Alaska's National Parks

Day 1 – Welcome to Alaska!

Optional transfers from our departure points this morning will have you at LAX for a flight to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city and a surprising metropolis. Guests making their own flight arrangements may arrive in Anchorage at any time and still take advantage of the included meet and greet at the airport followed by an included transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2 – Anchorage to Denali National Park

Following an included breakfast, you’ll travel north into Alaska’s interior by motorcoach along the scenic Parks Highway. Make several stops and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. Enjoy an included welcome dinner and begin a two-night stay at your resort located at the entrance to Denali National Park (elevation, 4,000 feet). (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Denali National Park

After an included breakfast you’ll travel into Denali National Park on a Tundra Wilderness Tour that takes you deep into the wilds of Denali National Park, a six-million-acre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. One of the world’s last unspoiled frontiers, Denali National Park & Preserve features a myriad of spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. Traveling through forest and alpine tundra and over high mountain passes, you may see moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears and possibly the awe-inspiring Mt. Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) – North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet. This 6-8 hour narrated journey provides an incredible insight into the animals, flora and fauna. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure exploring this pristine area by participating in a complimentary park service activity or an optional excursion available for additional fees. Optional excursions include white water rafting or a scenic float trip, an ATV wilderness adventure, flight-seeing Mt. Denali aboard either a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, fly fishing, a Denali wilderness walking tour with a naturalist, a Denali bike tour, a Denali photo tour or visit Husky Homestead, home of Iditarod Champion Jeff King to get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a championship Iditarod team and carving a life in Alaska’s Interior. Note that all optional excursions are subject to change and all excursions may not be available. All bookings/payments for the optional excursions are made with your tour director while on tour. (Breakfast)

Day 4 – Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star

Following an included breakfast, enjoy additional time at leisure for optional tours in the Denali area. Later, arrive at the Denali Park Train Depot to board the deluxe railcars of Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star. Sit back, relax and enjoy a four-hour rail journey south through some of the most scenic and rugged territory in Alaska. This evening arrive in the quaint town of Talkeetna which began as a trading post when gold was first discovered in the Susitna River. Talkeetna’s downtown is classified as a National Historic Site, with buildings dating from the early 1900s. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Talkeetna to Seward

After an included breakfast, travel south onboard the motorcoach. As you travel along Alaska’s scenic Turnagain Arm, keep an eye out for Dall sheep high up in the rocky cliffs, as well as moose, bear and eagles. This evening, begin a two-night stay in Seward. (Breakfast)

Day 6 – Kenai Fjords National Park

Following an included breakfast you’ll explore the coastal community of Seward. This afternoon, enjoy a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise which explores the calm, protected waters and rugged coastline of Resurrection Bay. Experience up-close encounters with wildlife as the boat skirts past massive bird rookeries and sea lion colonies, stopping along the way to view any whales, seals, sea otters, bears, eagles and puffins. Get up-close to the face of a glacier as you cruise through the majestic Kenai Fjords National Park on this half-day cruise that includes lunch onboard. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 – Seward to Anchorage

After an included breakfast, travel north by motorcoach to Anchorage. Enjoy a driving tour of Anchorage including the historic downtown district. The town was originally settled in 1915 at the mouth of Ship Creek to support railroad construction and has grown steadily since to become the business, cultural and distribution epicenter of Alaska. Nowadays nearly half of Alaska’s 700,000 residents live in Anchorage. Visit the Anchorage Museum, a world-class museum which preserves, exhibits and interprets the art and history of Alaska. This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner and share tales from the road with your traveling companions. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 – Journey Home

Enjoy an included breakfast followed by an included transfer to the Anchorage Airport and a return flight to Los Angeles. Those guests not taking advantage of the optional group air, may depart the Anchorage Airport at any time today. Back in Los Angeles, those with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective drop-off destinations with many fond memories of this incredible Alaskan adventure. (Breakfast)

The land portion of this unique tour is operated by a local tour operator partner of ours that specializes in Alaska and provides a professional, Alaskan tour director to lead the group upon arrival in Anchorage. Our group will be joined by guests from other parts of the U.S. A Good Times Travel tour director will accompany our group only with a minimum number of Good Times Travel guests. This tour will operate with a driver-guide in a deluxe Sprinter van if there are nine or fewer guests on tour. Hotels are subject to change to similar properties. Alternate departure dates are available (based on availability).

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.