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SDAN09 Highlights of Denali & Glacier Bay

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SDAN09 Highlights of Denali & Glacier Bay

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Alaska has two most popular National Parks – Denali and Glacier Bay and our ‘SDAN09 – Highlights of Denali & Glacier Bay’ combines these two into one fun filled self-driving tour. This tour starts in Anchorage, which is home to lot of adventures along with metropolitan amenities. Discover famous Denali National Park nestling in the shadows of towering 20.320 ft. Mt. Denali. Denali National Park mesmerizes every one with its pristine beauty amazing hikes and great wildlife spotting. After that you Stopover in Talkeetna - the base for all mountain climbers before returning your car in Anchorage. From Anchorage, you fly to Gustavus and stay at Glacier Bay Lodge. Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration. Today, glaciers still cover 27 percent of the Park. There are more than 50 named glaciers of which seven are active tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea. Two of them, Johns Hopkins and Margerie Glaciers, are advancing. Encircling the park to the west is the Fairweather Range, the highest coastal mountains in the world at 15,000 feet. Experience Glacier Bay from the comfort of the catamaran during a Glacier Bay Cruise. The bay is rich with marine life, including the endangered humpback whale, orcas, threatened Stellar sea lion, harbor seals, sea otters and porpoises. In addition Glacier Bay is home to a large bear population, both brown and black, as well as the blue glacier bear, a rare color phase of the black. Sitka blacktail deer and mountain goats thrive in the park. Fly to Juneau and join the Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise. This self-drive tour is perfectly suited for the adventurous travelers.

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Anchorage ( Overnight: Anchorage )

Arrive in Anchorage during the day. Pick up your rental car from the airport or downtown. Nestled along the Chugach Mountains, the coastal city of Anchorage is not the frozen tundra of Alaska you might imagine. You will find it’s brimming with activities for the outdoorsy and adventurous. Being the largest city in Alaska, it is rich in indigenous culture; spend your day enjoying the Alaska Native Heritage Center, visiting the Anchorage Museum, or browsing through the Saturday Market. Visit the Lake Hood Floatplane base, go for a walk along the Coastal Train and try out one of Anchorage popular seafood restaurants. With so much of variety of things, for a first time visitor to Alaska or a seasoned traveller, Anchorage has more to offer and is the perfect starting point for your journey into Alaska.

Anchorage - Denali National Park ( Driving Distance: 240 miles | Overnight: Denali Village )

The grandness of the nature starts right from Anchorage itself and driving every mile on the Parks Highway gets even better. It is a treat to watch the mountain peaks crowned with snow caps in the distance. On the way you travel across the fertile Matanuska Valley. Because of the immense amount of summer sunlight, vegetables grow to incredible sizes. Feel free to stop at the designated photo stops to enjoy more panoramic views. It is possible to stopover at Talkeetna for a flightseeing tour to Mt. Denali or a canoe tour on Byers Lake. Travel across Denali State Park and arrive at Denali Village. This evening visit Jeff King’s Sled Dog Kennel - Join an intimate group for a personal tour with four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King and his sled dogs at his Husky Homestead Kennel.

Denali National Park ( Overnight: Denali Village )

Denali National Park offers excellent wildlife viewing and spectacular sceneries. Pick up your tickets, board the bus and watch out for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolf and fox moving along the ridges and river beds. Your driver informs about the history of Denali National Park, its diverse wildlife and flora. Once an animal has been spotted the bus will stop that everyone can watch and take pictures. The bus turns around at Eielson Visitor Center - 66 miles one way/8 hours round trip. You can get off the bus anytime to go for a hike. Return to the Denali Park entrance anytime during the day. Optional: We can extend the transit bus tour to Wonder Lake or exchange to the Tundra Wilderness Tour, Kantishna Wilderness Trails or Backcountry Lodge Tour. Included: Denali Transit Bus to Eielson Center

Denali National Park – Talkeetna ( Driving Distance: 160 miles | Overnight: Talkeetna )

