Compare Nature's Best: Alaska by Globus vs Alaska Journey by G Adventures
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,399 | $ 4,589 |
| Price Per Day | $ 486 | $ 459 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner |
| Description | Peaks. Glaciers. Whales. Wildlife. You couldn’t see more of the great state of Alaska in one week if you were an Iditarod sled dog. Your route on this tour of Alaska takes you by coach to see the highest peak in North America at the 6-million-acre Denali National Park; by train to see the untamed wilderness en route to the unique town of Talkeetna; and by ship to cruise through the stunning scenery of Kenai Fjords National Park to hear the thunderous roar of glaciers calving into the sea. You’ll also see a mushing demonstration at the home of an Iditarod champion and stop at the famous Talkeetna Roadhouse for an Alaskan treat. A sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks, a breathtaking drive along the shore of Turnagain Arm, and a wilderness expedition to sniff out bears, caribou, and moose in Denali National Park will also get your tails wagging. |
Embark on an unforgettable voyage in Alaska, venturing from the sparkling coast of the Kenai Peninsula to the rugged wilderness of Denali National Park. Encounter incredible wildlife by land and sea—grizzly bears and caribou, puffins and whales—and get close to calving glaciers and soaring peaks. On scenic excursions by private vehicle, catamaran, and foot, get immersed in the untouched splendour of America’s Last Frontier. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN FAIRBANKS
Welcome to Alaska! Meet your Tour Director between 3 pm and 7 pm in the hotel reception area.
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Day 2: FAIRBANKS–DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Native American Traditions This morning, board the sternwheeler Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River with a stop at the Chena Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! We then continue to Denali National Park, home to North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), majestically dominating the park’s 6 million acres. This evening, enjoy a [LF] private presentation by a local Naturalist and dinner at Murie Science & Learning Center. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITE CONSERVATION HEROES Enjoy dinner at the Murie Science and Learning Center where stewardship and education are key to preserve and nurture the wild places of American national parks. You’ll hear fascinating and informative information presented by a Local Naturalist in this vital site named for wildlife biologist Adolph Murie who made lasting contributions to the understanding of wolves and wildlife management in DenaliTOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS Experience frontier living in an Athabascan village on the Chena River. Here in the Alaskan forests, cabins are made of spruce logs, and the old ways of living with the land are beautifully preserved in the heritage of the Athabascan Native culture. Learn about traditions and survival in an unforgiving yet beautiful environment, where generations of Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years, ultimately adapting to village life and Western culture in the past century.
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Day 3: DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Wilderness Wonders Morning at leisure. Optional activities include a float trip down the Nenana River and a helicopter ride over the park. Later, journey into the 6-million-acre Denali National Park with a Naturalist Driver Guide on a Tundra Wilderness tour. The evening is free. (Breakfast,Lunch)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Venture deep into Denali National Park and Preserve with a Naturalist Driver Guide in search of fantastic wildlife and natural wonders. Stay alert for wildlife, including Denali’s Big-Five, the grizzly bear, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and the formidable yet elusive wolf. Named for the highest mountain peak in North America, Denali is a natural treasure of pristine and untamed wilderness at its finest.
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Day 4: DENALI NATIONAL PARK–ALASKA RAILROAD–TALKEETNA
Sled Races & Railroads This morning, visit the home of an Iditarod Musher to hear stories of their adventures and meet their champion racers. Then, board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today’s ride ends in the unique town of Talkeetna, a model for the TV show Northern Exposure. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Overnight at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. From its incredible setting on a ridge just above the town of Talkeetna, the lodge offers majestic views of Denali, the highest peak in North America. Enjoy scenic hiking, flightseeing, or simply relax amid stunning views of Mount Denali from the deck or hearthside by the crackling fire of a giant river rock fireplace.
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Day 5: TALKEETNA–SEWARD
Anchorage Adventures This morning, enjoy a traditional [LF] Alaskan treat at the historic Talkeetna Roadhouse. Then, head south toward Anchorage and continue on a scenic drive along the Kenai Peninsula en route to Seward. Join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner this evening. (Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Roughing it never seemed so sweet with a visit to Talkeetna Roadhouse for an Alaskan treat in its original two-story log building and barn. Built circa 1917 as a freight-hauling supply station, this rustic roadhouse is home to fresh-baked treats served hot from its kitchen for an authentic Alaskan experience.
