National Parks Odyssey
SUGGESTED LENGTH:
19 DAYS
$34,937 USD
PER PERSON
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PLAN YOUR TRIP
This 19 -day/18-night itinerary is one for the books. You can rest assured that you’ll see and explore all of Alaska’s highlights! From cruising through Glacier Bay National Park to soaring over Denali National Park, hiking glaciers and even meeting orphaned animals, this action-packed journey has something for everyone
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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 | GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK, AK
Today your journey begins, as you travel from Juneau to Gustavus via wheelplane. Upon your arrival in Gustavus a scheduled shuttle will deliver you to Bear Track Inn. This scenic property offers first-class Alaskan hospitality. The stunning backdrop of Glacier Bay National Park provides authentic Alaskan views, and there’s no shortage of wildlife, who (if you’re lucky) will grace you with their presence a mere stone’s throw from the Inn itself. Accommodations are at Bear Track Inn in a View Room.
Your second day will be spent on the water, as you board a vessel bound for Glacier Bay National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for Humpback, Orca and Minke whales, bears, mountain goats, moose and a plethora of birdlife. You’ll take in everything from lush green vegetation near the Inn to bobbing ice further afield, ‘calving’ away from the glacier and into the frigid water. Joining you on board is a National Park Service Ranger, who will act as your narrator/interpreter for the day. Accommodations are at Bear Track Inn in a View Room.
3 | ANCHORAGE, AK
Today you will travel from Gustavus to Juneau on a scheduled wheelplane flight, and then fly Alaska Airlines from Juneau to Anchorage (booked on your own). Upon your arrival in Anchorage, a private transfer will deliver you to your hotel downtown. Enjoy the evening hors d’oeuvres (served until 7pm) in the Captain’s Deck Lounge, or try one of the three restaurants on site. If you prefer, explore bustling downtown Anchorage with its unique shops and restaurants. We’d be happy to assist with dining reservations or restaurant recommendations. Accommodations are at Hotel Captain Cook in a Captain’s Deck Jr Suite.
4-5 | LAKE CLARK & KATMAI NATIONAL PARKS, AK
Today you will travel to King Salmon, via Lake Clark National Park. The journey is truly magnificent, and entirely customizable. Your pilot will assess the weather, your interests and wish-list, then create an itinerary just for you. This may include beachcombing for fossils along the Cook inlet, glacier hiking or exploring the small town of Port Alsworth. Depending on weather and schedules, you may have an opportunity to stop and explore the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes, the site of the 1912 eruption of the Novarupta Volcano. Accommodations are at the King Salmon Lodge.
After breakfast on your fifth day you will board a floatplane bound for Brooks Camp, located within Katmai National Park. A short 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp will bring you (hopefully) face-to-face with Brown Bears. as they hunt, frolic and swim in the Brooks River and famously photographed falls. After lunch you’ll board your floatplane bound for King Salmon, and upon your arrival board a wheelplane en-route to Anchorage. A private transfer will deliver you to your hotel, where you can settle in for the evening. Accommodations are at the Hotel Captain Cook in a Captain’s Deck Jr Suite.
6-7 | BETTLES, AK
Today a private transfer will deliver you to the Anchorage International Airport, where you’ll board your commercial flights to Fairbanks and Bettles consecutively (flights are booked on your own). Steeped in history, the town of Bettles has connections to the famed Alaska Gold Rush, and was founded in 1898 by Gordon C. Bettles. Enjoy dinner at the historic Bettles Lodge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Accommodations are at the Bettles Lodge.
On your seventh day you’ll take to the skies as you explore Alaska by air with your expert pilot-guide. You’ll search for wildlife from the best vantage point – high in the skies. When you’re ready to touch down on solid ground, your pilot will gently land you among the Alaskan scenery for a mid-day lunch. One option for dining al-fresco is on the Continental Divide, in the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. After a day spent sky trekking, your pilot will return you to Bettles. Accommodations are at the Bettles Lodge.
8 | GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK, AK
Today you’ll enjoy a second day in the skies. Flying in a northwesterly direction, you’ll soar over the Gates of the Arctic National Park, admiring the impressive Mt. Igishak and the Arrigetch Peaks. From there you’ll head to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic. Believe it or not there’s plenty of wildlife to be spotted – many animals make their homes in the surrounding dunes, including black and grizzly bears, moose and wolves. Accommodations are at the Nullagvik Hotel.
