National Parks Tour (13 Days)

Immerse Yourself in History, Culture, and Beauty

Welcome to Alaska! Check-in to your Anchorage accommodations any time after 4 p.m. Enjoy the midnight sun and all that Alaska’s largest city has to offer. Some of the best dining in the state is found here. Take a stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or ride on the Anchorage Trolley Tour to get a better understanding of how Anchorage came to be.

Into the Wild

Your Alaska adventure begins with an early morning private transfer from Anchorage to Lake Hood Seaplane Base. After a breathtaking fly-out journey over the rugged wilderness, the first stop is Lake Clark National Park, where you’ll land on Upper Twin Lakes to visit the legendary hand-built cabin of Dick Proenneke. This scenic flight offers incredible views of Alaska’s untouched landscapes, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.

Bear Viewing

Next, you’ll fly to Katmai National Park and Preserve, home to the famous Brooks Falls bear viewing platforms. In peak season, as many as fifty bears can be seen fishing for salmon along the Brooks River. The experience is self-guided, but park rangers provide orientation and assistance. If time allows, you might also witness the dramatic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a vast ash flow left behind by the Novarupta Volcano eruption of 1912. The return flight to Anchorage, arriving around 8 pm, offers more chances to spot wildlife such as beluga whales, moose, and Dall sheep, all while enjoying insights from your experienced Alaska bush pilot.

Alaska’s Rich Cultural Tapestry

Your day begins at 8:30 a.m. with a visit to the Native Heritage Center, where you’ll explore the rich history and traditions of Alaska’s first people. Inside the welcome house, vibrant exhibits celebrate contemporary native cultures, while the outdoor sites showcase ancient customs and storytelling. This immersive experience provides a deep appreciation for Alaska’s Indigenous heritage, blending past and present through engaging displays and live presentations.

Sled Dog Kennel Tour

Next, head north to Willow for an unforgettable sled dog experience with Vern, a seasoned Iditarod musher. Learn about the evolution of dog mushing and hear fascinating insights from Vern on race logistics, survival gear, and the dedication of both mushers and dogs. Then, experience the thrill of a dog-powered ride in a summer training buggy through the forest. Later, continue to Denali National Park, stopping for breathtaking views and a chance to stretch before arriving at your evening destination.

Recharge Your Battery

Today is a day of leisure. There are many things to experience in and around Denali National Park. Guests may enjoy the scenery and activities provided at their accommodations (some accommodations provide kayaks). There are also various hiking options in and around Denali National Park. In addition, Denali National Park Visitor Center offers many activities such as exhibits, movies, dog kennel tours, etc.

Available Upgrades

1 – ATV 4-Wheeler Adventure (2 hrs)

• $150 single rider, $250 double riders, $350 triple riders, $400 quad riders
• Explore 10 miles of varied terrain: coal mining trails, rocky creek beds, hill climbing, and water and mud crossings 

2 – 9-Hole Tundra Golf (2 hrs) | $125/person

• Play a round at Black Diamond, a short but challenging course full of Alaskan hazards like tundra marsha and the occasional moose hoof print

3 – Denali Zipline (3 hrs) | $165/person 

• Your adventure begins with a three-mile trail ride through scenic Alaskan wilderness 
• After gearing up, certified guides will lead you along six sky-bridges and seven thrilling ziplines

4. Fat Truck Tour (2 hrs) | $249/person

• Travel up an old mining trail to the upper lookout for vista views and to learn about the area’s geology and history
• Test out the amphibious qualities of the truck with your guide! 
• One departure only; limited to 6 people

5. Canyon Wave Whitewater Rafting Tour (2 hrs) | $140/person

• Journey through 11 miles of a glacial river with spectacular views of Denali National Park gems on this afternoon experience
• Most rapids are Class 3 with a couple Class 4 rapids
• Must be 12+ years or older

Explore Denali Your Way 

This morning you have three options to explore Denali National Park!

Two Activity Options Available

Option 1 – RELAXED

Take a five-hour Denali Park Shuttle ride deep into the wilderness for a chance to spot the “Big 5”: moose, Dall sheep, caribou, wolves, and grizzlies. Your guide will escort you to the departure point before you set off on this scenic wildlife tour.

Option 2 – MODERATE

Enjoy a self-guided 2.1-mile loop hike around Horseshoe Lake, featuring stunning views of the Nenana River and Glitter Gulch. Benches along the way provide perfect spots to rest and soak in the scenery, with a moderate climb back to meet your guide.

Available Upgrades

1 – Self-Guided Savage River E-Bike Ride (4 hrs) | $105/person

• Instead of the above options, experience Denali by bike!
• Leave right from Bike Denali and pedal yourself into the park, navigating steep terrain in undeveloped wilderness
• E-bikes come with racks, panniers, bear spray with handlebar mount, and quality rain suit
• E-bike experience recommended

Reach New Heights

Today we will explore two National Parks via scenic flight to Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley.  Depending on conditions we will spend time on the Sand Dunes in Kobuk Valley National Park, the upper Ambler River, or the Noatak River near Matcharak Lake in Gates of the Arctic.  We’ll explore the changing landscapes and remote beauty of some of the most pristine National Parks in the nation. Dall sheep, caribou and possibly Alaskan bears & wolves can be seen in this untouched part of Alaska. In the evening we will return to our Fairbanks accommodations.

