Alaska's Scenic National Parks Self-Drive

Day 1 : Anchorage

On arrival in Anchorage, make your way to your hotel for check-in and time at leisure.

Day 2 : Anchorage > Seward

This morning make your way to the central downtown office to collect your rental car. Travel along the Seward Highway towards Turnagain Arm, keeping an eye out for beluga whales chasing salmon in the bay or Dall sheep along the highway. Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre & the Alyeska Scenic Tram Ride are included today.

Day 3 : Seward

In Seward, embrace the freedom to select one of six thrilling excursions:

Enjoy a Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Cruise past seals, whales, and puffins while exploring tidewater glaciers, lush rainforests, and remote islands.
Embark on the Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure
Resurrection Bay is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and home to several Alaska state parks that offer abundant opportunities to hike, sea kayak and explore!
Engage in the Bear Lake Kayak or Canoe Trip
Kayak or canoe on Bear Lake located just outside Seward. En-route there is a stop to visit the salmon weir. Eagles and bears are often seen while on this adventure.
Experience the thrill of a Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour
Visit the Seavey Family Homestead in Seward and meet the dogs, feel their excitement as teams are hitched to comfortable summer sleds, then mush for two miles through the scenic rainforest.
Trek through the captivating landscapes on the Exit Glacier Hike
This moderate hiking adventure is great for viewing the jewel of the Resurrection River Valley – Exit Glacier. This massive wall of blue ice descends the mountainside from the Harding Ice Field, down to the Resurrection River.
Discover the wonders of Resurrection Bay on a Wildlife Cruise
Admire the icy blue waters of Resurrection Bay as your boat glides past glaciers, snowcapped mountains, and dramatic cliffs. On this Kenai Fjords cruise, watch for whales, puffins, and otters with a wildlife guide. Learn about the area’s natural history during this Bay adventure.

NB: Please enquire about upgrade options available.

Day 4 : Seward > Homer

Follow the Sterling Highway, covering miles of spectacular landscape. View snow-capped mountains, active volcanoes, deep ocean bluffs and a magnificent coastline. The area also offers excellent salmon fishing opportunities along the Kenai River.

Day 5 : Homer

A free day at leisure in Homer, one of Alaska’s most scenic coastal towns. Explore the Homer Spit, browse local galleries, visit waterfront shops and cafes, or choose one of the following optional excursions:

Katmai or Lake Clark Bear Viewing Flight
Fly across Cook Inlet for a wilderness bear-viewing experience in Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Enjoy aerial views of volcanoes, glaciers and remote coastline before land to observe brown bears in their natural habitat. Routing and timing depend on tides, weather and bear activity.
Homer Halibut Combo Fishing Charter
This guided fishing charter heads into the waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. Fish for halibut and other local species, with gear, bait, instruction and onboard filleting included.

Day 6 : Homer > Girdwood

On this morning’s drive north, stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre, which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Once in Girdwood, take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountains.

Day 7 : Girdwood > Talkeetna

Pass through Anchorage and the agricultural region of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley on your way to Talkeetna, a former gold-mining centre that has retained much of its early Alaskan flavour. Today the small, picturesque town serves as a base camp for Mt Denali climbers.

Day 8 : Talkeetna > Denali National Park

Embark on a captivating Wilderness Adventure Jet Boat tour this morning, revelling in the awe-inspiring views of Denali and the Alaska Range along the Susitna River. This unique Alaskan river adventure blends folklore, artifacts, and a panoramic Denali vista for an unforgettable experience. Following the jet boat tour, drive north on the Parks Highway to Denali National Park, passing through breathtaking forest and mountain landscapes.

NB: Please enquire about the following upgrade options available:
– Denali Flightseeing Experience
– Denali Flightseeing Experience with Glacier Landing

Day 9 : Denali National Park

Experience Denali with the freedom to select one of four exciting excursions:

Explore Denali Highway by 4×4 Jeep Excursion
Explore the rugged Denali Highway on a thrilling Jeep Excursion, experiencing the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway, off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife.
Embark on the Tundra Wilderness Tour
Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the landscape. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River in Denali National Park.

NB: Please enquire about the following upgrade options available:
– Denali Summit Flightseeing by Plane
– Denali Glacier Landing by Helicopter

Day 10 : Denali National Park > Fairbanks

This morning drive the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Along the way, pass through the communities of Healy and Nenana as well as the old mining camp of Ester. This afternoon, climb aboard the Riverboat Discovery III for an unforgettable 3 hour cruise into the Alaskan Interior, travelling the Chena and Tanana Rivers on the only authentic sternwheeler riverboat operating in Alaska. This narrated tour provides background on the area’s natural history and the Athabascan Indian culture.

Day 11 : Fairbanks > Chitina > McCarthy

Settle in for a day of driving through some of Alaska’s most diverse and dynamic landscapes. At Chitina board your bush plane flight to McCarthy, located in the vast wilderness of Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Along the way your pilot will describe landforms, point out wildlife and fill you in on a bit of the human history of the area.

Day 12 : McCarthy

Today, enjoy time in the McCarthy and Kennecott area, deep within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Choose the experience that best matches your travel style, from historic copper-mining stories and landmark buildings to glacier hiking or a gentle paddle through the surreal rock-and-ice landscape at the toe of the Kennicott Glacier.

Kennecott Mill Town Tour
Step into the history of Kennecott, once one of Alaska’s richest copper-mining communities. Join a knowledgeable guide for a tour of the historic mill town and gain access inside the dramatic 14-story concentration mill, where weathered buildings, mining equipment and mountain scenery tell the story of life and work in this remote wilderness.
Root Glacier Half-Day Hike
Walk through the historic Kennecott townsite before continuing toward Root Glacier for a guided glacier hiking experience. Strap on crampons and explore an ever-changing
world of blue pools, glacial streams, canyons, crevasses and ice features, with views toward the Stairway Icefall and Mt. Blackburn.
Kennicott Glacial Lake Paddle
Paddle across the calm waters at the toe of the Kennicott Glacier, where rock, ice and glacial water create a striking moonscape beneath the mountains. Your guide shares insight into the glacier, geology and surrounding wilderness as you travel by packraft through a landscape of floating ice, glacier views and dramatic scenery.

After your chosen excursion, return to McCarthy for the evening. Depending on season and availability, dining may include refined lodge-style cuisine, a lively saloon setting or a relaxed café stop, all surrounded by historic buildings, mountain air and the unmistakable character of old Alaska.

Day 13 : McCarthy > Chitina > Valdez

Enjoy great views of the Wrangell Mountains on your bush plane flight back to Chitina. Continue your drive south where you enter the Chugach Mountains that ring the coast of Alaska from Prince William Sound. Admire the views of Worthington Glacier before beginning the descent into Valdez.

Day 14 : Prince William Sound

Discover the magic of Alaska on a cruise of Prince William Sound, with lunch included. A local captain and crew will guide you through the Trans Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South Central Alaska. Look out for wildlife along the way; if you’re lucky you could spot porpoises, puffins, sea lions and sea otters.

Day 15 : Valdez > Sheep Mountain Lodge

Drive to Sheep Mountain Lodge, located along the scenic Glenn Highway between the towns of Palmer and Glenallen. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the area. There are over 20 kms of trails near the lodge perfect for exploring. Birds and wildflowers abound, and maps are provided in each cabin for self-guided hiking.

Day 16 : Sheep Mountain Lodge > Anchorage

Take in the beautiful views of the Chugach Range on your drive back to Anchorage, where your self-drive journey ends.