine wildlife. From Seward make your way back to Anchorage for your final night in Alaska.

Drop off your rental car at the airport and depart Alaska.

Prices and Departures

Price from £6563 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £1,000 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Midsize car hire including unlimited mileage and loss damage waiver
  • Roundtrip flights in bush plane Chitina - McCarthy
  • 2 hour guided Historical Kennicott Tour (day 4)
  • Guided bus tour into Denali National Park (approx. 4-6 hours)
  • All meals and guided excursions at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
  • Boat transfer between Kenai and Seward
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £6,563 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, with rental of a midsize vehicle. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

pillars

Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.