Alaska Wildlife Summer Itinerary
Is it your dream to observe majestic wildlife in its natural environment? Then the Alaska Wildlife Itinerary is the trip for you. This Alaska Self-Drive tour covers lots of ground for opportunities to view diverse wildlife, including brown bears, caribou, whales, moose, sea lions, eagles, and much more!
Included in this sample itinerary:
Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park
Halibut Fishing in Prince William Sound
Guided Glacier Hike on Matanuska Glacier
Helicopter Flight with Glacier Dog Sledding
Exit, Byron, and Worthington Glacier Access
Wildlife Cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
Brown Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park
Alaska SeaLife Center and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Additional activities that can be added to this itinerary:
Guided Kayaking in Resurrection Bay
Flightseeing in Denali National Park
Alaska Wildlife Itinerary Map
Day 1 - Anchorage
Welcome to Alaska! You’ve had a long journey, and we are excited to welcome you to our home. At the airport, you will collect your belongings and rental car prior to going to your hotel. You can spend the afternoon enjoying some of the local sights around Anchorage, including the Glen Alps Overlook, which will give you a beautiful view over the city of Anchorage and the famous Mount Susitna (aka Sleeping Lady as known to locals).
You can also visit Westchester Lagoon, a beautiful area near downtown Anchorage with a large lake, tons of birdlife, and panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains. You will enjoy dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants in Anchorage (you will receive our Alaska Restaurant Guide) before turning in for the evening.
Day 2 - Denali
Today you depart the city and head north to the quirky and charming historic town of Talkeetna. Along the way, you will stop at some beautiful places, including Hatcher Pass. Here you can walk through the well-preserved remnants of the Independence Mine, possibly spotting wildlife, including eagles, bears, marmots, and ptarmigan.
You will continue over the scenic Hatcher Pass to the town of Talkeetna. You will have plenty of time to walk the historic old town, take in unobstructed views of Denali, and enjoy a meal at one of their many delicious restaurants. You will drive the remainder of the way to Denali. Along the way, you can stop in Denali State Park, where you can go for a short hike or take in the expansive views of the Alaska Range. Once in Denali, you will check into your hotel and find a place to enjoy dinner. Make sure to turn in at a decent hour for a restful night, as the following day begins bright and early!
Day 3 - Denali
The Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali departs in the morning and runs about 5 1/2 hours. Many hotels in the Denali area offer a shuttle to the park, so you don’t need to worry about driving and finding parking. The Tundra Wilderness Tour travels 43 miles into the park to the East Fork River. This tour boasts beautiful scenery, opportunities for wildlife sightings (caribou, wolves, and bears, oh my!), and a narrated history of the park road.
After your tour, you can explore the Visitor Center, visit husky puppies, and view a sled dog demonstration to learn how dog sleds operate within Denali National Park. When you finish, you can take the shuttle back to your hotel.
Day 4 - Fairbanks
Today you depart Denali and head even further north to the city of Fairbanks. Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, just 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle. In Fairbanks, we recommend visiting the Museum of the North, now the permanent home of the famous Bus 142 from Into the Wild.
After visiting the museum, you can stroll along the Chena River and Downtown Fairbanks, which has historic buildings dating back to the gold rush era or dry your hand at gold panning with the local Gold Daughters company.
Day 5 - Valdez
Today you turn south and travel along the stunning and historic Richardson Highway to the seaside town of Valdez. The original trail along this route was established by the US Army in 1898 to provide access to the Klondike gold fields. Today it is more commonly associated with peeking views of the Alaska Pipeline along the way.
As you near Valdez, you will stop for a visit at Worthington Glacier, where you can take an easy trail to the base of the glacier. After this, you will cross Thompson Pass, with its unbelievable views, before diving into Keystone Canyon. Keystone Canyon is famous for its tall waterfalls. You will arrive in Valdez with time to enjoy a delicious dinner and check into your hotel.
Day 6 - Valdez
Valdez is famous for a number of events. One event was the town's destruction by the 1964 Good Friday 9.2 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake destroyed buildings and the harbor, forcing residents to relocate the town. Today, you can walk through the historic old town and take a free audio tour.
Valdez is filled with wildlife. Your chances of spotting brown bears, black bears, sea lions, eagles, and more are very high. In Valdez, you can enjoy several exciting activities, including kayaking to a glacier or going halibut fishing in Prince William Sound. The choice is yours!
Day 7 - Palmer
Today you will travel back over Thompson Pass and along the majestic Glenn Highway - our favorite road in Alaska. This road has incredible views of the Chugach Mountains, which never cease to impress.
Along the way, you will stop at the Matanuska Glacier, where you will have a chance for a fun and educational trek with a guide on the glacier. Tonight you will stay overnight in Palmer in a cozy cabin at the base of the mountain.
Day 8 - Seward
You begin the day with an adventurous and fun activity. You will travel by helicopter to a nearby glacier to participate in glacier dog sledding! Travel by dog sled with knowledgeable local guides and have a chance to hold and play with the little husky puppies. This is one of the most popular activities with our guests!
You will then drive through Anchorage, where you can pick up any supplies you need for the remainder of your trip. As you travel along Turnagain Arm, take the drive slowly, as there are often possibilities for spotting beluga whales swimming or large mountain goats on the cliffs on the edge of the road.
You will arrive in Seward, where you will stay for the night. The charming downtown has many restaurants to choose from. There is also a beautiful coastal walk along the water, where you can observe whales coming in for their evening meal.
Day 9 - Seward
In the morning, you will embark on a wildlife-watching extravaganza! From the boat, you will travel through Kenai Fjords National Park. You can observe wildlife in their natural habitat, including sea otters, whales, sea lions, puffins, and more.
After disembarking, you can regain your land legs with a visit to Exit Glacier, where a gentle trail will take you up close to the action. You can observe the glacier’s retreat and see how glaciers can reshape landscapes. If you hope to see more wildlife up close, we recommend visiting the Alaska Sealife Center, a public aquarium and Alaska’s only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility.
Day 10 - Homer
In the morning, you can find a cup of coffee and enjoy the morning light on the famous Mount Marathon in Seward. Today, you will continue your drive south through the little fishing community of Cooper Landing, where you can walk on the shores and enjoy the turquoise-blue water of Kenai Lake. Kenai Lake is the headwaters for the Kenai River, world famous for its salmon fishing.
As you drive towards the seaside town of Homer, you will have a view of the waters of Cook Inlet. On a very clear day, you can see the land across the inlet and observe volcanoes that are a part of the Ring of Fire. There are a few excellent stops where you can observe large numbers of bald eagles from a close distance.
You arrive in Homer with plenty of time to stretch your legs and find a delicious spot to have dinner. Your options for fresh fish and seafood are abundant in Homer!
Day 11 - Homer
Katmai National Park is one of the world's premier brown bear viewing locations. Today you will board a flight that takes you to this area where you will view brown bears feeding on sockeye salmon at the famous Brooks Falls. With a private guide, you will have time to walk around and photograph the bears in their natural habitat.
After returning in the evening, you will explore the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile-long piece of land jutting into Kachemak Bay. Here you will find an assortment of shops and restaurants, a beautiful rocky beach, and the local boat harbor. This is a fun place to explore, with the possibility of viewing eagles along the shore.
Day 12 - Anchorage
Today you will drive the rest of the way back to Anchorage, making stops along the way. One stop includes the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a non-profit conservation center home to animals, including brown bears, wolves, bison, muskoxen, and more. There is a one-mile loop that you can walk or drive where you can observe the wildlife up close.
After arriving in Anchorage, stop at some small locally owned shops such as Dos Manos or Sevigny Studios, where you can purchase quality, locally made gifts. We also recommend driving to Flat Top, where you can take a short walk and take in your final views of the city. Enjoy dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in Anchorage before turning in for the night.
Day 13 - Departure
On your last morning in Anchorage, you will have time to pack your bags and enjoy breakfast before heading to the airport. Thank you for visiting us in Alaska!
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