Circle Alaska Family Tour (11 days / 10 nights) 

This tour offers something for all ages, from a visit to the Santa Claus House, a journey on the historic Alaska Railroad, to a wilderness journey deep into the heart of Denali National Park.  From the marine wildlife of Prince William Sound to the mammals and birds of Denali National Park, you are likely to see some of the best wildlife Alaska has to offer.   

Tour Summary

Itinerary Description 

Day 1  Anchorage Arrival; A private transfer can transfer the group to their hotel upon arrival. They can enjoy the remainder of their day at leisure.  Within walking distance of most downtown hotels are the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, many choices of restaurants, and other downtown attractions.  Overnight in Anchorage.  

Day 2  Anchorage to Denali National Park;  The group will depart Anchorage this morning for Denali National Park aboard the Alaska Railroad. The train departs at 8:15AM and arrives in Denali at 3:15PM.  A private coach or hotel shuttle can meet your group upon arrival in Denali to provide transfer to their hotel.  The remainder of the afternoon is free for optional tours in Denali.  Overnight at the Denali park entrance.  

Day 3  Denali National Park;  This morning the group can depart on an early morning bus tour into the park. The travel time into the park is 6-8 hours, which varies due to the spotting of wildlife within the park.  Sightings may include moose, bear, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and many small mammals.  The experienced driver will provide narration about Denali’s natural history and unique sub-arctic desert terrain.  Overnight at the Denali park entrance.  

Day 4  Denali to Fairbanks; The group will have some free time this morning to explore Denali and take advantage of many optional tours in the Denali area.  Choices include river rafting and McKinley flightseeing. This afternoon a private transfer or hotel shuttle can provide transportation to the Denali rail depot where the group will board the Alaska Railroad for Fairbanks.  The train departs Denali at 3:45PM and arrives into Fairbanks at 8:15PM. A dining car is available on the train.  A private coach or hotel shuttle can transfer guests to their Fairbanks hotel.  Overnight in Fairbanks.  

Day 5  Fairbanks;  This morning the group can enjoy a sightseeing tour of Fairbanks including a visit to the University of Alaska Museum. Afterwards they can take a ride aboard a classic sternwheeler riverboat.  On the 3 1/2 hour river cruise guests visit the old Chena village site, see an Indian fish camp, watch an Alaskan bush pilot demonstration, and visit a championship sled dog team.  Overnight in Fairbanks. 

Day 6  Fairbanks to Glennallen;  The group will enjoy a beautiful drive along the Richardson Highway, one of the oldest and most scenic highways in Alaska. Just outside of Fairbanks they can stop at the Santa Claus House in North Pole.  This route follows the Alaska oil pipeline, one of the world’s greatest engineering feats.  Along the way there are several rest stops including a historic roadhouses and many scenic viewpoints.  The group will travel near the boundary of the Wrangell - St. Elias National Park.  This region of Alaska offers impressive vistas with some of North America's tallest peaks.  This is a perfect day to plan a picnic! Overnight in Glennallen.  

Day 7  Glennallen to Valdez; The group can take some time to explore and visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park headquarters and ranger station.  Afterwards, the group will continue into the Chugach Mountains and through Thompson Pass. Along the way there are several very special places to stop and enjoy the amazing landscapes.  Look for Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil Falls.  Overnight in Valdez.  

Day 8  Valdez to Seward (via Alaska Marine Highway); Today the group will board the Alaska Marine Highway ferry for passage from Valdez to Whittier.  As they depart Valdez, they will sail past the huge oil tankers which transport Alaskan oil to the "lower 48".  This is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery of Prince William Sound at a relaxing pace. The group may spot playful sea otters and lazy sea lions. The ferry crossing takes approximately 5 1/2 hours.  Upon arrival in the port of Whittier, the group will drive through a mountain tunnel to Portage Glacier Valley.  From there, it's a very beautiful 2-hour journey to Seward.  Overnight in Seward. 

Day 9  Seward;  Seward is known as the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park and is the home of the Alaska Sea Life Center. At the center guests can get a close-up look at Alaska's diverse marine life and sea birds. The group can also take a cruise into the Kenai Fjords National Park.  This  is a 6 hour cruise taking guests up close & personal to a calving glacier and possibly within close view of humpback whales. We  suggest a visit to the Exit Glacier, a massive ice sheet flowing out of the Harding Ice Field.  Guests can literally walk to the face of the glacier along an interpretive trail.   The trail follows the historical path that the glacier has receded over the last 100 years.  Overnight in Seward.  

Day 10  Seward to Anchorage; The drive to Anchorage is about 2 1/2 hours. The road travels through the Chugach Mountains and then along Cook Inlet's Turnagain Arm. We suggest several worthwhile stops including the ski resort village of Girdwood and the Potter Marsh bird sanctuary.  The group may have time to explore Alaska's largest city.  Anchorage's Alaska Native Heritage Center is a great facility to see and learn more about Alaska's varied native cultures and traditional lifestyles.  Overnight in Anchorage.  

Day 11  Departure;  A private transfer or hotel shuttle can transfer the group to the Anchorage Airport in time for their departure flight home.

2010 Standard Price - $2200 USD per person                                                                       Price based on 30 passengers, double occupancy