mountain range and forest at denali national park in alaska

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Alaska's National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords

Duration: 10 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 13

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Experience all Alaska has to offer, from fjords to mountains.

Majestic glaciers, unique wildlife, and pristine views do justice to Alaska’s nickname as the Last Frontier. Learn about the history of famous traditions like the Iditarod, and experience the beauty of both Denali and the Kenai Fjords National Parks. In small villages, and in the untamed wilderness, picture-perfect landscapes will appear around every corner.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
2 lunches
2 dinners with beer or wine
4 guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Anchorage
Denali National Park
Iditarod Headquarters museum
Alaska Railroad train ride
Kenai Fjords National Park cruise

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Anchorage, Alaska2 nights

Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage

Welcome to Alaska! Settle in to your hotel this evening.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Anchorage

Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner

Head out on a guided tour of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.

Walk through Earthquake Park, to learn about how the 1964 natural disaster impacted the city
Stop at the Lake Hood Seaplane Base
Venture downtown to see the Captain Cook Statue and salmon ladders
Enjoy free time to explore the city

Please note: The stops along the guided tour may vary based on season.

Gather with your group for a welcome dinner this evening.

Fairbanks, Alaska2 nights

Day 3: Flight to Fairbanks & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Fairbanks and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city this afternoon.

Stop at Golden Heart Plaza, a park located on the banks of the Chena River
Enter the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
See beautiful flora and fauna at the Georgeson Botanical Garden
Step inside the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum

Please note: The stops along the guided tour may vary based on season.

This evening, attend a traditional Alaskan salmon bake dinner.

Day 4: Free day in Fairbanks

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Fairbanks or add an excursion.

Riverboat Discovery Cruise & Gold Dredge Tour

Excursion (additional cost)

Denali, Alaska1 night

Day 5: Denali National Park via Nenana village

Included meal: Breakfast

Head to Denali this morning and on the way stop to visit Nenana village.

Then, stop by the National Park Visitor Center and eat lunch at your leisure before setting off on a scenic drive through the park.

Look for wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou, and eagles
See Denali, North America’s tallest mountain (weather-dependent)

Stop for free time to enjoy a late dinner on the way out of the park.

Anchorage, Alaska1 night

Day 6: Anchorage via Talkeetna & Wasilla

Included meal: Breakfast

On your way to Anchorage, visit two historic towns to learn more about Alaskan culture and traditions.

Stop in Talkeetna to enjoy free time to shop and eat downtown
Travel to Wasilla to tour the Iditarod Headquarters and museum to learn about the famous race

Then, continue on to Anchorage.

Seward, Alaska2 nights

Day 7: Train ride to Seward

Included meal: Breakfast

Hop aboard the Coastal Classic Train and enjoy a scenic journey on the Alaska Railroad as you travel to Seward.

Admire views of the coast and forest as you travel along the route National Geographic named one of the top train rides in North America
Ride along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet and through the Kenai Peninsula
View massive glaciers and towering waterfalls through the large windows or opt to stop by the Vista Dome car, which has a glass ceiling and offers panoramic views

Day 8: Kenai Fjords National Park cruise

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Embark on a full-day cruise through the waterways of Kenai Fjords National Park to experience the panoramic glacial views the area is known for.

Float along the pristine waters on the Kenai Peninsula
Try to spot wildlife, such as birds and whales
Enjoy an included boxed lunch

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 9: Anchorage via Portage & departure

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell lunch

Drive through the Kenai Mountain Range, making a stop in Portage.

Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to learn about the organization’s animal rescue work
Stop at Portage Lake to enter the Begich Boggs Visitor Center
Soak in spectacular views of the Explorer Glacier

Continue on 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.

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Reviews

4.6 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Alaska trip good not great

07/22/2019 by 3rd time traveler Katherine C.

On our trip we spent the first 2 days in Anchorage and the next 2 days in Fairbanks. I went to see nature and wildlife not cities. I think in the future the time spent in cities should be decreased. Once we left the cities the trip was great. Went to Denali but only spent one night there. Would have...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 07/22/2019

Dear Katherine, Thank you for taking the time to l...

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Put it on your bucket list!

07/08/2019 by 4th time traveler Anonymous

Summer Solstice was a GREAT time to be in Alaska! Beautiful, friendly, fun, fascinating. History, science, nature, culture, traditions, natural resources, conservation, recycling -just a few of the experiential learnings.

07/22/2019 by 4th time traveler Anonymous

Overall very good tour. Some hotels could have been better selected for location. At least on meal should not be on tour it’s just a tourist trap.

Awesome Alaska

09/04/2018 by 2nd time traveler Mary B.

First of all, Cole was an amazing tour guide. He was able to teach us about Alaska with personal experiences, stories, and facts, always keeping it interesting and fun to listen to. He made the tour run smoothly. I'm sure he was doing a lot of behind the scenes arrangements but to us it looked s...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 09/04/2018

Dear Mary, Many thanks for taking the time to post...

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09/04/2018 by 5th time traveler Dolores B.

Great trip! The hotel rooms were excellent and meals were good. Our director. Cole was so knowledgeable and fun that it made the trip very memorable. I must say I have never been disappointed with my four tours with EF Go Ahead Tours.

Go Ahead Tours replied on 09/04/2018

Dear Dolores, A very warm welcome home! Thank you ...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

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.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anchorage University Lake

This modern hotel is located in the University neighborhood. Guests enjoy a pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. Nearby you’ll find the Far North Bi...

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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 He...

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Denali Grizzly Bear Resort

This rustic hotel is located outside of the Lemeta neighborhood. Guests enjoy a food truck court, a general store, and campfire circles. Nearby you’ll...

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Seward Windsong Lodge

This cozy hotel is located on the banks of the Kenai fjords. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a coffee and snack shop, and a complimentary shuttle to downto...

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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 package 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

Find out more about flights

Local weather

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Weather averages

Today
High 28°F Low 9°F

Fairbanks, United States

Weather averages

Today
High 14°F Low -8°F

Seward, United States

Weather averages

Today
High 44°F Low 40°F

FAQ

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Passport & visa requirements

U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within the United States. If you plan to use a state-issued ID or driver's license on or after October 1, 2020, it will need to meet Real ID requirements. Real ID compliant versions of these IDs will have either a yellow or black star, white star inside a yellow or black circle, or a white star inside a bear in the top righthand corner. Please visit dhs.gov for more information.
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.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and gravel paths, with few hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains and boats.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Anchorage, Alaska. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks, a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, and a 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.

Baggage allowance

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 and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

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.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to this region.
Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and personal travel requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
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.
During the summer months, take proper care with sun exposure and heat.
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 call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

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.

Electricity & air conditioning

All of North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Some of the hotels on this tour will provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed for hotels in more remote locations.

Connectivity

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.

Time zones

Alaska is four hours behind Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 8am on tour.

Currency

You will use the U.S. dollar on this tour.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your purchases for fraudulent charges.
Many banks and businesses now primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD.
We recommend tipping $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Dates & prices

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20202021

Starts

Ends

Price

Availability

2020