You’ll be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 a.m. and driven 40 miles south to the community of Girdwood. From here, your guides will take you up the Mt. Alyeska Tram to begin a 40-minute hike along a scenic ridgeline surrounded by the seven glaciers of the Girdwood Valley and outstanding views to Alyeska Glacier. At the glacier's edge, you will gear up with climbing harnesses, ropes and/or crampons, over-boots to travel out onto the glacier itself. Overlooking breathtaking views of the Turnagain Arm and towering alpine peaks, you will be amazed while peering into glacial crevasses. Your guide will take you on a glacier hike for about an hour. Hike back to the tram for your return trip to Girdwood. You will be dropped off at your hotel approximately 3 p.m. (Not suitable for children under 12 years of age.) Overnight in Anchorage at America’s Best Value Inn and Executive Suites.
You will be met at your hotel and driven to the Lake Hood Airport, the largest floatplane airport in the world. Take off in a small floatplane with an expert/pilot guide, who will provide narration throughout the flight tour. Your flight will take you over Eklutna Lake and into the peaks of the impressive Chugach Mountains. Fly over an ice field and see how this massive sheet of ice forms glaciers. Continue down one of the many glaciers in the area to focus on the expansive Knik Glacier. Sense the motion of the ice and see how it has shaped the land, then fly over the Colony Glacier to Lake George where it spills into the winding Knik Glacier Gorge for a view of the front of the glacier, as well. After your 90-minute tour, you will be driven back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Anchorage, go for a hike, rent a mountain bike, or relax at the hotel. Overnight in Anchorage at America’s Best Value Inn and Executive Suites.
You will be met at your hotel and driven to the Lake Hood Airport, the largest floatplane airport in the world. From here, depart on a 3-hour flight tour of Denali National Park and its crowning jewel, Mt. McKinley. Your scenic flight takes you within six miles of McKinley's 20,320 ft. summit, the tallest mountain in North America. Fly from Anchorage over the foothills of Denali to view the entire length of the Ruth Glacier, the Great Gorge and the massive south face of McKinley, where you may spot climbers headed to the summit. You will also land for a brief stop on a remote lake at the base of the Mountain before returning to Anchorage. Your expert pilot/guide will provide narration and answer questions throughout the tour. After your visit to Denali, you will be driven back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to sightsee in Alaska’s largest city. Overnight in Anchorage at America’s Best Value Inn and Executive Suites.
Transfer to the airport with our courtesy shuttle to meet your 7:30 a.m. flight to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, the world's most famous bear viewing site. Depart Anchorage aboard a wheeled plane for a 1-hour and 20-minute flight to King Salmon (or Kulik). On arrival in King Salmon (or Kulik), a local representative will transfer you directly to a floatplane for a 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. After a short safety briefing on bears by a park ranger, you are free to enjoy the nature preserve. Watch as brown bears catch salmon on Brooks Falls. Viewing platforms are connected by walking trails and are strategically placed for commanding views of brown bear activity. Rangers are based at platforms and on trails to provide information, safety and to rotate viewing groups during busy periods. The best bear viewing tends to be in late June, all of July, and early September. In the late afternoon you will return to King Salmon, where you will have time for dinner before departing for Anchorage. Upon arrival at 9:30 p.m., return to the hotel with our courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Anchorage at America’s Best Value Inn and Executive Suites.
Early this morning, take our courtesy shuttle downtown to the train station. Depart at 6:45 a.m. aboard the comfortable Alaska Railroad to Seward. Enjoy views of mountains, the ocean, glaciers, and possibly wildlife en route. Upon arrival in Seward, you will be driven to the small boat harbor for your 6-hour glacier and wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. This area is famous for its rich marine wildlife, beautiful fjords, stunning coastal landscapes and numerous glaciers. Keep watch for Stellar sea lions, puffins, harbor seals, sea otters, puffins, bald eagles and other birds; you may also see humpback, orca, or other whales or bald eagle! Stop at either Aialik or Holgate glacier for a chance to witness glacier calving. A deli-style lunch is included onboard. After the cruise, you will be taken back to the train station for your return journey to Anchorage. Upon arrival at 10:15pm, transfer by our courtesy shuttle back to the hotel. Overnight in Anchorage at America’s Best Value Inn and Executive Suites.