Alaska’s Inns and Nature Lodges

Day 1: Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage and make your own way to your accommodation. Overnight: Copper Whale Inn

Day 2: Anchorage

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city and surrounding area. Included is a 1 hour city tour. 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. Overnight: as above

Day 3: Anchorage - Chitina - McCarthy - Kennicott

Collect your rental car today 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. Overnight: Kennicott Glacier Lodge

Day 4: Kennicott

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. Overnight: as above

Day 5: Kennicott - McCarthy - Chitina - Fairbanks

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. Overnight: Taste of Alaska Lodge

Day 6: Fairbanks - Denali National Park

Wake early and make your way to Denali Village (200 km drive, plus 6-7 hour bus transfer) , just outside Denali National Park. For the next two nights you'll be staying in the heart of Denali National Park. Look out for wildlife as you make your way through the park to your accommodation. Overnight: Kantishna Roadhouse or Denali Backcountry Lodge (subject to availability)

Day 7: Denali National Park

Today is free for you to explore. Meals and guided activities are all included in your stay. Some of the most iconic, large mammals, such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall's sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. Some of the more-often seen small mammals include arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots. 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. Overnight: as above

Day 8: Denali National Park - Talkeetna

On your return journey out of the park (6-7 hour bus transfer, plus 245 km drive) enjoy impressive views of sparkling lakes and towering mountain peaks, including the iconic mountain, Denali. Overnight: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Day 9: Talkeetna - Seward

Drive south today to the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Your destination is the port town of Seward (384 km drive), gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Overnight: Seward Windsong Lodge

Day 10: Seward - Kenai Fjords

Today you will transfer to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge (4-5 hour boat transfer) 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. Overnight: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

Day 11: Kenai Fjords

Today is a free day for you to explore. Meals and guided activities are all included in your stay. Guided options 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. Overnight: as above

Day 12: Kenai Fjords - Anchorage

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 (2 hour boat transfer). 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 (204 km drive). Overnight: Copper Whale Inn

Day 13: Anchorage

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