Day One - Arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International AirportWelcome to The Last Frontier! Upon arrival, an Adventures by Disney representative escorts you to your transfer vehicle. Relax as the driver assists with your luggage and shuttles you to the Anchorage Marriott Downtown.
Anchorage Marriott Downtown: Unwind as your Adventure Guide checks you into your spacious room at this modern, full-service hotel. Ask your Adventure Guides for suggestions as you take the remainder of the day to explore Anchorage on your own.
Welcome Reception and Dinner : Meet your fellow Adventurers as you celebrate your first night in Alaska and the beginning of your trek!
Day Two - Breakfast and Bike Riding Fuel up on breakfast at the hotel this morning before heading out to the scenic trail of Cook Inlet. Bike along the coastline and soak up stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, like bald eagles soaring overhead and moose ambling on the shore.
Bald Eagle Presentation: After the bike ride, meet a bald eagle up close at this fascinating presentation in the park. A handler from the local rehabilitation center introduces you to one of these majestic birds as you learn all about the habits of the general population, as well as the particular bird at hand. Take the opportunity to ask questions and snap photos of this amazing creature, the national bird of the United States of America.
Lunch at the Alaska Native Heritage Center: Join your fellow Adventurers for lunch at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and share your first impressions of The Last Frontier!
Alaska Native Heritage Center: Celebrate the heritage of Native Alaskan cultures as you learn about the ancient traditions and stories of Alaska's first people. Explore the center with a guide and then be blown away by feats of balance, strength and dexterity at a demonstration of the Native Youth Olympics!
Afterward, Junior Adventurers explore the village sites in a whole new way as they embark on an outdoor scavenger hunt for various Native items.
On Your Own in Anchorage: Explore the city where the midnight sun smolders on the summer horizon. Hop on a shuttle from downtown to the Anchorage Zoo, where you can see bald eagles, moose, grizzlies and more. Or stroll through this historic city and see the spectacular scenery of this metropolis beneath the majestic Chugach Mountains. If you need recommendations for dinner, ask your Adventure Guides!
Day Three - Travel to Talkeetna
Depart Anchorage by coach and voyage to the charming village of Talkeetna. Rich with natural beauty and local color, this small town at the edge of Denali National Park boasts some of the best outdoor sporting in Alaska! Spend some time on your own before lunch exploring the town.
Lunch at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge: Relax with a hearty lunch served on an outdoor deck with sweeping views of Mount McKinley.
Jest Boat Cruise: Board a jet boat for an exhilarating scenic cruise along the glacier-fed Susitna River and into the Alaskan wilderness.
Mountain Climber Presentation: Continue by coach to your next hotel, the Grande Denali Lodge. Be swept off your feet by the stunning, panoramic views of the Denali Canyon as a mountain climber joins you to share his experiences climbing Mt. McKinley. Feel free to check out his climbing gear and ask questions!
Dinner at the Alehouse: Gather at the Prospectors Historic Pizzeria & Alehouse for a hearty pizza dinner and generous portions of rustic charm. Check out the collection of antique Alaskan photos, artifacts and maps for a special peek into the past. Salute Alaska as the 49th state with their 49 beers on tap.
Day Four - Whitewater Rafting on the Nenana
Revel in Alaskan splendor on this whitewater rafting trip! On class II and mild class III rapids, drift past the dramatic heights of Mount Fellows and Pyramid Mountain. Next, witness the Yanert Fork River merging with the mighty waters of the Nenana below Musher's Monument—a natural rock formation that resembles a dog sled team.
Private Lunch at the Murie Science and Learning Center: Delight in a boxed lunch as you soak up the beauty of the science center grounds at this private picnic with your fellow Adventurers. Lunch is hosted by one of the park's naturalists who will reveal more wonders about the local wildlife and greenery.
On Your Own in Denali: Following lunch, take some time to see Denali National Park on your own. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of wildlife, including roaming Dall sheep and soaring golden eagles. Hike through novice or expert trails, or take the rest of the day to relax back at the lodge, enjoying spectacular panoramic views of the landscape.
