Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords
10 days |
Trace the spirit of Alaska across big landscapes and bigger adventures.
Majestic glaciers, iconic wildlife, and untouched wilderness earn Alaska its nickname of the Last Frontier—and this small-group Wildlife Tour brings it all to life. Travel deep into Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks, where grizzly bears, moose, and calving glaciers steal the show. Along the way, dive into Alaskan traditions like the legendary Iditarod, visit charming towns tucked into breathtaking backdrops, and experience the kind of natural beauty that feels otherworldly. Whether you’re scanning the horizon for caribou or cruising past tidewater glaciers, every moment promises awe and adventure.
Your tour package includes
- 8 nights in handpicked hotels
- 8 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 2 dinners with beer or wine
- 7 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- 1 train ride
Included highlights
- Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
- Denali National Park
- Palmer Visitor Information Center
- Alaska Railroad train ride
- Kenai Fjords National Park cruise
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Itinerary

Fairbanks, Alaska2 nights
Day 1: Arrival in Fairbanks
Welcome to Alaska! After arriving in Fairbanks, make the short transfer with your groupmates to your hotel. You’ll touch down later in the evening, so use your free time to settle into your room, grab a bite to eat at your hotel, and look forward to the rest of your journey.
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Fairbanks
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner
Begin your day with a guided sightseeing tour of Fairbanks, a city that blends gold rush history with modern-day frontier charm. As you drive through town, you’ll pass rustic log cabins standing alongside contemporary art installations—and might even catch a glimpse of a train chugging along the famed Alaska Railroad.
- Enter the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center to view exhibits dedicated to the culture and art of Alaskan Natives. Here, soaring wood-and-glass architecture reflects the natural beauty of Interior Alaska. Inside, explore immersive exhibits that celebrate the traditions, languages, and daily life of the state’s Indigenous peoples. Gaze at intricately beaded regalia, hear recordings of native Athabaskan storytelling, and admire striking displays of traditional crafts—each piece telling a story of survival, adaptation, and deep connection to the land.
- Roll up your sleeves at Gold Daughters, where you’ll try your hand at panning just like the prospectors of the 1800s. With a pan in hand and your feet in the gravel, swirl and sift through the icy water, hoping to spot the glitter of real gold flakes.
- Trade the clang of gold pans for the hush of nature as you head to Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Walk with a naturalist guide down boardwalk trails through a peaceful landscape of open fields, wetlands, and boreal forest, where the breeze rustles cottonwood leaves and migratory birds call overhead. (Depending on the season, you might spot sandhill cranes, tundra swans, or even moose.) Along the way, your guide will point out native plant species and share insights into the refuge’s role in local conservation efforts.
Please note: The stops along the guided tour may vary based on the season.
This evening, attend a traditional Alaskan salmon bake welcome dinner. Expect a rustic, laid-back summer shack atmosphere and hearty local dishes made with pride.
Denali, Alaska2 nights
Day 3: Denali National Park via Nenana village
Included meal: Breakfast
Just off the Parks Highway, Nenana sits at the confluence of the Tanana and Nenana rivers—a historic Athabascan riverboat and rail town still alive with frontier spirit. Pause to explore, then, refreshed by this peek into Alaska’s heritage, continue your journey toward Denali’s soaring wilderness.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Denali to relax and recharge or join us for an invigorating optional excursion. You’ll take a guided nature walk through Denali National Park with a naturalist, learning about the region’s geology, glacial history, and how life thrives in its subarctic wilderness.
Day 4: Sightseeing tour of Denali National Park
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out for an awe-inspiring day of exploration through the heart of Denali National Park, a six-million-acre expanse where untamed beauty reigns supreme.
- Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that roam these lands—grizzly bears lumbering through open tundra, moose grazing in willow thickets, caribou crossing alpine ridges, and eagles soaring high above.
- Try and spot Denali. On clear days, you may catch a rare and unforgettable glimpse of the tallest peak in North America, rising 20,310 feet into the sky and dominating the horizon.
- Enter the Murie Science and Learning Center for a ranger-led discussion that digs deeper into Denali’s natural wonders. You’ll learn about the ongoing conservation efforts that protect this precious landscape, from climate research to wildlife monitoring, and leave with a richer understanding of what makes this national park one of the crown jewels of Alaska.
Stop for free time to enjoy a late dinner on the way out of the park.
Anchorage, Alaska2 nights
Day 5: Anchorage via Talkeetna & Palmer
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
As you make your way toward Anchorage, take a scenic and culture-rich detour through two of Alaska’s most charming and historically significant towns.
- Stop in the quirky village of Talkeetna, a hub for adventurers and artists alike nestled at the base of the Alaska Range. Stroll through its colorful downtown, where rustic log buildings house cozy cafes, local boutiques, and galleries brimming with handmade goods. You’ll have time to explore at your own pace, grab a bite, and soak up the laid-back, frontier-town vibe.
- Enjoy a talk led by a local mountain climber to learn about mountaineering in Alaska and what it’s like to summit the state’s most famous peaks, including Denali.
- Continue to Palmer, located in the heart of the Matanuska-Susitna (or Mat-Su) Valley. At the Palmer Visitor Center, dive into the town’s fascinating story—one shaped by Indigenous cultures, pioneering homesteaders, and a rich agricultural heritage.
Then, continue to Anchorage and sit down for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Anchorage
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out on a guided tour of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, where untouched landscapes meet modern cityscapes. As you travel through town, your guide will share stories that reveal the city’s resilient spirit and unique place in Alaskan history.
- Drive by Earthquake Park, a peaceful wooded area that marks the epicenter of the devastating 1964 Good Friday Earthquake—the most powerful ever recorded in North America. Here, you’ll learn how the disaster reshaped Anchorage’s landscape and infrastructure, and how the community rebuilt in its wake.
- Stop at Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the world’s busiest floatplane airport. Watch in wonder as bush pilots take off and land on the water, ferrying passengers and supplies to some of Alaska’s most remote and rugged locations.
- Venture downtown and stop at the iconic Captain Cook Statue. Gazing out over Cook Inlet, it commemorates the explorer’s 18th-century voyage to Alaska.
- Glimpse local wildlife in action at the salmon ladders, where in-season, you can witness salmon making their dramatic upstream journey—a natural spectacle right in the heart of Anchorage. Then, spend some free time exploring the city on your own.
Join us for an optional deep dive into Alaska’s Indigenous cultures at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where you’ll explore traditional village sites, experience Indigenous art and storytelling, and shop handicrafts before enjoying a local dinner. If you’d prefer to explore on your own, ask your Tour Director for a recommendation or head to Kincaid Park, a prime location for gentle hiking—and moose spotting!
Please note: The stops along the guided tour may vary based on the season.
Seward, Alaska2 nights
Day 7: Train ride to Seward
Included meal: Breakfast
Settle into your seat and get ready for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in North America as you board the renowned Coastal Classic Train. This scenic ride along the Alaska Railroad winds its way from Anchorage to Seward, carving a path through some of the most stunning landscapes the state has to offer.
As the train glides southward, you’ll follow the Turnagain Arm, where dramatic tides crash against rocky shores and bald eagles soar overhead. Keep your camera ready—you might spot beluga whales in the water or Dall sheep perched high on the cliffs. The scenery shifts from coastal views to dense forest as you enter the Kenai Peninsula, with towering spruce trees and wildflower-dotted meadows flashing past your window.
For an even more immersive experience, step into the Vista Dome car, where the glass ceiling provides sweeping, uninterrupted panoramas.
Spend a free afternoon in Seward strolling Waterfront Park along Resurrection Bay to catch majestic mountain views, watch boats glide by, and visit the historical marker for Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail. If you’re feeling adventurous and up for an active outing, join us for an optional hike in Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll hike the Exit Glacier Trail with a naturalist guide, drinking in sweeping vistas of one of the park’s most iconic glaciers and spotting wildlife along the way. End your adventure at the Exit Glacier Nature Center to view exhibits and chat with rangers.
Day 8: Kenai Fjords National Park cruise
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Set sail on a breathtaking cruise through the icy blue waters of Kenai Fjords National Park, a place where glaciers meet the sea and wildlife roams free. As you glide along the scenic waterways of the Kenai Peninsula, keep your eyes peeled for puffins, sea otters, seals, and even humpback whales and orcas breaching in the distance.
