Road Trip: Highlights of Alaska

Explore Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, at your own pace. Set off along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail that runs along the coastline and passes through serene forests. The fully paved trail begins in the downtown area and goes right up to Kincaid Park. Enjoy gorgeous views of Cook Inlet and six mountain ranges from vantage points. You can also see North America’s highest peak, Denali or Mount McKinley. Head to the aptly named Sunshine Plaza to see historic photographs and trivia about the 1964 earthquake, the largest recorded in North America. Alternatively, make your way to Earthquake Park to see for yourself how this natural disaster permanently changed the Alaskan landscape. Discover indigenous culture and tradition at the Alaska Native Heritage Center with its displays of local crafts and live dance performances. (Duration: Full Day; Self-exploring Activity; No Guide & No Transfers; Entrance Fees and Meals are 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)

This 1.5 hour flying tour gives you a unique perspective on the highest peak in North America and bring into focus the scale of the Alaskan range. Fly up to six miles’ distance from Denali’s summit, before swooping down through Ruth Amphitheater and Great Gorge. Gaze upon the stunning Tokositna and Ruth Glaciers and see the hanging glaciers of Mount Hunter. See the sharp ridges of Mount Huntington and view the summit of the famous Moose’s Tooth, one of the toughest climbs in the range. (Duration: 1.5 hrs flying time + 30 min check-in time; Shared Activity & Transfers; Group size: up to 10 people; Meals Not Included, Glacier Landing Included. Please note that this activity is weather-dependent and may get cancelled should conditions not permit a safe flight. USD 15 per person national park fee is not included and payable on site.)

Traverse the Denali Highway by jeep for a unique exploration of the Alaskan wilderness. Listed second among National Geographic Traveler magazine’s picks for ‘Drive of a Lifetime’, this 135-mile gravel road runs adjacent to Denali National Park. Make yourself comfortable in a new, four-door Wrangler Jeep that can accommodate up to four adults. If you have a valid driver’s license, you could try driving the jeep during this fully guided tour. Enjoy splendid views of snow-capped peaks, icy glaciers and serene lakes as you travel down the road that once served as the gateway to the famous national park. With most rental companies prohibiting driving along this road, you can expect minimal traffic along the way. Drive for over a hundred miles, stopping for photo opportunities along the way. Make use of the CB radio in your jeep to let your guide know whenever you want to halt. On a clear day, you might be able to enjoy beautiful views of Mount Denali. Look out for wildlife such as moose crossing your path or in the foliage along the roadside. (Duration: Half Day; Timing: 7:30am or 6:30pm/5:30pm starting Aug 6; Shared Activity & Transfers from select hotels; Snacks and Drinks Included; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Please note that you need to be 25 years or older and have a valid driving license in order to drive a jeep; This tour does not travel on Denali Park Road and does not go into the national park; Binoculars are provided in the jeep; You may have to share the vehicle with other guests. Jeep tours depart and continue in all conditions.)

The Denali Visitor Center and its surrounding campus were built in 2005. The campus includes the Denali Visitor Center, Wilderness Access Center, Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) and more. Though the park is open all year round, the Denali Center, the park’s main welcome and information point, is operational only in the summer months. Here you can learn more about the park through Heartbeats of Denali, a 20-minute film. This documentary plays throughout the day, giving information on the various seasons, landscapes, and wildlife of the park. You can also speak with park rangers for more information, or take some of the ranger-led activities scheduled in or beginning at the center. In fall, winter and spring, the MSLC acts as the visitor center. (Duration: 1 hr; Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Available May-Sept; Please bring camera, good walking shoes and jacket.)

Take a popular and scenic hike along the Horseshoe Lake Trail in Denali National Park. The trail circles Horseshoe Lake and traces a stretch of the Nenana River, allowing you to have many scenic photo stops and the chance of encountering wildlife along the way. This is a well-maintained, moderately easy trail, with only one steep section and plenty of pretty lake views. From the trailhead, hike up a short steep hill to reach a bench overlooking the lake. Just beyond, the trail drops sharply (about 250 feet) to the level of the lake and forks in two directions, forming a loop around the lake. Along the way, there are several viewing platforms offering stunning views of the Nenana River, the development called ‘Glitter Gulch’ right outside the park, and the surrounding mountains. A beaver dam and beaver lodge can be seen within the lake. (Duration: half day; Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy-moderate; Available year-round; Please bring camera, good walking shoes and jacket)

Go deep into the heart of Alaska on this riverboat tour. Board the Riverboat Discovery at the starting point, just a few miles from Fairbanks International Airport, and head for Chena Indian Village Living Museum. Take a guided walking tour of this Athabascan Indian village, complete with spruce cabins and fur pelts, and learn how the Athabascans survived here for over 10,000 years. Watch an Alaskan bush pilot take off and land right next to the boat and hear his tales of village life and the importance of planes in remote Alaska. Visit Trail Breaker Kennel, also the former home of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Watch a dog mushing demonstration and learn what goes into making a champion dogsled team. Choose a unique souvenir that reflects the local culture from a couple of traditional trading posts: The Discovery Trading Post on board Discovery III and Steamboat Landing onshore. You will also see reindeer during the tour. (Duration: 3 hrs; Shared activity & guide; No transfers; Meals not included)