Jewels of the North
$2,495 pp – 10 Days
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Arrive into Homer located on the shores of Kachemak Bay
Day 1 — Anchorage to Homer
- Arrival in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city located at the base of the Chugach Mountains
- Check into a late model rental vehicle in Anchorage (vehicle provided with unlimited mileage)
- Drive the scenic Seward and Sterling Highways down the Kenai Peninsula from Anchorage to Homer (approx. 4 hours drive time)
- Visit a wildlife conservation center to learn about animal research, conservation, and animal care
- Explore the Kenai Peninsula and the Kenai Wildlife Refuge
- Arrive into the small city of Homer located on the scenic shores of Kachemak Bay
- Homer area lodging provided
Enjoy a day on the water and exploring the small village of Seldovia
Day 2 — Seldovia & Kachemak Bay
- Enjoy a combination wildlife viewing tour crossing Kachemak Bay to the small remote community of Seldovia (approx. a 7-hour tour).
- Cruise through the scenic Eldred Passage where it is common to see otters, whales, seals and sealions with a local naturalist on-board to answer any questions and point out wildlife.
- Visit the Gull Island bird rookery where you can get close to a variety of bird species.
- Visit the small village of Seldovia – explore the local boardwalk, trails and sightseeing. Seldovia is known for it berries and wildflowers during the summer season.
- Homer area lodging provided
Explore the Kenai Wildlife Refuge
Day 3 — Homer to Seward
- Enjoy a scenic return drive on the Kenai Peninsula from Homer to Seward (approx. 3.5 hour drive)
- Visit the charming historical village of Ninilchik, where you can view the renowned Russian Orthodox Church.
- Arrive into the picturesque small bayside village of Seward – the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park
- Tour the Alaska Sealife Center, one of Alaska’s most extensive marine wildlife research centers
- Seward area lodging provided
Enjoy wildlife viewing in the Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 4 —Kenai Fjords National Park
- Enjoy a full day of wildlife and glacier viewing aboard a high-speed catamaran – explore Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords National Park with a National Park Ranger on board – a deli-style lunch and hot beverages provided
- Explore the scenic Caines Head Trail famous for wildlife viewing and sweeping mountain vistas
- Seward area lodging provided
Explore Denali State Park – enjoy day hiking and wildlife viewing
Day 5— Seward to Talkeetna
- Joining a local musher for a sled dog tour. Experience riding behind a team of sled dogs while getting an in-depth look at their training grounds and learning about the musher’s way of life. Enjoy a visit and interact with adorable sled dog puppies.
- Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive from Seward to Talkeetna ( approx. 4 hours of drive time), stop along the way for sightseeing and wildlife viewing
- Visit Begich-Boggs Visitor Center and Portage Glacier Valley known for its display of wildflowers & hanging glaciers
- Arrive in Talkeetna, located on the south side of Denali. This quaint historical bush town is known for its bush plane flights to Denali and mountain climbing community.
- Talkeetna lodging provided
Look for wildlife at Creamers Field in Fairbanks
Day 6 — Talkeetna to Fairbanks
- Drive the scenic Parks Highway from Talkeetna to Fairbanks (approx. 4-hour drive)
- Stop to visit the small native village of Nenana located on the Nenana River
- Arrive in the Far North remote small city of Fairbanks
- Enjoy a Salmon Bake Dinner at the historical Alaska Pioneer Park
- Fairbanks area lodging provided
Visit the Chena Hot Springs & Ice Museum
Day 7 — Explore Fairbanks
- Ride the historic steamboat Riverboat Discovery down the Chena River
- Visit the University of Fairbanks Museum – Enjoy local shows and presentations
- Explore the Creamer’s Field – Enjoy wildlife viewing and local trails
- Take a relaxing soak at the Chena Hot Springs & Visit the Aurora Ice Museum
- Fairbanks lodging provided
Visit the small community of North Pole and Santa’s House
Day 8 — Fairbanks to Denali
- Explore the historic and cultural side of Fairbanks
- Enjoy a relaxing day as you make your way back down the Parks Highway on a 2-hour drive from Fairbanks to Denali
- Drive the first 15 miles of the Denali National Park Road to Savage River where it is common to see Moose, Caribou, Dall Sheep and Grizzly Bears (no private vehicles allowed beyond the Savage River Bridge)
- Denali area lodging provided
Enjoy wildlife viewing in Denali National Park
Day 9 — Denali National Park
- Watch a Denali Nat’l Park Ranger sled-dog presentation to learn about managing the park during the winter season
- Pick up a picnic backpack lunch for your day in Denali National Park
- Spend the day exploring Denali National Park- ride the transit bus to Eielson Visitor Center. Enjoy extensive wildlife viewing and beautiful scenery at your own pace.
- Denali area lodging provided
View the Alaska Range as you drive from Denali to Anchorage
Day 10 — Denali to Anchorage
- Explore the north side of Denali while looking for wildlife on the Stampede Road
- Drive the Parks Highway from Denali to Anchorage – enjoy another opportunity to explore the many sites on this scenic drive (approx. 4 hours of drive time)
- Take the Anchorage Trolley to see the historical side of Anchorage and the surrounding area
- Take a stroll along the scenic Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to explore the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and look for wildlife.
- Return your rental vehicle, transportation provided to the Anchorage Airport