AE#01 Travel Alaska Exclusive: The Alaska Wilderness Journey

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Are you ready to explore Alaska in luxury style ? If you plan to visit Denali National Park, observe Brown Bears at Brooks River Falls inKatmai National Park or from a remote first-class wildlife lodge on Kodiak Island, take one customized Alaska Railroad trip to Fairbanks experience the best and most productive guided salmon fishing activities on the Kenai Peninsula or watch the Northern Lights in winter - you are definitely on the right website. Our exclusive vacation packages are not for everyone but are by far the most exclusive way to travel and experience Alaska - the coolest state with the hottest travel ideas. All individual tour packages may be enhanced or modified through our complimentary trip planning service to meet our clients' high expectation and provide ultimate flexibility during your "Land of the Midnight Sun" tour experience. Taking one of our exclusive custom tours is all about leaving the world of everyday life behind to relax and unwinding in Alaska's unique, natural environment with world-class mountain scenery and unlimited adventure options. Travel the way it was meant to be !

  • Tour Itinerary

  • Dates | Rates

  • Options | Extensions

  • Denali National Park FAQ

Day
01

Fairbanks

Arrive at Fairbanks Airport and transfer to your hotel. Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart City of Alaska, is the gateway to the interior and offers nearly 24 hours of daylight during the summer months. You are invited to explore the local gold rush history, vibrant traditional Native cultures as well as its abundant wildlife and fantastic scenery. Nestled into miles of unexplored wilderness just 120 miles from the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks offers outstanding year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. Visit the renowned Alaska University Museum featuring Alaska's finest natural history collection, Alaskaland or enjoy a river cruise aboard the Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler. See an authentic Alaska fish camp, watch a sled dog demonstration at Susan Butcher's kennel - Iditarod Champion and get a glimpse of an Athabascan Native Village. Relax in the evening and enjoy a delicious meal at a renowned restaurant on the Chena River.
Day
02

Fairbanks - Denali National Park | By Train & Flight

Board the Alaska Railroad at 8:15 am. Enjoy the glass-domed compartments ensuring unobstructed views of snow-capped mountain ranges, pristine landscapes and abundant wildlife. Arrival in Denali Village at 12:10 pm. Transfer to the Denali Airport where you board the bush plane for a scenic 1-hour flight to Kantishna. We fly right next to the east side of Denali, passing over several glaciers that stretch more than 30 miles and weaving through granite peaks, climbing base camps and mountain walls that can be as high as 14,000 ft above us. The Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier, the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, and the Wickersham Wall - Denali's massive North Face - can all be seen on this flight. Upon arrival in Kantishna, a short transfer to an exclusive wilderness lodge offering guided activities, interpretive programs, gold panning and more... in the heart of Denali National Park near Wonder Lake. Overnight: Camp Denali, Denali Backcountry Lodge or Kantishna Roadhouse
Day
03

Denali National Park

Join us on popular daily backcountry walking excursions. These guided hikes - suitable for all ages - are ranging from two to six hours and are excellent opportunities to explore the Kantishna area and learn about the wildlife and flora of the Kantishna Hills from one of our experienced naturalist guides. If mountain biking is on the top of your favorite outdoor activity list take one of our mountain bikes and spend some time exploring the countryside. You may also bike down to Wonder Lake for a view of the "Great One" or investigate the old mining roads within the area. For those with a twinkle in their eye, slip on a pair of rubber boots, grab a gold-pan and head down for the creek or try some fly-fishing for Arctic Grayling in nearby Moose Creek. After a full day of activity enjoy a delicious dinner in the dining room. Participate in the evenings in our Denali interpretive programs and slide shows. Overnight: Camp Denali, Denali Backcountry Lodge or Kantishna Roadhouse
Day
04

Denali National Park

Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Mt. Denali. Many visitors never see “The Great One,” during their vacation but 9/10 of our guests catch more than a glimpse of North America’s highest mountain from one of Alaska's most extraordinary lodging location. Living there makes all the difference! The lodges are in the center of the park - near Wonder Lake. 99-miles of mountainous, unpaved road isolate the lodges from the commercially developed park entrance. Nature shapes your experience here. If you are looking for more than a brief introduction to Denali National Park, we aim to exceed your expectations. Birdwatch, botanize, and observe wildlife e.g.: grizzly bears, moose, wolf, fax, lynx and caribou with our naturalist-guides, who know Denali’s trail-less terrain and are students of its flora, fauna, geology, and cultural heritage. We also help you plan independent adventures. Overnight: Camp Denali, Denali Backcountry Lodge or Kantishna Roadhouse
Day
05

