Tour overview
Specially designed for families, this self-drive route allows your family to slow down and spend quality time together. At the same time, you have fun and see the main attractions of Alaska, including Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. The itinerary for this exciting family vacation has been carefully selected to maximize your outdoor enjoyment. You’ll enjoy stunning wildlife scenery and meet real Alaskan sled dogs in the home of one of Alaska’s premier Iditarod dog sled families, encountering icebergs, whales and other marine wildlife on a day cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. Enjoy unique family activities like a Spencer Glacier boat trip and an Alaska Railroad ride. Create memories of a lifetime for your whole family on this fun, exciting and educational Alaska family adventure vacation
What is included
8 nights of accommodation in mid-range hotels
8 days rental of a medium-sized car, including unlimited mileage
Trip to Spencer Glacier from Portage with a ride on the Alaska Railroad
Resurrection Bay boat cruise with a lunch stop at Fox Island
A tour of the Seavey Ididaride Kennel, including a dog sled ride
All taxes and fees
What is not included
Meals, optional excursions, bus tour of Denali National Park, admission to attractions listed on the itinerary, and gratuities. Car rental cover (eg LDW or third party liability insurance), additional driver fees, petrol and GPS rental. Upgrading the car rental category is possible for an additional fee.
DAY 1
Arrival at the anchorage
Upon arrival in Anchorage, pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, located between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides a great start to your vacation. Overnight in Anchorage. You will stay overnight at a hotel in downtown Anchorage.
Important Note: Please provide us with your flight arrival information when booking so that we can properly plan your rental car pick-up time.
DAY 2
Day trip to Anchorage
Start your family trip to Alaska with a great highlight: a ride on the Alaska Railroad’s whistle-stop train and float trip surrounded by stunning scenery and icebergs! In the morning, drive from Anchorage along the scenic Turnange Arm to Portage Train Station. Plan a few stops along the way to enjoy the scenery. Depart Portage on the Alaska Railroad at 1:25 PM for a short but scenic train ride to Spencer Glacier in the remote Chugach Mountains. Get on your raft and float for 2 hours between icebergs on Spencer Lake and down the Placer River. After your float trip, return to the Portage train station at 5:15 PM for a leisurely ride back to Anchorage. Night anchorage.
DAY 3
Anchorage to Denali National Park
Exit Anchorage and follow Glenn Highway north. A few interesting stops along this highway are the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the village of Eklutna. As you continue on the Parks Highway toward Denali National Park, you drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. Take an optional excursion to the quaint town of Talketna, known for its special back-town charm. Weather permitting, Talkeetna offers one of the best views of Mount Denali and the Alaska Range. From here you can go on a spectacular excursion to land on a glacier on Denali or on a jet ski excursion. Upon arrival at Denali, you can attend a dinner at the theater. Overnight at the entrance to Denali Park.
DAY 4
Denali National Park
Enjoy a free day in the Denali area. You can add an optional Denali National Park bus tour (select at time of reservation) or Denali Park entrance tours such as ATV, rafting, or sightseeing. Hiking and dog sledding demonstrations are also great options. Overnight at the entrance to Denali Park.
DAY 5
Denali National Park to Wasilla
Today, take the Parks Highway back south to the Wasilla area. Attractions in the Mat-Su area include the Iditarod Museum, Independence Mine State Historical Park, a sheep farm, and a deer farm. Overnight in the Palmer/Wasilla area.
DAY 6
Wasilla to Seward
Drive south to the Kenai Peninsula today, passing scenic scenery on your way to Seward. You have a full day to explore the scenic driving route. You can visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a home for orphaned Alaskan animals and a great place for kids! As you drive into Seward, you can stop at Exit Glacier, one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. Depending on your arrival time in Seward, you may have time to stop by the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. The SeaLife Center is a state-of-the-art marine science center where you can get up close and personal with Alaska’s diverse marine life and seabirds. Overnight in Seward.
DAY 7
Seward
The morning is free to get to know Seward. Around noon, you will embark on a 4.5-hour cruise through the rich waters of Resurrection Bay. The area boasts abundant wildlife, glaciers and breathtaking scenery. The cruise stops at Fox Island for lunch at the lodge. You have time to beachcomb and cliff jump, or attend a National Park ranger educational program before continuing your cruise. Keep an eye out for stellar sea lions, fur seals, eagles and whales. Pass the Alaska Marine National Wildlife Refuge, home to a wide variety of birds such as puffins and cormorants. See Bear Glacier from afar, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. An evening at leisure in Seward. Overnight in Seward.
DAY 8
Seward to Anchorage
Before departing from Seward, visit Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey’s racing kennel, meet famous sled dogs, hug adorable puppies, dress up as an Iditarod cowboy, and marvel at Alaska’s spectacular wildlife as you ride two miles with an Iditarod racer. Your drive back to Anchorage today is a great opportunity to stop at Portage Glacier and explore the visitor center or ride the aerial tram to the top of Aleska Mountain in Herdwood. Overnight in Anchorage, in a hotel in the city center.
DAY 9
Departure from the anchorage
Depending on the time of departure, you may have free time for souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Return your car to the Anchorage Airport car rental location. Exit or run an additional program.
