Alaska Discovery

Welcome to Alaska, the United States’ largest state and one that’s big on wildlife and epic scenery. Your adventure begins in Anchorage where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and local leader for a briefing at 6pm. If you arrive with time to spare, why not stop by the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you'll have the chance to learn more about Alaska indigenous culture and heritage. After your meeting, you may like to head out for dinner with your group or check out the local bars and the town’s live music scene.

In the morning, head north along the Parks Highway to Denali National Park. During the drive keep an eye out for caribou and other wildlife in this amazing, unspoiled environment. On arrival at the park, head to the visitor centre to plan your next day’s activities, then your evening is free to relax – perhaps sit down for dinner with your group and prepare for the days of exploration ahead.

It’s an early start today for an incredible scenic bus journey through Denali National Park. Join your expert certified naturalist guide and driver for a journey on the park road to Teklanika Flats at Mile 25. Keep an eye out for shaggy grizzly bears, moose and full-curl Dall sheep. You'll visit the original park ranger cabin and enjoy an Alaska Native presentation to learn how indigenous Alaskans have used this land for over 10,000 years. You’ll have time to get out of the bus, take photos and take in the incredible views of Denali on a clear day. The rest of the day is yours to hike in the park or simply relax at your hotel.

After breakfast, drive from Denali to Talkeetna and begin your exploration with a leader-led orientation walk around this scenic town that’s famous for its incredible views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Talkeetna was also the inspiration behind the cult-hit television series Northern Exposure. This afternoon is yours to explore your way. Talk to your leader for recommendations for a variety of optional excursions, go for a hike or visit a local brewery and shops. Talkeetna is famous as the jumping off point for mountaineers hoping to summit Denali. It’s also a great place to meet the hardy locals and get to know what it’s like to live in small town Alaska.

Drive to Anchorage and join a leader-led city tour which takes in Lake Hood where float planes take off and land from, Earthquake Park commemorating the 1964 earthquake that shook the whole neighbourhood here into the inlet (the most powerful quake of the century at 9.2 on Richter scale), and downtown Anchorage which is full of restaurants and bars. The rest of the afternoon is free for your own discoveries – your leader will be on hand with tips on amazing things to do. Perhaps try one of the famous Reindeer sausages sold from carts outside the courthouse or rent a bike to explore the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for incredible views of Cook Inlet and Mount Susitna. You may like to join your group for dinner and hang out with the locals at the iconic Moose’s Tooth Pizza Pub tonight.

Depart Anchorage and drive along Turnagain Arm, an All American Road, famous for its incredible views of Cook Inlet and the surrounding Chugach Mountains. Look out for Dall sheep in the cliffs along the road and beluga whales in the inlet and take some great photographs at scenic stops along the way. In Portage, you’ll drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America, to the town of Whittier set between high mountains and Prince William Sound. Take a glacier cruise from Whittier where you’ll see both tidewater and alpine glaciers, and have the chance to spot wildlife like whales, otters, seals and seabirds. Enjoy lunch onboard the cruise as you take in the scenery. After your return to Anchorage in the late afternoon, the rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy your way.

Your tour ends after breakfast and you’re free to depart at your leisure or stay and explore more of Anchorage on your own. If you would like to extend your stay, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).