Highlights of Alaska

Day 6, Mount Aleyska Aerial Tram – Girdwood
Leaving Seward, you will travel back along the iconic Seward Highway through some of Alaska’s most breathtaking landscapes. The drive takes you through Moose Pass and Turnagain Pass, where the scenery is nothing short of spectacular—think dramatic alpine vistas, shimmering hanging glaciers, and endless photo opportunities around every bend.

The best views, though, are from Mount Alyeska, where you’ll take an aerial tram ride to the top of the mountain, reaching 700m above the valley floor in just seven minutes! As you ascend, soak in breathtaking views of towering spruce forests, sparkling streams, hanging glaciers and the immense Chugach range.

At the summit, you can drink in the views from the observation deck, enjoy a drink at the Glacier Express Cafe or take a short hike before descending and continuing your drive to Girdwood and your mountain resort.

Day 7, Bears, Trains and Icebergs!
A day of wildlife and glaciers. Take a shuttle from the Girdwood Train Depot to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a guided and interpretive tour of the animals. The center is Alaska’s premier rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Your guide will then transport you back to board the Glacier Discovery Train, where you continue onto your next adventure on a Spencer Glacier Float Tour. Here, get up close and personal to the icebergs on this mellow float perfect for all ages. Experienced guides will row you right up to picturesque icebergs offering stunning panoramic views of the Spencer Glacier and surrounding mountains. After your float tour, you’ll return to Portage Station via train, where you’ll then be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 8, Girdwood to Talkeetna
Leaving Girdwood behind this morning, you’ll take a leisurely drive back towards Anchorage. If you like, there is a great walking area in Potter Point Park beside the ocean. Continuing past Anchorage, you will notice that the scenery starts to become increasingly immense as you head towards the mighty Alaska Range, travelling north along the Glenn and then Parks Highways.

You may want to take a detour to the Independence Mine State Historical Park, a huge abandoned gold mine, before arriving in Talkeetna, a small, quirky town located halfway between Anchorage and Denali. The historic mile-long main street harks back to pioneering times – don’t miss Nagley’s General Store (founded in 1921) for an authentic photo opportunity.

The rest of the day is free to soak up the incredible mountain views.

Day 9, Dog Mushing and Denali Flightseeing Tour
Today you’ll experience the thrill that is Dryland Dog Mushing from a 5-time Iditarod champion team! Learn about the life of the sled dogs, their rigs and their trainers as you prepare to drive your own team on dryland race rigs. Mushing your own dog sled team is a unique experience you’ll never forget and a real kid’s favourite.

You will then head off on a quintessential and utterly unforgettable Alaskan experience –  an exciting sightseeing flight of Mount Denali (North America’s highest mountain) – plus a glacier landing! Fly within 6 miles of Denali’s north and south summits, entering an ancient world of rugged high mountain peaks, towering snow-capped mountains and glacier-filled valleys.

View the vertical rise of Denali, starting at its base at 600m rising to 6190m, the mighty Kahiltna Glacier (45 miles long) and the Great Gorge with its mile-high granite walls – the world’s deepest. Enjoy an exciting glacier landing – often in the renowned Sheldon Amphitheatre, with its intense blue meltwater pools. The unique birds-eye view of the park that you get from the air is an experience unlike any other, and you will return to Talkeetna with memories off the scale!

Day 10, Wilderness Excursion Jetboat Tour
This morning, cruise into Alaska’s untamed wilderness on a stunning river jet tour in the shadows of Mount Denali. Travel twenty miles of the river, learning about the history of the area. You may have opportunities to view bald eagles that nest in the local area. On arrival at the adventure site, you will take a short leisurely nature walk to a Dena’ina Indian Encampment, the earliest native settlers in the area. Visit an authentic trapper’s cabin with its original furnishings and view how trappers lived in “Bush” Alaska at the turn of the century.

Naturalists will also acquaint you with the local wildflowers and plants, and you will learn about the edible plants that were used by the Native Indians for cooking and medicines and some that are still eaten today.

Day 11, Talkeetna to Denali
Depart early for the drive to Denali National Park. The third-largest national park in the United States, Denali National Park and Preserve, encompasses a whopping 6 million acres. The crown jewel of Denali National Park is its namesake peak, Mount Denali, which overlooks a wild landscape of glaciers, northern boreal forest, spruce forest and low tundra. The rest of the day is free to explore this vast area of wilderness.

With only one road crossing through the park, wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and Dall sheep are free to roam, so keep your camera handy! Park activities can include biking, hiking and jeep tours. You can also accompany a ranger to learn about the unique flora or fauna or enjoy a further flightseeing tour – this time on board a helicopter!

Day 12, Denali ATV Tour
An ATV trip is a brilliant way to experience the Alaskan wilderness on your own multi-passenger Side-by-Side ATV. Riding along trails surrounded by Denali National Park, your adventure includes breathtaking 360° panoramic stops with views of the Alaska Range, Otto Lake, and the Healy Valley. Navigate through rocky creek beds and have fun splashing through the water. Knowledgeable guides will lead you through the rugged terrain and provide plenty of opportunities for photographic stops.

Note: Each ATV is a two-seater that fits one driver and one passenger side by side.

Day 13, Denali Husky Homestead Tour
Today, you’ll get an authentic look into rural Alaskan lifestyle on a Husky Homestead Tour. Learn about freight hauling on Denali to crossing the finish line in Nome with a champion Iditarod team. Cuddle a puppy on arrival (a highlight for most kids!) and share an intimate view of the Alaskan Husky as they explode from the yard on a training run.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a championship team and carving a life in Alaska’s Interior. Hear compelling stories from the trail and see actual racing sleds, arctic survival gear and equipment used to traverse Alaska’s most rugged terrain.

Day 14, Denali to Anchorage
It’s time to leave Denali behind and head back to Anchorage. Enjoy a final night in Alaska with an evening walk along the waterfront. You might also want to pick up a few souvenirs!

Day 15, Depart Anchorage
Drive to the airport, drop off your rental car and check in for your flight home.