Alaska’s National Parks Explorer

National Parks Explorer

Experience Alaska’s entire splendour on this 14 night fly drive. Visit Anchorage, journey along the scenic Seward Highway, sail beside the alpine and tidewater glaciers of Kenai Fjords and experience Denali National Park’s majestic grandeur. You will marvel at the abundance of wildlife and dramatic scenery accompanying your route.

Your fly drive includes:

– Round trip scheduled flights
– 4 wheel drive car hire
– 14 nights accommodation
– Personalised road book

Prices start at £4,099 per person based on twin occupancy of standard rooms. Call for prices for chosen dates.

Details

Day 01
Arrive Anchorage
Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and drive to Hotel Captain Cook.

Hotel: Hotel Captain Cook

DAY 02
Anchorage
We’ve allowed a full day today for you to explore the vibrant, modern city of Anchorage. We suggest you take a guided tour which visits the city’s historical points of interest, such as Earthquake Park and Lake Hood.

Hotel: Hotel Captain Cook

DAY 03 & DAY 04
Seward
Your expedition begins with a journey along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Keep an eye out for Beluga whales chasing salmon in the bay and Dall sheep grazing alongside the highway. Optional activities en route include taking a tram up Mt. Alyeska and stopping by Portage Glacier. Once in Seward, we suggest a visit to Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Centre. On your second day in Seward we have included a cruise which travels into the Kenai Fjords National Park, boasting abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers and breath-taking scenery.

Hotel: Exit Glacier Lodge

DAY 05
Talkeetna
Your journey continues along the Glenn Highway north to Wasilla. We suggest a stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre before arrival into Talkeetna. Talkeetna serves as a base camp for visitors to Mt. Denali. A turn-of-the-20th-century gold-mining centre, the town has retained much of its early Alaskan flavour.

Hotel: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

DAY 06 & DAY 07
Denali National Park
We have allowed ample time to experience the majesty of Denali National Park and take in sights of Georges Parks Highway. Enjoy a full-day narrated coach trip exploring the entire 92 miles of Denali Park Road.

Hotel: Grande Denali Lodge or similar

DAY 08
Fairbanks
Your journey continues on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks, accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes. In the afternoon climb aboard Riverboat Discovery III for an unforgettable three hour cruise into the Alaskan interior; travel the Chena and Tanana Rivers on the only authentic sternwheeler riverboat operating in Alaska.

Hotel: Fairbanks SpringHill Suites by Marriott

DAY 09
Copper River
It’s an early start today for a six hour drive to Copper River, however you will be awed by the dramatic scenery accompanying your route, with Mt. Drum, Mt. Wrangell and Mt. Blackburn as your stunning backdrop.

Hotel: Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge

DAY 10 & DAY 11
McCarthy & Kennicott
Today you continue south along the Richardson Highway towards the small town of Chitina, which acts as the gateway to Wrangell/St. Elias National Park and McCarthy-Kennicott. Today’s highlight is a bush plane flight which provides spectacular aerial views of the national park. The route takes you alongside Mt. Blackburn, over the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, past the Erie Mine and the awe-inspiring Stairway Icefall.

Hotel: Kennicott Glacier Lodge

DAY 12 & DAY 13
Valdez
Today enjoy a bush plane flight back to Chitina, where you collect your car and recommence your journey. Heading south you enter the Chugach Mountains which circle the coast of Alaska. We suggest a stop at Thomson Pass for magical views of Worthington Glacier, before making the decent into Valdez. Valdez is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, which are the most heavily glaciated mountains in the northwest. We suggest on your second day you take a cruise into Prince William Sound, where you’ll have an opportunity to see sea lions and humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Hotel: Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn

DAY 14
Sheep Mountain
As you travel north along the Richardson Highway, you’ll enjoy great views of the Wrangell Mountains. After a stop in Glenallen you’ll take the Glenn Highway to Sheep Mountain Lodge. With over 12 miles of trails to explore, filled with wildflowers and an abundance of birds, there is ample to keep you entertained during your stay.

Hotel: Sheep Mountain Lodge

DAY 15
Journey home
Take time to visit Independence Mine in beautiful Hatcher Pass en route back to Anchorage, where you return your rental car and check-in for your flight back to the UK.

Prices
From £4099 per person based on twin occupancy of Standard rooms in low season. Other prices available on request.