Spend the morning at Denali Village and join a whitewater rafting tour, watch a sled dog demonstration presented by the Denali park rangers or go on a short hiking trip around the Denali Visitor Center. Leave for Talkeetna - the base for most climbing expeditions and spectacular glacier flightseeing activities within the Alaska Mountain Range. Optional Tour: Take a flightseeing trip within 6-Miles of Denali's 20.320 ft summit and get a picture perfect view of the Kahiltna and Ruth Glacier with its Great Gorge - over 9.000 ft deep - as well as onto magnificent ice-falls. You will also see the Sheldon Amphitheatre - the largest of its kind in the world. Another highlight will be an adventurous glacier landing at the 5600 foot level of the Ruth Glacier, located in the Sheldon Amphitheater. Included: Mt. Denali Flightseeing Tour

Talkeetna - Anchorage ( Driving Distance: 120 miles | Overnight: Anchorage )

Join a jet boat safari on the Susitna, Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers this morning. Return to Anchorage via the Parks Highway and take a break in Wasilla - Home of the Iditarod Trail Headquarter. The museum features historical displays of the "Last Great Race on Earth", videos and a gift shop with unique souvenirs. Stopover at Eklutna Indian village which is an Athabascan Indian settlement. It houses a unique cemetery, in which each grave is surrounded by a small, decorative burial house. Alternative Routing: From the Parks Highway drive via Hatcher Pass Road to the Independence Mine Historical Park - operated from 1938 - 1941 by one of the largest gold producers in the Willow Creek Mining District.

Anchorage - Flight to Gustavus via Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Scenic flight from Anchorage to Gustavus with a stopover in Juneau (around 4 hrs). Upon arrival in Gustavus, you will be transferred to Glacier Bay Lodge where you can check into your room. Glacier Bay National Park - with its high mountain peaks, ice-sculptured fjords, an abundance of marine wildlife and massive tidewater glaciers - is one of Alaska's most spectacular National Parks. When Captain George Vancouver sailed through the ice-choked waters of Icy Strait in 1794, Glacier Bay was little more than a dent in a mountain of ice. Encircling the park to the west is the Fairweather Range, the highest coastal mountains in the world at 15,000 feet. Spend the remaining day to stroll the beach at Bartlett Cove or join the Park Ranger for a walk through the rainforest that surround the lodge.

Gustavus / Glacier Bay Lodge ( Overnight: Gustavus )

Morning departure at 7:30 AM for a scenic high-speed catamaran cruise into Glacier Bay. Watch glaciers with giant towers of ice 'calve' into the water. Throughout the cruise, watch for the Park's resident wildlife: humpback, orca and minke whales; harbor seals and sea lions: bears, mountain goats and moose; and more than 200 species of birds. The "Baranof Wind", a spacious, comfortable catamaran, was designed for maximum viewing enjoyment with open top-deck viewing, interior seating and large picture windows. Throughout the cruise, a National Park Service Ranger explains wildlife behavior as well as the geologic features and cultural history of the Park. Lunch is included and served onboard. After the cruise, return to Bartlett Cove. Included: Glacier Bay Cruise

Gustavus / Glacier Bay Lodge - Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate more than 3000 miles from Hawaii to Alaska. They spend winter in tropical waters and then make the long voyage to temperate and polar waters in Alaska during the summer to feed and rebuild their blubber supply. Point Adolphus near Gustavus is a popular feeding area for the Alaska humpback and a popular place for travelers to get a glimpse of these enormous mammals. You have the option this morning to join the whale watching cruise to this feeding ground. Their unique feeding techniques, acrobatics, and vocalizations make every tour unique. This afternoon, board the plane for a scenic flight to Juneau. Transfer to your hotel in downtown Juneau - the capital of Alaska.

Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Journey through one of the most dramatic sites in the world - Tracy Arm Fjord. This narrow fjord twists and turns for over 30 miles, culminating in a spectacular view of the twin tidewater Sawyer Glaciers. Your captain will navigate as close as the ice floe allows, stopping for an extended stay at the face of the glacier. Watch for seals relaxing on the icebergs and bald eagles soaring above the cliffs. Learn about the natural history of the fjord, glaciers and the wildlife from our onboard naturalist. Gain insights into Tlingit Native culture. Overcast days will not dampen your enjoyment as clouds and mist only heighten the drama of the fjord and intensify the glacial blue color. Included: Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer Cruise

Juneau

Spend the morning relaxing or doing your favourite outdoor activities. Sample the city’s local fare is a big part of any vacation and a visit to Juneau delivers tastes that delight the senses. From Alaska salmon, halibut and crab to sourdough bagels, homemade fudge, and award-winning coffee and beer, Juneau can satisfy even the most discriminating palate. One of the local favourites is Tracy's King Crab Shack in downtown Juneau. Transfer to Juneau Airport.

Rates in US $ / per Person
Comfort Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 19 - May 31 $5080 $3406 $2936 $2704 $1225
June 1 - August 31 $5512 $3617 $3073 $2805 $1225
September 1 - September 10 $5122 $3422 $2943 $2707 $1225
First Class Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 19 - May 31 $5926 $3817 $3186 $2871 $1225
June 1 - August 31 $6553 $4131 $3396 $3032 $1225
September 1 - September 10 $6090 $3899 $3251 $2930 $1225

What’s included

09 Nights Comfort OR First-Class Accommodation

Hotel and State Taxes

05 Days Compact Rental Car (For additional Upgrades and Extras Click Here)

Unlimited Free Mileage

Rental Car Licensing Fees

CFC, State & City Rental Car Sales Taxes

Denali  Transit  Bus  Ticket  to  Eielson  Visitor  Center  

1 Hr. Mt. Denali Flightseeing Tour

Flight from Anchorage to Gustavus

Flight from Gustavus to Juneau

Full Day Glacier Bay Cruise including lunch

Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer Cruise

Transfers in Gustavus

Airport Transfer in Juneau

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Tour Departures

Daily  from  May  25th  –  September  03rd

Anchorage: Bear Viewing Tour Day Trip to Brooks Falls / Katmai National Park

Take off from Anchorage to an all day bear viewing expedition past glaciers and volcanoes - within the land of the giant animals: the brown bear country of southwest Alaska. You'll fly to Katmai's - worlds famous Brooks River Falls where brown bears feed on salmon. Each year millions of sockeye salmons burst from the Bering Sea into lakes and streams of the Katmai National Park. These fish provide the primary food source for the worlds largest population of brown bears. As many as 50 bears may be viewed up-close-and-personal from elevated boardwalks and viewing platforms fishing along the 1 1/2 mile Brooks River during peak season (July). Local National Park Rangers are answering all of your questions about this incredible park during the self guided full day tour. Lunch is included at Brooks Lodge.

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Denali: Extend Denali Transit Bus Tour to Wonder Lake

The Denali Transit Bus is the official shuttle bus service into Denali National Park. The shuttle is best suited for those visitors who are seeking flexibility in their day trip into the Park and would like to have the option of getting off the bus to hike or explore on your own. Excellent hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities all along the Park Road. Created by retreating glaciers, Wonder Lake offers visitors stunning views of Mt. Denali and the Alaska Range, as weather permits. Along the Park Road, alder and willow carpeted hills are dotted with kettle ponds often frequented by waterfowl and other wildlife. Reflection Pond, an amazing photo stop on a clear day, requires you utilize the Kantishna Transit Bus or hike 2.5 miles from the Wonder Lake turnaround stop.

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Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour

The fully narrated 62-mile Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park is led by a certified naturalist driver/guide who will also provide historical and geographical background of the area. The tour will last approximately eight to nine hours and includes ample photo and rest stops. When your tour driver is able, he/she will take video footage of animals along Park Road and project these images onto drop-down video screens, featured only our specially designed tour buses. This way you can get a close-up look at the roadside action. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a “Tundra Wilderness Tour” DVD, which will feature some of the video footage shot from your tour! Guests cannot switch buses throughout the day (only the Denali Transit Bus allows this).