Towering tidewater glaciers occasionally calve into the ocean with thunderous splashes, creating an unforgettable spectacle of nature’s raw power. You’ll enjoy panoramic views from the deck and a boxed lunch served on board. If you’d like, treat yourself to a specialty cocktail chilled with a chunk of glacier ice pulled right out of the water.
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 9: Anchorage via Kenai Peninsula & departure
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell lunch
Journey through the Kenai Mountains, where winding roads reveal views of glacier-carved valleys and snowy peaks. Make a stop in the picturesque ghost town of Portage, a scenic spot surrounded by towering mountains.
- Arrive at the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet, a dramatic waterway known for its extreme tides. Watch for the famous bore tide, a natural phenomenon that creates a wall of water up to 10 feet high as it rushes in from the Gulf of Alaska.
- Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals. Learn about native species such as bison, moose, bears, and wolves as you explore the center’s expansive habitats and hear how each animal came to be in their care.
- Stop by the Bird Treatment and Learning Center, a nonprofit clinic committed to helping Alaska’s birds. Gain insight into how local experts care for eagles, owls, hawks, and other feathered patients before releasing them back into the wild.
Continue to Anchorage and celebrate your trip during a farewell lunch. Then, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Arrive Home
Day 10: Arrival at home
Arrive home today.
Please note: This arrival time applies to East Coast gateways. If you live in another region, you may arrive home on the evening of day 9.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Fairbanks - SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fairbanks
This contemporary hotel is located in the heart of downtown. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a pool, and a fitness center. Nearby you’ll find the Golden Heart Plaza, the Chena River, and the Fairbanks Ice Museum.

Denali - Denali Park Village Resort
This lodge style hotel is located on the banks of the Nenana River outside of Denali National Park. Guests enjoy several dining options, an on-site coffee house, beautiful views of the area, and guided hikes.

Anchorage - Hilton Anchorage
This modern hotel is located in downtown Anchorage. Guests enjoy an indoor pool and hot tub, a 24-hour fitness center, and an on-site restaurant featuring Alaskan specialties. Nearby, you'll find the Anchorage Museum, Tony...

Seward - Gateway Hotel
This spacious hotel is located in the heart of Seward. Guests enjoy the sun terrace, comfortable rooms, and beautiful views of the harbor and surrounding mountains. Nearby you'll find the Alaska Sea Life Center, Iditarod Mile...
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification, such as a Real ID (as of May 7, 2025) or Passport, for air travel within the United States.
- In order to enter the United States, Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code ANP.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Fairbanks and depart from Anchorage.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Fairbanks, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a low physical activity-level tour. You can expect short walks and low-intensity activities throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- 2 full days of included activities in a row (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach, some by train and boat
- Daily drive time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 1- 2 miles per day- this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect temperatures to range from 40Fs in the mornings to mid-60Fs in the afternoons.
- Alaska experiences Midnight Sun, meaning it will be daylight for 19 hours at its peak in June.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including train, boat and motor coaches. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park and train ride from Anchorage to Seward are included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Hotels in Alaska tend to be more rustic compared to those in major cities due to the state's unique geography, climate, and cultural heritage. Many Alaskan hotels are designed to blend with the natural surroundings, offering a cozy, cabin-like experience that reflects the rugged beauty of the landscape. You should expect simple, comfortable accommodations that focus on warmth and practicality, as the state's remote location often means fewer luxury amenities.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes two lunches and two dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- With a large focus on fishing and hunting, Alaskan fare is known to be very fresh. Salmon and king crab are two of the most popular seafood dishes. Local meat specialties often reflect the type of game that is hunted in the area. This can include moose, caribou, and deer.
- A variety of fresh berries grow all throughout Alaska. Some types include lingonberries, mossberries, and salmon berries. Enjoy these on their own, in a spread, or in desserts.
- Due to Alaska's remote location, many restaurants focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The diversity from venue to venue is not as great as what one expects in other major cities. The menus may highlight traditional Alaskan flavors and dishes, with a strong emphasis on simplicity and quality.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $7USD to $8USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the U.S. dollar on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Alaska is nine hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and four hours behind Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 8am on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- To protect the delicate reef ecosystems, make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen.
- When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance.
- The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
- Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.
















































