Denali National Park - Anchorage | Railroad Tour

Early departure to the park entrance. Watch out for wildlife along the 90-mile long park road on the way back to the Denali Village. Railroad departure at 12:30 PM. Enjoy sweeping views of the magnificent three: Mt. Denali 20.320 ft, Mt. Foraker 17.400 ft and Mt. Hunter 14.573 ft. while traveling along the snowcapped Alaska Mountain Range in exclusive dome car compartments towards Talkeetna. These first-class rail cars are providing reclining seats and large picture windows. Relax in your comfortable reclining seats, enjoy a delicious lunch in the onboard restaurant or listen to the local tour guide giving commentaries. Get the camera ready when the train approaches the Hurricane Gulch Bridge, 300 feet above the creek. Continue your journey and arrive in Anchorage around 8:00 PM. Hotel transfer and remaining evening at leisure. Try some of Anchorage interesting micro breweries or sample some seafood at a local favorite with magnificent Cook Inlet views: the Simon & Seafords Bar and Grill.

Day
06

Anchorage - Prince William Sound Cruise - Alyeska Resort

Board the motorcoach this morning for a scenic ride  to Whittier. The drive offers incomparable vistas of fjords, glaciers and mountains as you follow the Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm. Arrive in Whittier in time for your 26-Glacier Cruise. Enclosed by mountains and glaciers, and protected from the high seas by barrier islands, Prince William Sound is one of Alaska's premier destinations for day cruises. Fjords, bays, coves, lakes, glaciers, mountains and hundreds of islands provide incredibly scenic settings. Travel for over 140 miles into Prince William Sound where you will see 26 “named” glaciers and many more unnamed. We get very close to towering masses of ice so you can listen to the moves of the glaciers and see the brilliant blues in the ice. Glacier calving are normally seen on each cruise. You may also spot sea otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions, whales, bears, bald eagles and over 200 species of birds inhabiting this area. Return to Girdwood. Overnight: Alyeska Resort
Day
07

Alyeska Resort

Spend your day at leisure and enjoy the 5-star resort. Tucked in a glacier valley between the mountains and the sea is Alyeska Resort. Experience a luxury interior design with modern touches and rich Native heritage surrounded by unspoiled Alaskan wilderness. The results highlight warm, organic elements to the hotel interiors bringing the natural beauty of the great outdoors inside. Summertime recreation includes hiking in Girdwood's alpine rain forests, mountain climbing and biking on Girdwood's bike path or the many trails in the valley. Take the Alyeska Tramway to the top of Mt. Alyeska with it's famous "7-Glacier Restaurant". Hotel amenities include: luxurious spa and wellness area, saltwater pool, whirlpool, massage, bars, restaurants (Japanese and International Cuisine). The 304 guest rooms provide plush carpets, Serta Pillow Top Mattresses and luxurious interior décor. Overnight: Alyeska Resort
 
Day
08

Girdwood - Anchorage

Morning at leisure. Private transfer to the Anchorage Airport, a city hotel of your choice - or to the Seward Cruiseship Terminal - if you are scheduled to board an Inside Passage cruise. Optional Anchorage city sightseeing tour (if time allows): Visit some of Anchorage's historical points of interest in this sprawling city of over 250,000 full-time residents. Watch for attractions like the Log Cabin Visitor Center and its Crossroads of the World Signpost, Ship Creek Viewpoint overlooking Cook Inlet and the Alaska Railroad Depot, Resolution Park with its Captain Cook Monument, and the Museum of History & Art. The highlight of the 3.5 hour tour will be a visit to the world renowned 25-acre Alaska Native Heritage Center displaying several interactive exhibits developed in recognition and tribute to the distinct culture of the Alaskan people. Contact us for optional tour extensions
AE#01 Alaska Wilderness Journey | First Class Hotel & Wilderness Lodging
Rates in US $ / per Person Single      Double      Triple      Quad     
June 01 - September 10 $9965.00 $8850.00 $7040.00 $8360.00

 

Departure Days
Daily Departures from June 01- September 10

 

Services included
  • 4 Nights First-Class Accommodation (***/* Hotels)
  • 3 Nights Denali Backcountry Willderness Lodge Accommodation
  • Applicable Local Taxes
  • Scenic Flight Denali Entrance - Kantishna
  • Individual Daily Denali National Park Tours and Wildlife Viewing
  • Denali National Park Entrance Fee
  • Guide Service at Denali Park
  • All Meals during the Denali Park Backcountry Lodging
  • Motorcoach Transfer Kantishna - Denali Park Entrance
  • Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise including Lunch
  • Whittier Harbor Tax
  • Airport & Railroad Station Transfers
  • Rail Tour Fairbanks - Denali - Anchorage / Dome Car
  • Motorcoach Transfer Anchorage - Whittier - Girdwood  
  • Private Transfer Girdwood - Anchorage
  • Reserved Seats in Upper Level Domed Cars
  • Priority Train Check-in & Boarding
  • Use of Private Outdoor Viewing Deck
  • Priority Dining Room Seating
  • Enhanced & Rotating Reclining Seats
  • Meals on board the dome car train 
  • Alyeska Resort use of Spa and Hotel Facilities
Flexible Tour Options | Upgrades & Sightseeing
Rates in US $ | per Person Adult
Anchorage City Sightseeing Tour $130.00

