Alaska’s Natural Wonders

Alaska’s Natural Wonders

from £3,990 excluding flights

  • 14 nights
  • May-Aug
Caribou in Denali National Park

Alaska’s Natural Wonders

from £3,990 excluding flights

  • 14 nights
  • May-Aug

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Highlights

In pictures
Wrangell-St Elias National Park

Soar over the wild landscapes of Wrangell-St Elias National Park

alaska south kennicott building atia

Explore a ghost town in the heart of Wrangell-St Elias National Park

Alaska road trip

Explore at your own pace on an unforgettable road trip

alaska denali national park grizzly bear doll

Take a guided excursion into the heart of Denali National Park

Why this trip...

early morning kayak istk activity based 01 white

Activities included

This itinerary features a range of included activities

Rail track alongside Turnagain Arm how you travel white

How you travel

This holiday features transport that is an integral part of the overall experience

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

Overview

Focusing on Alaska's great abundance of natural highlights, this two week adventure includes excursions in Denali and Wrangell-St Elias National Parks, as well as plenty of free time to experience the natural beauty, wildlife and hidden gems of Alaska in your own way.

Take a guided excursion into the heart of Denali National Park in search of Alaska's abundant wildlife, and enjoy aerial views over the vast expanse of Wrangell-St Elias National Park, before spending two nights in the abandoned former copper-mining settlement of Kennicott. Days at leisure in Seward, Knik River and Anchorage offer the chance to explore independently, taking advantage of numerous hiking opportunities or perhaps choosing optional excursions such as a cruise in to Kenai Fjords, scenic flight over Denali or a bear viewing tour (additional costs).

Time spent in the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks provides a good contrast to the wilderness, making this a very comprehensive introduction to Alaska.

Itinerary

The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.

Day 1 Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage and make your own way to your accommodation. Alaska's largest city sits on the edge of Cook Inlet and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, making this the ideal starting point for a wilderness adventure.

Arrive in Anchorage and make your own way to your accommodation. Alaska's largest city sits on the edge of Cook Inlet and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, making this the ideal starting point for a wilderness adventure.

Day 2 Anchorage - Seward (204 km)

Collect your rental car today and drive south to the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Your destination for today is the port town of Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, with Mt. Marathon rising steeply behind the town.

Collect your rental car today and drive south to the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Your destination for today is the port town of Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, with Mt. Marathon rising steeply behind the town.

Day 3 Seward

Today is at leisure to explore Seward and the surrounding area. You may wish to hike at nearby Exit Glacier or visit the Alaska SeaLife Centre. Highly recommended is an optional cruise through the Kenai Fjords. Home to miles of beautiful fjords, glaciers and coastal landscapes, the Kenai Fjords National Park is also known for its abundant wildlife - you may be lucky enough to spot orcas and humpback whales, Steller sea lions, harbour seal and sea otters.

Today is at leisure to explore Seward and the surrounding area. You may wish to hike at nearby Exit Glacier or visit the Alaska SeaLife Centre. Highly recommended is an optional cruise through the Kenai Fjords. Home to miles of beautiful fjords, glaciers and coastal landscapes, the Kenai Fjords National Park is also known for its abundant wildlife - you may be lucky enough to spot orcas and humpback whales, Steller sea lions, harbour seal and sea otters.

Humpback whale breaching, Kenai Fjords
Seward Harbour
Kenai Fjords cruise

Day 4 Seward - Girdwood (152 km)

Make your way north to Girdwood, where you may wish to take a hike through North America's northern-most temperate rainforest. Alternatively take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt Alyeska for panoramic views over Turnagain Arm and the endless peaks and glaciers of the Chugach Mountain range.

Make your way north to Girdwood, where you may wish to take a hike through North America's northern-most temperate rainforest. Alternatively take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt Alyeska for panoramic views over Turnagain Arm and the endless peaks and glaciers of the Chugach Mountain range.

Day 5 Girdwood - Talkeetna (248 km)

Moose and bear sightings are common around Girdwood, so take a good look around before you head north to the quaint little town of Talkeetna. The town of Talkeetna has retained much of its early Alaskan flavour. Log cabins, a roadhouse and clapboard storefronts line the dirt streets, colourful locals and bush pilots stroll the wooden sidewalks. There are also plenty of activity options on offer here, including scenic flights over Denali National Park - pre-booking is advisable for a memorable introduction to this spectacular wilderness.

Moose and bear sightings are common around Girdwood, so take a good look around before you head north to the quaint little town of Talkeetna. The town of Talkeetna has retained much of its early Alaskan flavour. Log cabins, a roadhouse and clapboard storefronts line the dirt streets, colourful locals and bush pilots stroll the wooden sidewalks. There are also plenty of activity options on offer here, including scenic flights over Denali National Park - pre-booking is advisable for a memorable introduction to this spectacular wilderness.