9 | SEWARD, AK
On day nine you’ll travel to Seward, but your journey is just as enjoyable as your destination! You’ll fly commercially (booked on your own) to Anchorage, where a private transfer will collect you for your transfer to Seward. Your first stop is the impressive Alyeska Tram, a sixty-passenger aerial tram that takes passengers to the summit of Mt Alyeska, and provides views of the Chugach Mountains, Turnagain Arm and the Glacier Valley. From here you’ll travel to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, meeting orphaned and injured animals that the AWCC is rehabilitating. Accommodations are at the Harbor 360 Hotel in a Harbor room.
10-11 | KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK, AK
From the Seward Harbor, you’ll board a vessel to cruise the magnificent Kenai Fjords. The Kenai Fjords National Park is a magnificent sight to behold, with calving ice dropping off into frigid waters below and tall fjords lined with moss and lichen. The steep fjords and surrounding regions house ample wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for Steller sea lions, whales, dall’s porpoise, sea otters, puffins and more. After a five-hour cruise of the Fjords, you’ll arrive at the shores of your lodge. Accommodations are at the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge in a Cabin.
As the only lodge located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, the adventures are endless at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Lodge activities include sea kayaking alongside seals and glacial ice, beachcombing on Aialik Bay, hiking the trail systems of the Kenai Fjords National Park,or Canoeing Pederson Lagoon. At the end of an adventure-filled day (and after a delicious and hearty meal) soothe your muscles with a visit to the cedar sauna, complete with Finnish Stove. Accommodations are at the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
12 | ANCHORAGE, AK
This morning you’ll enjoy additional lodge-based activities. In the afternoon you will board the lodge vessel for your return cruise to the Seward Harbor. From there, a shuttle transfer will deliver you to the railway station where you’ll board the world-famous Alaska Railroad GoldStar dome train for your scenic journey to Anchorage. From the glass-covered observation deck you’ll enjoy views of Kenai Lake, Spencer and Bartlett Glaciers, and Turnagain Arm. Accommodations are at Hotel Captain Cook in a Captain’s Deck Jr Suite.
13-14 | WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK, AK
Today is a travel day, as you make your way from Anchorage to the remote Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. In the morning you’ll be met by your driver for a private transfer to Chitina, a journey that may take up to eight hours. From Chitina, you’ll board your scheduled wheelplane flight to McCarthy-Kennicott, and a shuttle will deliver you to your lodge, located in the majestic Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Accommodations are at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge in a South Wing Room.
On your fourteenth day you’ll travel back in time with a visit to the town of Kennicott. Preserved in time, this once-prosperous Mill town was abandoned in 1938 when the Kennicott Copper Corporation left suddenly, leaving in their wake equipment, buildings and personal belongings. Touring the town with an expert guide, you’ll have rare access to historic buildings as you learn all about brave local frontiersmen. Following your tour, you’ll enjoy an afternoon of hiking the magnificent Root Glacier. Accommodations are at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge in a South Wing Room.
15-17 | DENALI NATIONAL PARK, AK
Today is an exciting travel day as you embark on your journey to Denali National Park. From the lodge, a scheduled shuttle transfer will deliver you to the McCarthy Airport, where you’ll board a private charter flight to Denali National Park. A private transfer will be waiting at the Denali Airstrip to bring you to your hotel. You’ll be met by your local guide, who will provide you with an introduction to the park with a brief hike or drive into the backcountry. Accommodations are at the Tonglen Lake Lodge in a Cabin.
Day sixteen is an outdoor exploration like no other. You’ll begin with an immersive hike into the backcountry, led by your expert guide. Your hike is entirely customizable, and will be crafted with your interests and abilities in mind. Alongside your guide you’ll look for wildlife, learn about the local flora and enjoy tales of Alaska’s rich history. The afternoon will be spent with a float down Denali’s waterways. Boarding either a paddle or oar frame raft, this unique vantage point allows for taking in scenery otherwise unavailable on land. Accommodations are at the Tonglen Lake Lodge in a Cabin.
On your seventeenth day you’ll travel 95 miles into Denali National Park aboard the Denali Backcountry Adventure bus, spotting moose, bear, wolves and other wildlife along the way. After lunch, return to the park entrance in a classic Alaskan bush plane, flying through the awe-inspiring Alaska Range, over glaciers, and past the North Face of Denali. Accommodations are at the Tonglen Lake Lodge in a Cabin.
18 | ANCHORAGE, AK
Return to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad GoldStar dome train, passing over Broad Pass, Hurricane Gulch, and one of the most spectacular views of Denali. If the weather permits,the train may slow to allow passengers to capture a few photos of Denali in all its glory. Upon your arrival in Anchorage, a private transfer will deliver you to your hotel downtown. Accommodations are at the Hotel Captain Cook, in a Captain’s Deck Junior Suite
19 | ANCHORAGE, AK
Today you’ll be met by your driver for a private transfer to the Anchorage International Airport. Safe travels!
