Best of Alaska
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Experience Overview
Prepare to discover the captivating beauty of Alaska on this 10-day journey through its icy heart. Travel from Anchorage through forests, around mountain ranges and down the spectacular coast to the Kenai Peninsula. Feast your eyes on staggering views of Denali – North America’s tallest peak – and expansive tundra landscapes circled by the Alaska Range. You’ll want to keep your eyes open for grizzlies, wolves and moose – this is one of the best places in the world to spot them! Spend a full free day in the park, going deeper as you choose to raft, hike or just soak up the wilderness. Cruise on Resurrection Bay past glaciers, orca whales and puffins and explore Homer, Seward, Talkeetna and Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll also have enough free time to customise your activities, making sure you’re doing all the things you want to do – maybe even a flightseeing tour of Denali for another perspective of this magnificent mountain.
Highlights
- Spend three nights at Denali National Park, looking for bears, moose and wolves on a wildlife safari, and enjoying a free day to explore your own way.
- Cruise from Seward through Kenai Fjords National Park and watch glaciers calve into the sea while keeping an eye out for orcas, puffins and sea lions.
- Enjoy a guided visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, hearing stories and exploring thousands of years of Indigenous cultural history.
- Slow down in Homer, a creative coastal town on Kachemak Bay, where you can watch sea otters and bald eagles, wander the famous spit or head out on the water for a closer look at Alaska’s wildlife.
- Take in Alaska’s dramatic landscapes along iconic routes like the Turnagain Arm and Kenai Peninsula, with a local leader handling the logistics so you can relax and focus on the views.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2614
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private Van, Boat
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: SSKT
Starts: Anchorage, United States Of America
Finishes: Anchorage, United States Of America
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (3), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $8595 ($860 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Alaska! Your adventure begins in Anchorage, located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet – a unique urban environment in the heart of the wilderness. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe head to the Anchorage Museum or check out the sights and try spotting a moose wandering the streets of town (yes, really). This evening, maybe celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with an optional group dinner.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll drive from Anchorage to Homer along the scenic Turnagain Arm – an All-American Road passing Cook Inlet. It was named after British explorer James Cook, who was forced to ‘turn again’ when the waterway didn’t hold the Northwest Passage in 1778. Along the way, stop for lunch at a local brewery in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains. Then, continue to Homer for the night. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this small town on Kachemak Bay at your own pace. Maybe wander the streets full of artisan shops and restaurants or walk out on the spit and visit the famous Salty Dawg Saloon for a drink.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is a free day to explore Homer and the surrounding bay. You might want to head to the local bakery nearby for a breakfast of coffee and pastries, then take up one of the optional activities this gorgeous town has on offer. You could explore on foot or book a tour of the bay. Maybe take the local ferry to explore the town of Seldovia, accessible only by boat or plane. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise, looking out for sea otters, bald eagles, ducks, orcas and more, or explore the unique stilted main street of town, overlooking the bay. If you’d prefer to kick back at the local winery, you can go for a tasting this afternoon. Tonight, just ask your trip leader for some local dinner recommendations.
Optional Activities:
- Homer - Winery Visit & Tasting (6 USD)
- Homer - Kachemak Bay Boat Tour (102 USD)
- Homer - Round-trip Seldovia Water Taxi (114 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take a scenic drive on the Kenai Peninsula from Homer to Seward. Grab a window seat if you can because on a clear day, there are some gorgeous views of the turquoise lakes near Moose Pass, as well as the mountains and volcanoes in the distance. Pause in Moose Pass where you can take an optional kayaking tour. When you arrive in Seward this afternoon, head out on a short hike to the tongue of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park – a major attraction of the park, this electric blue glacier is one of the most accessible valley glaciers in Alaska. After, check into your hotel in Seward and enjoy a free evening to explore the town or head to a local restaurant for dinner and drinks.
Included Activities:
- Seward - Exit Glacier
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll head to the docks for a full-day cruise of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Look out for wildlife like orca whales, porpoises, puffins and other birdlife as you sail the still waters and explore the gorgeous surroundings. Marvel at the electric blue tidewater glaciers – if you’re lucky, you may get to see one ‘calve’ some ice into the sea. Enjoy lunch on the boat before cruising back to Seward. This afternoon, you may have some free time to head out on a hike or visit the Seward SeaLife Centre.
Included Activities:
- Seward - Kenai Fjords Cruise
Optional Activities:
- Seward - Hiking - Free
- Seward - Alaska SeaLife Center (33 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, hit the road again to Denali National Park. Along the way, stop off in Anchorage for a private guided visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Learn about Alaska’s Indigenous cultures through traditional dwellings, dance, storytelling and exhibits. Then, continue to Denali and settle into your hotel for the next three nights.
Included Activities:
- Anchorage - Alaska Native Heritage Center guided tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, head to the Denali Visitor Center, where you’ll get your first real sense of the landscape, wildlife and cultural history that shape this national park. Explore the exhibits, speak with rangers about the best spots for wildlife viewing and photography, and learn more about the deep connection Indigenous Alaskans have with this place. The name Denali comes from the Athabascan language and means ‘the great one’ – a name used for generations before the mountain was called Mt McKinley. The rest of the day is free for you to explore your way – maybe raft the Nenana River, join a guided hike in or near the park, follow a self-guided trail like Horseshoe Lake or simply relax at your lodge and take in the views.
