Alaska’s Scenic Byways 15 days / 14 nights

Trip Overview

This classic Alaska fly drive tour provides you with the best of Alaska's scenic highways and features three spectacular national parks: Wrangell-St Elias, Denali and Kenai Fjords.

Take to the skies on a bush plane flight over McCarthy to Chitina and adventure out on a Alaska wildlife tour along Denali National Park, where you will search for grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.

Vacations in Alaska bring you to spectacular mountains, serene landscapes and breathtaking coastal scenery. Specializing in custom Alaska vacations, let Fresh Tracks help you plan your ideal trip.

Trip Images

Map

Arrive Anchorage
1 night Anchorage
1 night Glennallen
2 nights McCarthy
2 nights Valdez
1 nights Glennallen
1 night Fairbanks
2 nights Denali National Park
1 nights Knik River Lodge
2 night Seward
1 night Anchorage
Depart from Anchorage

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Anchorage arrival Arrive in Anchorage and transfer independently to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the charms of Anchorage with its unique and distinctly Alaskan frontier spirit. Overnight in Anchorage.

Hoping to spend more time in Anchorage? Ask your Alaska vacations specialist about how you can create a custom trip just for you and your family.

Day 2 - Anchorage to Glennallen (189 miles/304 km, 4 hrs) This morning you will pick up your rental car and begin to drive the scenic Glenn Highway to Glennallen/Copper Center area, the start of your Alaska driving tour! The highlights of today’s route include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Independence Mine in beautiful Hatcher Pass, Matanuska Glacier.

Day 3 - Glennallen to Chitina to McCarthy (total - 129 miles/107 km, 4.5 hrs) You will take a bush plane to McCarthy after driving to the small town of Chitina. You will be flying to Wrangell-St Elias National Park, which is the largest unit in the national park system, encompassing 13,2 million acres of wilderness. This park contains nine of the highest peaks in the United States as well as the largest concentration of glaciers on the continent. Overnight Kennicott Glacier Lodge or sim (accommodation with shared bath only option).

Day 4 - McCarthy/ Kennicott This is sure to be a highlight of your self drive vacation in Alaska. Kennicott is an old ghost town of a copper mine. Don't miss a guided walking tour through the ruins to learn more about the area’s history. Other activity options on Alaska vacations include a flightseeing tour over the incredible mountain and glacier scenery and a guided hiking tour (glacier and alpine hikes available.)

Day 5 - McCarthy/Chitina to Valdez (116 miles/86 km, 2.5 hrs) You will be flown back to Chitina where you will then pick up your car rental and drive to the intersection with the Richardson Highway, here you will continue your journey south. Stop at the Worthington Glacier, oil pipeline station and take pictures of the scenic canyons with numerous waterfalls before you reach Valdez.

Day 6 - Valdez
Valdez is the end terminus of the Alyeska Pipeline as well as your gateway to Prince William Sound and its glaciers. In creating your custom Alaska vacation, you may choose to take an optional day cruise into Prince William Sound or the Columbia Glacier, or try a guided kayaking trip.

Day 7 - Valdez to Glennallen (115 miles/184 km, 2 hrs) Continue your Alaska driving vacation by taking the Richardson Highway back north to Glennallen. This is your chance to stop for more photos of the Worthington Glacier, the scenic canyons, and waterfalls.

Day 8 - Glennallen to Fairbanks (247 miles/395 km, 4.5 hrs) Continue your drive to Fairbanks through forest and mountain scenery. Just a few miles before Fairbanks, you will come through North Pole, the home of North America’s Santa Claus. In Fairbanks, the Klondike gold rush history is a highlight. Visit an old gold dredge and learn about its unique mining process and try your luck with gold panning. Another interesting excursion that you can add to custom Alaska vacations might be the Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler cruise.

Day 9 - Fairbanks to Denali National Park (121 miles/194 km, 2.5 hrs) Incredible forest and mountain landscapes are just outside your window during your easy drive to Denali. Denali National Park is one of Alaska’s main attractions - it’s a stunning place of wilderness.

Day 10 - Bus tour into Denali National Park Join a tour of Denali National Park today. In the morning travel by bus approx. 53 miles into the park. The park is home to a number of animal species such as bears, caribou, moose, sheep, wolves and a variety of birds. The high peak of Mt. McKinley can be seen if the weather is clear today. Snack lunch is included in the tour.

Day 11 - Denali National Park to Knik River Lodge (230 miles/368 km, 5 hrs) Drive the Parks Highway to Knik River Lodge. Ask your custom Alaska vacations specialist about a side trip to Talkeetna, where some of the most incredible flightseeing tours are offered -taking you to the Alaska Range and Mt. McKinley. As you continue driving you reach Wasilla where the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarter is located. Stop at Iditarod Museum and watch a sled dog demonstration.

Day 12 - Knik River Lodge to Seward (190 miles/304 km, 4 hrs) Drive south along the Glenn Highway to Anchorage and then continue on the Seward Highway. Outside of Anchorage travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm. Keep an eye out for Beluga whales at Turnagain Arm, and Dall sheep along the highway. A great stop for lunch is the Alyeska Ski Resort/Girdwood, where you can take the tram up Mt Alyeska. Another point of interest is Portage Glacier. Once in Seward, you might want to consider visiting Exit Glacier and the SeaLife Center.

Day 13 - Visit Seward on Vacations in Alaska Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park - it’s a spectacular national park which is not to be missed! The park can only be visited by boat cruises; add this spectacular journey to your custom Alaska vacation. Highlights of the park are not only its scenery with glaciers but also its marine wildlife such as Steller Sealions, sea otters, whales and Puffins.

Day 14 - Seward to Anchorage (127 miles/203 km, 2.5 hrs) Drive back along the Seward Highway to Anchorage for your last night stay. Enroute to the largest city in Alaska, you have several hiking opportunities.

Day 15 - Anchorage departure
Much too soon your vacation in Alaska comes to an end.

Accommodations

Standard hotels

Options & Upgrades

• Extra nights/tours may be added to this trip in spectacular Alaska. Climb a peak, camp in a National Park or add a rafting trip

Dates & Prices

2010 Dates This trip runs daily from Anchorage between May 26 and September 1, 2010.

Dates and Rates	USD $
	Double	Single
May 26 - May 31 2010	3,301	5,757
Jun 1 - Sep 1 2010	3,726	6,606

Price Notes
• Prices are per person - Triple, Quad and Child rates are available
• Double means two people sharing
• Upgrade to a Minivan for an additional $375USD (May 15-31, 2010) / $925USD (Jun 1 - Sep 1, 2010)
• Upgrade to a SUV for an additional $600USD (May 15-31, 2010 / $925USD (Jun 1 - Sep 1, 2010)

Included
• 14 nights accommodation in tourist/moderate class hotels (shared bath in McCarthy)
• 14 day Midsize Car rental from pick-up on day 2, includes unlimited miles, taxes & LDW
• Round-trip flightseeing / flight in bush plane between McCartny and Chitina approx. 30 min one-way
• 2 hr guided Kennicott Historical Tour (English speaker).
• Full day bus tour into Denali National Park with snack (approx. 4-6 hours)
• Comprehensive documentation and information package, daily driving descriptions and directions to hotels
• All Taxes

Not Included
• Airport transfers
• Meals and attractions unless otherwise specified
• Optional Activities
• Trip Cancellation Insurance

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