Road Trip: Alaska, The Last Frontier

Cruise along the pristine waters of Prince William Sound in search of glaciers, on this leisurely tour. Sail out from Whittier into the Passage Canal and head north to Port Wells. Relish a hot lunch at your table, as you retrace the route taken by the Harriman Expedition in 1899, and make your way to College Fjord. At College Fjord, look upon majestic glaciers named after East Coast Ivy League colleges. Look out for calving ice from a safe distance as your captain expertly navigates the ice-filled waters to take you up close to Harvard Glacier. Journey on to the scenic Esther Passage, a narrow waterway protected from rough winds by mountains on either side, making it ideal for small vessels. Keep an eye out for orcas and humpback whales in the water and bald eagles overhead, in search of prey. If you’re lucky, you might get to spot black bears on the shore! Glide on to Egg Rocks or Perry Island in search of migratory Steller sea lions before coasting into Blackstone Bay for more glacier vistas. Turn around for the trip back to Whittier, making a stop en route at a kittiwake rookery that hosts over 10,000 birds each summer. (Only possible from 1 May – 2 Oct; Duration: full day; Time: 1250 hrs; Shared activity; Transfers not included; Meals included: lunch; Starting point: Cliffisde Marina, Whittier; Please make your own way to Whittier: driving time 40 min)

Embark on a wholly customized exploration of the Alaskan wilderness within Denali National Park. Take your pick of well-maintained trails to discover the primeval landscape of this sprawling natural paradise. Let your local Alaskan guide know of your preferences so the hike can be personalized to suit your level of difficulty. You could tailor your adventure to include sightseeing and photo opportunities. Learn about the history and unique geology of the park’s diverse ecosystems before you wind up the tour. (Duration: Full Day; Starting Time: 0900 hrs; Private Activity with Guide; Transfers not included because this is a walking activity starting from the hotel; Lunch box included; Fitness Level: Easy. While the trip can last for eight hours, it can be shortened. Custom start times are also available. This activity can be customized based on your level of experience, interest, and physical ability.)

In the course of your stay at Tonglen Lake Lodge, you’re offered a variety of included activities, suited for varying fitness levels and interests. To maintain your daily workout schedule, take advantage of the dedicated indoor and outdoor yoga spaces. Meet your naturalist guide at the on-site Artisan Café and proceed for a hike on trails nearby. Ramble through spruce and pine forests, pass alpine creeks and learn about the area’s flora and fauna. Along the way, stop for photos of the Alaska Range, and gain insight into the region’s history and geology. While passing water bodies, keep an eye out for beaver families. Trudge along paths carpeted with wildflowers and forage for edible berries. If you’re lucky, you may spot ground squirrels, marmots, Dall sheep and caribou. Spend the evenings swapping stories with fellow guests, while roasting marshmallows around the campfire. During the summer months, owner Donna Gates arranges a line-up of musical performances. (Included in your stay at Tonglen Lake Lodge; Shared activities)

Get a unique perspective of Mount Denali, North America’s tallest peak, on this thrilling flightseeing tour. Buckle into your window seat as you take off from a private airstrip on the eastern edge of Denali National Park. Take in bird’s eye views of Wickersham Wall, a 14,000 ft sheer wall of ice, and the Great Gorge with its dramatic granite walls. Keep an eye out for the colorful Carpe and Karstens ridgelines and glaciers such as Traleika and Brooks during the 200-mile flight across the park. As you get closer to your destination, your experienced pilot weaves between snow-capped peaks such as Silverthrone, Mather, and Huntington that make up the Denali Massif. Fly at an optimal altitude to within half a mile of Mount Denali that towers over its surroundings at a height of 20,320 ft. On a clear day, your pilot will circle the mountain to let you enjoy spectacular views from different perspectives. Gain insights into the history and ecology of the region on this fully narrated tour. (Only Possible From Mid-May to Mid-September; Duration: Half Day; Shared Activity; Group Size: Min 3 Guests; Group transfers from selected hotels; Total flight time is about 60 to 70 minutes)

Discover the history of the gold fields in Tanana Valley, Alaska on this visit to Gold Dredge 8, located around 25 minutes from Fairbanks. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, Gold Dredge 8 was operational for 31 years, from 1928 onwards, and extracted millions of ounces of gold. Learn about the dredge’s importance to the development of Fairbanks. Then, walk over to the Mining Museum, which contains artifacts from the early 1900s. Discover how gold was mined, from cleaning the land to thawing it to extracting the precious metal. Learn about the prospectors who made it all possible and see an array of ice age fossils uncovered during the mining process. Ride a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad while listening to a short narration about the railroad. Learn how to pan for gold from Alaskan miners and experience the thrill of spotting real Alaskan gold that you can take home. (Duration: 2 hrs; Shared activity & guide; No transfers; Meals not included)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Matanuska Glacier. Drive along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, going past ice-capped mountains and sparkling blue lakes. The road will take you towards Lion’s Head, one of the most picturesque places along the way. Here, you can stop for panoramic views of the glacier and to take some great photographs. Then, continue to Glacier Park Road. Travel down the hill and across the river until the road ends. Once you reach, join a shared guided tour of the glacier. Gear up with crampons, helmets and extra layers and make your way to the sheer ice walls. Walk alongside moulins, which are cylindrical shafts that are carved by meltwater from the glacier’s surface. Gain insight into the area’s history and glaciology, and its original inhabitants, the Alaskan Athabaskans. Take some amazing pictures at scenic spots before heading back. (Duration: 2 hrs; Independent activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Starting point: Glacier Tours office, 66500 Glacier Park Rd; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)