Best of Alaska

Intrepid Travel Premier
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.6 . Excellent
94%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards. Comfort (4*)
10 days
From: $ 4,509 $ 451 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Experience the rugged scenery of Alaska by land from the most populous city of Anchorage, through quaint towns like Palmer, all the way to the untouched back country.
  • Head on an Alaskan safari for a unique chance to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves in their natural habitat in Denali National Park.
  • Witness the land mammals of Denali before getting up close to sea otters, puffins and humpback whales on a boat trip among glaciers in Valdez.
  • Discover Seward, one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, which offers a bustling harbour, quaint shops and galleries, and is a great base from which to explore Kenai Fjords National Park.
  • Sit back and take in stunning views along the dramatic coastlines of the Turnagain Arm from Seward to Anchorage, while someone else does the driving.

Short Description

Prepare to discover the captivating beauty of Alaska on this 10-day journey through its icy heart. Travel from Anchorage through forests, around mountain ranges and down the spectacular coast to the Kenai Peninsula. Explore the unspoilt woodlands of the Denali National Park, and keep your eyes open for grizzlies, caribou and moose. Cruise past icebergs and glaciers in Valdez, and experience the quiet, majestic calm of this vast wilderness with its unique wildlife and striking landscapes.

Style Small group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Lodging Level Comfort (4*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Anchorage
End City Anchorage

Itinerary

Day 1 Anchorage

Welcome to Anchorage, USA. Located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is a unique urban environment in the heart of the wilderness. Your Best of Alaska adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early enough, perhaps head to the Anchorage Museum or check out the sights and try spotting a moose wandering the streets of town (yes, really). This evening, celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with an included dinner with your group.

Day 2 Denali National Park

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head north along the Parks Highway to Denali National Park. During the drive keep an eye out for caribou and other wildlife hanging out in the unspoiled environment. Stop by charming Talkeetna for a coffee and pastry (if you like) along the way. On arrival at the park, head to the visitor centre to plan your next day’s activities, then your evening is free to relax – perhaps sit down for dinner with the group and prepare for your days of exploration ahead.

Day 3 Denali National Park

Rise and shine early this morning to prepare for a scenic drive Denali National Park after breakfast. You’ll take the Tundra Wilderness route, narrated by a trained driver-naturalist, that will take you to mile 43 of the Park Road. With Denali Mountain towering in the background, picture yourself winding along a road hugged by mighty pine trees and framed by snow-capped mountains as you stare wide-eyed from the window in search of local wildlife. You could be lucky enough to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves (amongst a long list of other wildlife) on your journey today. Yep, if nature had a highlight reel, Denali National Park might just be it.

Day 4 Valdez

This morning, enjoy a long scenic drive over the Thompson Pass and down the valley to Valdez, visiting the Worthington Glacier along the way. Surrounded on three sides by steep, snow-capped mountains, the blue-water port town of Valdez is best known as the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. On arrival in Valdez, check in to the hotel, and spend some time discovering this port town.

Day 5 Valdez

Today you’ll hit the water for an incredible cruise into the Prince William Sound, heading deep into the epic landscape and arriving at the Columbia Glacier. As one of the world’s most active glaciers, you may be lucky enough to see huge chunks of ice fall into the still waters below – a pretty unforgettable sight! Be sure to keep an eye out for marine wildlife, including whales, sea otters, seals and puffins, as your boat navigates the Chugach Mountains and a rugged coastline of rocky outcrops, beaches and fjords. Enjoy lunch on board the boat, then return to Valdez for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps pay a visit to the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive and step back in time to discover the town’s history.

Day 6 Valdez / Matanuska Valley

Today, you can enjoy a free morning in Valdez to explore at your own leisure. With a number of fantastic hiking and walking trails, you’re never far from an adventure that’s framed by scenery that’ll take your breath away. With so many activity options to choose from, your leader will be on hand with suggestions on how to get the most out of this beautiful place. In the afternoon, settle in for another scenic drive, arriving at your local lodge in the Palmer region. Fringed with picture-perfect mountains, the atmosphere here is really something special.

Day 7 Seward

After breakfast this morning, take a scenic driving tour to soak up the scenery of Palmer and nearby Wasilla before continuing south along Turnagain Arm, an All American Road, famous for its incredible views of Cook Inlet and the surrounding Chugach Mountains. Look out for Dall sheep in the cliffs along the road and beluga whales in the inlet. In the ski town of Girdwood board the Mount Alyeska tram and ascend 2,300 feet to the chalet at the top where you'll be awed by sights of the mountains and glaciers below. Pause for lunch before continuing the drive down the Parks Highway to Seward, one of Alaska's oldest and most picturesque towns. The town itself boasts galleries, boutique shops and a bustling harbour but it's perhaps best known as a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Day 8 Seward

Today is free for your own explorations in this scenic wonderland. Perhaps head out on a wildlife marine boat tour exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Set out among the fjords and glaciers, keeping an eye out for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, harbour seals, sea lions, and puffins. On land, you may like to check out the Alaska SeaLife Center, dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of Alaska’s marine wildlife, or perhaps take a hike to experience stunning views of the Kenai Peninsula. The choices today are endless, we won’t blame you if you simply can't decide which experience to take – be sure to ask your legendary leader for their advice.

Day 9 Anchorage

After breakfast, you’ll venture north this morning and return to where your adventure began in Anchorage. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the drive, you'll get the chance to stop off to take photos of whales, waves, and volcanoes. On arrival in Anchorage, you’ll get to know this eclectic city during a tour with your leader, where you’ll learn more about its history and special points of interest. During the tour you’ll visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you’ll get the chance to learn more about Alaska’s cultural heritage, hear the stories of the Indigenous people and have all of your questions answered. Discover 10,000 years of Alaska Native history on this fully-immersive tour that features demonstrations, art, dance and more. As this is your final night, after your walking tour and heritage centre visit, you may like to get together with the group for dinner to reminisce about the highlights of your epic journey through Alaska together.

