From mountains to mammals, everything is bigger in Alaska. In the 20+ hours of summer sunlight a day, even the produce grows to fair-winning proportions. Of course, the 70-pound Matanuska Valley cabbage is just the beginning of the big sights this sun-soaked tour of Alaska has to offer. Just wait until you cruise along the three-mile face of the Columbia Glacier, sail by the calving tidewater glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park and ascend into Denali National Park – home of North America’s highest peak – by way of the world-famous Alaska Railroad. Other big moments include panning for gold at Fairbanks’ Gold Dredge #8, seeing a mushing demonstration at the home of an Iditarod champion, and witnessing the grandest of wildlife from Alaska’s majestic coasts to its monumental crests. While spotting a giant whale, caribou, moose, or grizzly might be “no biggie” to the locals, we think you’ll agree, this Alaska vacation is huge.

Highlights:

• Valdez: Cruise Prince William Sound
• Delta Junction: Visit the living history homestead
• Fairbanks: Pan for gold at Gold Dredge #8; cruise aboard sternwheeler riverboat Discovery; enjoy an Alaska salmon bake
• Fairbanks–Denali: Journey aboard the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service
• Denali National Park: Dinner and exclusive presentation at the Murie Science & Learning Center by a local Naturalist; guided wilderness expedition
• Big Lake: Visit Happy Trails Kennels
• Anchorage: Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner at the Alaska Native Heritage Center with storyteller presentation
• Kenai Fjords National Park: Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park 

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

Welcome to Anchorage! Meet your Tour Director between 3 pm and 7 pm in the hotel reception area.

Day 2: Anchorage–Valdez

Meet your fellow travel companions at this morning’s welcome orientation. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, where cabbages can grow to an amazing 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight. Venture up over Tahneta Pass for wonderful vistas of Matanuska and Worthington Glaciers. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the seaside port of Valdez.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Valdez. Cruise on Prince William Sound

This morning, Globus Local Favorite meet a local Alaskan fishing expert to learn more about the industry, the equipment used, and their daily lives. Then board your boat for a cruise on Prince William Sound. Before returning to Valdez, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, where supertankers are loaded with crude oil from Prudhoe Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Valdez–Delta Junction–Fairbanks

Enjoy great scenery all the way as you travel along Richardson Highway. Stop at DELTA JUNCTION, a living history homestead with a museum, original roadhouse, and farm animals. Then, head west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, the state’s second-largest city. Enjoy a free evening.
Meal: Breakfast 

Day 5: Fairbanks

Visit Gold Drege #8 and ride the narrow-gauge railroad. Then, try your luck as you pan for gold. Later today, board the sternwheeler DISCOVERY for a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers, with a stop at the Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! This evening, enjoy a special Alaska salmon bake.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Fairbanks–Alaska Railroad–Denali National Park

Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today’s ride ends at National Parks Foundation DENALI NATIONAL PARK, where North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley (Denali), majestically dominates the park’s 6 million acres. The afternoon is free. This evening, enjoy dinner at the Murie Science & Learning Center followed by an exclusive Globus Local Favorite PRESENTATION on Denali National Park by a local Naturalist.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Denali National Park

Morning at leisure. Consider an optional photography excursion or a helicopter ride over the park. Then, prepare for an adventure of a lifetime with a Tundra Wilderness tour into the park with a Naturalist Driver Guide.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Denali National Park–Big Lake–Anchorage

Travel south toward Anchorage stopping at Happy Trails Kennels, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his dogs. Continue to Anchorage for a visit to the Alaska Native American Heritage Center. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Over dessert, enjoy a Globus Local Favorite special presentation by an Alaskan bush pilot.
Meals: Breakfas, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Anchorage. Excursion to Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park

Witness one of the world’s most scenic drives as you follow the south shore of lovely Turnagain Arm. Upon arrival in Seward, board your vessel for a cruise on the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Anchorage

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meal: Breakfast 

Call us for lastest prices and availability. Airfare is not included in tour prices.

Tour Code: GJ