Overview
Other big moments include panning for gold at Fairbanks’ Gold Dredge #8, seeing a mushing demonstration at the home of an Iditarod champion, and witnessing the grandest of wildlife from Alaska’s majestic coasts to its monumental crests. While spotting a giant whale, caribou, moose, or grizzly might be “no biggie” to the locals, we think you’ll agree, this Alaska vacation is huge.
Itinerary
Welcome to Anchorage!
Meet your Tour Director between 3 pm and 7 pm in the hotel reception area.
ENHANCED FREE TIME - EXPLORE MORE: in Anchorage with a dinner out in this iconic Alaskan city. Your Tour Director can point you in the right direction. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for the best bites, brews, and things to do!
Sights & Sounds
Meet your fellow travel companions at this morning's welcome orientation. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, where cabbages can grow to an amazing 70 pounds (32 kg) in the 24-hour daylight. Venture over Tahneta Pass for wonderful vistas of Matanuska and Worthington Glaciers. Continue to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Visitor Center, the largest National Park in the United States and visit the Ahtna Cultural Center, a place to connect to the Alaska Native culture with exhibits on Ahtna Athabascan history. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the seaside port of Valdez. (B/D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDERS: Located near the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is a mix of tidewater glaciers, rainforests, majestic mountains, and wildlife on land and sea. Orcas, humpback whales, otters, sea lions, and birds are among the many animals you might spy from this spectacular seaport.
True Fish Stories
This morning, visit the Valdez Museum for a docent-led tour. Then board your boat for a cruise on Prince William Sound. Cruise along the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier with a watchful eye out for wildlife, including seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales! Before returning to Valdez, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, where supertankers are loaded with crude oil from Prudhoe Bay. (B/L)
LOCAL FAVORITE - CULTURE & TRADITIONS: Get an inside look at the rich traditions of the Native Alaskan culture and events that shaped the lives of early explorers at the Valdez Museum. Discover the history of the Gold Rush and Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the impact earthquakes and oil spills had on Valdez.
Arctic Adventure
Enjoy great scenery all the way as you travel along Richardson Highway. Stop at Delta Junction Roadhouse, a living history homestead with a museum, original roadhouse, and farm animals. See the longest elevated stretch of the trans-Alaska pipeline, the Tanana Pipeline River Bridge, a 1200-foot span with a unique suspension design. Then, head west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, the state's second-largest city. Enjoy a free evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CITY SIGHTS: Discover a world of the Northern Lights, the midnight sun, and sunsets and sunrises that seem to never end. Basecamp to Denali National Park, it's no wonder Fairbanks is called the Golden Heart of Alaska.
Gold Rush & Mushers
Visit Gold Dredge #8 and ride the narrow-gauge railroad. Then, try your luck as you pan for gold. Later today, board the Sternwheeler Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River, with a stop at the Chena Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CULTURAL GEMS: Experience frontier living in an Athabascan village on the Chena River. Here in the Alaskan forests, cabins are made of spruce logs, and the old ways of living with the land are beautifully preserved in the heritage of the Athabascan Native culture. Learn about traditions and survival in an unforgiving yet beautiful environment, where generations of Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years, ultimately adapting to village life and Western culture in the past century.
Riding the Rails
Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today's ride ends at Denali National Park, where North America's highest peak, 20,320-foot Denali, (also known as Mount McKinley) majestically dominates the park's 6 million acres. The afternoon is free. This evening, enjoy an exclusive presentation on Denali National Park by a Naturalist and dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
LOCAL FAVORITE - NATURAL WONDERS: Be treated to an exclusive presentation filled with insights and information by a local Naturalist who shares stories and useful tips about your visit to the park.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EPIC RIDE: Board the Alaska Railroad train for spectacular views through its panoramic windows designed for soaking in the stunning scenery on this full-day journey that truly showcases America's 49th state. Keep an eye out for views of Denali —as well as wildlife along the way!
Wilderness Wonders
Morning at leisure. Consider an optional photography excursion or a helicopter ride over the park. Then, prepare for an adventure of a lifetime with a Tundra Wilderness tour into the park with a Naturalist Driver Guide. (B/L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDERS: Venture deep into Denali National Park and Preserve with a Naturalist Driver Guide in search of fantastic wildlife and natural wonders. Your guide can help you to spot grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and other wildlife from a safe distance. Denali is a natural treasure of pristine and untamed wilderness at its finest.
A Dog's Life
Travel south toward Anchorage stopping at Happy Trails Kennels, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his dogs. Continue to Anchorage for a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner. Over dessert, enjoy a special presentation by an Alaskan bush pilot. (B/L/D)
LOCAL FAVORITE - ADVENTURE STORIES: After a delicious farewell dinner, you'll be treated to dessert and a presentation by an experienced Alaskan bush pilot who shares real-life tales of adventure in the wilderness you may have only heard about in movies or books!
