Discover the unique beauty of Alaska during this 13-day Regional Discovery vacation. Begin in Anchorage, and then visit the Iditarod Headquarters before boarding the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic train journey to Denali National Park. Here, enjoy a guided tour of this spectacular wilderness. Next, travel to Fairbanks, where you cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers, visit the University of Alaska–Fairbanks museum, and stop at the TransAlaska Oil Pipeline. Then head to Dawson City to see Diamond Tooth Gerties, Claim #1, a Gold Dredge, and the Dдnojа Zho Cultural Centre. In Whitehorse, visit the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, the SS Keno, and Uncommon Journeys dogsled facilities. Travel through rugged Kluane National Park en route to Tok, and then head to Valdez, where a cruise on Prince William Sound is the perfect ending to your Alaska vacation.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Anchorage
Welcome to Alaska! Meet your Tour Director this evening in the
hotel reception area.

Day 2 Anchorage–Denali National Park
Traveling north into the majestic wilds of Alaska, visit the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS, home of the world-famous dogsled race. Arrive in Talkeetna, the jumping-off point for climbers attempting to summit Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet. Board the historic ALASKA RAILROAD for a scenic trip to Denali National Park. Enjoy a WELCOME DINNER at the hotel this evening. (B,D)

Day 3 Denali National Park
This morning, a guided tour takes you into the 6-million-acre DENALI NATIONAL PARK to explore the majestic wilderness and seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and much more! Your afternoon is free for optional adventures such as float trips, a dogsled demonstration, a helicopter ride over the park, or a delicious dinner and rollicking musical comedy performed in a camp house reminiscent of the gold rush era. (B,L)

Day 4 Denali National Park–Fairbanks
Travel into the heart of Alaska to Fairbanks, where you will enjoy lunch at the historic Pump House restaurant on the banks of the Chena River. The afternoon and evening are at leisure in Fairbanks, or you have the option to fly above the Arctic Circle and visit a modern day rural village to experience life in the bush of Alaska. (B,L)
Arctic Circle Adventure. An option available from Fairbanks on
Day 4. Additional price includes: guided tour (fly to and from the Arctic Circle); a wilderness community; Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate; salmon bake. Fly north through the rugged Brooks Mountain Range, crossing the Arctic Circle, to the amazing arctic tundra. Here, visit a wilderness community, and learn about the way of life in this rural area. Return to Fairbanks by air, where you will be awarded an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. You will also experience a traditional salmon bake at Pioneer Park during your Arctic Adventure.

Day 5 Fairbanks
This morning, board the sternwheeler Discovery for a CRUISE on the Chena and Tanana Rivers with a stop at a recreated Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan native culture. Later, visit the UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA-FAIRBANKS MUSEUM during your Fairbanks city tour, and also stop at the TRANS-ALASKA OIL PIPELINE. (B)

Day 6 Fairbanks–Dawson City
Continuing the journey into Gold Rush history, motor over the Top of the World Highway and enter the Yukon. Passing through the village of Chicken, today promises to be filled with breathtaking scenery. Tonight, you have reservations at DIAMOND TOOTH GERTIES, featuring ragtime music, can-can girls, and an old-fashioned casino. (B)

Day 7 Dawson City
Today, step back in time at the site of CLAIM #1, where the first gold strike was made. Continue to an old GOLD DRE DGE to learn how gold changed this land forever and to try your own hand at gold panning! Next, stop at the DДNOJА ZHO CULTURAL CENTRE for a tour on the First Nations’ traditions and culture over the past 100 years. (B)

Day 8 Dawson–Whitehorse
Today, trace the trail of the gold seekers on their way to the Klondike. View the Five Finger Rapids, which once posed a major obstacle to the hordes of fortune seekers stampeding into the Yukon. Your day concludes in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon. (B,D)

Day 9 Whitehorse
A city tour stops at the YUKON BERINGIA INTERPRETIVE CENTRE where you can meet the ice-age giant mammals that once ruled the ancient subcontinent. Stop at the SS KENO RIVERBOAT and learn about its importance on the Yukon River in the Gold Rush days. Later, head to Whitehorse’s premier dogsled facility, UNCOMMON JOURNEYS, where you will personally meet the huskies and their trainers. Here, learn about the training and care of Alaskan Huskies as well as the lifestyle required to race in world-famous competitions such as the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. (B)

Day 10 Whitehorse–Tok
Return to Alaska traveling through the rugged mountains of KLUANE NATIONAL PARK, home to 19,625-foot Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak. Continue on the Alaska Highway to Tok, the “Dog Sled Capital of the World.” (B)

Day 11 Tok–Valdez
Head to Alaska’s southernmost, ice-free port, Valdez, home of the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal. As you travel toward some of the highest coastal mountains in the world, enjoy views of Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, and Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the “Switzerland of Alaska”— Valdez. Visit the unique VALDEZ MUSEUM late this afternoon. (B)

Day 12 Valdez–Whittier–Anchorage
Board a PRIVATE BOAT today and get a closer look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier, and the playful sea life of PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND. Keep your eyes open for eagles, whales, mountain goats, dolphins, and sea lions! This evening, enjoy a FAREWELL DINER at the Alyeska Prince Hotel before returning to Anchorage. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Depart Anchorage
The vacation ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided.