Alaska & Yukon Summer Explorer

Begin your trip with complimentary airport lounge access before you board your flight to Alaska. On arrival, you’ll pick up your hire car at the airport to make the short drive to your central hotel, perhaps relaxing after your flight with a dip in the hot tub or soak in the sauna.

Stay: Hilton Anchorage (Superior)

Drive the Glenn Highway north to Wasilla and on to Talkeetna. Stops can include a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre. Talkeetna serves as a base camp for Mt. McKinley climbers; the community of 857 residents is located at the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers.

Stay: Susitna River Lodge, Talkeetna (Superior)

This morning, embark on a Wilderness Adventure Jet Boat tour. Stand in the splendor of Denali and the great Alaska Range from a spectacular vantage point on the Susitna River! The folklore, artifacts and a panoramic view of Denali in the Alaska Range combine to make this an unforgettable and unique Alaskan river adventure. After your jet boat tour, drive the Parks Highway north to Denali National Park, passing by incredible forest and mountain landscapes

Stay: Denali Cabins (Superior)

Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveller magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mile gravel road & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife.

Stay: Denali Cabins (Superior)

Continue on the George Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes, you drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester - an old mining camp. In the afternoon, climb aboard the Riverboat Discovery III for an unforgettable 3-hour cruise into the Alaskan Interior, traveling the Chena and Tanana Rivers on the only authentic sternwheeler riverboat operating in Alaska. This narrated tour provides background on the area’s natural history and the Athabascan Indian culture.

Stay: River's Edge Resort, Fairbanks (Superior)

Heading south, the Richardson Highway passes through stands of White birch and Black spruce, often photogenically close to the Tanana River. Soak up the raw beauty of the drive into the central Alaska Range, often paralleled by the Alaska pipeline

Stay: Fox n' Fireweed Cabins, Tok (Superior)

The Top of the World Highway (please note this is a partly gravel road) brings you through spectacular backcountry and gold mining areas. When the highway reaches its highest elevation incredible views into farreaching countryside open up. Before you reach Dawson City, you’ll cross the Yukon River by the government-run ferry. Perhaps tonight relax at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s with legal gambling tables and “ CanCan” floor shows throughout the evening.

Stay: Aurora Inn, Dawson City (Superior)

A full day to visit the various historical sights of Dawson City: SS Keno – the laststeamer to run the Yukon River from Whitehorse, the Jack London Interpretive Centre with the poets original cabin, the city museum with audiovisual presentations, much of the city is preserved by Parks Canada, and you can join free guided tours throughout the day. Just out of town you can visit Bonanza Creek and Dredge #4 built in 1912 to work gold from the creek bed. Do not miss the short drive on the Ridge Road to the top of the Midnight Dome with excellent views over Dawson, the Ogilvie Mountains, and the Yukon and Klondike Rivers.

Stay: Aurora Inn, Dawson City (Superior)

Going south, enjoy the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape. Stopover at the Five Finger Rapids and hike down to the shore of the Yukon River. In late afternoon you will reach Yukon’s capital city, Whitehorse.

Stay: Best Western Gold Rush Inn, Whitehorse (Superior)

Time to explore the region and take advantage of all that Whitehorse has to offer. Visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve (included), a unique wildlife viewing property featuring 10 species of northern Canadian mammals in their natural environment. Encompassing over 700 acres with various natural habitats, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.

Stay: Best Western Gold Rush Inn (Superior)

Depart Whitehorse today for an an easy two hour drive along the historic Alaska Highway to Haines Junction. This town is the only thing not huge in Kluane country with a population of 800 residents, which is fewer than the number of grizzly bears in Kluane National Park. The park is home to Canada’s highest peak and the world’s largest non-polar Icefields that lie behind the façade of mountains that provide the town’s spectacular backdrop. For a truly unforgettable experience, take an air tour over the park. From above some of the planet’s largest glaciers, you’ll get a true sense of the scale and magnificence created by nature.

Stay: The Raven Hotel, Haines Junction (Superior)

This morning go on a short hiking trip before driving north along the shores of beautiful Kluane Lake. Stopover at Sheep Mountain and look out for Dall sheep gracing alongside the mountain slopes. Your journey continues on the famous Alaska Highway through endless wilderness areas. Arrive in Tok, often referred to as the “Dog Mushing Capital of Alaska”. Welcome to Alaska.

Stay: Fox 'n Fireweed Cabins, Tok (Superior)

Your journey continues on the Glenn Highway, offering an impressive view of the Wrangell Mountains. Stopover at the historic roadhouse in Copper Centre and watch native fish wheels at the nearby Copper River, providing an excellent salmon run. Shortly afterwards the Worthington Glacier peeks into view where a boardwalk leads to the toe of the glacier before arriving in Valdez.

Next day, discover the magic of Alaska on this 7-hour Columbia Glacier cruise from Valdez. A local captain and crew will guide you through the Trans Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South-central Alaska. Look out for wildlife along the way; if you’re lucky you could spot porpoises, puffins, sea lions and sea otters among other creatures. (Lunch included)

Stay: Best Western Valdez Harbour Inn, Valdez (Superior)

Today you will drive back north on the Richardson Highway with great views of the Wrangell Mountains as you return to Glennallen (weather permitting).Here you follow the Glenn Highway towards Palmer/Anchorage until you reach Sheep Mountain Lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the scenic mountain views or recreational activities in the area. There are over 20 km/12 mi of trails near the lodge perfect for exploring. Birds and wildflowers abound. Maps are provided in each cabin for self-guided hiking

Stay: Sheep Mountain Lodge, Sheep Mountain (Superior)

Drive the Glenn Highway south to Anchorage. Highlights on this part of today’s trip include the Independence Mine in beautiful Hatcher Pass and the many communities in the Mat-Su Valley. This valley contains many farms with the remarkable growing season in Alaska and offers beautiful views of the Chugach Range.

Explore Alaska’s largest city by yourself and visit the many points of interests. Take a walk on the Coastal Trail along Cook Inlet to Earthquake Park with a magnificent view of the Alaska Mountain Range in the distance. Don’t miss a delicious lunch at one of Anchorage’s top seafood restaurants.

Stay: Hilton Anchorage (Superior)

Dropping your car back at the airport, board your overnight flight home.