Alaska’s Inns and Nature Lodges
Overview
This 2-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.
Highlights
- Stay in a combination of characterful inns and distinctive nature lodges
- Visit three of Alaska's most breathtaking national parks including Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
- Stay in the heart of Denali National Park for 2 nights and explore this spectacular landscape with guided activities included
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- All meals in Denali National Park and at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
- Car rental for 11 days
- Unlimited mileage
- Internal flights
Full description
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: whilst the accommodation in Alaska is clean and comfortable, the focus is on location and experience rather than luxury.
Prices & Dates *
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.
From prices per person based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom, including car hire
| Departure | Duration | Car Category | Twin Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 May - 25 Aug 2019 | 12 nights | Compact | £4,532 |
What's Included
- All rooms with private bathroom
- 8 nights in standard inns, hotels and lodge
- 2 nights in Denali National Park including transport to/from park entrance, all meals and guided activities
- 2 nights at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge including boat transport to/from Seward, all meals and guided activities
- 1 hour Anchorage Trolley Tour (day 2)
- 2 hour guided Historical Kennicott Tour (day 4)
- Car rental for 11 days (compact, midsize, fullsize or 4WD)
- Unlimited mileage, LDW and all taxes (pick up on day 3)
- Roundtrip flights in bush plane Chitina - McCarthy (max luggage allowance 13kgs per person)
- Comprehensive travel documentation
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
Itinerary & Accommodation
Itinerary & Accommodation
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.
Copper Whale Inn, Anchorage
Alaska
Grade: Simple
Type: Guesthouse B&B
The 14 room Copper Whale Inn is ideally located near Anchorage's restaurants, galleries and museums, while still providing glimpses of Alaska's celebrated scenery.
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Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Alaska
Grade: Simple
Type: Hotel
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.
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Seward Windsong Lodge
Alaska
Grade: Standard
Type: Unique And Boutique
Not far from the entrance to Kenai Fjords National Park lies the 180 room Seward Windsong Lodge.
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Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Alaska
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
With Denali National Park on the doorstep, the 212 room Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is set on a ridge to the south of Mt. McKinley.
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