We will board the renowned Alaska Railroad for an exciting morning as we soak in some of the Last Frontier’s most spectacular scenery along the rails from Anchorage to Talkeetna. Founded in 1914, the railroad has a mainline over 656 miles long! Onboard hosts will captivate us with their narration and point out the many landmarks visible through the dome railcar’s large picture windows. A delicious breakfast will be enjoyed along the way. Upon our arrival in Talkeetna, free time will be available to browse the unique shops and enjoy the tasty lunch options. We’ll then embark on an exciting river journey that will take us deep into the Alaskan wilderness as our guide shares stories about the wildlife, trappers, and Dena’ina Indians. The beautiful Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (or similar) awaits us back in Talkeetna. After settling into our rooms, the group will gather for a delicious dinner at the lodge.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Our touring today will take us back south to Anchorage for a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to explore Alaska’s eleven major Native cultures and their traditions. The center features permanent collections as well as traditional Native dwellings that circle Lake Tiulana. We’ll then set off on the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway widely hailed as one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. The first forty miles of the trip parallel the stunning waterway called the Turnagain Arm. Watch for Dall sheep and beluga whales and enjoy the spectacular scenery as we journey south to the small mountain town of Girdwood to settle into our rooms at Alyeska Resort (or similar), the chateau-style hotel that is Alaska’s premier resort destination. The afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight we will ride the aerial tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska to take in the panoramic views of mountains, hanging glaciers, streams, and forests. A lovely dinner will be enjoyed as a group at the hotel.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

After breakfast at the resort this morning, we will make our way to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to view wildlife up close. This non-profit sanctuary takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and maintains over 200 acres of large, spacious habitats for the animals to feel at home and display their natural behavior. We may see brown bears cooling off in the water, a bull moose strutting, wood bison roaming the pastures, and much more! Up next is a river-rafting experience. Our Kenai River scenic float trip offers a wonderful introduction to the river, taking us along a scenic stretch in search of the wildlife that frequent the river and riverbanks, including moose, eagles, Dall sheep, salmon, waterfowl, beaver, and bears. Our guide will navigate us through the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and share stories about the Native inhabitants, the gold miners, the early settlers, and the forces of nature that shaped the Kenai River Valley. Then we are in for a real treat – a delicious, Alaska-style, fresh-caught salmon bake! Our day will come to an end at the Seward Windsong Lodge (or similar) with the remainder of the day to explore Seward on your own.

(Breakfast and lunch included) 

Following breakfast we will make our way to the Seavey “Ididaride” Complex. Over the course of sixty years and four generations, the Seavey family has become known as the preeminent mushing family, winning eight Iditarod races. The family’s motto, “take care of your dogs and they will take care of you,” has certainly proven to be true. During our time at the kennel, we will visit their homestead; take a two-mile, wheeled dog sled ride; get a first-hand introduction to the Iditarod race; and hear stories of the challenges and successes of these mushers. There will be a chance to meet some of the new pups, and you may even get to hold one of them! Next we will board a deluxe marine vessel and cruise deep into Kenai Fjords National Park. Our guide will narrate the journey, pointing out the spectacular sights and sharing information on the area’s history, its geology, and the wildlife that thrives in the icy waters and lush forests. We’ll gaze in awe at towering glaciers and keep our eyes peeled for orca whales, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and many species of seabirds. Lunch is included on board. Later we’ll transfer to the pier to board the beautiful Norwegian Jewel and explore our home for the next seven nights.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Get up close and personal with the gigantic Hubbard Glacier, North America's largest tidewater glacier. It is 1,350 square miles of blue ice and one of the most active glaciers in Alaska! Calving occurs nearly every day, an exciting experience that sends large chunks of ice crashing into the water below.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Venture “where the north wind doesn’t blow.” Known for this famous saying, Icy Strait Point is the ideal landing spot for adventurers seeking a new experience. Breathtaking and exciting, Icy Strait Point truly takes you where the wild things are. It’s one of the few places in the world where wildlife outnumbers the human population. A trip here certainly satisfies your taste for adventure. While in port, optional excursions include experiencing a traditional Tlingit tribal performance and getting up close to humpback whales and brown bears in the wild. Work up a wilderness hunger and satisfy it with fresh Dungeness crab or take in Alaska's awe-inspiring landscapes by gondola, tram, ATV, kayak, or high-speed boat.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We are off to Juneau, which has been called “Alaska's peak experience,” certainly due in part to its unparalleled glacier viewing from such places as Tracy Arm Fjord, the Juneau Icefields, and Glacier Bay National Park. Optional excursions in Juneau include kayaking up one of the area's many protected waterways, embarking on a whale-watching adventure, feasting on salmon, touring historic downtown, or trying one’s hand at panning for gold. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier lies nearly twelve miles outside Juneau and can be experienced from both land and sea.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

In a single year from 1896 to 1897, the remote town of Skagway along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. Today, travelers come in search of other riches – to experience yesteryear along Skagway's charming boardwalk lined with buildings that replicate those Gold Rush days. Excursion options include a scenic ride on a vintage train to the summit of White Pass, a dog sledding adventure with the chance to cuddle husky puppies, or panning for gold like the prospectors in the Klondike Gold Rush. The scenery around Skagway is absolutely gorgeous, and there are so many ways to get out and soak it all in! For the more adventurous, hiking, glacier flightseeing, wilderness safaris, rafting, horseback riding, and ziplining are all great options to consider.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)