Alaska Adventure
Epic Alaska Adventure – Glaciers, Wilderness & the Open Road
Embark on an unforgettable 15-night Alaska self-drive holiday covering 1450 miles and exploring some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. Beginning and ending in Anchorage, this breathtaking journey takes you south to the fjords of Seward, north to the majestic peaks of Denali National Park, and deep into the remote wilderness of Wrangell–St Elias, America’s largest national park.
Cruise past glaciers and whales in Kenai Fjords, soak in natural hot springs near Fairbanks, and drive scenic byways framed by snow-capped mountains and wild rivers. With stays in frontier towns, cosy lodges, and national park cabins, you’ll experience Alaska’s raw beauty and frontier spirit at every turn. This is the ultimate adventure for travellers who crave freedom, discovery, and the open road.
Remember: We’re UK-based, and every holiday we create is fully flexible – you can add nights, upgrade hotels, or enhance your itinerary. We love designing tailor-made self-drive adventures just for you!
15 night self drive holiday from £4,699pp including flights, accommodation & car rental
Highlights
Walk on Ancient Glaciers
Explore America’s Largest National Park
Cruise Among Glaciers and Wildlife with a boat tour in Kenai Fjords National Park
Discover Alaska’s Wild Frontier Towns
Your itinerary
Want to see even more?
Add an Inside Passage cruise before or after your Alaska Adventure
For those who want to see even more of Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes, why not add a scenic cruise along the Inside Passage either before or after your self-drive adventure? This legendary waterway is one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the world, weaving past misty fjords, tidewater glaciers, and remote fishing villages that are only accessible by sea.
Glide past towering glaciers as they calve dramatically into the ocean, watch for humpback whales and orcas in the icy waters, and explore ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, each rich with Gold Rush history and Native Alaskan culture.
We can easily adapt your Alaska Adventure itinerary to fit the cruise schedule, giving you the best of both worlds: the freedom of the open road and the breathtaking views of Alaska’s wild coastline.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ANCHORAGE
Land in Alaska’s largest city and begin your adventure surrounded by mountain and coastal beauty.
Arrive in Anchorage, where city energy meets rugged wilderness. Collect your rental car and check into your hotel before heading out to explore. Visit the Anchorage Museum for a primer on Alaskan culture and history, or walk the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for sweeping views across Cook Inlet. As evening falls, enjoy fresh seafood or a hearty Alaskan meal and rest up for the days ahead.
1 Night in
Anchorage, AK
Arrival
Day
DAYs 2-3: ANCHORAGE TO SEWARD
Drive one of Alaska’s most scenic highways to the coastal town of Seward where you’ll cruise among glaciers and marine wildlife in an unforgettable coastal setting.
Travel south along the stunning Seward Highway, tracing the curves of Turnagain Arm where snow-capped peaks tower above glittering waters. Pause at Beluga Point to spot whales or at Potter Marsh to watch eagles and waterfowl before arriving in Seward, a charming harbour town framed by glaciers and fjords. Visit the awe-inspiring Exit Glacier, part of Kenai Fjords National Park, then settle in for the night surrounded by Alaska’s wild beauty. The next day, set sail on a scenic cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, where colossal tidewater glaciers crash into the sea and wildlife abounds — from humpback whales and sea otters to puffins and bald eagles. Back on shore, enjoy a peaceful evening strolling Seward’s waterfront and dining on fresh Alaskan seafood as the sun dips behind the mountains.
2 Nights in
Seward, AK
130 miles
DAY 4: SEWARD TO TALKEETNA
Journey north to the quirky riverside town with views of mighty Denali.
Retrace your route through Anchorage before heading north to Talkeetna, a colourful small town where rivers converge under the shadow of Denali. Wander its historic Main Street with rustic shops and cafés, or take a flightseeing tour for breathtaking aerial views of North America’s tallest peak. Talkeetna’s mix of small-town charm and wild scenery makes it an unforgettable stop.
1 Night in
Talkeetna, AK
240 miles
DAYs 5-6: TALKEETNA TO DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Drive north into Alaska’s crown jewel of wilderness and towering mountains. Spend the day immersed in wilderness and watch for Alaska’s Big Five.
Venture north into Alaska’s vast interior as you make your way to Denali National Park, one of North America’s greatest wildernesses. The drive offers breathtaking views of the Alaska Range, with opportunities to stop and photograph Denali, the continent’s tallest peak, rising majestically above the horizon. Settle into your cozy lodge near the park entrance, where trails wind through pristine forest and tundra. The next day, join a guided tour deep into the park for unforgettable encounters with Alaska’s iconic wildlife — from moose and caribou to grizzly bears and Dall sheep — set against a backdrop of snowcapped peaks. For a truly awe-inspiring experience, take a scenic flight over Denali with the option to land on a glacier. As evening falls, unwind at your lodge, surrounded by the quiet majesty of Alaska’s wild frontier.
