The Alaskan Road Trip
Prices starting at $4,000 per person
There’s no place quite like Alaska in summer—wildflowers bursting, snowcapped peaks on every horizon, and long golden evenings under the “midnight sun.”
Alaska is its own category of trip. The days can stretch well past sunset, the landscapes shift from boreal forest to alpine tundra to open ocean within a few hours' drive, and wildlife turns up where you least expect it — a grizzly on a hillside, a moose in a roadside lake, a sea otter floating past your kayak. This 11-day self-drive journey takes in the full sweep of the state's most compelling corners: Denali and the Alaska Range from the air and the road, the Kenai Peninsula's glaciers and bays, the quiet of Resurrection Bay by kayak, and the unhurried pace of Homer and Seldovia on Kachemak Bay. It's the kind of trip that earns the word Alaska.
Top 6 Highlights of the Alaskan Road Trip
Talkeetna & Denali Flightseeing
Soar above the Great Gorge and Ruth Glacier with a glacier landing for that “only-in-Alaska” view of Denali’s massif.Scenic Pullouts & Short Walks
Hit classic viewpoints and ridge loops for first-look panoramas of the Alaska Range.Denali by Road
Traverse the park corridor on a narrated wilderness tour with chances to spot moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzlies, and more.
Resurrection Bay by Kayak
Paddle beneath cliffs and waterfalls while watching for otters, harbor seals, porpoises, and seabirds.Kenai Road-Trip Gems
Thread past glaciers, lakes, and small towns with optional stops at a wildlife refuge center and Portage Glacier.Homer & Kachemak Bay
Stroll the Spit, scan for eagles and sea otters, and ferry to the “City of Secluded Charm,” Seldovia.
11 Days on an Alaskan Road Trip
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Arrive in the early morning, pick up your vehicle, and road-trip toward Talkeetna with optional lake and overlook stops. Midday flightseeing over Denali with a glacier landing. Evening at leisure in the historic village.
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Scenic drive with classic viewpoints and a state-park hike or paddle en route. Settle in near the park and join an evening fly-fishing outing for Arctic grayling.
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Board the Tundra Wilderness Tour for narrated wildlife viewing, sweeping landscapes, and stops at notable sites. Free time afterward to relax or explore nearby.
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Return south along the Parks Highway. Optional detours include Wasilla history stops, Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine, and Anchorage services before continuing along Turnagain Arm to the mountains.
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Short, stunning coastal drive with optional visits (Portage Glacier/Whittier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, lake pullouts). Arrive in the Seward area; choose Exit Glacier or the Alaska SeaLife Center if time allows.
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Half-day small-group sea-kayaking with water-taxi access to quiet coves and sea-life hotspots. Free afternoon to wander harbor fronts and trails.
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Kenai Peninsula grand tour—stop for salmon rivers, historical museums, or volcano viewpoints as you wind toward Homer on Kachemak Bay.
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Ferry across the bay to Seldovia’s boardwalk, carvings, and Russian Orthodox heritage; enjoy the laid-back vibe and seasonal festivities before returning to Homer.
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Scenic return to the city with optional repeats of favorite stops. Settle in for a relaxed final evening.
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Bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and keep the rest of the day open for galleries, markets, coastal viewpoints, or urban trails.
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Return your vehicle and fly home with fresh air still in your lungs.