9 Days • 8 Nights
Alaska Highlights: Denali, Kenai & Glaciers
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Denali National Park and North America's highest peak
- The scenic Alaska Railroad
- Grizzlies, moose, caribou and wolves
- A Kenai Fjords glacier and wildlife cruise
- Humpback whales, sea otters and puffins
- Calving tidewater glaciers
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Welcome to Alaska. You are met at Anchorage airport and transferred to your hotel. Explore Alaska's largest city, ringed by mountains and sea, and enjoy a welcome dinner of fresh Alaskan seafood.
You board the scenic Alaska Railroad north to Denali National Park, gliding through wilderness in a glass-domed carriage. Settle into your lodge near the park entrance.
A full-day wilderness tour deep into Denali National Park, a vast, road-free expanse where you search for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves, with the towering peak of Denali as a backdrop.
You travel south to the charming frontier town of Talkeetna, base for climbers of Denali, with a chance for an optional flightseeing trip around the great mountain and its glaciers.
A scenic journey down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward, passing Turnagain Arm and alpine scenery, to this pretty fishing port on Resurrection Bay.
A highlight of Alaska: a full-day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, watching a tidewater glacier calve into the sea and spotting humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions and puffins.
You return to Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway, with time to stop for wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and views over Turnagain Arm.
A free day to explore Anchorage, its museums and markets, or take an optional excursion such as a glacier hike, a flightseeing trip or a day cruise, ending with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to Anchorage airport for your onward flight, full of Alaskan wilderness.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Kenai Fjords cruise lunch
- Airport transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and wildlife activities as per itinerary with expert guides
- Ground transport, rail or car hire as specified
- National park entry and cruise fees as per itinerary
- the Alaska Railroad, a Denali wilderness tour and a Kenai Fjords glacier and wildlife cruise
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & ESTA: Alaska is part of the USA, so Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying, and other nationalities need a US B-2 visa; a valid passport is required. We advise you based on your nationality
- Currency & tipping: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted everywhere; tipping is expected as elsewhere in the USA, around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and tips for guides, drivers and crew
- Best time to visit: The main season runs May to September, with long daylight hours, open roads and peak wildlife; June to August is warmest and busiest, while late August and September add autumn colour and early Northern Lights
- Northern Lights: The aurora is best seen from late August to April on clear, dark nights, especially around Fairbanks; the peak summer months have too much daylight for aurora viewing
- Wildlife: Alaska is one of the world's great wildlife destinations, with bears, moose, whales, eagles and more; always keep a safe distance, carry bear awareness in the backcountry and follow your guide's advice
- Weather & layers: Alaskan weather is changeable even in summer, so pack warm and waterproof layers, sturdy footwear and a hat; conditions can shift quickly, especially on glaciers and at sea
- Getting around: Distances are vast and some areas are roadless; itineraries combine scenic rail, small-ship or day cruises, flights and self-drive, all arranged for you. Daylight is very long in summer, so plan for plenty of activity
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required, but travel insurance is essential as US healthcare is costly; bring insect repellent for summer mosquitoes. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Will we see Denali (the mountain)?
Denali is so high it creates its own weather and is often shrouded in cloud, so a clear view is a special treat rather than a certainty. You spend two nights nearby to maximise your chances, and the wildlife and scenery are magnificent regardless.
Is the Kenai Fjords cruise suitable for everyone?
Yes — it is a comfortable, fully catered day cruise suitable for all ages, with indoor and outdoor viewing. Seas are usually calm in the fjords, and it is one of the best wildlife and glacier experiences in Alaska.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or cruise meals. Alaskan seafood, from king crab to wild salmon, is a highlight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
The main season is May to September, with long daylight and peak wildlife; June to August is warmest, and late August to September adds autumn colour and the first Northern Lights. Winter trips focus on the aurora and are timed separately.
Will we see wildlife?
Very likely — Alaska is superb for wildlife, with excellent chances of seeing bears, moose, eagles, sea otters and, on the water, whales and sea lions. Our guides and cruises maximise sightings, though wildlife can never be guaranteed.
Can we see the Northern Lights?
In summer there is too much daylight for the aurora, but our autumn and winter itineraries (late August to April), especially around Fairbanks, offer excellent chances on clear, dark nights.
How do we travel around Alaska?
We combine the best options, the scenic Alaska Railroad, day or small-ship cruises among the glaciers and fjords, flights over roadless areas and comfortable self-drive or coach touring, all arranged and built into your itinerary.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of parks, cruises and wildlife, add a Denali stay, an Inside Passage voyage or an aurora extension, and tailor the pace and lodges to your interests.
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