Arrive in the “Land of the Midnight Sun” today at Anchorage with a transfer to your hotel. Meet your Tour Manager in the lobby at 6:00 p.m. for dining suggestions. Depart this morning for the historic town of Talkeetna. This is where mountaineers from around the world gather to challenge the 20,320-foot peak of Mt. McKinley (Denali). Here, climb aboard your jet boat for a Wilderness Excursion up the Susitna River. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Alaska Range.

Later, arrive at Denali with time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Sample Alaskan cuisine at Alaska Cabin Nite where you’ll enjoy an all-you-can-eat Alaska dinner. Then sit back for a hilarious show of tall tales, fun songs and foot-stompin’ music. Meals: B, D An experienced local guide conducts this morning’s Natural History Tour of Denali National Park. Weather permitting, see North America’s tallest mountain - Mt. McKinley. Be on the lookout for the caribou, moose, grizzlies, wolves and Dall sheep that inhabit the park.

You’ll learn about Denali’s varied and interesting collection of birdlife as well as the over 650 species of flowering plants. Later, climb aboard the Alaska Railroad for the scenic journey up the Parks Highway to Fairbanks. Catch glimpses of McKinley and the rest of the Alaska Range through the stands of spruce and pine.Meals: B, L This morning, cast off aboard the Riverboat Discovery, the only authentic sternwheeler in Alaska. Your narrated cruise takes you to Old Chena Village where native Alaskan guides show the culture and lifestyle of the original Alaskans.

After lunch, continue on to Gold Dredge # 8 for a rail journey through an old mining camp. Here you’ll be able to try your hand at gold panning in an authentic setting. Dinner tonight takes place at Alaskaland. A delightful array of Alaskan specialties are served featuring king salmon and halibut. Entertainment this evening is at the Palace Theater with a musical revue presenting Golden Heart Review. Meals: B, D Today is free in Fairbanks for you to enjoy. Perhaps visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum at your leisure. You may choose to take an optional trip by air to Coldfoot across the Arctic Circle is available. Or you may wish to book a Fairbanks fishing excursion where gear and transportation is provided. Optional excursions are subject to availability and should be booked in advance to secure your spot. Prices will be available in early 2024. Meal: B Leave Fairbanks this morning and travel south along the Alaska Highway toward Valdez. Follow the route of the Alaska Pipeline past historic Rika’s Roadhouse, a well-known gathering place for long-ago traders, gold miners and trappers. We’ll stop in if it is open. Admire the towering Chugach Mountains as you travel through Thompson Pass. You will make a quick stop at Worthington Glacier for a close look at this massive ice floe. Meals: B, D Enjoy some free time this morning in Valdez. Known as the “Switzerland of Alaska” Valdez is the southern terminus of the 800-mile-long Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Then, cruise through the glacier-carved fjords and passageways of Prince William Sound aboard the Glacier Spirit. Enjoy a light lunch on board as you view sea lions at Bull’s Head and the majestic beauty of Alaska’s rugged shoreline. Meals: B, L After breakfast, travel to Anchorage via the Glenn Highway. Sandwiched between two mountain ranges, the Talkeetna to the north and the Chugach to the south, this highway is filled with scenic beauty. Pass through the agriculturally rich Mat-Su Valley before arriving in Anchorage. A brief panoramic city tour introduces Alaska’s largest city. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner, which provides an opportunity to reminisce about your exciting journey. Meals: B, D Say good-bye to Alaska – land of mountain peaks, mighty rivers and spectacular glaciers with a group transfer to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Meal: B