Upon arrival, drive to your hotel to settle in from your long journey. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may have time to explore the city at your own pace or get a taste for Anchorage’s vibrant culinary scene.

Travel north 184km/2.5h along the Parks Highway to Talkeetna with your driver-guide. Drive past alpine peaks, rivers streams, spruce and birch forests, as well as Matanuska-Susitna Valley, rimmed by 3 major mountain ranges: Alaska Range, Talkeetna and Chugach. Then, immerse in a world of ice on a 3.5-hour Private Matanuska Glacier Hike. Don crampons, picks and other gear as you traverse crevasses, caves and deep blue pools. You will see the “Ice Falls” phenomenon which occurs when solid ice “falls” over giant boulders, creating intricate natural sculptures.

After breakfast at a 1917 log roadhouse, head north 390km/7.5h on Parks Highway, passing Mat-Su valley before arriving at Denali Park Entrance. Say ‘farewell’ to your driver-guide and check into your lodge naturalist/driver’s shuttle to journey deep into the heart of the 6-million-acre Denali. Stops will be made to take advantage of potential wildlife encounter: bear, caribou, Dall sheep and moose. Weather permitting you may catch a glimpse of the park’s namesake. Denali measures 20,310 feet above sea level and is North America’s highest peak. Your journey ends with your arrival at your wilderness lodging.

Guided group hikes are offered daily for different abilities levels, with knowledgeable guides sharing their love of the region’s wildlife, landscape and history. Retreat by the fire, or if you want more, take in an evening program featuring Alaska’s natural and cultural history.

Depart 6am for a 5-hour guided bus tour to the Denali Park Entrance to board your luxury dome rail cars (First Class Service) with panoramic windows of snaking Indian River and Hurricane Gulch before a scenic stop at Talkeetna. As you approach Anchorage at 8pm, the dramatic Chugach Range welcomes you to Alaska’s largest city, where you will be transferred to hotel to check in. [OPTIONAL: Denali Scenic Express Flight (weather dependent, 11kg checked and hand-carry luggage). Instead of rising early, depart mid-morning on a 35-55m Bush plane over awe-inspiring Alaska Range and north glaciers to Denali’s North Face]

Transfer to the floatplane terminal/airport for your flight to Kenai Peninsula or Southcentral Alaska lodge.

OPTION 1:  KODIAK BEAR CENTRE (OPERATING SEASON FROM END JULY TO OCT, FIXED CHECK IN & OUT DATE, 3 NIGHTS STAY ONLY FOR MONDAY OR THURSDAY ARRIVAL)

Board 1h scheduled flight to Kodiak, followed by 45m floatplane (checked baggage allowance of 22kg per person, soft bags) to your all-inclusive lodge (staff gratuities not included). Set at Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge ideal to observe the legendary Kodiak brown bear, there are no roads or personal cabins to limit human-bear interactions. Besides the guests and lodge staff, the only visitors are refuge managers and researchers. Embark on daily guided bear viewing boat excursion (shared). The best season is mid-Aug to Oct. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not available, but guests are welcomed to bring their own.

OPTION 2: TUTKA BAY LODGE (OPERATING SEASON MID-MAY TO MID-SEPTEMBER)

Board 1.5h floatplane (checked baggage allowance of 22kg per person, soft bags).to your remote all-inclusive lodge adjacent to Kachemak Bay State Park on a 7-mile fjord near the glacier-studded Kenai Mountains. This full-service ocean front lodge offers schedule activities (on shared basis) for fishing, kayaking or hiking, tide pooling, cooking class, stretch and yoga classes. Facilities include one complimentary massage, sauna and hot tub. One private bear-viewing helicopter excursion along the Katmai Coast is included in your 3 nights stay. Breakfast and dinner are served family style in the lodge solarium, with wine tasting and cheese pairing in the evenings. Picnic lunches are packed for day excursions.

Enjoy a day of activity provided by respective lodgings.

Transfer to floatplane dock/airport and fly to Anchorage. Join your private driver-guide on a 2.5h Anchorage City Tour. Head to Port of Anchorage at Ship Creek banks where the former tent city was born. You might see Chinook Salmon at the world’s only urban King Salmon fishery (Jun-Jul). Walk to the bronze Arctic art installation honoring Grandma Olga Ezi, the Dena’ina matriarch who settled at Alaskan native village of Eklutna. Travel via Bootleggers Cove, walk the Earthquake Park (site of the word’s second most powerful earthquake), drive around Lake Hood (world’s busiest seaplane base) and Chugach Mountains lookout (weather permitting, you can see mountain ranges and Cook Inlet). It is not uncommon to see an occasional moose or bald eagle.

Note: For guests returning from Kodiak Bear Centre, you will enjoy your Anchorage City tour on Day 11 before your airport transfers.

Transfer to the airport.