9-Nights Highlights of Alaska: Seward, Talkeetna & Denali - Active & Adventure, Most Popular Vacations, Safari & Wildlife from $8,219

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Alaska

Transfer: Anchorage International Aptto Anchorage AK

Hotel: Hotel Captain Cook (4 Star Rating)

With 557 finely appointed rooms, including 94 suites, the Hotel Captain Cook offers a multitude of options to meet your needs. Pairing attentive service and meticulous care for detail, the hotel is nestled in the heart of Downtown Anchorage and within walking distance from arts and entertainment, shopping and local parks and trails. With five on-site dining options, you'll have plenty of choices for great food, and if you're looking to stay in shape while exploring Alaska, the on-site fitness center is sure to please.

Located on the southern end of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Chinitna Bay is home to a multitude of brown bears that come to the bay to feed on the protein rich sedge grasses, copious clams and fish the late summer salmon runs. Listen as your expert guide shares tales of the resident bears and their families. You'll travel with your guide by 4WD bus to where the brown bears are most active. Once at the best location, you will disembark the bus and witness these magnificent animals digging for clams, sunning on the beach, or feeding in the meadow or out in the bay. You'll be amazed at the sheer mass of the male brown bear and fall in love with the cubs as they wrestle and play.

Transfer: Anchorage AK to Girdwood AK

This Alaskan adventure is hard to top! Take this exciting opportunity to learn about the dedicated dog sled teams of Alaskan Huskies. Enjoy a spectacular helicopter ride into the majestic Chugach Mountains and onto Punch Bowl Glacier, 3200 feet above sea level. Punch Bowl is a giant snowfield on top of hundreds of feet of ice. Learn how the dogs are bred, see how they are trained to pull the sled, and learn how they have everlasting endurance. Relax and enjoy the view as you ride on the sled around the glacier enjoying the scenic peaks and valleys surrounding you. The dogs possess an inherent drive to run, and if you pull on the brakes, it’s still hard to hold them back.

Hotel: Alyeska Resort (4 Star Rating)

Welcome to The Hotel Alyeska, Alaska's premier year-round resort destination. Nestled in a lush valley surrounded by mountain peaks, hanging glaciers and spectacular ocean views, The Hotel Alyeska offers guests luxurious accommodations and convenient access to the magnificent Alaskan wilderness. This hotel first opened their doors to guests in 1994. Today, this newly renovated chateau-style hotel makes the perfect base camp for your Alaskan vacation. During your stay here, you'll experience supreme comfort with perfect modern touches and rich Native influences, bringing the natural beauty of Alaska's great outdoors inside. And with an average annual snowfall of 650 inches with 2,500 vertical feet of diverse terrain, and short lift lines, Alyeska Resort lives up to - and helps define - Alaska's spectacular 'steep and deep' reputation. And, Alyeska offers a mountain experience for all levels of skiers and riders.

Today you will independently transfer between your hotel and Girdwood train station (or vice versa). While you are welcome to use a taxi service or ride-share app, please note that many hotels and lodges offer complimentary shuttle services. If you would prefer to have a private transfer arranged for you, please speak with your Destination Specialist while planning your trip.

Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200-acre natural habitat that provides wildlife education and rehabilitation for some of Alaska's favorite animals! This is Alaska's only guaranteed wildlife viewing! Get close enough to observe and photograph some of our favorite land animals such as moose, reindeer, bison, wolves, and more! While we cannot guarantee bears due to the size of their habitat, it is common to see both brown and black bears at the Conservation Center! Make sure to take photos of wildlife with the amazing backdrop of the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm!

Upon arrival in Seward, you'll be transferred directly to the Cruise Ship Terminal where you will be helped with off-loading your luggage, or you may be dropped off at your hotel. Complimentary snacks and water are provided throughout your tour.

Hotel: Seward Windsong Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Set alongside Resurrection River, on the edge of Chugach National Forest near Exit Glacier, Windsong Lodge is a tranquil retreat designed to showcase Alaska’s wild beauty and unparalleled eco-adventures. While the bustling port of Seward, and vast protected expanse of Kenai Fjords National Park are mere minutes away, Windsong’s peaceful setting and unique dining experiences offer a quiet and cozy escape after an exhilarating day of exploration.

This cruise travels through the pristine waters of Resurrection Bay for up close encounters with wildlife. The wildlife cruises are guided alongside large bird rookeries and sea lion colonies, providing stops for pictures and to view passing whales and sea otters. You have the opportunity to view several types of glaciers, including the enormous Bear Glacier, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park

Transfer: Seward AK to Talkeetna AK

Hotel: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Set on a ridge just above the town of Talkeetna, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers majestic views of the tallest peak in North America. In many ways, it's the best of Alaska, outside and in. Outside, you're at the doorstep for high-energy outdoor adventures in Denali and beyond. Inside, there's a crackling fire in a giant river rock fireplace, and a carefully curated selection of Native art in the gift shop. Award-winning cuisine, the best wine selection in the area, friendly service - and a great night's sleep.

Today you will independently transfer between your hotel and Talkeetna train station (or vice versa). While you are welcome to use a taxi service or ride-share app, please note that many hotels and lodges offer complimentary shuttle services. If you would prefer to have a private transfer arranged for you, please speak with your Destination Specialist while planning your trip.

Transfer: Alaska Railroad - Talkeetna to Alaska Railroad - Denali

Today you will independently transfer between your hotel and Denali train station (or vice versa). While you are welcome to use a taxi service or ride-share app, please note that many hotels and lodges offer complimentary shuttle services. If you would prefer to have a private transfer arranged for you, please speak with your Destination Specialist while planning your trip.

Hotel: Grande Denali Lodge (4 Star Rating)

A perfect blend of comfort and ruggedness, Grande Denali lodge was designed to be your haven after a day of thrilling outdoor explorations. Each room offers a cozy retreat where you can recharge for the next adventure. Whether you choose a cabin nestled in the wilderness or a comfortable lodge room, you'll always find warm hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Denali and then relax in style at Grande Denali Lodge.

The Tundra Wilderness Tour offers an unforgettable exploration of Denali National Park and Preserve. This premier narrated tour takes you along the spectacular park road corridor, showcasing stunning scenery and exceptional opportunities to spot Denali's diverse wildlife. As the animals move freely through the tundra and forests, you will gain insight into their natural rhythms and habitats. The experience includes a visit to the Murie Cabin near the East Fork River, where naturalist Adolf Murie lived while conducting his groundbreaking research in what was once Mount McKinley National Park.

Immersed in vast wilderness, a free day near Denali National Park is all about scale and serenity. On your day at leisure consider taking the time to explore the Denali Visitor Center, which is operated by the National Park Service, where you can wander through the exhibits, watch a 20-minute park film, speak with park rangers and witness a brief dog sledding demonstration. Please note, the Denali Visitor Center is only open in the summer (in other seasons, only the Murie Science and Learning Center is open). Later, explore scenic trails independently, or consider a guided tour deep into the park for opportunities to spot moose, caribou, or grizzly bears. On clear days, Denali itself dominates the skyline. End your day relaxing at a local lodge, swapping stories over hearty Alaskan fare and endless mountain views.

Today you will independently transfer between your hotel and Denali train station (or vice versa). While you are welcome to use a taxi service or ride-share app, please note that many hotels and lodges offer complimentary shuttle services. If you would prefer to have a private transfer arranged for you, please speak with your Destination Specialist while planning your trip.

Transfer: Alaska Railroad - Denali to Alaska Railroad - Anchorage

Transfer: Anchorage AK to Anchorage International Apt