Itinerary: Alaskan Classic

Day 1 - Meet in Anchorage for our pre-trip meeting over breakfast. We'll then cycle along the scenic Coastal Trail that hugs the shores of Cook Inlet. After lunch, the afternoon is full of activity. We will load into our vehicles for a lovely drive along the Turnagain Arm to the mountain community of Girdwood. We take a tram up the mountain and hike to a glacier and round out this day with a delicious meal at our hotel. Overnight at the Alyeska Prince Hotel in Girdwood.

Day 2 - With more coastline than the contiguous 48 states, no trip to Alaska is complete without getting out on the water, and there's no place better to do this than Prince William Sound.

After breakfast, we drive south, to the end of Turnagain Arm and the Portage Glacier. We'll stop at the Visitor's Center to learn about the Chugach National Forest. Then, with apparently nowhere to go, we round a corner and dive into a tunnel one lane wide and 2.5 miles long. This is an amazing trip, disappearing into the heart of the mountain, and emerging on the other side in Whittier.

From Whittier, a charter boat whisks us deep into the stunning fjords of Prince William Sound. After a 45-minute boat ride, we transfer to sea kayaks and begin paddling along the breath-taking shoreline, past three tidewater glaciers. A cool breeze on our faces, the smell of salt sea in our noses, and the creaks, groans, and booms of moving ice all around us, complete this magical experience.

We return back to our hotel in Girdwood. Dinner is on your own tonight. Those who wish may sneak away by tram to a mountain-top restaurant for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining while gazing out at seven glaciers. Overnight at the Alyeska Prince Hotel in Girdwood.

Day 3 - Alaska has more pilots and planes per capita than any other place in the country, and huge expanses of the state are inaccessible by land. Today, we journey from Anchorage by single engine bush plane. Our flight will take a jaw dropping, awe inspiring detour to circle the big three - Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and of course, Mt. McKinley. We land in Denali, Alaska, gateway to Denali National Park.

Upon arrival at the park entrance, we jump into dry suits for a class III/IV whitewater raft ride down the Nenana River. This exciting ride takes us through a dramatic canyon from the Denali Park Entrance to the coal seams near Healy.

We relax this evening in individual cabins near the park entrance and may convene in the hot tubs to soak the night away. Overnight at the Denali Grizzly Bear Cabins in Denali (at the park entrance).

Day 4 - Today we enter Denali National Park. After a leisurely morning, we drive into the park on a restricted access road with Camp Denali staff. Along the way we'll search for wildlife (moose, caribou, bear, wolves), stop for a picnic dinner, and begin to see a new side of Mount McKinley if the weather is good. When we arrive, Camp Denali staff will welcome us with a dessert reception and help us settle into our individual cabins.

Each guest cabin is beautifully appointed and affirms Camp Denali's rustic style. Colorful, hand-crafted patchwork quilts and fine Alaskan artwork display an attention to detail. There is a small wood-burning stove for heat and a gas hotplate for heating water. You can wash in the privacy of your cabin, and each has a convenient "house out back," hand-built and uncompromisingly sanitary. Denali is even framed by a small heart in the door. A bathroom/shower facility with private hot showers and changing rooms, sinks and flush toilets is located near the lodge and dining room. Overnight at Camp Denali in Denali National Park.

Days 5 & 6 - "In all my travels, I've seen nothing else that so beautifully integrates serious appreciation of nature with the little indulgences that make a vacation a vacation." Overlooking Wonder Lake and Mount McKinley, the traditions of excellence at Camp Denali go back 50 years. Each day here is filled with laughter and camaraderie, exploration, and relaxation. Options are diverse, including photographing, hiking, paddling a canoe, biking, fishing, or just reading, and relaxing. A delicious meal and evening program bring each day to a close. At night, return to your cabin for peaceful solitude. Overnight at Camp Denali in Denali National Park.

Day 7 - Our senses overwhelmed and nerves relaxed, we journey out of the park, watching for wildlife. At the park entrance, we will board the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic trip back to Fairbanks. Leisure time on the train can be spent gazing out large windows or catching up on journals and correspondence. We enjoy our last dinner together on the train. Overnight at the Bridgewater Hotel in Fairbanks (or similar).

Day 8 - We'll enjoy breakfast together, before catching a short flight back to Anchorage. There, we will say our final good-byes as we head our separate ways for the journey home. 

Please note: The 2007 detailed itinerary is in progress. Please check back soon.