Majestic Alaska

Welcome to the edge of the wilderness – to a city surrounded by uninhabited landscapes and the perfect springboard to an epic adventure through Alaska. Spend the day recovering from your journey before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a Welcome Reception.

Kickstart your day with a brief Anchorage City Tour before your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center and then onto the untamed wilderness of Denali National Park where a Local Specialist reveals insights into the rare subarctic flora and fauna of the park. This afternoon, you will board the Deluxe Motorcoach and head to Denali National Park. Once there late this afternoon they'll experience a “Welcome to SubArctic” Presentation by a Local Specialist to learn about the Flora and Fauna of Denali National Park. The evening is then yours to spend as you like.

Embark on an extensive Denali Natural History Tour during which you’ll learn about the Alaskan natives who once lived in the park and the first ascent of Denali, North America’s highest peak. You’ll have the whole afternoon free to participate in an array of optional activities. See Denali’s incredible landscapes on an optional helicopter flight, battle the wild waters of the Nenana River or join one of the free Denali National Park Service Programs.

Tune into your beautiful surrounds as you’ll have the whole morning to connect with Denali on your terms. Later, we’ll board a deluxe dome railcar on the Alaska Railroad, and make our way to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks. A delicious Regional Meal is served aboard the train before our arrival in Alaska’s Northern Lights capital.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a city tour of Fairbanks. Then you'll be digging into insights of Alaska's Gold Rush. Dive Into Culture with Fairbanks’ own Gold Daughters who will guide you through the process of panning for gold in real Alaskan paydirt. Then, you are boarding the Riverboat Discovery to visit a recreated Athabascan Indian Village. To conclude your day, Connect With Locals and enjoy a special visit to the home of David Monson, a local Dog Mushing celebrity, to learn about the sport of Dog Mushing in Alaska. Join him and his dogs for a Be My Guest experience meal.

We journey south to the port community of Valdez located along Prince William Sound. As you carve your way through this rugged state you’ll view the snow-capped summits of the Alaska Range, expansive glaciers and the Trans Alaska Pipeline which runs parallel to the highway. Stretch your legs during a brief stop at the Historic Rika Roadhouse, an important crossroads for travelers, and the Wrangell St. Elias Visitors Center, before arriving in Valdez.

Delve into the heritage and culture of Valdez, the Copper River Basin and Prince William Sound during this morning’s visit to the Valdez Museum. Keep a keen eye out for seals, otters, sea lions and porpoises as you cruise around Prince William Sound, admiring the plunging ice cliffs of Columbia Glacier which have calved giant icebergs into the bay. Enjoy lunch against the backdrop of your wild surrounds before returning to Valdez, your home for a second night.

We begin our return journey to Anchorage this morning, crossing Thompson Pass. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during your afternoon stop at the Musk Ox Farm. Here you’ll join a Local Specialist for a guided tour to view the Artic Musk Oxen and learn how this non-profit organization promotes sustainable agriculture practice. Continuing your journey west, arriving in Anchorage later today where you’ll toast to new friends over a memorable Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

We journey along the Scenic Seward Byway this morning to the port community of Seward. Our first stop is for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where a Local Specialist will reveal the role of this wildlife rehabilitation center. Next up is a sightseeing cruise, including lunch, into the icy heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. Share the waters with Humpback whales and glacial icebergs.

Our adventure through the rugged Alaskan wilderness has come to an end. Depart Anchorage at leisure or connect with a southbound Alaska cruise.