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Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour

The Kantishna Wilderness Trails tour is the premier Denali Park wilderness bus excursion. Spend the entire day in Denali National Park and discover a piece of Alaska's gold rush history and warm hospitality at the historic Kantishna Roadhouse, located just past Wonder Lake on the banks of Moose Creek. Your 12 to 13-hour fully-narrated excursion to Kantishna travels via a custom motorcoach through 95 miles of Denali National Park's prime wildlife habitat. The last 30 miles allow for full viewing of Mt. Denali, weather permitting. The wilderness backcountry of Denali Park provides diverse habitats which support big-game species such as black bear, grizzly, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, and wolverine. Hot beverages and refreshments are included en route to the Kantishna Roadhouse. After a hearty deli style lunch in the dining room at the Roadhouse, relax and visit the Historical Recorder's Cabin and enjoy a dog sled demonstration or gold panning. Guests cannot switch buses throughout the day (only the Denali Transit Bus allows this).

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Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Denali Backcountry Adventure Bus Tour

The Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour is another premier Denali Park Wildlife bus excursion. This full-day, 13-hour tour travels 95 miles in each direction to the Denali Backcountry Lodge in Kantishna. You'll travel by private bus with a trained naturalist driver/guide giving interpretation along the way helping you search for bear, moose, caribou and other wildlife while pointing out the biology and geology of the region. Several photo and rest stops will be made. Snacks, drinks and lunch are provided. Lunch is served at the exclusive Denali Backcountry Lodge in Kantishna. Lunch consists of a sandwich bar, soups, fruits, snacks, fresh baked goods and non-alcoholic drinks. After lunch try your luck at gold panning near the lodge or take a guided nature walk before returning to the Park entrance.

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Talkeetna: Denali Flightseeing Tour - Add Glacier Landing

The 1 hr Denali flightseeing tour (included) takes you within six miles of Mt. Denali's summit. As your flight departs Talkeetna, you begin to notice how the last ice age has shaped the land. Moments later you enter a world of rugged high mountain peaks and wide glacier filled valleys. See the Sheldon Amphitheater, beautiful Ruth Glacier, and the Great Gorge (the world's deepest - almost 2 miles from top to bottom). Add a glacier landing to your flightseeing tour for a one-of-a-kind expedition. Passengers land usually at the 5600 foot level of the Ruth Glacier, located in the Sheldon Amphitheater. Other popular landing spots are the Kahiltna, the Pika, or the Eldridge glaciers. A glacier landing takes an additional 30 minutes (15 minutes of time exploring on foot and 15 minutes for landing and takeoff).

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Juneau: Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tour to Admiralty Island

The Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island is one of Alaska’s most accessible, and yet most wild, bear viewing areas. After the scenic floatplane flight from Juneau, walk on the same ground as the bears. Human visitation is limited, allowing us to enjoy a wilderness bear viewing experience. Pack Creek is ideal habitat for Alaska’s massive coastal brown bears (grizzlies). Starting in the spring, brown bears come to the meadows to feed and also to pursue mates. This makes it one of the best places to see bears during May and early June. While some Pack Creek bears head into the nearby mountains in mid-June, following fresh green vegetation, some stick around. By the end of June, bears are congregating at the creek, waiting for the first pacific salmon to arrive. From July through early-September, bears can be seen feeding on salmon. This tour is a premium guided and fully-outfitted package. Explore some of the most prime bear country on earth and to observe these amazing animals in the protected Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island. While July and August are the peak of bear activity related to salmon, Pack Creek is an excellent place to see bear activity in May, June and September as well.

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Dillip, Sri Lanka: Highlight of the driving tour was the visit to glacier bay national park on a cruise. Views of the inlets, glaciers, fjords were beautiful. Landscape was amazing, every where you looked you had amazing views. Saw a lot of glaciers and took a lot of photos. Enjoyed every minute of our time in the park.