FAQ | Denali National Park | formerly Mt.McKinley National Park
  Q:
A:		 How can I find Denali National Park?
The Park is located on the George Parks Highway - 120 Miles south of Fairbanks and 240 Miles north of Anchorage. There are only a few smaller communities such as Talkeetna, Cantwell and Nenana between these two major cities and therefore the Park area is somewhat isolated. Denali National Park is an integral highlight in our curated driving tour packages and Alaska railroad vacations. Whether by road or rail/road combo tour, discover the breathtaking beauty of Alaska with seamless itineraries that make every moment unforgettable.  
  Q:
A:		 What is so special about Denali National Park?
Denali National Park is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique features that make it truly special. The park's most iconic feature is Denali itself, formerly known as Mount McKinley, which is North America's highest peak, towering at 20,310 feet (6,194 meters). This majestic mountain attracts climbers, adventurers, and nature enthusiasts from around the world.

Denali National Park is a wilderness wonderland, encompassing over six million acres of pristine landscapes, including taiga forests, tundra, and glaciers. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, and a variety of bird species. Visitors have the chance to witness these animals in their natural habitat.

What makes Denali particularly special is its commitment to preserving wilderness and minimizing human impact. Most of the park's interior is accessible only by a single, 92-mile (148-kilometer) road, restricted to park buses, private vehicles are not allowed. This limited access helps protect the environment and ensures that visitors can experience a relatively undisturbed wilderness.

In Denali, you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife viewing, and camping in one of the most unspoiled and awe-inspiring natural settings on the planet. Its majestic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and dedication to conservation make Denali National Park a unique and remarkable destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
  Q:
A:		 How do I get to Denali?
The national park area is easily accessible via the paved George Parks Highway or with the Railroad.

Railroad
Denali Star & the Midnight Sun Express | Daily departures from / to Anchorage, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Check out our railroad packages from Anchorage, Seward and Fairbanks 

Bus and Van Service
Daily departures from Anchorage, Seward, Whittier and Fairbanks 

Car
Rent a car, van, or 4x4 in Anchorage and drive to Denali National Park. One-way rentals are available between Anchorage, Fairbanks and Seward. Our driving tours include the rental car, accommodation and activities at Denali Park. 
  Q:
A:		 Can I drive into the National Park?
Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the Savage Creek Ranger Check Station at Mile 15 of the Park Road – except with a permit. Therefore the National Park Service offers a shuttle bus system from approximately end of May until the middle of September (depends on weather conditions) between the Visitor Center and Wonder Lake, at the end of the 90 Mile long Road. The busses are departing from 6:00 am onwards about every 1/2 hour. Passengers have the opportunity to get on and off the bus at any point along the park road for hikes and wildlife viewing. This allows visitors to explore the park at their own pace and leisure. Note: Advance reservations for the shuttle busses (also called transit bus) are absolutely necessary. If you arrive without shuttle bus reservations you may have to wait one or two days in order to get a ticket. Our tour packages already include the shuttle bus into the park. This way you definitely won't miss this unforgettable adventure! 

Update: The Denali Park Road … 2023 season and beyond
The Denali Park road has been deteriorating at an accelerated pace the past two years and is now being rebuilt, primarily in one section at Polychrome Pass, in 2022 through 2026. Access will be restricted beyond Mile 43 for the oncoming tour seasons. It is important to note that the park is not “closed” and that visitors will still be able to experience Denali National Park during the next few years. The “Tundra Wilderness Tour” and Denali Transit Buses will be traveling to mile 43. Road construction is shortening the guest experience only by about 10 miles of the historical Tundra Wilderness Tour. Unfortunately guests will not be able to visit Polychrome Pass, Eielson Visitor Center and Kantishna Roadhouse.
  Q:
A:		 How long will it take to visit the Park?
The shuttle bus service offers a number of well worth visiting destinations.

Savage River | this is the farthest point (15 Miles from park entrance) visitors can travel in their own vehicle on the park road. At this point there is a small parking  area, picnic tables, and the trailhead for the Savage River Trail (about 2 Miles) Visitors can make use of the free Savage River Shuttle that runs regularly between the entrance area and the Savage River. The Savage River Campground is located at Mile 13 and Savage campers with tickets can be picked up at the bus stop for the shuttle into the park.

