On arrival in Anchorage transfer to your hotel on own. (The hotel may offer an airport shuttle). Depending on when you arrive you may have time for an optional excursion, such as a floatplane flightseeing tour, or many other options to explore Anchorage and surroundings.

Pick up rental car in the morning. Drive north to Talkeetna, perhaps stopping to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Centre.Talkeetna is a small, quirky town located in Southcentral Alaska. A former gold mining centre, the town has retained much of its early Alaska flavour with log cabins, a roadhouse and clapboard storefronts lining the streets. Talkeetna lives in the shadow of Denali, and can serve as a base for those wanting to explore the park, especially by air. There are also opportunities to cruise rivers and fish, to hike or horseback ride. During the summer months the Sustina River offers excellent fishing for trout and salmon. The Talkeetna Museum houses many artefacts and photography documenting the gold rush history and the stories of those who have dared climb Denali’s peak.

Experience the majesty of Denali National Park. Check out the Visitor Centre or the Sled Dog Kennels. Denali National Park is a vast six million acres of stunning wilderness deep in the heart of Alaska. It is home to North America’s tallest peak, Mt Denali, which soars to 6,190 metres and is home to iconic creatures.

Today’s narrated trip explores the Denali Park Road. Search for bear, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and other wildlife. At Denali Backcountry Lodge try panning for Gold. (L)

Take an optional day tour to cross the Arctic Circle or visit Chena Hot Springs Resort to relax in the natural outdoor rock lake.

Soak up the raw beauty of the drive into the central Alaska Range. The Alaska Range is a relatively narrow, 650km long mountain range in the southcentral region of the U.S. state of Alaska, from Lake Clark at its southwest end to the White River in Canada’s Yukon Territory in the southeast.

Travel through spectacular backcountry and gold mining areas. Arriving in Dawson City you might feel you’ve just landed in a different century. Visit the Jack London Interpretive Center, Degree #4 or Diamond Tooth Gertie’s.

Dawson City was built on the back of the Klondike Gold Rush, when the town boomed with riches. Today, it is a town full of character and quirks that has well preserved the fascinating history of the area. Stroll through the town taking in the historic buildings, some slanted and abandoned, some protected as Federal Heritage Buildings. A guided city tour will include the best there is to see of the city and its unique history.

Enjoy the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape. Stop at the Five Finger Rapids to hike down to the shore of the Yukon River. Known as “Wilderness City”, Whitehorse has the great outdoors right at its doorstep. With over 700 kilometres of marked trails along the Yukon River and lakes, there are endless opportunities for hikers and cyclists to take in the views. Visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve to see free roaming native animals such as Mountain Goat, Moose and Bison, or stop at Takhini Hot springs to indulge in the mineral rich natural waters.

Today’s drive offers spectacular scenery descending from the White Pass to Skagway. Located at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, Skagway’s streets are lined with wooden boardwalks and restored buildings, looking much as they did over 100 years ago. Gold Rush fever lives on in Skagway, and the many preserved buildings and relics make the experience truly authentic. Tens of thousands of prospectors poured into the town in 1897 and the Klondike gold fields boomed. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park was established in 1976 to preserve and interpret the unique history of the gold rush period. The White Pass & Yukon Route railway line offers unsurpassable views of waterfalls, gorges and glaciers. Hike the famous Chilkoot Trail or one of many easier options on offer.

Day at leisure to explore the streets lined with wooden boardwalks and restored buildings, looking much as they did over 100 years ago. Or perhaps take a fast ferry (passengers only) to Haines (ferry not included).  Haines, Alaska offers a fascinating history, intriguing culture, breath-taking scenery and adventure to last a lifetime. Located along the edge of North America’s longest and deepest fjord, craggy mountain peaks tower above a lush coastal rainforest with temperate seasons that call to the adventurer in all of us. Fill the long daylight hours of summer with a rafting trip, a deep-sea halibut fishing charter, or a hike through an ancient spruce forest. Visit museums dedicated to our earliest residents, the Native Tlingit people, and a national favourite, the American Bald Eagle. Explore gold rush era Fort William H. Seward, or find yourself alone at the end of a rocky beach trail.

Depart Skagway and drive via the Klondike and Alaska Highway to Haines Junction.

Take a short hike before driving to Tok, often called the ‘Dog Mushing Capital of Alaska’.

Your journey continues with an impressive view of the Wrangell Mountains. Walk along the boardwalk to the toe of the Worthington Glacier. Valdez is a gateway for salmon fishing trips and narrated cruise tours to the magnificent Columbia Glacier.

A free day to enjoy the stunning surrounds of Valdez. We recommend an optional trip to kayak among the ice near the face of a glacier.

Travel to Wasilla, home of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters, and a museum where you can learn about the great race. A number of mushers live in the area and often allow summer tours of their kennels.

Drive south to Seward, perhaps stopping at the Alaska Wildlife conservation Centre which provides care and rehabilitation to injured and orphaned wildlife.

Enjoy a scenic cruise through beautiful fjords and coastal landscapes as you search for whales, sea lions, harbour seals, otters and puffins. One of the highlights will be a visit to a tidewater glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. (L)

Snow-capped mountains, deep ocean bluffs and magnificent coastline surround you on the drive to Homer. The town of Homer is located on the beautiful Kachemuk Bay, about 320 kilometres south of Anchorage. Surrounded by wilderness and ocean, Homer offers many outdoor and nature based activities such as kayaking by a glacier, wildlife spotting and hiking through boreal forests.

Today is free to explore Homer. Fishing is one of the biggest drawcards for Homer, which is considered the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World. Salmon fishing is also available, and visitors can try out deep sea fishing or river fishing.  Bear viewing is also a popular activity from June to September, with Homer serving as the gateway to Katmai National Park.

The journey is almost complete, as you make your way back to Anchorage for your last night.

Return the car to end your adventure.