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LEGENDARY LIVES: Visit Happy Trails Kennels, home of 4-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and family. Happy Trails Kennels was established in 1982 with the express purpose to raise and train happy, fast long-distance sled dogs to race and win the Iditarod. Martin's loving care and faith in his hounds was made evident by his Iditarod wins to earn the 9-year record for the fastest Iditarod finish. Meet the Iditarod champions and learn about the relationship between musher and dog, how they race, and care for their dogs. Watch a demonstration on mushing, complete with a mock Iditarod checkpoint, and get a chance to play with the sled dogs!
Ice Sculptures
Witness one of the world's most scenic drives as you follow the south shore of lovely Turnagain Arm. Upon arrival in Seward, board your vessel for a cruise on the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. (B/L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDERS: Spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park covers 600,000 acres of protected and pure wilderness, with more than half of its majestic landscapes covered in ice and snow. From the massive Harding Icefield to the countless tidewater glaciers carving deep fjords, this arctic paradise is a natural wonder to behold. A cruise on the fjords affords an unforgettable opportunity to see glaciers calving into the sea, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and many more breathtaking sights.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Visit Matanuska Valley and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Visitor Center
- Cruise the Prince William Sound
- Pan for gold in Fairbanks and cruise on the Chena River on a historic steamboat
- Journey aboard the Alaska Railroad in Deluxe Dome Service
- Visit Denali National Park and enjoy a guided wilderness expedition
- Meet Iditarod mushers and their famous dog teams
- Guided sightseeing in Anchorage
- Marvel at the stories from an Alaskan bush pilot
- Visit Seward and enjoy a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park
- 9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
- Anchorage: Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa (Superior First-Class):
The hotel is located in the heart of Anchorage and just moments from Anchorage's best restaurants, museums and attractions. The hotel has a fitness center, hot tub, business center, concierge service, gift shop, lounge, and 24 hour room service. - Valdez: Totem Hotel & Suites (Moderate First-Class):
The newest hotel in Valdez blends modern accommodation and style with Alaskan hospitality. Guests will enjoy rooms with premium linens, fluffy towels, TV, coffee maker, microwave, and mini-fridge. Hotel facilities include a lobby area market, fitness center, indoor pool, and Wi-Fi access. The hotel is within walking distance of local restaurants, shops and attractions. - Fairbanks: Pike's Waterfront Lodge (Moderate First-Class):
Along the banks of the impressive Chena River sits Pike's Waterfront Lodge. You'll rest easily in comfortable rooms, all with Aveda aromatherapy room amenities and many featuring scenic views, a steam room & sauna, riverside deck, restaurant, and a cozy lounge. The hotel is minutes from the Fairbanks Alaska airport and next door to famous Pike's Landing restaurant. It's a convenient and stunning spot for your time in Fairbanks. - Denali National Park: Denali Park Village (Moderate First-Class):
Approximately seven miles south of Denali National Park & Preserve sits the Denali Park Village Lodge. Positioned along the banks of the Nenana River, and spread over 20 acres, the lodge offers hiking trails throughout the facility from lighter trails to the more rugged. You'll be close to the action of Denali, yet enjoy the evening solitude as you relax to the sound of the river sweeping by. The new Summit Lodge is eco-friendly and features a high-timber lodge look and feel and is home to the Gold Rush Dining Room, Lucky Miss Saloon, Quigley's Coffee Station, Summit Gift Shop and 24-hour concierge desk.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen year-round, May through early June and September departures offer greater opportunities for wildlife viewing. Departures after mid-August offer fall foliage. The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) are most visible in late August and September, weather permitting.
- This tour visits remote regions where some facilities are not up to the first-class standards you expect from Globus. We have selected the best available hotels that satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
Globus includes all must-see sites, with special VIP access that lets you skip to the front of the queue. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great vacation. Savour the flavours of Canada & Alaska through its regional cuisine. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of Canada & Alaska. Read more
Globus' selection of hotels in unforgettable places ensure you stay right in the heart of each destination. Read more
Globus' coaches offer one of the most comfortable, stress-free and eco-friendly ways to travel. Read more
Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Trip Reviews (5) Most Recent 'Spectacular Alaska!' Reviews
Our viewing of wildlife was not as frequent as we had hoped. It is just luck being in the right place at the right time. We did see Moose, Caribou, sealions and sea otters. (Take your binoculars). Our highlight was on the last day on a cruise into the Kenai Fjord where we witnessed a group of humpback whales bubble feeding on a shoal of fish. Truly amazing. If considering this tour, or any trip to Alaska, their sunny days are rare with most days cloudy and/or wet. This can mean the mountains are not visible at times and you need more warmer clothes than true summer ones.
Brochure
Globus Worldwide (2025-26)
Dates & Pricing
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Welcome Back Credit
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Globus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