Included Activities:
- Denali National Park - Entrance Fee
- Denali National Park - Visitor Centre
Optional Activities:
- Denali National Park - Ranger-led Hikes - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise and shine early this morning for your full-day journey deep into park with a naturalist guide. As you travel into the park’s vast wilderness, keep watch for brown bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall sheep, with time built in for stops to view and photograph wildlife along the way. When the weather cooperates, you may also get clear views of Denali itself rising above the surrounding tundra, valleys and snow-capped mountains. You’ll want to bring your camera today!
Included Activities:
- Denali National Park - Wilderness & Wildlife Bus Tour with Naturalist guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, head to the colourful Talkeetna. When you arrive, head out for a short walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, have free time to explore. Maybe take a scenic flight over Denali for a unique perspective of is peak and the tundra and glaciers surrounding it. Then, continue back to Anchorage, where you’ll take a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you might like to get together with the group for a farewell dinner and reminisce about the highlights of your journey through Alaska.
Included Activities:
- Anchorage - Leader-Led City Tour
- Talkeetna - Leader-Led walk
Optional Activities:
- Talkeetna - Grand Denali Scenic Flight with Glacier Landing (565 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no further activities planned today, so your trip will come to an end at check out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Ela - Traveled, August 2023
Great tour! Really enjoyed it, everything was planned and on time. Stayed in really cool places. The van was clean and comfortable. Really recommend it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Margarita - Traveled, June 2024
descent amount of driving to get your thoughts straight, a lot of free time to explore on your own, the best food, chance to meet an adorable mayor
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/29/2024
Dina - Traveled, June 2024
I just did my first every solo tour group trip in my life. I'm really glad I chose Intrepid Travel to work with. The trip to Alaska was well organized, fun, safe and I made quite a few new friends! I will definitely be traveling with them again in the future. Thanks Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2024
Debbie - Traveled, June 2024
My first intrepid trip, I would 100% recommend this trip and Gary as a guide. Saw everything I wanted to in Alaska. Will use intrepid again
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/13/2024
Allison - Traveled, September 2023
Alaska is a beautiful place and this place allowed us to see and do a lot in a short amount of time. The sites, excursions, and accommodations were excellent and I would thoroughly recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/17/2023
Emily - Traveled, July 2023
The Best of Alaska tour was wonderful! I enjoyed every location we visited, and the tour was well run. Our guide was fabulous - knowledgeable, kind, patient, and fun! The accommodations were nice and all included activities were great. Alaska includes a lot of driving, but you can't beat the scenery along the way! Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/05/2023
Peter - Traveled, August 2022
its an excellent tour,we covered almost everything in 10 days
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2022
Michaela - Traveled, August 2022
It was a lifetime experience for my kids and me. We enjoyed all the wildlife, wilderness and all the wonders Alaska offered us . Without our guide we could have never packed so many different activities in the time we spent in Alaska. Not to forget it was very educational and we learnt about Alaska history, life and sustainability that we all can contribute to.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/19/2022
Anthony - Traveled, July 2022
This trip would have been very good if we eliminate too much driving. We can easily achieve this by eliminating Valdez as destination. Seward has similar but better sight seeing than Valdez.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/08/2022
Anthony - Traveled, July 2022
This trip could have been very enjoyable by eliminating Valdez. As including Valdez involved too much driving and sitting in the car. We can see same things better in Seward. This eliminates overnight staying at Palmer. This could make the trip sweet and short. Travis Hanks is an excellent trip leader.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/06/2022
Randall - Traveled, June 2022
Best of Alaska's a terrific trip, tons of wildlife and sea life, glaciers for those loving that climate-challenged treasure to beautiful mountain terrain. Soaring bald eagles, moose outside your lodge window, humpback whales breaching and orca fins in iceberg-studded area waters. All that and a seafood lover's treat as well
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/08/2022
John - Traveled, August 2021
I was disappointed with both Alaska and Intrepid. Alaska is huge, almost all rural, and very expensive. You will see animals, but most are very far away. This is not a "comfort" tour. The bus was not comfortable, some of the hotels were not comfortable, and the roads are not comfortable. Our tour guide (Nancy) was also the driver. It wasn't her fault, but she had difficulty doing both tasks concurrently.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2021
Alexandra - Traveled, August 2024
My group leader, Claire, was very friendly and fun to be around. The Denali Flightseeing is a must - it was my favorite moment of the trip. This was definitely a good introduction to Alaska, I learned a lot about this state, and look forward to visiting again for different experiences. Anticipate changing weather, and some drive time, but it was worth it. As a solo traveler, I always felt safe and will use Intrepid again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/11/2024
Debi - Traveled, August 2024
Best of Alaska did not disappoint! Our tour guide was exceptional and the venues were beautiful. We were fortunate to have unusually good weather and were able to see wildlife in their natural surroundings. The glacier cruise was a highlight, not be missed!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2024
