Today your Alaskan adventure begins as you travel through the glacier-carved valleys of Matanuska-Susitna, surrounded by spectacular mountain passes and untouched rugged wilderness. This area is known for its farming community, famous for producing a variety of gargantuan vegetables thanks to nearly around-the-clock sunlight in summer, from metre-wide pumpkins to cabbages weighing 20 kilograms.
Take in the immense beauty of the mountains from the comfort of your coach as you move through the valley to Valdez. Upon approach of this seaside community, you’ll see a number of waterfalls cascading over towering cliffs and into rivers running alongside the road.
Settle into your accommodation upon arrival and take the evening to unwind.
This morning, go on a journey of discovery and learn the history of Valdez. Hear the stories of its earliest Native communities, the Ahtna, Alutiiq and Eyak people, moving on to its colonization and through to the modern day.
The afternoon is dedicated to Alaska’s natural wonders – teeming sea life, winding fjords and deep blue glaciers – as you embark on a cruise into Prince William Sound, carved by the sheeted icey behemoth of Columbia Glacier. Glide past mountain vistas and take in the dramatic cascade of the glacier’s ice fields descending into the ocean.
The vast fjord of the Prince William Sound encapsulates over 10,000 square miles of protected waterways and hundreds of glaciers, offering the perfect environment for diverse marine life including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises and seals. On land, its coastlines and dense forests are home to many species of animals including the black bear, mountain goats and moose.
Back at your hotel, enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Today your adventure continues with a journey through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park as you make your way to Fairbanks. This alpine area is America’s largest national park, sitting at 13.2 million acres – roughly equivalent to the sprawls of Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and the country of Switzerland combined. Take in the snowy peaks towering above endless evergreen and patches of glacial water as you move through the park.
Make a stop at the Visitor Center before continuing onward to Fairbanks. Widely considered the gateway to Alaska’s Arctic regions, Fairbanks draws a number of visitors and residents, making it the state’s second-largest city.
Despite its position just 200 miles south of the Artic Circle, Fairbanks enjoys 21-hours of daylight and pleasantly mild temperatures in the summer. A tour of the city this morning will take you through its gold rush mining heritage as you make a stop at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North. Here, brush up on your knowledge of the Last Frontier and explore Alaska’s cultural touchstones.
Then, climb aboard a traditional Fairbanks sternwheeler, a multi-storey riverboat powered by a churning wheel at its rear. Gain an insight into Native Alaskan culture as you hear the history of the river and its surrounds, making a stop at an Athabaskan village recreation along the way.
Return to your comfortable accommodation to relax for the remainder of the evening, or perhaps soak up the additional sunlight with a late dinner.
Today, roll out of Fairbanks on the railway, weaving through scenic and rugged terrain as you make your ascent to Denali. Keep your camera and binoculars at the ready as your carriage window reveals extraordinary moving images of the striking Alaskan wilderness just beyond.
As you move out of Fairbanks’ historic gold mining district, you’ll glide across the Tanana River on a 700-foot-long bridge, one of the largest single-span bridges in the world. Following the bridge, you may notice what looks like a number of screens. This is the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, a massive radar detector build during the Cold War and one of only three in the entire world. After passing another mining town, enter the Nenana River canyon gorge, a popular whitewater rafting area with its banks decorated by wildflowers in the summer and patches of snow in the winter.
This afternoon is at your leisure upon arrival into the gorgeous Denali National Park.
Seize the day and explore Denali at your own pace. With six million acres of wild land, you can choose your own adventure in the expansive national park, all with the unbelievable backdrop of North America’s tallest peak.
If you’re feeling fit, you may like to rent a bicycle and wheel your way across the park’s extensive routes. With many rivers flowing freely in the area, you can get an adrenaline rush by white water rafting, a popular activity among tourists. Those looking for a more relaxed pace can check out the many walking trails or go on a guided hike. Along Denali Park Road, you can do some wildlife watching, keeping an eye out for the mighty brown bear. Or to see it all, take to the skies on a helicopter tour, reaching new heights among Denali’s misty peaks. (Please note: surcharges apply for suggested activites.)
Take the morning to relax before departing Denali, touring along Parks Highway to Wasilla. If weather permits, you may capture an unbelievable view of Denali and its sibling peaks, Foraker and Hunter. Take in the dramatic scenery from your coach window, watching winding creeks and rivers, incredibly blue lakes and long bridges overhangning 500-foot gulches pass by. With each turn, the high alpine tundra slowly turns into a verdant taiga forest.
Settle into your accommodation upon arrival into Wasilla before turning in for the evening.
Journey to scenic Hatcher Pass in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley this morning, situated between the towns of Willow and Palmer. This alpine valley is blessed with incredible views of Matanuska Glacier below.
Continue past Anchorage, heading along the Seward Highway. Capture cascading waterfalls, azure glaciers, jagged mountain peaks and still ponds before arriving in Seward, a charming port on the southern coast of the Kenai Peninsula. This close-knit harbour town is characterised by its turquoise fjords, diverse wildlife and thriving fishing trade.
The day begins with a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center, both a public aquarium and a marine research and rehabilitation facility. Here, get up close and personal with Alaska’s incredible marine life and learn about the efforts of its conservation teams. You can see an array of ocean animals including endangered sea lions, octopi and harbour seals, as well as sea birds like the adorable puffin. With the SeaLife Centre sitting on Resurrection Bay, you’ll also have the chance to take in the incredible view of jagged cliffs beyond the fjord’s waters.
The afternoon is free to spend as you wish. You may like to visit the Seward Museum to learn about the town’s history through an array of pictures and documents, from its first inhabitants through to the earthquake of 1964.
Get a glimpse into the lives of Alaska’s furry inhabitants after leaving Seward this morning at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The conservatory is dedicated to protecting native wildlife through education, research and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned animals. With the knowledge of a local guide, you’ll learn about the land mammals of Alaska, with the opportunity to see some bears, moose and caribou in their natural habitats.
This afternoon, return to Anchorage once again and take a guided tour of the city. You’ll stumble upon endless hiking and bike paths weaving through the city’s parks, connecting its trendy arts district, buzzing midtown and central business district. Anchorage is full of diverse culture, with both its rich Native heritage and contemporary scenes defining a vibrant atmosphere.
After checking out from your hotel, wave farewell to this incredible far northern state as you make your way to the airport for your onward journey.