Explore the Golden Heart City 

Begin your day by visiting the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North where you will get a chance to immerse yourself in stories about Alaska’s peoples, explore 2000 years of Native art, artifacts and Arctic wildlife. On our way to our lunch stop we will check out the black gold that fills the Alyeska Pipeline, flowing almost 500 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez! This afternoon offers a chance to strike it rich and learn more about Alaska’s gold mining history at a historical Gold Dredge that operated from 1928 to 1959 and was used to extract millions of ounces of gold.

*The schedule may swap activity dates/times depending on departure for Gates of the Arctic & Kobuk Valley.

Forests and Flights 

The day’s adventure begins at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Visitor Center. Six times the size of Yellowstone, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park encompasses 20,000 square miles of mountain wilderness. Nine of the 16 highest peaks in the U.S. are within this national park’s borders, the largest concentration of mountains over 14,000 feet in North America. 

Next, a ride to the Old Historic Copper Center, you will enjoy a step back in time. Visit the old museum, highlighting life at the turn of the century, deep in the wilderness of Alaska. After lunch and a scenic drive along the Klutina River, get ready for an exciting flightseeing tour over the Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

You’ll land in the tiny town of McCarthy, then drive up the road to Kennicott, an old mining town, where you’ll learn about the history and settlement of this extremely remote area. You can relax at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Read, play a family game, or choose to take a short walk around town or a further hike to a glacier. That night, sleep in rooms at the lodge that will take you back in time. They’re decorated with antiques, clippings of old newspapers and magazines, and relics from days gone by.

Day 9 is a day at leisure to relax and take in the scenery of this remote town. Upgrade to a glacier hike and explore the Root Glacier.

A Colorful History

This morning you will explore Kennecott via the Town & Mill Walking tour. You can also opt to walk out to the glacier, stroll around the mining area, or visit the Kennecott Visitor Center to dive deeper into local history.

Town & Mill Walking Tour

• Tour the interior of the impressive historic 14-story Kennecott Mill Building

At noon, you’ll head back to McCarthy, a once bustling service town that is now home to around just 25–30 year-round residents. Grab lunch to go beforehand from the Kennicott Lodge, or stop by The Potato, a local McCarthy eatery, for their famous hand-cut curly fries. Later this afternoon, enjoy another opportunity to flightsee on your return to Chitina. 

Stunning Vistas

Your excursion continues through the Copper Basin, paralleling the Alyeska Pipeline and passing by the stunning Worthington Glacier. Today’s drive is one of the most scenic and beautiful in Alaska. As you travel over Thompson Pass and then into Keystone Canyon, you’ll spot numerous waterfalls and stop at some of the most stunning. In the evening, you’ll arrive in Valdez, where you can enjoy a night of local flair.

Islands, Fjords, and Glaciers

After saying goodbye to your AAU guide, you’ll step aboard a boat charter and spend the day cruising around Prince William Sound. As you sail towards Whittier, a sleepy town nestled against soaring mountains, watch for marine life and sea birds.

Upon arrival in Whittier, a small fishing town in Alaska’s newest port, you’ll need to meet your private transfer to Seward. Enjoy the scenic drive through the two-mile Anton Anderson Tunnel and stunning mountain views on your way down to the Kenai Peninsula.

Cruise Along the Coast

The Kenai Fjords Wildlife and Glacier Cruise takes you deep into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park, a place many marine and land-based wildlife calls home. Enjoy spectacular views, from rugged coastlines to emerging rainforests and calving tide-water glaciers. Keep a look out for incredible Alaskan wildlife, like humpback and Orca whales, seals, sea otters, puffins, eagles, and more.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Today you can choose one upgraded activity from the following options.  

Available Upgrades

1 – Dog Sled Ride | $135/person

• Feel the thrill of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as you mush through the Alaskan wilderness to the base of Resurrection Mountain and along Box Canyon Creek
• Accompanied by a guide, you’ll be pulled in a wheeled cart on a gravel road by a team of Iditarod dogs

2 – Tandem Sea Kayaking (3 hrs) | $135/person

• Chart the waters of beautiful Resurrection Bay, keeping your eyes peeled for otters, salmon, and eagles, on this guided tour
• Kayaking gear (rain jacket and rain pants), water, and snacks are provided, and dry bags are available upon request; tours depart rain or shine
• This adventure is great for all groups (big and small)

3 – Helicopter with Glacier Dog Sled Ride | $599/person

• Touchdown on the upper part of Godwin Glacier, just outside of Seward
• Land on a snowy icefield and experience the magic of winter in the summertime while mushing with the dogs!

4 – Fishing Charter | Pricing varies

• Half Day—Salmon (Jul–Aug) | $315
• Half Day—Walk-In Salmon (Jun–Aug) | $225
• Charters subject to fuel surcharge
• Experienced captains, great vessels, and the right equipment will make your fishing experience an unforgettable one

Return Transportation

Depart Seward via rail at 6 p.m. on the Glass-Domed Rail, with arrival in Anchorage at 10:30 p.m. at the downtown train depot. Taxi is required for transportation to the airport (not included).