Discover Alaska by Car

Blaze your own trails across the ‘Last Frontier’ on this comprehensive self-drive visiting all the key sights in Alaska. Your journey begins in Anchorage before driving through the dramatic Denali National Park to the culture-rich town of Fairbanks steeped in gold rush history. Highlights also include a thrilling bush plane flight to the vast wilderness of Wrangell-St Elias National Park and a beautiful journey across Prince William Sound. Ideal for those seeking adventure.

MEAL PLAN
No meals are included apart from a snack lunch on Day 3.

ACCOMMODATION
Is in 3 star hotels, but in remote areas such as National Parks or small towns it may be more simple and rustic. Accommodation in Kennicott has shared bathrooms. Accommodation in Glennallen is limited and alternative options may be provided in a different town. Hotels confirmed with final itineraries and are subject to change due to local conditions.

TOUR INCLUDES
Alamo rental car on a rental only basis including unlimited mileage and size depending on party number. A comprehensive step by step self-drive holiday guide with maps, driving instructions and sightseeing information. Coach tour of Denali National Park, ferry crossing from Whittier to Valdez and roundtrip bush plane flight from Chitina to McCarthy are also included.

DAY 1
Pick up your rental car at Anchorage airport and enjoy an enlightening visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre. Drive to the Ramada Anchorage Hotel (or similar) for one night.

DAY 2
This morning embark on a drive to Denali National Park and the Denali Grizzly Bear Resort (or similar) at the park’s entrance for a two night stay (approx. 220 miles).

DAY 3
Today enjoy a coach tour (approx. seven hours) to discover the beauty of this national park whose name means ‘the high one’. A snack lunch is also included. Keep your eyes open in the hope of spotting the grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou and wolves that all inhabit the park, along with a variety of birds. On a clear day you can see North America’s highest peak, Mt McKinley.

DAY 4
Head north to Fairbanks, which has an interesting gold rush history. Visit an old dredge and try your luck at gold panning! Stay one night at the Extended Stay Deluxe hotel (or similar), (approx. 250 miles).

DAY 5
Depart Fairbanks, perhaps choosing to make a stop at the town of North Pole, home to Santa Claus’ House. Continue on to Glennallen – originally occupied by the Ahtna Indians and gateway to the Copper River Valley and America’s largest national park, Wrangell-St Elias. Overnight at the Caribou Hotel or similar accommodation in the Copper Center region (approx. 250 miles).

DAY 6
Morning drive from Glennallen along the Richardson Highway to Chitina, where you will board a bush plane for a scenic 30 minute flight to McCarthy, deep in the heart of Wrangell-St Elias National Park. This park is the meeting place of four mountain ranges and contains the continent’s largest subpolar ice field, as well as providing habitat for black and brown bears, caribou and sheep, with the Copper River rich in salmon. Transfer from McCarthy to the backcountry area of Kennicott where you may decide to take part in a glacier hike or river rafting in breathtaking wilderness. Spend tonight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge (or similar), (approx. 140 miles).

DAY 7
Early morning transfer from Kennicott to McCarthy and your return bush plane flight to Chitina. Drive to the picturesque coastal town of Valdez at the head of Prince William Sound. Stay at the Mountain Sky Hotel & Suites (or similar) for one night (approx. 120 miles).

DAY 8
Today take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Whittier. Travelling through Prince William Sound, you can hope to spot Harbour seals, Stellar sea lions, sea otters, Dall porpoises and Humpback whales. Disembark the ferry and drive along the coastal road to Anchorage and return your rental car, signalling the end of your self-drive journey (approx. 60 miles). Overnight in Anchorage recommended.