Alaska
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Alaska lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Last Frontier, from the tidewater glaciers and humpback whales of Kenai Fjords National Park to the magnificent brown bears of Katmai catching sockeye salmon at Brooks Falls, the extraordinary Denali at 20,310 feet and the finest wilderness in North America. This route covers the complete Alaska experience. The extraordinary Seward Highway and Kenai Peninsula, the glacier cruise of Resurrection Bay, the extraordinary Denali National Park bus into the wilderness, the brown bear viewing at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and the extraordinary midnight sun of an Alaskan summer.
Best Time To Visit
July to August for bears at Brooks Falls and peak wildlife
Getting There
Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC)
Getting Around
Rental car, Alaska Railroad and floatplane for Katmai
Budget Per Day
Approx $200 to $350 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, floatplane and wilderness tours
DAY 1
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
EXIT GLACIER AND THE HARDING ICEFIELD TRAIL
Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park is the most accessible glacier in Alaska, its extraordinary blue ice face walkable to within feet on the paved nature trail. The Harding Icefield trail above Exit Glacier is the most extraordinary day hike in southcentral Alaska, its 8.2-mile round trip climbing 3,000 feet to the surface of one of the largest icefields in North America. The view from the top over the icefield, broken only by rocky nunataks, is extraordinary. Entry free. Drive: 30 min boat
MIDDAY
KENAI FJORDS FULL-DAY GLACIER CRUISE
The full-day Kenai Fjords glacier cruise is the most extraordinary boat tour in America, its extraordinary passage past tidewater glaciers calving icebergs the size of houses into the sea, Steller sea lion rookeries on extraordinary sea stacks, humpback whales, orcas and thousands of seabirds. The Northwestern Glacier and the extraordinary Aialik Glacier give face-to-face encounters with blue ice walls 200 feet high. Full day approx $175. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
SEWARD WATERFRONT AND THE ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER
Seward is the most extraordinary small port in Alaska, its waterfront on Resurrection Bay backed by the Kenai Mountains and glacier-carved fjords. The Alaska SeaLife Center with its extraordinary Steller sea lions, harbor seals and horned puffins is the finest marine research aquarium in Alaska. The extraordinary small-boat harbor with its commercial fishing fleet and the view down the fjord are unmissable. Entry approx $25.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lowell Point beach south of Seward is the finest free beachcombing spot on Resurrection Bay, its gravel shore giving views of the fjord surrounded by glacier-carved mountains with sea otters floating in the kelp beds offshore. The tidal pools at low tide are extraordinary. Free. Almost entirely used only by Seward locals.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Seward Bakery Extraordinary sourdough cinnamon rolls and Alaska coffee before the glacier hike. | Lunch: Christo's Palace, Seward The finest halibut fish and chips in Alaska. Extraordinary fresh-caught local halibut at outstanding value. | Dinner: The Cookery, Seward Outstanding contemporary Alaskan cuisine. Local halibut, king crab and sockeye salmon.
DAY 2
TALKEETNA AND DENALI
MORNING
TALKEETNA AND THE BUSH PILOT CULTURE
Talkeetna is the most extraordinary small town in Alaska, its log cabin main street serving as base camp for Denali climbers attempting the 20,310-foot summit. The extraordinary Talkeetna Historical Society Museum tells the story of the bush pilots and early climbers. The confluence of the Susitna, Chulitna and Talkeetna rivers gives the most extraordinary mountain panorama in southcentral Alaska on a clear day. Free. Drive: 30 min flight
MIDDAY
DENALI FLIGHTSEEING WITH GLACIER LANDING
A flightseeing tour around Denali with glacier landing from Talkeetna is the most extraordinary single experience in Alaska, its extraordinary small plane route around North America's highest peak landing on the Kahiltna Glacier at 7,200 feet and giving views of the extraordinary southwest face, hanging glaciers and crevasse fields. The most extraordinary 90 minutes in the American West. Approx $350. Book months ahead. Drive: 2 hr drive
AFTERNOON
DENALI NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE AND THE SAVAGE RIVER
Denali National Park entrance area near Cantwell is the finest introduction to the park, its extraordinary Savage River trail at Mile 15 giving the first extraordinary views of the Alaska Range and the chance of seeing Dall sheep on the canyon walls. The visitor center at the park entrance is the finest introduction to the ecology and wildlife of the park. The road beyond Mile 15 is reserved for bus tour passengers. Entry $15.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Reflection Pond on the Denali Park Road at Mile 9 gives the finest free view of Denali from the road system on a clear day, its extraordinary still water reflecting the summit of the highest peak in North America in perfect conditions. Almost entirely unknown to visitors who drive only to the Savage River. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Talkeetna Roadhouse The finest sourdough pancakes in Alaska since 1917. Extraordinary Alaskan breakfast in a historic log roadhouse. | Lunch: Denali Brewing Company, Talkeetna Outstanding Alaska craft beer and local burger in the finest brewery in the Susitna Valley. | Dinner: 229 Parks Restaurant, Denali area The most extraordinary farm-to-table restaurant near Denali. Local salmon, reindeer and Alaska mushrooms.
