South Central Express
SUGGESTED LENGTH:
7 DAYS
$12,285 USD
PER PERSON
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY
PLAN YOUR TRIP
This trip combines some of Alaska’s most special and iconic experiences. You’ll receive a personal introduction to the sport of dog sledding and “The Last Great Race on Earth”, and stand among granite peaks as you take in the immense scale of the mountains surrounding you. You’ll get a chance to fish along the Talkeetna River, which boasts the second-largest run of migrating fish in the world, and view Denali up close on a flightseeing tour. Everywhere, you’ll enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. With three nights each at Hotel Alyeska and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, your days will be full but the pace will be kept leisurely.
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The Route
The Entrée Difference
WHAT SETS US APART
Our Attention to Detail: You don’t have to think of anything, we’ve got it covered.
Our In Depth-Knowledge: Working with us means having the top insider knowledge of Canada and Alaska at your disposal.
Our Responsive Nature: We ensure 24/7 support is given to you while traveling, and if necessary, back-up plans are executed seamlessly.
Our Custom Approach: Your trip is tailored just for you, by our expert travel planners.
The Itinerary
1-2 | GIRDWOOD, AK
Upon arriving at the Anchorage airport, your driver will transport you to your hotel downtown. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to explore the city. We’d be pleased to provide dinner recommendations or make reservations on your behalf. Accommodations are at Hotel Captain Cook in a Deluxe King Room.
Two very special Alaskan activities await you on your second day. First, a private transfer will transport you to Girdwood, with an en-route stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre. Later in the day a shuttle will transport you to Girdwood’s local airport, where you’ll board a helicopter bound for the extraordinary world of icefields and glaciers—and your own dog-sledding adventure. You’ll harness the dogs and hit the trail for the ultimate Alaskan experience. Accommodations are at the Hotel Alyeska, in a Signature Deluxe Room.
3-4 | GIRDWOOD, AK
A private drive transports you down the Kenai Peninsula to the coastal city of Seward via some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. From Seward Harbor, you’ll set off on a six-hour cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park, a geological wonderland where frozen deserts of glaciers and ice caps share quarters with bears, whales and other wildlife. Return home via the famous Alaska Railroad dome train.
On your fourth day, you’ll embark on a shared Spencer Glacier float, a 6-hour, 45-minute adventure offering an up-close encounter with icebergs in Alaska’s most picturesque glacier river setting. Begin with a scenic train ride on the Glacier Discovery Train before boarding your raft at Spencer Glacier Lake. Expert guides will navigate you among dazzling icebergs, allowing you to touch them. Then, enjoy a leisurely 7-mile (11-kilometer) float down the pristine Placer River, soaking in panoramic mountain and glacial views, before returning on the train. Accommodations are at the Hotel Alyeska in a Signature Deluxe Room.
5-6 | TALKEETNA, AK
Embark on a private transfer from Girdwood to Talkeetna, stopping at Happy Trails Kennels for a private tour. Owned by four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser and his wife Kathy Chapoton, you’ll have an opportunity to meet the dogs, including puppies and champions, and enjoy a dog sled demonstration, Iditarod video, and plenty of photo opportunities. Afterward, continue your journey to Talkeetna, with the flexibility to make additional stops. Accommodations are at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, in a Mountain View Room.
Your sixth day will begin early with a fishing adventure, where you will experience Alaska’s finest river fishing—and some of the best in the world. Fish for salmon in addition to rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling. Moving from water to air, spend the afternoon on a magnificent flightseeing tour of Denali that takes you within six miles of Denali’s summit. Accommodations are at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, in a Mountain View Room.
7 | TALKEETNA, AK
Slow down and immerse yourself in Alaska’s tranquil beauty on a guided nature walk in Denali State Park. Enjoy magnificent views of the mountains as you make your way to an abandoned log cabin and beautiful Byers Lake. Watch for bears, loons and eagles as you learn about their natural habitat. Accommodations are at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, in a Mountain View Room.
8-9 | ANCHORAGE
Embark on a 5-hour shared Devil’s Canyon Adventure through Denali State Park and “Devil’s Gorge,” featuring wildlife sightings, artifacts, and majestic scenery. Witness bald eagles, beavers, moose, bears, and stunning views of Denali by jet boat. Then, catch a shuttle to Talkeetna Railway Station for a 3-hour, 5-minute journey on the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star in GoldStar Service to Anchorage. Conclude with a private transfer to your Anchorage hotel. Accommodations are at Hotel Captain Cook, in a Deluxe King Room.
On your ninth and final day, your driver will transport you from your hotel to the Anchorage airport in time for your return flight. Safe travels!