Sanctuary River | 23 Miles from the park entrance provides an established campground and a park ranger station. There are seven sites for tent camping and access is by bus. Campers with tickets may use the Park Shuttle system, and great hiking is available in the vicinity of Sanctuary campground.

The Teklanika River | 30 Miles from the park entrance runs through Igloo Forest, creating large gravel bars for easy travel. A rest stop at Teklanika provides restrooms, and expansive views from the deck. Campgrounds are nearby at Teklanika and Igloo Creek campgrounds.

Polychrome Pass & Rest Area | 46 Miles from the park entrance offers a spectacular view of the colorful Alaska Range. The Polychrome Glaciers are nestled in the hills to the south, while bears and caribou often wander on the river bars below. For a day hike, walk along the ridge behind the rest area and enjoy alpine scenery. Buses run as far as Polychrome from June to August.

Toklat | at Mile 53 is a 6-hour round trip. Toklat River is an area of braided glacial rivers and towering cliffs where Dall sheep are often seen. Grizzlies sometimes graze on the riverbed’s soapberries. Buses run as far as Toklat from late May through Mid-Sept weather permitting.

Fish Creek | a trip to the newly build Fish Creek Visitor Center, at Mile 66 takes about 8-hours (round trip) and is the closest location for scenic views of towering Mt. McKinley.

Wonder Lake | at Mile 85 is an 11-hour round trip. The beautiful lake offers a picture perfect view of Mt. McKinley. Along the road to Wonder Lake, alder and willow-carpeted hills are dotted with kettle ponds. Look for beaver along the way, and be sure to keep an eye out for blueberries in late summer and fall. Buses run to Wonder Lake June 8 through Mid-September weather permitting

Kantishna | at Mile 90 is about a 13-hour round trip. The gold mining area is primarily a destination for backpackers heading for the national parks backcountry sections or for clients who are staying at various remote backcountry lodges in the viciity of Kantishna. One Bus travels to Kantishna between June 8 and September 11. Kantishna is primarily a destination for lodge visitors and backpackers headed for the backcountry. Please respect the private lands you may encounter in this area.
  Q:
A:		 What about Sightseeing within Denali National Park?
Denali National Park and Preserve is famous for North America's highest mountain peak - 20,320-foot tall Mount Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), spectacular landscapes, rugged mountain peaks and abundant wildlife. More than 6 million acres encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system.
  Q:
A:		 What about Wildlife Viewing?
Denali National Park is home to a variety of wildlife. Moose, Grizzly Bears, Caribous, Dall Sheeps, Wolves, Foxes, Golden Eagles, Beavers, and a multitude of migratory birds and waterfowl are plentiful throughout the park. Moose and Grizzly Bear sights are possible and rather common even within the improved sections of the park.
  Q:
A:		 Will I see Mt. Denali?
The more time you spend inside the park, the better are your chances to see Mt. Denali. The entire mountain is visible only on a few days during each summer, however you may be fortunate to get a view of Mt. Denali or some of the other mountain peaks and glaciers of the Alaska range during your stay. Even when the clouds obscure your view of the mountain from ground level, you can frequently see it while on a hike that gains elevation, or on a flight seeing trip.
  Q:
A:		 Are any hotels directly in the Park?
Only a very limited number of remote wilderness lodges are operating within the national park boundaries. Please check our page: Denali Wilderness Lodges. Most  hotels are located at Denali Village – along the Parks Highway – one Mile from the visitor center.
  Q:
A:		 Can I buy beverages or food in the Park?
There is no food or beverage service available on either the busses or anywhere past Mile 2 of the park road. Please plan ahead and bring your own snacks, lunch, and beverages. Restrooms are available at approximate one-hour intervals along the park road. Water bottles can be refilled at Eielson Visitor Center.
  Q:
A:		 Which services are available near the Park?
Within a few miles of the Park entrance there are lodges, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, small convenience stores, and various other visitor related services.
  Q:
A:		 What’s about other activities?
There are a number of outfitters and soft-adventure companies operating near the park boundaries. Some of the activities include: flight seeing adventures, helicopter flights, rafting, float trips, sled dog tours, evening dinner theater. Please refer also to our individual sightseeing pages.
  Q:
A:		 How is the weather?
Weather in Denali is extremely variable. Many of the rangers tell visitors to expect sun, wind, rain, clouds and even snow - sometimes all on the same day. Temperature can range from the mid 20's in early May and September to 85 degrees in July. Normal temperatures are in the high 60's with nights cooling off to between 40 and 50 degrees. Wearing layers of clothing makes it easy to regulate your body temperature. Also, you'll find that a good waterproof raincoat is invaluable. It will be daylight for 24-hours a day throughout May, June and the first half of July.