DAY 3
DENALI NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
DENALI WILDERNESS BUS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY BUS RIDE IN AMERICA
The wilderness bus into Denali National Park is the most extraordinary bus journey in America, its extraordinary route along the 92-mile park road through tundra, taiga and alpine terrain giving the finest wildlife viewing in Alaska. Grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou herds are all extraordinary from the bus windows. The Polychrome Overlook at Mile 46 gives the finest panoramic view of the Alaska Range. Bus approx $40. Book at recreation.gov. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
EIELSON VISITOR CENTER AND THE ALASKA RANGE
The Eielson Visitor Center at Mile 66 in Denali National Park is the most extraordinary visitor center in Alaska, its extraordinary position at 3,733 feet giving the closest road-accessible view of Denali at 20,310 feet, only 33 miles distant on clear days. The view of the entire Alaska Range from Eielson is the most extraordinary mountain panorama accessible by road in North America. Dall sheep, grizzly bears and caribou are extraordinary nearby. Free with bus. Drive: 2 hr bus back
AFTERNOON
WONDER LAKE AND THE DENALI REFLECTION
Wonder Lake at Mile 85 in Denali National Park is the most extraordinary lake in Alaska, its extraordinary reflection of Denali rising 17,000 feet above the lake surface the most photographed sight in the park. The surrounding tundra is alive with caribou, ptarmigan and arctic ground squirrels. The Wonder Lake campground is the finest campsite in Alaska. Access by park bus only. Extraordinarily remote and extraordinary in every way. Free with bus.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Primrose Trail in Denali National Park near the Savage River is the finest uncrowded short hike in the park, its extraordinary 3.5-mile loop through boreal forest and open tundra giving views of the Alaska Range and excellent grizzly bear sightings away from the main bus corridor. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Denali Bluffs Hotel breakfast Coffee and hearty breakfast before the wilderness bus departs. | Lunch: Bus picnic in the wilderness Pack lunch from the park hotel or Healy. The extraordinary tundra picnic is the finest in Alaska. | Dinner: 49th State Brewing, Healy The finest craft beer near Denali. Outstanding Alaskan ales and local burgers at the park gateway town.
DAY 4
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK, BROWN BEARS AT BROOKS FALLS
Katmai National Park is the most extraordinary wildlife destination in Alaska, its extraordinary Brooks Falls the most celebrated brown bear gathering in the world. Up to 60 brown bears congregate at the falls in July to catch sockeye salmon leaping upstream, providing the most extraordinary wildlife spectacle in North America. The bear viewing platforms at Brooks Falls give extraordinary close-range encounters with bears catching salmon mid-air. Floatplane from King Salmon approx $600. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
BROOKS CAMP AND THE VALLEY OF TEN THOUSAND SMOKES
Brooks Camp in Katmai is the most extraordinary wilderness camp in Alaska, its extraordinary setting on the shores of Naknek Lake surrounded by the peaks of the Aleutian Range. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, created by the 1912 Novarupta eruption, the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, is accessible by bus from Brooks Camp. The extraordinary moonscape of the valley is entirely unlike anywhere else in America. Bus approx $25. Drive: 30 min floatplane
AFTERNOON
KING SALMON AND THE NAKNEK RIVER
King Salmon is the most extraordinary small town in southwestern Alaska, its extraordinary position on the Alaska Peninsula as the gateway to Katmai giving it the finest sockeye salmon fishing in Alaska. The Naknek River running through town is the most productive sockeye salmon river in the world. The extraordinary Bristol Bay salmon run is the largest wild salmon run on earth. The town's extraordinary bush pilot culture is the finest in Alaska. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Dumpling Mountain trail above Brooks Camp in Katmai is the finest hidden hike in the national park, its extraordinary 4-mile round trip climbing 800 feet above Naknek Lake to give panoramic views of the surrounding volcano chain and the Brooks River bear corridor below. Almost entirely unknown to day visitors who focus only on Brooks Falls. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Brooks Lodge, Katmai The most extraordinary breakfast setting in Alaska. Coffee and eggs overlooking Naknek Lake at a bear country lodge. | Lunch: Brooks Lodge dining room Outstanding lodge lunch at the bear viewing camp. Local salmon, Alaskan-style and extraordinary. | Dinner: Quinnat Landing Hotel, King Salmon The finest dinner in King Salmon. Extraordinary local sockeye salmon, halibut and Alaska craft beer.
