Visit Alaska's National Parks

Visiting Alaska's National Parks provides unparalleled recreational opportunities. The National Parks in Alaska comprise some of the finest natural and cultural resources remaining in public ownership. Known by many as the "the Great Land", Alaska constitutes a virtual subcontinent with seventeen National Park System areas protecting the natural, cultural, and historic features of this immense landscape.

15 Days / 14 Nights

Day 01 Arrival Anchorage; The group will transfer to their downtown area hotel by private coach or courtesy shuttle. They can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Within walking distance of most downtown hotels is the Anchorage Museum, numerous restaurants, and other attractions. Guests may wish to participate in an optional activity such as Flightseeing or Mountain Biking. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 02 Anchorage to Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park; The group will travel by coach to Seward. Few roads in the United States can offer the diversity of scenic landscapes and unique natural features so concentrated in one area. This 127-mile road, linking Anchorage with Seward, passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The landscape varies from the muddy waters of Turnagain Arm to icy blue glaciers. We suggest a stops at the Portage Glacier Visitor center and Exit glacier. Exit Glacier is a massive ice sheet flowing out of the Harding Ice Field. The group can literally walk to the face of the glacier along an interpretive trail. Overnight in Seward.

Day 03 Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise; The group will take a scenic cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. The park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery. As the group cruises through Resurrection Bay, they should keep watch for Stellar Sea Lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and whales. When the group returns they will have time to explore the town of Seward. Overnight in Seward.

Day 04 Seward to Glennallen/Copper Center; The group will enjoy a scenic drive along the Glenn Highway, another designated National Scenic Byway. As they near their final destination of Copper Center, they will be very near the boundary of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This region of Alaska offers impressive views of several of North America's tallest peaks. This is a perfect day to plan a group picnic! Overnight in Glennallen.

Day 05 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park; It is a short drive from Glennallen to Chitina, where the group will board a bush plane for the scenic flight into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. One of the new parks established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States (13.2 million acres). It is equivalent in size to the country of Switzerland. This tremendous park includes four mountain ranges, nine of the country's 16 highest peaks, and extensive icefields. The groups final destination is the spectacular Kennicott mines overlooking the Kennicott Glacier. Overnight in McCarthy at a remote lodge.

Day 06 Kennicott / Wrangell St. Elias National Park; Free day for the group to explore Kennicott and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Guided glacier hikes and historical mine tours are available. Overnight in McCarthy at a remote lodge.

Day 07 Kennicott / Wrangell St. Elias National Park to Fairbanks; This day begins with the return flight over Wrangell-St. Elias to Chitina. The group will continue along the Richardson Highway. This is Alaska's oldest highway, beginning as a gold rush trail to Eagle in 1898. It was made suitable for automobiles in the 1920s, and was paved in 1957. This route follows the Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Along the way, there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and many scenic viewpoints. Guests can spend the remainder of the day exploring Fairbanks, also known as Alaska's "Gateway to the Arctic." We suggest a visit to the University of Alaska Museum and the University Musk Ox farm. The group has several options for gold panning and gold mine tours. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 08 Gates of the Arctic Nat’l Park & Nunamiut Eskimo Village; This morning the group will transfer to the Fairbanks airport. They will depart on a truly memorable Arctic Journey. The most dramatic scenery in Alaska is highlighted on this full-day tour from Fairbanks. The group will fly into the heart of the central Brooks Range. This is the northern-most mountains in North America and the geologic backbone of Alaska. The group will land within the Gates of the Arctic National Park at Anaktuvuk Pass, nearly 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The Pass is a major migration route for the world’s largest herd of 450,000 Barren Ground Caribou. Meet people whose rich, ancient heritage guide them as they work to blend modern ways with traditional subsistence life. The group will have a return flight to Fairbanks in the early evening. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 09 Fairbanks to Denali National Park; The group will depart for Denali National Park aboard the Alaska Railroad. The train departs at 8:15AM and arrives in Denali at 11:45PM. Upon arrival at the Denali park entrance, the group will board a shuttle bus for transfer deep into the park. Sightings may include moose, bear, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep. An experienced driver will provide narration about Denali's natural history and unique sub-arctic desert terrain. Overnight in Kantishna.

Day 10 Denali National Park; Daily programs are available such as, guided hikes and walks, gold panning, evening presentations, unguided mountain biking, natural history library, and video collection. Overnight in Kantishna.

Day 11 Denali to Anchorage; Today the group will transfer through Denali to the park entrance rail depot. They will depart Denali for Anchorage at 12:15 PM via the Alaska Railroad, arriving at 8:15 PM. A dining car is available on the train. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 12 Anchorage to Brooks Falls / Katmai National Park; Brooks Falls, located in Katmai National Park, is world renowned for incredible brown bear viewing opportunities. The group will depart Anchorage at approximately 7:30 AM aboard a scheduled flight to King Salmon. Upon arrival in King Salmon, a local representative will transfer the group directly to a seaplane for a 20 minute flight to Brooks Camp. The group will meet with park service staff. After a brief orientation the group will check into their overnight accommodation. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Brooks Camp, viewing brown bears from observation platforms, and hiking around Brooks Falls. Overnight at Brooks Lodge.

Day 13 Brooks Falls / Katmai National Park; This day the group will take the guided bus tour to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. Katmai was initially established in 1918 following the cataclysmic eruption of Novarupta Volcano, a blast ten times more forceful than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The eruption buried more than 40 square miles with pumice and ash up to 700 feet deep. This area was named the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes for the countless fumeroles that continued to steam for many years. Today the Valley is a geologic wonder containing active volcanoes and breathtaking views of deep gorges topped by multi-colored cliffs of volcanic ash. Overnight at Brooks Lodge.

Day 14 Brooks Camp to Anchorage; The group will take a scheduled return flight to Anchorage. The evening is free to relax or explore. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 15 Anchorage Departure; Today the group will transfer to the Anchorage International Airport.

2008 Standard Price - $5005 USD per person Price based on 30 passengers, double occupancy