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 one the state’s 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 Village, just outside Denali National Park, 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.
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city and surrounding area. 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.
Optional Experiences
Cook Inlet Sunset Photo Safari, Anchorage
Prince William Sound Glaciers by Floatplane, Anchorage
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 tomorrow. Spend two nights at Kennicott Glacier Lodge.
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.
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.
Optional Experiences
Sternwheeler Riverboat Tour, Fairbanks
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.
Enjoy a guided bus tour into the heart of Denali National Park today (approx. 4-6 hours in duration). This vast wilderness is home to bears, moose, wolves and caribou, as well as sparkling lakes, rivers and towering mountain peaks. 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.
Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour, Denali
Leave Denali and head south through breathtaking scenery historic Talkeetna, nestled at the base of the Alaska Range.
Optional Experiences
Experience Denali by Air, Talkeetna
Drive south to the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Your destination is the port town of Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.
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
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.
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 & departures
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
-
Guided bus tour into Denali National Park
-
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
From £6481 Excluding Flights
12 Nights
May-Aug
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the best prices and the flexibility to choose what works best for you.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Lauren
1
Rail journey on the Ghan
1
Mama turtle laying eggs in Tortuguero viewed
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
-
Rosie
Travel Specialist
-
Phoebe
Travel Specialist
-
Gary
Travel Specialist
-
Jenna
Travel Specialist
-
Ben
Travel Specialist
-
Darren
Travel Specialist
-
Jo
Travel Specialist
-
Doug
Travel Specialist
-
Kieran
Travel Specialist
You may also like…
-
Alaska's Natural Wonders
Alaska Self DriveTake time to discover the best of Alaska's natural landscapes at your own pace.
From £4409 Excluding Flights
-
Alaska by Motorhome
Alaska Self DriveThis motorhome itinerary features Alaska’s most profoundly beautiful scenery and offers fantastic opportunities for wildlife viewing.
From £1587 Excluding Flights
-
Inside Passage: Alaska Fjords and Glaciers
Alaska Small Ship CruiseJourney to the heart of the Inside Passage on a small ship expedition cruise.
From £3357 Excluding Flights
-
Introduction to Alaska
Alaska Self DriveEncounter the jewels of Alaska with this well-paced self-drive itinerary.
From £1978 Excluding Flights