Welcome to Anchorage, Alaska, in the USA. Your 'Explore Alaska' adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is a unique urban environment situated in the heart of the wilderness. As there's little time spent in Anchorage on this trip we recommend you arrive a few days early to see the sights. If you need help booking extra accommodation, our reservations team will be able to assist (subject to availability).

In the morning, head north along the old Denali Highway to Denali National Park (approximately five hours). During the drive keep an eye out for caribou and other wildlife in this amazing, unspoiled environment. Your evening is then free to relax.

Leave early in the morning for the eight-hour bus journey to Denali National Park and Eielson Visitor Centre. Two scenic bus tours (included with Denali National Park admission) take you through the backcountry of the park. Trips on the shuttle buses are quite relaxed and there will be no formal narration. The drivers provide basic park and safety information, assist you in spotting wildlife, answer questions and make restroom stops. Bring food and beverages with you, as there aren't any available on the tours. The bus will drive 66 miles deep into the park to the Eielson Visitor Centre. This epic journey is worth it, as National Park Service rangers and interactive displays provide insight and information about the park and its myriad of resources. Special Information

Located in the Maclaren river valley, traverse through high alpine country on the state’s second highest highway pass to Maclaren River Lodge. You'll then take a canoe up to the remote 'Glacier Camp' in the wilderness, where you'll explore and spend the night camping out beneath the stars.

Canoe back to the lodge in the morning. Leave the main highway and head deep into Wrangell-St Elias National Park on one of the longest drives of the trip. This is the largest national park in the USA and is nearly six times the size of Yellowstone. On your way to the park, keep an eye out for an abundance of wildlife. Once you've arrived at your campsite, your evening is then free. Today's driving time will take a total of around eight hours.

Today is free to explore Wrangell-St Elias National Park, but there are a whole host of optional activities to take part in (at an additional cost). Perhaps take a flight-seeing tour of the park or venture out on a glacier walk, where you can get up close to the huge chains of glaciers within the park. There's also the opportunity to do some ice climbing. If you're just looking to explore the area, head out on a hiking tour in search of moose, bears and caribou. In the evening, head back to the campsite for some much needed rest.

This morning begin your long drive to Valdez, which should take around seven and a half hours. Surrounded on three sides by steep, snow-capped Chugach Mountains, the blue-water port town of Valdez is best known as the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. On arrival into Valdez, check in to the hotel and relax for the rest of the evening.

Today is free to do what you like in Valdez. Kayaking is hugely popular here, and you can paddle on Prince William Sound, among the glaciers, down the fjords through to waterfalls and with the setting of imposing mountains in the background. On land, possibly visit the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive for an interesting history of this important port city.

This morning take the long drive back to Anchorage, which usually takes around six hours. This may be a tiring journey, but it's also a spectacular one. Cross the immense Thompson Pass and enjoy stunning views of Worthington Glacier. Special Information

Depart Anchorage and take a scenic drive along the Turnagain Arm and the National Forest Scenic Byway on your way to Homer. This route is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. Homer will be your gateway to the Kenai Peninsula. Keep an eye on the water because today you might snatch a glimpse of beluga whales. Notes: The drive covers 380 kilometres and takes approximately 5.5 hours.

Make the most of a free day in Homer. Perhaps explore the area by kayak and watch sea otters, or visit the beautiful rock arches, cliffs and remote beaches surrounding the city. Homer is a good place for animal watching, with bald eagles, puffins and moose plentiful in the area. 

Journey to the coastal town of Seward and the surrounding Kenai Fjords National Park (approximately 4 hours; 125 kilometres). Seward is one of Alaska's oldest towns, as well as one of the most scenic. The town itself boasts galleries, boutique shops and a bustling harbour, but it's perhaps best known as a gateway to exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. On arrival, jump into sea kayaks and paddle across to Resurrection Bay, where you will spend the next two nights staying in a hostel. This accommodation is so remote it can only be accessed by kayak or water taxi.

Enjoy a free day to explore the stunning Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound. Head out among the fjords and glaciers, keeping an eye out for humpback and killer whales, sea otters, harbour seals, sea lions, and puffins. In the evening, enjoy your last night here before heading to Anchorage in the morning.

Return to Anchorage via the Turnagain Arm (approximately 2.5 hours; 200 kilometres). There will be time to explore some of this Arctic wonderland, with its numerous lakes, glaciers and fascinating coastline. The area is also famous for its many anglers, who follow the salmon on their annual migration up the peninsula's many wide rivers. This trip finishes on arrival in Anchorage. For those wishing to stay on in Anchorage, please speak to our reservations team who can assist in booking extra nights of accommodation.