Alaska: 10-Day Grand Alaska Explorer — Denali, Kenai, Wrangell & Valdez
The ultimate Alaska road trip. This 10-day self-drive (or guided) expedition covers the state’s greatest hits and hidden gems: from the marine wonderland of Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound to the vast tundra of Denali, and the often-overlooked Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — America’s largest national park at 53,321 km², bigger than Switzerland. This is Alaska without compromise.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Anchorage — Arrival, collect rental SUV. Explore downtown, Alaska Native Heritage Center. Overnight Anchorage.
Day 2: Anchorage to Seward — Scenic drive (2.5 hrs) along Turnagain Arm. Beluga Point stop. Arrive Seward, afternoon at leisure. Overnight Seward.
Day 3: Kenai Fjords NP Cruise — 8.5-hour Northwestern Fjord cruise (longer than standard, reaches more glaciers). Orcas, humpbacks, puffins, tidewater glaciers. Overnight Seward.
Day 4: Seward to Talkeetna — Drive north (3.5 hrs). Afternoon flightseeing optional: land on a glacier on Denali. Explore Talkeetna. Overnight Talkeetna.
Day 5: Talkeetna to Denali NP — Drive to Denali park entrance (2.5 hrs). Afternoon visitor center, short hikes. Evening wildlife drive on park road. Overnight near Denali.
Day 6: Denali Full Day — Full-day narrated bus tour deep into the park (Kantishna, if conditions permit). Bears, caribou, moose, wolves, Denali views. Overnight Denali.
Day 7: Denali to Wrangell-St. Elias — Long scenic drive (5 hrs) past the Alaska Range. Arrive at the Kennecott Mines — a ghost town of towering red mill buildings in America’s largest national park. Overnight in the historic Kennecott Lodge.
Day 8: Wrangell-St. Elias Exploration — Guided hike to Root Glacier with crampons. Explore the 14-story Kennecott Mill, abandoned in 1938. Fly-in bear viewing optional. Overnight Kennecott.
Day 9: Wrangell to Valdez — Drive the spectacular Richardson Highway (4 hrs). Cross Thompson Pass with views of the oil pipeline. Arrive in Valdez, the “Switzerland of Alaska.” Afternoon kayak among icebergs in Valdez Glacier Lake. Overnight Valdez.
Day 10: Valdez to Anchorage — Drive back (5.5 hrs) via Glenn Highway, past Matanuska Glacier (largest road-accessible glacier in Alaska). Return rental car. Depart Anchorage.
Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodation
- Full-size SUV rental (10 days)
- 8.5-hour Northwestern Fjord cruise
- Denali full-day bus tour
- Root Glacier guided hike with equipment
- Kennecott Mill tour
- Valdez Glacier kayaking
- Detailed road guide and maps
| Duration | 10 Days / 9 Nights |
|---|---|
| Price | From $3,895 per person (twin share, 2 travelers) |
| Tour Style | Grand Alaska Self-Drive |
| Data Source | Alaska Wildland Adventures, AlaskaTours.com |