DAY 5
ANCHORAGE
MORNING
ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER, THE FINEST CULTURAL MUSEUM IN ALASKA
The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage is the most extraordinary living museum in Alaska, its extraordinary 26-acre site featuring traditional village structures representing all eleven Alaska Native cultural groups, with tribal members demonstrating traditional crafts, storytelling and dance. The extraordinary Hall of Cultures inside the main building gives the finest introduction to Alaska Native art, tools and spiritual traditions in the state. Entry approx $30. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
TONY KNOWLES COASTAL TRAIL AND COOK INLET
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is the finest urban trail in Alaska, its extraordinary 11-mile paved path along Cook Inlet past Earthquake Park, Westchester Lagoon and Point Woronzof giving views of Denali and the Alaska Range 130 miles distant on clear days. Beluga whales feed in Cook Inlet below the trail in summer. The extraordinary Flattop Mountain above Anchorage gives the finest panoramic view of the city and the inlet. Free. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
ANCHORAGE MUSEUM AND THE BEST SEAFOOD IN ALASKA
The Anchorage Museum is the finest museum in Alaska, its extraordinary collection of Alaska Native art, natural history and cultural exhibits giving the most comprehensive introduction to the state available anywhere. The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center within the museum is the finest collection of Alaska Native artifacts in the world, with tribal members often present as cultural educators. The nearby Spenard neighborhood has the finest local seafood in Anchorage. Entry approx $20.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Earthquake Park on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail preserves the most extraordinary visible evidence of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America at magnitude 9.2. The extraordinary tilted terrain of the park shows the dramatic land subsidence caused by the quake. The Cook Inlet view is the finest in Anchorage. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Snow City Cafe, Anchorage The finest breakfast in Anchorage. Extraordinary reindeer sausage, sourdough pancakes and strong Alaska coffee. | Lunch: Glacier Brewhouse, Anchorage Outstanding Alaska seafood and craft beer. Extraordinary halibut, Dungeness crab and local ales. | Dinner: Simon and Seafort's, Anchorage The most legendary seafood restaurant in Anchorage with extraordinary Cook Inlet views. Local king crab.
Where To Stay
Seward, Night 1 Hotel Seward or Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge on the ice. Approx $180 to $400 per night. Talkeetna or Denali, Nights 2 to 3 Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or Denali Bluffs Hotel. Approx $150 to $280 per night. King Salmon or Anchorage, Nights 4 to 5 King Ko Inn King Salmon or Hotel Captain Cook Anchorage. Approx $150 to $300.
Top Tips
1. Book Brooks Falls bear viewing floatplane with Katmai Air months ahead. July is peak salmon season. Extraordinary.
2. Denali wilderness bus tickets at recreation.gov sell out. Book the Kantishna Experience bus for the finest views.
3. Denali flightseeing from Talkeetna with glacier landing is the single most extraordinary experience in Alaska.
4. Alaska Railroad Denali Star has glass-domed observation cars. The most extraordinary train journey in America.
5. Midnight sun in June and July means wildlife is active at 11pm. Some of the finest bear viewing is after 9pm.
6. Kenai Fjords full-day glacier cruise to Northwestern Glacier is far more extraordinary than the half-day trip.
Total Budget
$200 to $350/day