Day 6 Talkeetna - Denali (245 km)

Today continue your journey north to Denali Village, just outside Denali National Park.

Today continue your journey north to Denali Village, just outside Denali National Park.

Day 7 Denali National Park

Enjoy a guided excursion into Denali National Park today. Led by an experienced naturalist driver and guide, you will be provided with an overview of the land and its wilderness as you travel approximately fifty-three miles on the open park road. This vast wilderness is home to bears, moose, wolves and caribou, as well as sparkling lakes, rivers and towering mountain peaks.

Enjoy a guided excursion into Denali National Park today. Led by an experienced naturalist driver and guide, you will be provided with an overview of the land and its wilderness as you travel approximately fifty-three miles on the open park road. This vast wilderness is home to bears, moose, wolves and caribou, as well as sparkling lakes, rivers and towering mountain peaks.

Denali
Aerial views over Denali National Park
Moose in Denali National Park

Day 8 Denali - Fairbanks (200 km)

Today you will drive the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks, Alaska's second largest city. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes, drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester - an old mining camp. A visit to the Museum of the North is highly recommended.

Today you will drive the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks, Alaska's second largest city. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes, drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester - an old mining camp. A visit to the Museum of the North is highly recommended.

Day 9 Fairbanks - Chitina - McCarthy/Kennicott (502 km drive, 30 min flight)

Make the long drive south to Chitina, where you will board an Alaskan bushplane for your flight into the heart of Wrangell-St Elias National Park. This park is the largest in the United States National Parks system and contains several of the tallest mountains in the country, as well as the greatest concentration of glaciers in North America. Together with Glacier Bay National Park, and both Kluane National Park and Tatshenshini-Alsek Park in Canada, this area represents the single largest tract of protected land in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your destination is McCarthy, from where you will transfer to the ghost town of Kennicott.

Make the long drive south to Chitina, where you will board an Alaskan bushplane for your flight into the heart of Wrangell-St Elias National Park. This park is the largest in the United States National Parks system and contains several of the tallest mountains in the country, as well as the greatest concentration of glaciers in North America. Together with Glacier Bay National Park, and both Kluane National Park and Tatshenshini-Alsek Park in Canada, this area represents the single largest tract of protected land in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your destination is McCarthy, from where you will transfer to the ghost town of Kennicott.

Wrangell-St Elias National Park

Day 10 McCarthy/Kennicott

This magical location is the furthest road extension in the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. With only a handful of year-round residents, the area is attracting a growing number of people looking to experience Alaska as they imagine it – a mix of solitude and scenery. Today you will 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.

This magical location is the furthest road extension in the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. With only a handful of year-round residents, the area is attracting a growing number of people looking to experience Alaska as they imagine it – a mix of solitude and scenery. Today you will 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.

Abandoned copper mine at Kennicott

Day 11 McCarthy/Kennicott - Knik River (30 min flight, 371 km drive)

Today fly back to Chitina by bush plane while enjoying great views of the Wrangell Mountains. From Chitina continue by car to Knik River, near Palmer.

Today fly back to Chitina by bush plane while enjoying great views of the Wrangell Mountains. From Chitina continue by car to Knik River, near Palmer.

Day 12 Knik River

Today is at leisure for you to explore. Highly recommended is a visit to the Knik River Glacier - at over 28 miles long and 5 miles across, this is one of central Alaska's greatest rivers of ice.

Today is at leisure for you to explore. Highly recommended is a visit to the Knik River Glacier - at over 28 miles long and 5 miles across, this is one of central Alaska's greatest rivers of ice.

Knik River Glacier

Day 13 Knik River - Anchorage (80 km)

Today make the short drive back to Anchorage, keeping an eye out for for Dall sheep combing the mountainsides.

Today make the short drive back to Anchorage, keeping an eye out for for Dall sheep combing the mountainsides.

Day 14 Anchorage

Enjoy a full and final day in Anchorage - the city boasts some interesting museums and galleries and great day hikes and bike trails, as well as a choice of shopping and dining options.

Enjoy a full and final day in Anchorage - the city boasts some interesting museums and galleries and great day hikes and bike trails, as well as a choice of shopping and dining options.

Chugach Mountains
Anchorage cycle path
Anchorage skyline

Day 15 Anchorage

Return your rental car at the airport and depart Alaska.

Return your rental car at the airport and depart Alaska.

Accommodation Options

With a wide choice of accommodation in Alaska, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference - from motels and hotels to wilderness lodges in stunning locations.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Excursions

Prices and Departures

Price from £3,990 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 (except for shared bathroom in Kennicott)
  • Guided bus tour into Denali National Park with snack
  • 2 hour guided Historical Kennicott Tour
  • Return bushplane flights from Chitina to McCarthy (max luggage allowance 13kgs per person)
  • Car rental for 14 days with unlimited mileage, LDW and all taxes
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £3,990 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, with rental of a compact 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.

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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.

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