2 nights at
Denali National Park, AK
145 miles
DAYs 7-8: DENALI TO FAIRBANKS
Head north to the Golden Heart City, Alaska’s gateway to the Arctic.
Continue north along the Parks Highway to Fairbanks, a vibrant frontier city surrounded by untamed wilderness. Begin your visit at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, where fascinating exhibits showcase the region’s native heritage, wildlife, and art. In summer, experience the magic of the midnight sun, with daylight that lasts around the clock, or join a tour to the Arctic Circle for a true bucket-list adventure. Spend the following day exploring the city’s rich culture at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, or cruise the Chena River aboard a classic sternwheeler. End your day with a relaxing soak at the Chena Hot Springs, whose steaming geothermal pools and shimmering ice museum offer the perfect finale. Outside the summer months, this is also one of Alaska’s best spots to witness the spellbinding Northern Lights.
2 Nights in
Fairbanks, AK
130 miles
DAY 9: FAIRBANKS TO COPPER CENTER
Drive south along historic highways to a small frontier settlement.
Today’s drive follows the Richardson Highway, once a key route for gold rush pioneers and Alaska’s oldest highway which began as an 1898 gold rush trail and not paved until 1957. Stop at scenic viewpoints such as Big Delta State Historical Park before continuing south to Copper Center, one of the oldest non-native settlements in Alaska. The area offers sweeping mountain views and a quiet frontier atmosphere.
1 Night in
Copper Center, AK
260 miles
DAYs 10-11: COPPER CENTER TO WRANGELL–ST. ELIAS NP
Take a scenic flight to the USA’s largest national park and settle into a historic mining town.
From Chitina, take a scenic flight into Kennicott, a historic mining town hidden deep within Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the largest in the United States. Surrounded by rugged peaks and ancient glaciers, Kennicott feels like a step back into Alaska’s frontier past. Wander among the red wooden buildings of the Kennicott Copper Mine, or join a guided walk onto the dazzling Root Glacier for an unforgettable on-ice adventure. Spend the following day immersed in the park’s raw beauty — hike to panoramic viewpoints, trek across glacier-carved valleys, or simply marvel at the staggering scale of the landscape, where nine of North America’s sixteen tallest peaks pierce the horizon.
2 Nights in
Kennicott, AK
50 miles
+1/2 hr flight
DAYs 12-13: KENNICOTT TO VALDEZ
Cruise into Prince William Sound or explore trails with glacier views.
Depart Kennicott with a scenic flight back to Chitina, then collect your car and set off toward Valdez, one of Alaska’s most picturesque coastal towns. The drive through Thompson Pass is spectacular, with towering peaks and waterfalls tumbling down steep cliffs. Nestled on Prince William Sound, Valdez is surrounded by fjords, glaciers, and pristine wilderness. Stroll along the harbour to watch fishing boats unload their catch before settling in for the night. The next day, venture out on a boat tour through Prince William Sound, where thunderous tidewater glaciers meet the sea and seals, otters, and whales are often seen among the ice. Alternatively, explore hiking trails like Mineral Creek, where cascading waterfalls and alpine views complete the picture. With its raw beauty and abundant wildlife, Valdez is pure Alaskan magic.
2 Nights in
Valdez, AK
1/2 hr flight
+120 miles
DAY 14: VALDEZ TO GLACIER VIEW
Drive the Glenn Highway to a cabin in the wilderness.
Head northwest along the Glenn Highway, a National Scenic Byway with sweeping mountain and glacier views. Your destination is Glacier View, where you’ll stay in a remote cabin surrounded by wilderness. In the evening, enjoy stargazing in one of Alaska’s darkest skies or take a short hike for dramatic views of the Matanuska Glacier.
1 Night in
Glacier View, AK
190 miles
DAY 15: GLACIER VIEW TO ANCHORAGE
Return to Anchorage through landscapes of rivers, mountains, and glaciers.
Make the drive back toward Anchorage, stopping at viewpoints along the way. You might visit the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area, where short trails lead to spectacular overlooks. Arrive in Anchorage for your final night, enjoying a last Alaskan meal and perhaps a stroll through the downtown area. Tomorrow you will board your overnight flight home, carrying with you memories of glaciers, mountains, wildlife, and Alaska’s unspoiled wilderness.
1 Night in
Anchorage, AK
110 miles
June - mid Sept: Many lodgings and transport links are only open during the Summer. Amazing wildlife including bears, bald eagles, whales, sea otters and seals can be spotted.
Daytime temperatures are usually cool but very comfortable, generally in the 15-20°C range and even into the high 20s. Days are long during the with July being the peak month.
You’ll need a connecting flght from the UK, probably via Seattle or Vancouver, we highly recommend a couple of days to explore the connecting city. Alaska is 8 or 9 hours behind the UK.
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