For dinner, the local cuisine of Denali favors fresh seafood and delicious grills. Ask your Adventure Guides for recommendations.
Day Five - Depart Denali for Girdwood
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding the coach for your trip to Big Lake, home of the Happy Trails Kennels!
Iditarod Experience: As you blaze through the great frontier of Alaska, cool your tracks at Happy Trails Kennels owned by award-winning dog musher, Martin Buser. A resident puppy and Iditarod veteran greet you on board the coach. Adults watch an exciting sledding demonstration by Buser as Junior Adventurers join the Adventure Guides to meet the season's litter of eager puppies. After lunch, continue your guided visit to the kennel. Learn about the history of Iditarod and the loving care the dogs receive.
Travel to Girdwood: Take in the sights along Turnagain Arm on this stunning drive to the grand Hotel Alyeska in the historic mining town of Girdwood. When you arrive, stretch your legs as your Adventure Guides check you into the hotel.
Dinner at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant: Take a tram up to the mountain top perch where this AAA Four-Diamond restaurant offers views nothing short of jaw-dropping. The glaciers surround the restaurant, with sweeping views of the Cook Inlet. If the sights don't knock you off your feet, the food will! Adults will enjoy dinner at their leisure, while kids set off for a special Junior Adventurer's meal.
Junior Adventurer Activity Night: After a private dinner at the hotel, Junior Adventurers head outside for an active night full of entertainment with the Adventure Guides. Kids will learn to spin an Eskimo yo-yo, play soccer or join any one of the other lively games planned for the evening.
Day Six - Kenai Fjords Cruise
Following breakfast at the hotel, ride to Seward and get your sea legs ready for an unforgettable day of adventure as you cruise through the breathtaking Kenai Fjords National Park. Get an up-close view of the dramatic fjords and the tidewater glaciers that tower over the water. You might catch a glimpse of "ice calving," a spectacular event where the ice breaks away from the glacier into the water. Keep your binoculars at hand to catch popular wildlife throughout the park, including sea lions, sea otters, porpoises, puffins and a variety of whales. Savor a gourmet boxed lunch during this scenic cruise.
Alaska Sea Life Center Visit: Maintaining the integrity of the great north's marine ecosystem is the mission of the Alaska Sea Life Center. Head to the touch tanks for a hands-on experience with amazing, colorful creatures that inhabit Alaska's tidal zones, and observe a mysterious Giant Pacific octopus. Then visit the aviary to meet some of the resident puffins before you take time to explore the Center on your own.
"Underwater" Dinner: Ever dined with a sea lion? We promise you won't have to share a morsel. Take a seat for a one-of-a-kind meal in the underwater-viewing area. Watch puffins, seals and sea lions dance through the arctic water while you fashion your own puffin out of clay to take home.
Day Seven - Gold Panning a the Crow Creek Mines
Ride the coach to gold country for a demonstration of prospecting at the Crow Creek Mine. Feel the gold "rush" as you try your hand at panning for the metal that made the West famous. Keep the gold you find and take it home as a souvenir!
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Visit: Surrounded by mountains and hanging glaciers, the Center is the perfect setting to see firsthand the conservation efforts taking place in Alaska. After exploring the Center with a naturalist and getting up close and personal with bears, moose and bison, learn how they have been rescued and rehabilitated. Get a good seat when one of the Center's rescued family members makes a special appearance.
On Your Own in Girdwood: Lunch time and afternoon are yours as you explore the year-round resort community of Girdwood. Charming shops and friendly folks are just a few of the things you'll come across as you leisurely stroll the streets of this historic gold-mining town on your own. Ask your Adventure Guides for dining ideas.
Farewell Dinner at Alyeska Resort: As your Alaskan vacation comes to a close, join your travel friends back at the resort for a farewell dinner. Get into the rhythm during a performance of traditional dancers and drummers as Alaska's native heritage comes to life before your eyes.
Day Eight - Breakfast and Transfer to Airport
After your last breakfast in the Land of the Midnight Sun, board pre-arranged transportation to the airport and bid each other farewell.