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Day 6: SEWARD. CRUISE IN KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK–ANCHORAGE
Making a Splash Today, board your vessel for a cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park with the opportunity to see glaciers calving into the sea, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and more! (Breakfast,Lunch)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park covers 600,000 acres of protected and pure wilderness, with more than half of its majestic landscapes covered in ice and snow. From the massive Harding Icefield to the countless tidewater glaciers carving deep fjords, this arctic paradise is a natural wonder to behold. A cruise on the fjords affords an unforgettable opportunity to see glaciers calving into the sea, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and more breathtaking sights.
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Day 7: ANCHORAGE
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1 Anchorage
Arrive at any time.
Please keep in mind, a lot of what there is to see and do in Alaska is weather-dependent. We give our CEOs the opportunity to adjust the schedule as needed based on weather.
Day 2 Anchorage/Homer
Travel along the stunning coast of the Kenai Peninsula, where glaciers tumble down from mountains towards the ocean. As we drive along the Turnagain Arm, keep an eye out for beluga whales playing out at sea, or catch a glimpse of volcanoes across the Cook Inlet. Upon arrival in Homer, opt to stretch your legs on a short hike outside of town.
Day 3 Homer
Enjoy a free day in Homer. Stroll the quaint streets and check out the restaurants and art galleries along the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile-long finger of land protruding into Kachemak Bay. Discover stories of life on the bay at the natural history museum or satisfy your adventurous side exploring Kachemak Bay by water taxi, kayak, on a self-guided hike, or perhaps trying your hand at the local sport of halibut fishing.
Day 4 Homer/Seward
Leave Homer and travel the Kenai Penninsula to Kenai Fjords National Park, where the Ice Age still lingers. After lunch, hit the trail to view the impressive Exit Glacier and to witness the size of this natural phenomenon in person. Black bears frequent the area and are a common sight as well.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free to explore the coastal town of Seward nestled in the majestic fjord of Resurrection Bay. Known for its abundance of sea life, often sea otters and harbor seals are spotted directly from the shore.
Day 5 Seward
Today, visit the world-renowned Alaska Sea Life Center, an aquarium that collaborates with National Geographic on wildlife initiatives. We'll also set out by catamaran to cruise the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. Enjoy narration by a knowledgeable park ranger while scanning the sea for puffins, sea lions, colonies of seabirds, and whales (including, if we’re lucky, orcas). See three types of glaciers and watch and listen for ice calving off the tidewater glacier. Spend the evening at your leisure; opt to go hiking or explore the town.
Day 6 Seward/Denali National Park and Preserve
Keep your camera close during a scenic drive to Denali National Park, named for the highest mountain in North America—formerly known as Mount McKinley, at a dizzying 20,310 feet high. Beginning in the early 20th century, National Geographic has funded several exploratory expeditions and research initiatives in Denali National Park, from early aerial photographs and mapping expeditions, to research pertaining to the volcanic craters here and the behaviour of wolf packs. Upon arrival take time to settle into your rustic lodgings in the Denali wilderness before the group will meet with an instructor from the Denali Education Center. The instructor will share a presentation focusing on Indigenous history in Alaska. They will discuss the global and hyperlocal effects of the modern age on generations of Indigenous cultures while standing on the very land that five different native groups lived on and called home for thousands of years.
Please remember that due to the remoteness of the Denali area, the accommodation is simple, but allows you access to one of the most stunning wildlife areas in Alaska.
Day 7 Denali National Park and Preserve
Depart early and catch the shuttle into the heart of Denali National Park. As you make your way to the East Fork Bridge at (Mile 43) take in breathtaking views of the Alaska Range and snap pictures of wildlife such as caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, and wolves in their natural habitat.
Private vehicles cannot drive into the National park. The excursion today is a guided tour operated by the park and other travellers may also be on the excursion.
Day 8 Denali National Park and Preserve
Learn about the extreme conditions that shape life in Denali and its subarctic ecosystem, hearing stories of the resilient First Nations people who have survived here for generations. Head out on a guided hike with a naturalist and take in the rugged beauty of the Denali wilderness. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and explore on your own. Opt to observe a dog-sledding talk and demonstration.
Day 9 Denali National Park and Preserve/Anchorage
Enjoy the scenic drive back to Anchorage, following the Alaska Range southward along the picturesque Susitna River. Opt for a final dinner with your fellow travelers this evening, and reflect on your epic journey into the wild.
Day 10 Anchorage
Depart at any time.
