Alaska Prospector

Day 1: Fly to Alaska

Travel to Anchorage, the metropolis in the wilderness, and check-in to our overnight accommodations.

Day 2: Turnagain Arm

Meals: Lunch

Appreciate the wilderness with intimate views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Marvel at snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers while on the lookout for eagles, moose, and Dall sheep. Learn about Turnagain Arm's fascinating bore tide and love the views at Bird Point. Meet Alaska’s incredible and varied animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before enjoying sweeping views from the tram followed by lunch at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. Spend the rest of the day in Anchorage as you please with various museums, attractions, and the city to enjoy.

Day 3: Prince William Sound

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Witness state-of-the-art exhibits that capture Alaska's natural wonder using artful lighting and sound at Begich Boggs Visitor Center located in the scenic Portage Valley. Our adventure continues with a spectacular nature cruise, crossing Prince William Sound. Stay alert for wildlife sightings such as whales, puffins, seals, otters, and bald eagles. If you’re lucky, you might even see a whale breach out of the icy water. Scenic vistas of coastal mountains and the icy blue waters abound with striking hues of turquoise reflected from the face of Meares Glacier as we draw closer. Later, we arrive in Valdez for two nights.

Day 4: Alaskan Scenery

Meals: Breakfast

Today, experience the ultimate in Alaskan scenery with a drive up Keystone Canyon to Worthington Glacier and Thompson Pass. There will be plenty of stops for photos. The remainder of the day is at leisure.Optional activities today in Valdez include visits to the Whitney and Valdez Museums, the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery as well as flightseeing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing.

Day 5: The Bold North

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

We make our way into the interior of Alaska. Catch glimpses of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline as we travel on the Richardson Highway, stopping to see a unique pipeline suspension bridge along the way. Later we stop at the Santa Claus House, before arriving in Fairbanks for a two night stay.

Day 6: Gold Panning & Sternwheeler Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Begin the morning with an exciting activity from Alaska's gold mining past. We’ll visit historic Gold Dredge 8 to learn about old gold mining methods and pan for gold ourselves!After an included lunch at Discovery Landing, we board the Riverboat Discovery III for a narrated cruise. Aboard this sternwheeler, learn about life in Alaska’s Interior along the Chena River. We’ll see a bush plane demonstration with take-off and water landing and see a dog mushing demonstration at the home of the late Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champion. Then, we’ll go ashore to view the recreated Athabascan settlement, learning about indigenous shelter and clothes.

Day 7: Denali National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We travel to Denali and our adventure begins in Denali National Park, a six million acre wilderness. During our Tundra Wilderness Tour we will cross from the boreal forest onto the tundra; our driver guide provides commentary and insights into this rare ecosystem. Watch for bear, moose, caribou and Dall sheep while we also hope to spy majestic Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.Our accommodations for the evening are in Denali.

Day 8: Jetboat Adventure

Meals: Breakfast

This afternoon, get a thrilling experience with Mahay's Jet Boat Adventures on their Wilderness Adventure as we navigate 20 miles of river to learn about the local history and life along the waterways. We go ashore to visit a Dena'ina Native Encampment where we imagine what life was like for the indigenous peoples of the region. Enjoy learning about wildflowers and plants growing abundantly along the rivers and how some are edible, having been used by native peoples for medicine and cookies, and some even used to this day. Tonight we stay in Talkeetna.

Day 9: Iditarod Trail HQ

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy breakfast before we head out for the day, making our way back to Anchorage. We’ll come together for lunch at Settler's Bay Lodge before the afternoon’s activities.Visit the Iditarod Trail Headquarters where we learn about the iconic dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome. We’ll view an authentic checkpoint cabin and get a chance to explore.We return to Anchorage for our last overnight.

Day 10: Culture & Celebrations

Meals: Lunch

Take time this morning to relax and reflect on the week’s adventures before we come together for a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Lunch where you can share memories with your fellow travelers and new friends. This afternoon, visit the Anchorage Museum that displays history, art, ecology, science, and ethnography.Continue with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska’s indigenous peoples including housing, lifestyles, language, song, and dance. This evening we board our overnight flight back home.

Day 11: Arrive Home

Travel home with unforgettable memories of our Alaskan adventure.