Road Trip: Highlights of Alaska

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city nestled on the shores of Cook Inlet. Sandwiched between rugged peaks and tranquil water, this urban sprawl is home to nearly half of the state’s population. Don’t be surprised to see bears and moose sauntering across private yards or public parks – it’s a way of life here! The Alaska Native Heritage Center is your one-stop source for all things cultural with its traditional craft displays and dance performances. Top it off with a trip to the local museum for your fill of the region’s history. Kayaking, canoeing, and whale watching tours let you explore the area by water, while scenic flight tours are a great way of discovering glaciers. Dog sledding remains a favorite pastime of visitors, followed closely by gold panning at the local mines. Back in town, dining experiences turn into gourmet feasts with fresh seafood and local produce dominating the culinary scene.

Explore Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, at your own pace. Set off along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail that runs along the coastline and passes through serene forests. The fully paved trail begins in the downtown area and goes right up to Kincaid Park. Enjoy gorgeous views of Cook Inlet and six mountain ranges from vantage points. You can also see North America’s highest peak, Denali or Mount McKinley. Head to the aptly named Sunshine Plaza to see historic photographs and trivia about the 1964 earthquake, the largest recorded in North America. Alternatively, make your way to Earthquake Park to see for yourself how this natural disaster permanently changed the Alaskan landscape. Discover indigenous culture and tradition at the Alaska Native Heritage Center with its displays of local crafts and live dance performances. (Duration: Full Day; Self-exploring Activity; No Guide & No Transfers; Entrance Fees and Meals are Not Included.)

Glacier View is a picturesque place beneath the towering Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains. This erstwhile coal mining destination in the Matanuska Susitna Borough of Alaska is today a popular destination for adventure seekers. Whitewater rafting on the Matanuska River, top hiking spots, ice climbing, glacier hiking, and fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers are the region's main attractions. The 24-mile-long Matanuska glacier is worth exploring for its beautiful ice formations, deep crevasses and blue melt water pools.

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Matanuska Glacier. Drive along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, going past ice-capped mountains and sparkling blue lakes. The road will take you towards Lion's Head, one of the most picturesque places along the way. Here, you can stop for panoramic views of the glacier and to take some great photographs. Then, continue to Glacier Park Road. Travel down the hill and across the river until the road ends. Once you reach, join a shared guided tour of the glacier. Gear up with crampons, helmets and extra layers and make your way to the sheer ice walls. Walk alongside moulins, which are cylindrical shafts that are carved by meltwater from the glacier’s surface. Gain insight into the area's history and glaciology, and its original inhabitants, the Alaskan Athabaskans. Take some amazing pictures at scenic spots before heading back. (Duration: 2 hrs; Independent activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Starting point: Glacier Tours office, 66500 Glacier Park Rd; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Talkeetna is all that you would expect in a typical Alaskan small town. Tucked into the Mat-Su Valley, this picturesque town with its colorful old buildings gives off an artsy vibe. Nestled at the foothills of majestic Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, it is a convenient base camp for climbing expeditions to major peaks. Log cabins and clapboard storefronts testify to its past as a gold mining center. The small museum in town chronicling the adventures of early climbers is worth a visit. Flightseeing tours offer panoramic views of the mountains and can even include glacier landings. Riverboat and jet boat tours enable you to explore the waterways and navigate deep into the canyons. Fishing and horseback riding are some of the activities that let you soak in the scenic beauty of the region. Sampling the local specialties at cozy cafes and browsing local galleries are excellent ways of unwinding after a busy day of outdoor fun.

This 1.5 hour flying tour gives you a unique perspective on the highest peak in North America and bring into focus the scale of the Alaskan range. Fly up to six miles’ distance from Denali’s summit, before swooping down through Ruth Amphitheater and Great Gorge. Gaze upon the stunning Tokositna and Ruth Glaciers and see the hanging glaciers of Mount Hunter. See the sharp ridges of Mount Huntington and view the summit of the famous Moose’s Tooth, one of the toughest climbs in the range. (Duration: 1.5 hrs flying time + 30 min check-in time; Shared Activity & Transfers; Group size: up to 10 people; Meals Not Included, Glacier Landing Included. Please note that this activity is weather-dependent and may get cancelled should conditions not permit a safe flight. USD 15 per person national park fee is not included and payable on site.)

Denali National Park and Preserve, with its primeval landscape and untamed wilderness, promises a one-of-a-kind adventure. Located in the Interior Alaska region, it is home to Denali, the tallest peak in North America. This nature lover’s paradise offers an endless sequence of breathtaking vistas all around. Free-roaming moose, grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves make for excellent wildlife viewing. Hiking along marked trails or going off the beaten path top the list of activities for visitors to Denali. Bicycling and bus tours are other ways of exploring the major attractions of this sprawling reserve. Entertaining sled dog demonstrations provide a peek into the life of park rangers and their canine partners. For a rush of adrenaline, go whitewater rafting over the rapids in the many rivers across the park. Aerial tours are also available to give you a bird’s eye view of the spectacular landscape with its mountains and glaciers.

Fairbanks is the second largest city in the state of Alaska with all the charms of small town life. It is a favored base camp with adventure-seekers and explorers en route to the Alaskan Interior or the Arctic region. An excellent year-round destination, there is plenty to keep you busy come summer or winter! Rafting and kayaking down the Chena River appeal to adventure lovers while golfing and fishing are for those who prefer a relaxed pace. Pioneer Park stands as testimony to the city’s historic past of gold mining, and art galleries are filled with exquisite displays of local handicrafts for you to browse. The onset of winter brings with it dog sledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing expeditions. Meanwhile, the hot springs are perfect for rejuvenating with a leisurely soak after every exciting adventure. Fairbanks makes for an especially unique destination during the Fall and Winter months, with the Northern Lights shining through the darkness!

Go deep into the heart of Alaska on this riverboat tour. Board the Riverboat Discovery at the starting point, just a few miles from Fairbanks International Airport, and head for Chena Indian Village Living Museum. Take a guided walking tour of this Athabascan Indian village, complete with spruce cabins and fur pelts, and learn how the Athabascans survived here for over 10,000 years. Watch an Alaskan bush pilot take off and land right next to the boat and hear his tales of village life and the importance of planes in remote Alaska. Visit Trail Breaker Kennel, also the former home of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Watch a dog mushing demonstration and learn what goes into making a champion dogsled team. Choose a unique souvenir that reflects the local culture from a couple of traditional trading posts: The Discovery Trading Post on board Discovery III and Steamboat Landing onshore. You will also see reindeer during the tour. (Duration: 3 hrs; Shared activity & guide; No transfers; Meals not included)