Day 10 Anchorage

As our adventure wraps up today, the morning is yours to enjoy at leisure before you check out. The authentic old-school charm of Anchorage is yours to explore, so take your time check out the sights and sounds of the city and its nearby inlets and communities.

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 4,509
Price Per Day: $ 451 per day
Checking price
Start DateFinish DateBase PriceAvailability 
Jun-04-2023Jun-13-2023$ 4,509Sold Out Reserve
Jul-09-2023Jul-18-2023$ 4,9144 spots left Reserve
Jul-23-2023Aug-01-2023$ 5,4057 spots left Reserve
Aug-06-2023Aug-15-2023$ 5,3059 spots left Reserve
Aug-20-2023Aug-29-2023$ 5,30511 spots left Reserve
Sep-03-2023Sep-12-2023$ 5,3557 spots left Reserve
Jun-01-2024Jun-10-2024$ 5,40510 spots left Reserve
Jun-02-2024Jun-11-2024$ 5,40512 spots left Reserve
Jun-15-2024Jun-24-2024$ 5,40512 spots left Reserve
Jun-16-2024Jun-25-2024$ 5,57012 spots left Reserve
Jul-06-2024Jul-15-2024$ 5,57012 spots left Reserve
Jul-07-2024Jul-16-2024$ 5,73512 spots left Reserve
Jul-13-2024Jul-22-2024$ 5,73512 spots left Reserve
Jul-20-2024Jul-29-2024$ 5,73512 spots left Reserve
Jul-21-2024Jul-30-2024$ 5,73512 spots left Reserve
Aug-03-2024Aug-12-2024$ 5,73512 spots left Reserve
Aug-04-2024Aug-13-2024$ 5,57012 spots left Reserve
Aug-10-2024Aug-19-2024$ 5,57012 spots left Reserve
Aug-17-2024Aug-26-2024$ 5,57012 spots left Reserve
Aug-18-2024Aug-27-2024$ 5,40512 spots left Reserve
Aug-31-2024Sep-09-2024$ 5,40512 spots left Reserve
Sep-01-2024Sep-10-2024$ 5,40512 spots left Reserve
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4,325 Intrepid Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

94%
4.6 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 3,265
Great 678
Average 136
Disappointing 71
Terrible 175
Value
4.6
Guide
4.6
Activities
4.6
Lodging
4.6
Transportation
4.6
Meals
4.6

Best of Alaska

This is an amazing trip.

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
This is an amazing trip. There is a lot of traveling but it is very much worth it, to get the opportunity to see the very best of Alaska. The scenery is spectacular, especially in early September as the colours were changing. We saw a great variety of wildlife and had some fantastic experiences such as sea kayaking and trekking across a glacier. The additional activities are expensive but definitely worth it, and if you can afford it don't miss out. As Alaska is relatively remote, we found the cost of meals expensive too, compared to the UK. Take bug spray, thermals, binoculars and a sense of adventure.
Read more

Alaska was an amazing experience and was one of the loveliest places we have seen

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Alaska was an amazing experience and was one of the loveliest places we have seen so far. It was made all the better by our fellow travellers and our guide. Travelling around in the van although tiring at times was the best way to see the country. We highly recommend the glacier hike and the flight over the glaciers. When they say beware of the bears they are not joking , but what an experience
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My destination was Egypt, but they also handled my flights to Botswana prior to the tour as well.
All flights went like clockwork and the tour was terrific.
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I will be most definitely be using Intrepid again and can highly recommend.
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My review would be five stars plus except for the poison apples

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Guide4.0
Activities4.0
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My review would be five stars plus, except for the failure to warn travelers in a timely manner about the poison apple trees, which I stood under barefooted for ten minutes and which cause a quick and painful death in the consumption of even a single tiny apple...
The certified guide in the Galapagos on day two of our trip told me that recently a tourist couple without permits ate the apples and quickly died a painful death..so Intrepid needs to warn its customers that even touching the apple or the tree itself triggers a painful rash or worse...
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First Intrepid Madagascar tour of 2023--and it was fantastic! Wonderful guide (Bruno), lots of lemurs and hiking and incredible landscapes. Started on the beach with sailing in a pirogue (and starfish diving), baobab arboretums, plus a hike through rice fields, lunches hosted by local villagers, visit to silk weavers and paper-making workshop and aluminum casters and marquetry crafters.... what didn't we do in 2 weeks?! Eye-opening experiences, in one of the last pristinely natural places on earth.
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Vietnam- Saigon to Hanoi

5.0
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Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
This trip was amazing. I had been looking forward to it for almost 3 years, and it exceeded my expectations! Vietnam is an incredible country, and this trip gave me a hunger to come back for more. Our guide, Thán, was wonderful. He couldn't do enough for us and was always 'on the clock'. Very knowledgeable and passionate about his job. This was an amazing, unforgettable experience.
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Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport Private Van,Boat

Group Size

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum Number of People in Group: 12

Accommodations

Hotel (6 nights) Lodge (3 nights)

Guides

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Age Notes :

Min. Age: 15

Max Age: 99

Additional Information

Finish point

  • Springhill Suites by Marriott Anchorage Midtown
  • 3401 A Street
  • Anchorage
  • 99503
  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  • Phone: +1 9075623247

Trip ID#:

intrepid-SSKT

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